Chapter 177 Dragon and Phoenix

The Emperor stepped forward and said, "Is the Eastern Palace inauspicious? The Crown Prince isn't qualified to sit in that position? Do you think that idiot Third Brother can sit there? I'm afraid my Mu Ning Kingdom will be ruined in his hands!"

Concubine Shu fell to the ground. She looked up at the emperor in disbelief and said, "Lian'er is a little naive, but she's not completely useless, right?"

Not to mention that the country was destroyed in his hands, and he still had his grandfather, the prime minister, to assist him.

"You mean, he has the support of his grandfather? But in your Su family, who else is behind you except your father?" The emperor snorted coldly. He had known about Concubine Shu's ambition a long time ago, but at that time it was just to balance the Crown Prince Chu Chen.

Otherwise, the prince's family would be the only one in power, and it would be good to have Shu Guifei to balance it out.

Now, the crown prince is Chu Cong, and his health is getting worse than before. He wants to pave the way for the crown prince.

"Come here, strip me of my title and demote me to a concubine."

The emperor's cold voice rang out, and Concubine Shu seemed to have just reacted and said, "No, Your Majesty."

Concubine Shu knelt forward, tugged at the corner of the emperor's dragon robe, raised her head, and said with tears in her eyes: "Your Majesty, I have served you for so many years. Even if I have no merit, I have worked hard. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy!"

She was demoted from the position of imperial concubine to that of concubine. How could she have a good position in this palace in the future?

"snort."

The emperor snorted coldly, his expression icy, without a trace of pity.

…

East Palace.

"Your Highness, the concubine has a high fever and the baby in her belly..." Doctor Lin hesitated and said, "If the fever doesn't go away, the baby will be in danger."

"The concubine is now over seven months pregnant, almost eight months. Induction can be used."

Doctor Lin tried many methods, but none of them could reduce the fever. There was really no other way. If this continued, he was afraid the child would die.

Even if you give birth to a child now, I'm afraid it will be a life-or-death situation.

It’s only seven months old, it’s too early to give birth now!

Chu Cong's eyes were filled with hesitation. At this moment, Zhu Xin ran over anxiously and said, "Your Highness, Concubine Shen is about to give birth!"

"What?"

Chu Cong was shocked for a moment and quickly said, "Let the midwife deliver the baby. Everyone who enters Youlan Courtyard must not be infected with smallpox."

Chu Cong immediately gave the order. Shen Lingshu vomited at that time, but later Madam Cui diagnosed that there was nothing wrong.

The several courtyards are also separated. Now, the one with a ceiling is Qiutang Courtyard.

Soon, everyone knew that Shen Lingshu was about to give birth.

When the emperor heard the news, he was silent for a while. This child came at the wrong time.

In Qiutang Courtyard, when Concubine Fang learned that Shen Lingshu was about to give birth, she recalled what Doctor Lin had just said. She had been running a high fever for two days and two nights, and the baby in her belly was weak. If she didn't give birth soon, she was afraid...

"Someone, induce labor!"

Concubine Fang's eyes flashed with sternness. She wanted to take a chance and make sure her son would survive after being born!

After many life-and-death struggles, her child is now exactly eight months old!

Fortunately, after entering the Eastern Palace, there were more palace servants serving him than before in the palace. Now that this child was born, Chu Cong walked back and forth in the courtyard, listening to the news from Qiutang Courtyard and Youlan Courtyard from time to time, and he was worried!

If it wasn't smallpox, she could go and take a look now!

The sky gradually darkened. Chu Cong said, "Qingwu, go to the door and ask how the preparations for using cowpox to treat smallpox are going!"

"yes."

Qingwu immediately went to the gate of the East Palace and asked the eunuchs outside about the progress.

Concubine Shen said that she had seen cowpox used to treat smallpox before. If there really was a suburb, the prince would definitely be safe!

When the emperor heard the news, he immediately ordered people to search the capital for cows infected with smallpox. Although he had never heard of cowpox being a cure for smallpox, the emperor still had some hope.

Prince, you will be safe and sound.

In addition to the Eastern Palace, there were several smallpox outbreaks in Kyoto. The emperor had been prepared for this and sent Shuntian Prefecture to isolate those who had contracted smallpox on the spot.

Even though the imperial physician prescribed preventive medicine, within two or three days, many people in the capital were infected with smallpox, and gradually more and more people were infected in the south city.

The rumor that the crown prince was unlucky and not approved by God could not be stopped even if the emperor forced everyone to keep silent. The rumor intensified, and many people even wrote letters requesting the crown prince to be deposed!

The emperor was so angry that he didn't even attend the morning court.

Youlan Courtyard.

Shen Lingshu ate a bowl of noodles and felt her stomach ache from time to time, but she could still bear it. She patted her stomach and said, "Baby, you really know how to pick the time."

Shen Lingshu sighed. Donggong had contracted smallpox, and rumors were flying everywhere. She hoped that cowpox could be found and treated as soon as possible, otherwise...

"Concubine, your cervix hasn't opened yet. How about eating some more?" The midwife took a look and thought that although Concubine Shen's second child was not born quickly, it was not painful.

In Qiutang Courtyard, Concubine Fang had a difficult time giving birth to her child. She had already contracted smallpox and had a high fever that wouldn't go away. She hadn't eaten much for two days, so giving birth to the child was even more difficult.

"Did she give birth?"

Concubine Fang was twitching in pain and she grabbed Nanny Gui's hand and asked.

"not yet."

Nanny Gui looked at Concubine Fang worriedly. She was already showing symptoms of smallpox, and the child was so young, if he was born...

Nanny Gui didn't dare to think about it, so she could only comfort Concubine Fang and tell her to give birth well.

Time passed little by little, and at dawn, Shen Lingshu felt her stomachache worse. She couldn't help but say, "They don't want to be born at dawn like their sister, right?"

"Of course it is, Master. Try harder. The midwife says she can already see the baby's head."

Liu Si took a handkerchief and kept wiping her sweat while speaking comfortingly.

"Push hard, like you're taking a shit."

The midwife's voice was still rhythmic as she spoke, and Shen Lingshu grabbed the quilt, unable to help but shouting out.

"ah……"

Chu Cong stood outside the yard. When he heard the voice coming from Shen Lingshu's side, he stood at the door and asked anxiously: "Zhu Xin, how is Lingshu? Is she giving birth?"

Zhuxin was lying at the door and was about to speak when she heard the sound of a baby crying from inside the house.

"She gave birth. The concubine gave birth."

Zhuxin shouted happily.

Not long after, another cry was heard, and an excited voice came from the room: "Congratulations, Concubine, congratulations, Concubine, you gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl."

"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness! The concubine has given birth to twins, a boy and a girl."

Xia Yu stood at the door and announced the good news loudly through the closed door.

"Okay, everyone gets a reward."

Chu Cong was extremely happy. He told Xia Yu to take good care of Shen Lingshu, then hurried to the gate of the East Palace and said, "Tell my father that Lingshu gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl."

The dragon and the phoenix appearing together is a sign of good fortune.

In the imperial study, the emperor, who had not slept all night, soon heard the news. He was happy but also worried about smallpox.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty."

The director of the Imperial Hospital arrived and excitedly said, "Cowpox can indeed cure smallpox!"

The emperor's pupils shrank. The twins, a boy and a girl, were born at dawn. Smallpox, which always killed and injured many people, could be cured!

Who said his crown prince was unlucky? He was clearly the true dragon emperor, and his grandson was also blessed.