Chapter 128

In three more hours, then we only need to wait another three hours...

Shen Qingnian tried to reassure herself while forcing herself to sleep for a while; she needed to rest.

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On the other side.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony was brightly lit, and all the court officials and palace servants knelt on the ground, reporting to Song Xuan one by one on the arrangements for the next day.

Song Xuan frowned slightly. He sat in his chair, somewhat lost in thought, and felt a strange unease in his heart, as if something important was slipping away...

He couldn't help but raise his hand to stop the report from his subordinates: "Please rest for a moment and take your seats."

The Minister of Rites stopped speaking, and the palace servants came forward to set out chairs and tea.

Song Xuan rubbed his temples and looked at Xia Zi beside him: "Is there anything going on at the Eastern Palace?"

He was somewhat worried about Qing Nian at this moment.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, Zhu Lan just sent word that the Crown Princess has fallen asleep after taking the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine sent by Imperial Physician Xu," Xia Zi said repeatedly.

He always had people keeping an eye on the movements of the Eastern Palace, so that nothing would go wrong.

Upon hearing this, Song Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. After drinking half a cup of tea, he began to discuss tomorrow's matters with his ministers.

As dawn broke, the Empress and the Emperor led the women of the harem to the outside of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Observatory had already set up the altar, and with three booming drumbeats, the enthronement ceremony officially began.

Inside the East Palace.

Shen Qingnian also vaguely woke up to the sound of the drums. Her stomach was still in pain and her whole body was already soaked in cold sweat. Fortunately, the hall was heated by an underfloor heating system, so she did not develop a fever.

She summoned Zhu Lan into her bedchamber and said weakly, "I am about to give birth. Quickly go to the Imperial Hospital and fetch Imperial Physician Xu and the midwife!"

Zhu Lan was startled and scrambled out of the East Palace.

Half an incense stick later, five midwives stood in the East Palace's sleeping quarters, including Imperial Physician Xu and his apprentice. Zhu Lan stood in a corner, her face full of anxiety and confusion.

She was somewhat at a loss. How could the Crown Princess suddenly be about to give birth? She was perfectly fine last night.

Now all the palace maids in the Eastern Palace have gone outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, leaving only her as the only palace maid.

"Go outside and wait, don't cause trouble here!" One of the midwives nudged Zhu Lan, signaling her to go outside the hall and keep watch.

Zhu Lan glanced at Shen Qingnian, who was surrounded by midwives. She was thus sent outside the hall by the midwives. According to the rules, servants who were not needed when their master gave birth should indeed leave.

Seeing Zhu Lan leave, Shen Qingnian, who was on the bed, gestured to Physician Xu to hand her the labor medicine, and then drank it all in one gulp.

Not long after, she felt her lower abdomen tighten again, accompanied by waves of intense pain.

She could hold on any longer and cried out in pain. Her screams were so piercing that they echoed throughout the entire Eastern Palace.

On the other side, inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Song Xuan was dressed in a yellow robe and wore a crown. He stood tall and elegant, exuding a majestic aura despite his gentle demeanor.

In the presence of the retired emperor and empress dowager, and all the court officials, he walked step by step toward the dragon throne, revered and supported by all.