In the delivery room, Zheng He went up to remind her several times, but the Empress was just too tired to sleep. The Emperor remained motionless, like a statue.

He was still worried, so he had the imperial physician go in and check on her several more times to make sure that Azi was just asleep. Coming to his senses, he began to wipe Azi's body with warm water, then changed her into new clothes, and held her as he fell into a deep sleep.

He could be said to have not slept well for more than a month. He slept soundly while holding his beloved, and the dark circles under his eyes were particularly obvious.

Zheng He and the imperial physician breathed a sigh of relief and quietly withdrew, no longer disturbing the two.

Di Jingyuan stayed with the baby until dark before coming to the delivery room to inquire about the situation. Learning that both were still resting, he didn't want to disturb them.

"Your Highness, it is getting late. Why don't you rest at Jinghe Garden? I have had your bedchamber and dinner prepared. You must be tired after a long day."

Emperor Jingyuan glanced at the tightly closed door, blinked his dry eyes, and nodded: "Alright, make sure they take good care of the little prince!"

As the two walked out, Zheng He Er smiled and assured them, "Your Highness, rest assured, the young prince is of noble status, and no one would dare to neglect him."

The next morning, Azi opened her tired eyes and felt that her body was still very sore and weak, but very dry and without the sticky feeling of the previous day.

She glanced sideways and saw Di Jingcheng's tired, weary eyes. Even in his sleep, he was still holding her tightly, clinging to her body. It seemed that he had been really frightened yesterday.

She knew he hadn't had a proper rest in a long time, so she didn't move and just quietly watched him. She was surprised to find that the man had grown stubble overnight; she reached out and gently touched it—it was even a little prickly!

She watched quietly for a while, her eyes getting a little sore, then closed them to continue resting. Qinghe came in to check on them several times, but seeing that neither of them showed any sign of waking up, she didn't disturb them.

It wasn't until noon that Di Jingcheng finally woke up, while Azi remained asleep. He quietly got up, his mind much clearer, and walked to the door: "Someone come here."

Qinghe and Zheng He hurriedly pushed open the door and came in: "Your Majesty!"

"Prepare some nutritious and delicious food, and prepare warm water."

"yes."

Azi woke up amidst the whispers of the three people at the door. As soon as Di Jingcheng finished giving his instructions and turned around, he saw his darling staring at him with wide eyes.

He called out again, "Let the imperial physician come in and bring the child over!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Di Jingcheng turned and rushed to the bedside, his eyes full of tenderness and worry. He held her small hand in one hand and gently touched her face: "Is there anything else that's uncomfortable? Tell your husband!"

Azi only felt weak and sore, and her lower body was a little painful, but she didn't feel uncomfortable otherwise.

"I just feel a little sore and achy, but otherwise there's nothing wrong, so don't worry." Azi's voice was a little hoarse, and Di Jingcheng quickly poured her a glass of warm water and fed it to her.

"Come on, drink slowly, and be careful."

The imperial physician stood aside, not daring to say a word or disturb them, until Zheng San brought in the little prince.

"Take the Empress's pulse." Emperor Jingcheng stepped aside, turned around and took the child. Qinghe brought in two palace maids carrying food, and everything was in perfect order.

Although Di Jingcheng was holding the little prince, Zheng San helped him adjust his position, making both father and son more comfortable. He looked at his son carefully; he was very handsome, a tiny little thing, born to him by his beloved Azi who had risked her life.

Was it his child from his past life coming to find him? His eyes reddened slightly, and he held back his tears, hugging the child and kissing him gently: "Father's precious son, Father will protect you and your mother from now on."

"Zheng He, convey my decree. The Empress has safely given birth to a prince. Proclaim this to the world, and all shall rejoice. A three-year tax exemption shall be granted! Furthermore, the prince is the Empress's eldest son, of noble birth, and is born intelligent and quick-witted. He shall be designated as the Crown Prince of Xijing!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty the Empress! Congratulations, Your Highness the Crown Prince!" Everyone offered their congratulations with great joy.

"You've all been rewarded. Now you may leave."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After the imperial physician finished taking the pulse and knelt down, he got up from the ground, finally relieved of the burden he had carried for so long.

"Your Majesty and the Empress congratulate you on the birth of the Crown Prince. Both the Empress and the Crown Prince are in good health."

Emperor Jingcheng nodded happily: "Thank you for your hard work, Imperial Physician. The Imperial Hospital will reward you."

The crowd thanked the emperor and withdrew, secretly marveling that the emperor finally showed the joy of fatherhood, a stark contrast to his appearance yesterday.

Azi was also overjoyed. Watching her husband holding their child with such tenderness and happiness, her lips never left her mouth. At that moment, she felt that all the pain was worth it.

Despite his joy, Emperor Jingcheng carried the child to the bedside and gently placed him next to Azi. The little prince was still fast asleep, blowing bubbles, and looked just like Emperor Jingcheng, especially his eyebrows, eyes, and mouth, while his nose resembled Azi's.

Azi reached out and gently poked his little face, exclaiming in surprise, "He's so soft, so small, so cute! He's my son!"

The man laughed heartily, "That's right, it was born from me and Azi! My baby is the greatest, you nurtured him, and I will protect you both from now on!"

Azi nodded happily, her eyes never leaving the little prince. Emperor Jingcheng, worried about tiring himself out, handed the child over to Qinghe after about fifteen minutes and then half-held Azi while feeding her.

Azi glared at him disapprovingly: "I haven't seen enough yet!"

"Yu Chu, my little Chu'er! I want to see!" A Zi said softly, feeling that her son was just too cute.

Di Jingcheng nodded indulgently, coaxing her to eat while having Qinghe hold her up for her to see. The little prince seemed to hear his parents' voices, his sleepiness vanished, and he opened his little mouth, his dark, grape-like eyes sparkling and clear, innocent of the world.

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