Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“Aren’t you about to give birth?”

Li Si Qi looked at her, surprised. “What, you can’t feel the pain?”

“It hurts!”

Noble Lady Fu Cha nodded honestly. “If you aren’t here, I don’t feel safe.”

“Alright!”

Li Si Qi was speechless. She ordered the people at her side, “Hurry and send her to the birthing room.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Her personal nanny and senior maid supported Noble Lady Fu Cha and took her to the birthing room. Before she went in, Noble Lady Fu Cha endured the labor pains and said one sentence, “An Ling Rong, help me keep an eye on things.”

“Don’t worry.”

Li Si Qi replied, “Leave it to me. Just focus on delivering.”

“An Ling Rong, thank you.”

“It’s fine. Send me something good afterward!”

“Alright!”

That smiling “Alright!” was cut off as the birthing room doors closed. Li Si Qi sat in the main hall and arranged the palace maids and eunuchs, each taking their posts and responsibilities. It looked busy, yet not chaotic at all. Li Si Qi did not forget to have a young eunuch go fetch the imperial physicians.

That way, if anything happened, they would not be scrambling to find one. Just then, a palace maid hurried over. “This servant greets Consort Xin.”

“What’s wrong with Second Attendant Jing?”

This was a palace maid from Xia Dong Chun’s side. Li Si Qi raised her brows and asked, “Or did she send you to come and check in?”

“Not that, Consort Xin.”

The palace maid looked anxious as she replied, “Our lady is also about to give birth.”

“What? Second Attendant Jing is also about to give birth?”

Li Si Qi stood up and asked as she walked, “Was it a coincidence, or is something wrong?”

“Replying to Consort Xin, our lady heard that Noble Lady Tian was about to give birth, got anxious and stood up. The moment she stood, her belly started to hurt.”

“Looks like it’s not an accident.”

“Our lady is frightened, so she sent this servant to invite Consort Xin to come over.”

“Mmm, I understand.”

The front hall was very close to the side halls. Li Si Qi reached the left side hall and immediately heard Xia Dong Chun’s wailing. “It hurts! It hurts so much!

I’m going to die of pain!”

“Relax. You won’t die.”

Li Si Qi snapped back irritably. “You look full of energy to me. Walk around more. Lie down only after your water breaks.”

“An Ling Rong, you’re here!”

Xia Dong Chun’s face was pale, and the fear in her eyes was obvious. “What do I do now? It’s pain, and then more pain!”

“That’s how giving birth is.”

Li Si Qi looked helpless. “Every woman has to get through this. You’re giving birth together with Noble Lady Tian, so you have company. Pull yourself together, listen to the midwives, and deliver the child quickly.

Only after the child is born will the pain stop. Don’t worry, I already sent people to summon the imperial physicians. Once they arrive, they’ll keep watch over you both. Nothing will happen.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Xia Dong Chun finally felt a little calmer. Enduring the pain, she followed the midwives’ arrangements. After watching her go into the birthing room, Li Si Qi returned to the main hall.

“Your Highness, you still haven’t sent anyone to notify His Majesty.”

Seeing her mistress forget the most important matter, Lu He had to re mind her.

“Oh, I forgot?”

Li Si Qi gave a casual order. “Send someone to the Imperial Study to tell His Majesty, and Noble Consort Hua. No need to inform anyone else. The Empress is resting in seclusion, so don’t disturb her.

And don’t bother the Empress Dowager either. Let the old lady recover in peace.”

“Yes!”

Lu He hurried off to find people. Soon, two young eunuchs ran out of Yan Xi Palace. A little later, Imperial Physician Zhang and Imperial Physician Wen arrived together. They saluted.

“We pay our respects to Consort Xin.”

“Imperial Physician Zhang, Imperial Physician Wen, no need for formalities.”

Li Si Qi looked at them. “Second Attendant Jing is also giving birth. Imperial Physician Wen, please go to the left side hall and keep watch there, alright?”

“Yes.”

Imperial Physician Wen went at once to the left side hall.

“Noble Consort Hua has arrived!”

A shout rang out. Li Si Qi rose to greet her. Noble Consort Hua’s graceful figure appeared in view. Li Si Qi saluted.

“This concubine pays respects to Noble Consort Hua.”

“This humble servant pays respects to Noble Consort Hua,” Imperial Physician Zhang followed with a salute.

Two young eunuchs carried out chairs.

“Rise.”

Noble Consort Hua swept her gaze over them and sat down. “No one else is here yet?”

“They probably haven’t even received the message.”

Li Si Qi replied, “This concubine only arranged for His Majesty and Noble Consort Hua to be informed.”

“Smart of you.”

Noble Consort Hua nodded with satisfaction. “How is it?”

“They only just entered the birthing room. It won’t be quick.”

“Boring.”

The two of them chatted idly. Consort Jing arrived. She also held palace authority, so naturally she received the news earlier than the others. After exchanging greetings, the two of them sat on either side of Noble Consort Hua.

When the other consorts arrived, they saw the scene and all froze for a moment. With the Empress absent, Noble Consort Hua truly held the highest place. Everyone hurriedly saluted. Zhen Huan and Shen Mei Zhuang were confined to their palaces to reflect, so they did not appear.

Consort Li, Noble Lady Cao, Noble Lady Xin, Second Attendant Xi, Second Attendant Kang, and Attendant Yu all came. Those who should be here were all present. Attendant Yu was usually arrogant. For some reason, facing Noble Consort Hua, she shrank like a quail, not daring to say a single word.

“His Majesty has arrived!”

Su Pei Sheng’s call rang out. Everyone present rose to greet him. As soon as the Emperor entered, his eyes fell on the alluring Noble Consort Hua.

“Rise.”

After saying that, he strode quickly to her and personally helped her up. “Shi Lan, how is your recovery?”

“Very well.”

Noble Consort Hua looked him over and could not help feeling a pang of sadness. “Your Majesty has lost weight these days, too.”

“It’s fine. My body is strong.”

The Emperor’s tone carried a hint of tenderness. “You’re the one who’s truly lost weight, Shi Lan.”

“This concubine is alright.”

No matter how much hatred Nian Shi Lan had, she would never hate the man before her. She pulled him to sit down. “Your Majesty, sit. Noble Lady Tian and Second Attendant Jing have only been in the birthing room for about half an hour.

Just sit and wait.”

“Alright. Shi Lan, you sit as well.”

The Emperor took Noble Consort Hua’s seat. Consort Jing could only give up her own seat. When she moved, Li Si Qi had to move as well. She simply saluted the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, since Your Majesty and Noble Consort Hua are here, this concubine will return to watch Sixth Prince and the little Princess.”

“Mmm. Go.”

The Emperor nodded. “I’ll go see Little Six and the little Princess later.”

“Yes!”

Li Si Qi saluted and was about to withdraw.

“Wait.”

Noble Consort Nian, who had just sat down, stood up again. “Consort Xin, I’ll go with you.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Li Si Qi agreed at once. One after the other, they went to the right side hall. The moment they entered, they heard the little ones’ soft whimpering.

“What is it? What’s wrong with the children?”

Noble Consort Hua hurried forward, her tone tight with worry. “Are the children unwell?” The wet nurses, Ruo Lan, and the others who were tending the two little ones turned at the sound. Seeing who it was, they immediately saluted.

“This servant pays respects to Noble Consort Hua.”

“Enough. Get up, get up.”

Noble Consort Hua waved impatiently, then slowed her steps as she approached the two little ones. Ruo Lan and the wet nurse could not help looking toward Li Si Qi behind her. Li Si Qi gave a slight nod and said nothing.

“They…”

Noble Consort Hua looked at the two tiny babies, trembling with excitement. “Which one is Sixth Prince, and which one is the little Princess?” The child she bore had been the true little Princess. Unfortunately, she died at birth.

This little Princess was still the Third Princess born as part of the twins. Noble Consort Hua asked, but her eyes were locked tightly on the smaller baby. Li Si Qi stepped forward and followed her gaze. In a soft voice, she said, “The little Princess did not develop well in the womb, so she’s a bit smaller than Sixth Prince.

Thankfully, her bones are still quite strong. She just needs to be nurtured carefully, and she’ll be fine.”