"I reiterate my point: do everything you can to save both the mother and the child. If that fails, the imperial heir will be the priority."

Having learned from her previous experience, Consort Yi speaks with much more confidence now.

With a soft sigh, Consort Yi waved her hand to signal the midwife to go and prepare, then stepped forward and entered the delivery room.

Traditionally, men were not allowed to enter the delivery room, supposedly because they would be affected by the unclean air there. Women, however, were exempt, especially since Consort Yi was not only the head consort of Yikun Palace but also the younger sister of Consort Guo Luoluo. Logically and emotionally, there was nothing wrong with her going in.

After seeing Consort Yi enter the room, the concubines who remained outside began to talk.

"Do you think Guo Luoluo will really get into trouble this time?"

Consort Hui arrived relatively late and was barely noticeable in the main hall. Later, when everyone arrived at the courtyard, she didn't even have a chance to speak.

Now that Consort Yi has left, Consort Hui can no longer hold back and begins to speak.

"The midwife's words sound ominous, but the imperial physicians at the Imperial Hospital are all highly skilled, so everything should be alright."

Consort Ling, Consort Hui's cousin, chimed in. She said that she didn't get along with Consort Hui when she first entered the palace, after all, she came from the direct line of the Yehenara clan.

But as the saying goes, life in the harem is tough enough to test a person. Consort Ling has not gained any benefits since she entered the palace, but Consort Hui has not. She was both promoted to a high rank and had a son.

Naturally, after going around in circles, Yehenara chose to continue investing in Consort Hui, and Consort Ling, for the sake of livelihood, also became a docile lamb and befriended Consort Hui.

Nowadays, Consort Hui and Consort Ling are very close, and Consort Hui even occasionally pushes Consort Ling to gain favor, which is quite puzzling.

"I hope so. If something happens to Guo Luoluo, leaving only the young prince alone, it's quite pitiful."

With a flick of her handkerchief, Consort Hui wiped the corners of her eyes briefly. "I was thinking of Yinqi when he left the palace. Fortunately, he came back later, but when he first left, I was truly restless and unable to eat or sleep."

Consort Hui's affected manner made Xiu Ning roll her eyes inwardly. Oh dear, it's true that as soon as everyone else calms down, she can't help but jump out and cause trouble.

Is life in the palace really that easy? Why are there always people who can't stay still?

Xiu Ning shook her head, unable to understand, and then she heard Jia Fei retort again.

"What's so pitiful about it? Compared to the separation of mother and child by death, isn't it more pitiful for them to be separated in different places?"

Consort Jia snorted and, before Consort Hui could change her expression, mentioned Yinzhi, who was being raised by Consort Hui.

Well, this child is a bit unlucky.

Because of his birth mother's past actions, his biological father disliked him intensely.

As a result, even though his adoptive mother was a concubine, he rarely saw his biological father throughout the year.

That wasn't all; his adoptive mother's biological son was also very unfriendly to him, often coming back with sarcastic remarks and even treating him like a subordinate.

In short, there are many things going on at Chuxiu Palace.

What Consort Jia was implying was that Consort Hui restricted Juechan's daily interactions with Yinzhi, because Juechan was not favored by the Emperor, and the more she had contact with Yinzhi, the more it would affect Yinzhi's situation (in reality, Yinzhi's situation wasn't much better without Juechan).

"Yes, we are all mothers. Consort Hui even lost a child. Why can't we put ourselves in her shoes?"

Tong Jiarong also wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. Anyway, it didn't matter whether she shed tears or not; what they were pursuing was to gain the upper hand in the verbal argument.

"What the Imperial Concubine said... well, not everyone can truly understand her feelings."

If I were to have children, I would cherish them dearly and never allow them to suffer the slightest injustice.

Unfortunately, I am not blessed with good fortune and can only sigh in vain.

Consort Ping took over the conversation. She was a descendant of the current head of the Hesheli clan and also the cousin of the late Empress. She thought that she could rise rapidly after entering the palace, but she didn't expect that she would end up not even as prominent as Consort Xi, a concubine from a collateral branch.

Now, Consort Ling, who entered the palace with Consort Ping, has already bowed down to Consort Hui, and even Consort Ping herself is somewhat giving up. Could it be that the Emperor really likes the Crown Prince? She also comes from the Hesheli clan, so why can't she give birth to him?

"Your Highness, there is no need to belittle yourself. Your Highness is blessed with great fortune and will surely achieve your wishes in the future."

Even Consort Hui had people protecting her, so Consort Ping, who came from a better background than Consort Hui, naturally also had lackeys serving her.

Several less-than-outstanding concubines took turns praising Consort Ping, regardless of whether their words were appropriate or who Consort Ping was originally trying to satirize.

The once quiet place became lively as everyone protected their own interests.

Xiuning stood to the side, not interrupting or responding unless someone brought the topic to her.

Squeak—

The tightly closed door was pushed open again, and Consort Yi emerged from inside, her face deathly pale, accompanied by a midwife carrying a baby in swaddling clothes.

Huh? She gave birth?

"Consort Yi, this is..."

Tong Jia Rongyue glanced at the person behind Consort Yi again, and there was indeed no movement.

"He's been born! Just now, Consort Guoluo gave birth to the little prince safely," Consort Yi steadied herself and looked at everyone present. "The little prince is a little weak, please understand."

The swaddled baby was held in the midwife's arms and did not move. It was clear that Consort Yi did not want everyone to see the condition of the little prince, but since the child had already been born, she had to bring him out to show him.

The matter has already been discussed to this point. If anyone is still blind enough to insist on watching, then they will surely become enemies with Consort Yi.

The others weren't so lacking in emotional intelligence; they just exchanged glances and followed Xiu Ning's lead, showing concern for Consort Guo Luoluo, who had just given birth to the young prince.

"Consort Guoluo has fainted from exhaustion, and the imperial physician is treating her."

After Consort Yi finished speaking, she waved her hand, signaling the midwife to take the swaddled baby back to the house.

"Congratulations, Consort Yi! Consort Guoluo and her child are safe and sound, and you can now report this good news to the Emperor."

Xiu Ning subtly reminded Consort Yi of something, while also sending a signal to everyone that the mother and child had survived safely, and that they should quickly offer their congratulations.

The scattered congratulatory messages rose and fell, which greatly improved Consort Yi's unpleasant expression.

Consort Yi smiled and said, "Yikun Palace is busy with matters now, so I will not keep you any longer."

What's the point of keeping the baby if it's already been born? We can't see what happens next anyway.

The group, though saying some unfamiliar words, started walking back in twos and threes.

Before leaving, Xiu Ning asked the system to check on the condition of Guo Luoluo and her son. After learning that the situation was not very optimistic, she was relieved.

On the eighth day of the third month of the twenty-third year of the Kangxi reign, Consort Guoluo gave birth to the young prince, but the prince unfortunately died young in Yikun Palace just two days later.

At the same time, Guo Luoluo was given a direct medical notice by the imperial physician that her life was in danger.