Chapter 147 Phoenix's Birth

At night, Lu Zhaoxing woke up from a nightmare.

In her dreams, she always saw Pei Yuanzheng fall to the ground, covered in blood, a horrifying sight.

Lu Zhaoxing sat up abruptly, panting heavily, his forehead covered in cold sweat, his eyes filled with terror.

Seeing her like this, Shen Minghe felt sorry for her and pulled her into his arms, gently patting Lu Zhaoxing's back to comfort her.

Tears streamed down Lu Zhaoxing's face as she buried her face in Shen Minghe's chest, choking out, "Minghe... I'm sorry, I..."

"Zhaoxing, don't say sorry. I understand, I understand everything." As he spoke, Shen Minghe gently kissed the top of Lu Zhaoxing's head.

In fact, he also understood that if Pei Yuanzheng hadn't been burdened with the heavy responsibility of his family and pressured by the current emperor, he would never have been able to take the position of Lu Zhaoxing's husband...

What he should do is be a considerate and generous husband. As long as Zhaoxing has him in her heart, nothing else matters...

Shen Minghe spoke slowly, his tone gentle: "Zhaoxing, the dead cannot be brought back to life, and I don't think Pei Yuanzheng would want to see you like this either."

"From now on, I will always be with you and take good care of you. I also hope that you can gradually let go."

Lu Zhaoxing got up from Shen Minghe's embrace. Looking at the loneliness and heartache in Shen Minghe's eyes, she felt extremely guilty.

Lu Zhaoxing nodded gently, said nothing more, and snuggled back into Shen Minghe's arms.

After a long while, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep in Shen Minghe's warm embrace.

In her dream, Pei Yuanzheng's image reappeared in her mind, but this time, Lu Zhaoxing did not shed tears.

Because in her dream, Pei Yuanzheng told her, "Xing'er, don't be sad for me, I will definitely come back."

...

Two months later.

Inside Chengqian Palace, Lu Zhaoxue was holding a sour jujube in her hand, about to put it in her mouth, when she suddenly felt a clear sinking sensation in her stomach.

Lu Zhaoxue's pupils contracted slightly, her expression changed instantly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Haitang, the palace maid who was in charge of the household, noticed Lu Zhaoxue's condition and her heart skipped a beat. She immediately stepped forward to support her.

Haitang's voice was urgent yet composed: "Guards! Her Majesty the Empress is about to give birth! Quickly prepare—"

As soon as the words were spoken, the palace servants inside and outside the hall immediately sprang into action.

The Chengqian Palace, which was already on high alert due to the Empress's approaching delivery date, was now even more orderly.

The head maid directed the palace maids to bring in a soft couch, clean towels, and hot water that had been prepared beforehand. The imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital also quickly entered.

The midwife quickly stood guard at the door of the delivery room, and although there was a bit of tension in the air, there was no panic at all.

A moment later, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall, and Chu Huaiyu had already rushed into the hall.

Chu Huaiyu's hair ornament was slightly crooked, clearly indicating that he had rushed over after receiving the news.

"How is the Empress?"

As soon as Chu Huaiyu got to his feet, he immediately asked the head of the Imperial Medical Academy who was guarding outside the hall, his voice filled with barely concealed urgency.

The court official quickly bowed and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Empress is in good health, the baby is in the correct position, and everything is fine at the moment."

"The female physician and midwife are taking good care of Her Majesty in the palace, and they will surely ensure a safe delivery for Her Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Chu Huaiyu finally felt relieved and let out a long sigh of relief.

The anxiety in his eyes had subsided somewhat, but he still stared intently at the door of the delivery room, wishing he could push it open and enter immediately.

Chu Huaiyu was about to step inside when the palace maid Haitang stepped forward and stopped him.

Haitang knelt down, her tone earnest yet firm, and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive this servant for daring to obstruct you."

"Her Majesty's body is at its weakest during childbirth, and the palace has been carefully disinfected every day to ensure it is spotless. If Your Majesty were to barge in now, you might bring in outside pollutants and germs, which could offend Her Majesty the Empress."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Wei gasped in shock, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.

Having served Chu Huaiyu for so many years, he knew his emperor's temperament well. Anyone who said a single unpleasant word could be punished, let alone being prevented from seeing the Empress.

Chu Huaiyu had heard people mention before that "there is bloodshed in the delivery room, which may offend the emperor's body," but no one had ever dared to say so directly that it "offends the empress."

After listening, Chu Huaiyu pondered for a moment. Instead of getting angry, he showed a hint of agreement with the palace maid's words.

In his heart, Lu Zhaoxue's safety was more important than anything else!

If it were anyone else who dared to obstruct his actions like this, they would have been punished long ago. But now that he heard it was for Lu Zhaoxue's sake, he accepted it.

Chu Huaiyu said in a deep voice, "Get up. I was just impatient. It concerns the Empress's safety. You did very well. Go and receive your reward later."

Seeing the Emperor's calm attitude, Eunuch Wei finally felt relieved. He then secretly admired the Empress's importance in the Emperor's heart; she was indeed extraordinary!

Chu Huaiyu paced back and forth outside the hall, his eyes fixed on the delivery room.

Every step he took revealed his anxiety, and as he faintly heard Lu Zhaoxue's soft breathing coming from inside the hall, his heart couldn't help but clench again.

Fortunately, after only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a clear cry came from the delivery room!

The cry was crisp and clear, unlike the drawn-out and labored cry of a typical baby.

As if knowing the hardship of childbirth and not wanting her to suffer any more, the child was quickly and smoothly delivered by Lu Zhaoxue.

This considerate child is just like her biological father.

Chu Huaiyu, standing outside the hall, suddenly stopped in his tracks, frozen in place for a moment, before his eyes flashed with wild joy.

Immediately afterwards, the door to the delivery room was pushed open, and the female doctor and midwife walked out with joyful faces, kneeling down to pay their respects.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations! Her Majesty the Empress has given birth to a beautiful and lovely little princess!"

Chu Huaiyu could no longer contain his joy, and a genuine smile appeared on his face.

He murmured, "I have a daughter! Zhaoxue and I have a daughter!!"

Then, Chu Huaiyu raised his hand and ordered, "Issue my decree! Confer the title of Grand Princess upon the princess and bestow upon her a residence."

"Immediately issue an edict to the world, and celebrate with all people for five days. I want everyone to know! I have a daughter!" Chu Huaiyu's voice was filled with barely concealed excitement.

Eunuch Wei bowed and agreed immediately, then turned and hurried off to deliver the imperial decree.

Chu Huaiyu could no longer contain himself. He turned to the palace servants beside him and ordered, "Quickly! Prepare water immediately for me to bathe and burn incense. There must be no delay!"

He wanted to see Lu Zhaoxue, the woman who had given birth to his child with all her might, in his purest form, and to hold their hard-won daughter in his arms!

The palace servants dared not delay and immediately went to prepare.

Chu Huaiyu looked towards the delivery room again, her eyes filled with tenderness and anticipation.