Half an hour ago, the imperial concubine had already bathed, changed her clothes and prepared to rest. When she heard that Concubine Hui was about to give birth, she immediately got dressed and headed towards Jinghua Hall.

"What's going on? Didn't the imperial physician say that Consort Hui's due date is next month?"

Shu Qing also looked nervous. "The palace maids at Jinghua Hall reported that Concubine Hui had an argument with Concubine Yu, who also lived in Chonghua Palace. She slipped and fell, causing her miscarriage. Your Majesty, don't worry. The imperial physician has already gone. Concubine Hui will give birth safely."

The warm sedan moved very fast and arrived at Chonghua Palace in less than half a cup of tea.

Outside Jinghua Hall, Yu Meiren listened to Hui Cairen's shrill screams, and her heart almost jumped into her throat.

It was not until the eunuch outside shouted loudly that the imperial concubine had arrived that Concubine Yu felt as if thunder had rolled over her head. Her legs went limp and she collapsed to the ground.

The imperial concubine hurried in, holding Shuqing's hand. She looked up and saw Concubine Yu kneeling on the ground. Her eyes widened as she shouted, "Go kneel in the snow. You're not allowed to get up until Concubine Hui has given birth safely!"

Who can say for sure when Hui Cairen will give birth? It's freezing cold and snowy, and I'm afraid Yu Meiren's life will be lost.

"My Queen, please spare me, please spare me!"

Yu Meiren kowtowed desperately, praying that the imperial concubine would be kind-hearted.

But the imperial concubine didn't even look at her and walked straight towards the warm room.

The door curtain was lifted, and a strong smell of blood hit her face. The imperial concubine called Huaying over and asked worriedly, "How is Concubine Hui?"

Huaying was sweating profusely. "It won't work, Madam. The imperial physician said that the talented woman fell so hard that her qi and blood flowed backwards. I'm afraid she'll have a difficult birth."

The imperial concubine clenched her fists tightly, her nerves instantly tensed to the extreme because of Huaying's words.

"Tell the imperial physician and the midwife that they must keep Huicai and her child safe at all costs. Otherwise, I will have them buried with me."

"yes."

Huaying turned and left. Shuqing could clearly feel the Imperial Concubine's body trembling, and advised: "Your Majesty, please sit down first. Concubine Hui has always been in good health, so she will be fine."

The imperial concubine's palms were cold, and her chest felt heavy as if it was being pressed by a heavy object. "You are right, my child will be fine."

I don't know how long I waited, but there was a burst of clapping outside the door.

"The Emperor has arrived."

Zhao Yuancheng arrived, followed by Xi Zhaoyi, Wanpin and Wei Xianshi.

The imperial concubine seemed to have found her backbone all of a sudden. She rushed forward, not caring about etiquette, and begged, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician said that Concubine Hui might have a difficult delivery. Please save her."

Zhao Yuancheng held the imperial concubine's arm and comforted her, "Don't worry, Xue'er. Concubine Yi heard that Concubine Hui was having a difficult labor, so she specially asked me to bring her family's unique medicine to preserve the pregnancy. Concubine Hui and her daughter will be safe."

Upon hearing this, the imperial concubine's eyes suddenly lit up.

Shu Qing had just taken the medicine when she heard Xi Zhaoyi say in a gloomy tone, "Your Majesty, I think it's better to let the imperial physician take a look, so as to avoid the opposite effect and harming Hui Cairen again."

Zhao Yuancheng turned his head and glanced at Xi Zhaoyi, with displeasure in his eyes.

Xi Zhaoyi said awkwardly, "I meant well. If I said anything wrong, Your Majesty, please don't blame me."

Zhu Yu spoke at the right time, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, the Imperial Physician has examined this medicine and it is indeed a good one."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The imperial concubine ordered Shu Qing in a deep voice, "Hurry and send it in."

"yes."

Wanpin stepped forward and gently advised, "Your Majesty, this is Concubine Hui's first child, so it will probably take some time. It's getting late, so why don't you go back and rest first?"

Zhao Yuancheng ignored Wanpin and asked the Imperial Concubine in a deep voice, "When I came in just now, I saw Concubine Yu kneeling in the snow. What's going on?"

The imperial concubine did not hide anything and confessed, "She knew that Concubine Hui was pregnant, yet she still argued with her. So I punished her by making her kneel in the snow until Concubine Hui gave birth safely."

Zhao Yuancheng held the teacup and hummed lightly, "Zhu Yu, Concubine Yu offended Concubine Hui and has been demoted to a concubine. Let her go back and reflect on her mistakes, so she doesn't have to kneel there and cause trouble for the Imperial Concubine."

“Yeah.”

Time passed little by little, and after an unknown amount of time, the sound of a baby crying finally came from the warm room.

The imperial concubine looked nervously towards the inner room until Huaying came out with a face full of joy: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, the concubine, the princess has been born safely."

"Great, how is Concubine Hui?" the imperial concubine said happily.

"The talented woman had a difficult birth at first, but after taking the medicine sent by the emperor, the fetus was able to move smoothly. Although she suffered a lot, fortunately, with the blessings of our ancestors, the talented woman and her daughter are safe."

"Amitabha, Amitabha, it is truly the Buddha's blessing."

The imperial concubine finally felt relieved. Not long after, the midwife came out holding the cleaned baby.

"The Third Princess pays her respects to the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine."

Zhao Yuancheng already had a son and two daughters, so holding a child was naturally easy for him. Xi Zhaoyi came closer and flattered him, saying, "The princess's eyebrows and eyes are very similar to the emperor's."

"I remember that the eldest and second princesses cried very weakly when they were born, but this child cries very loudly."

As he spoke, Zhao Yuancheng stretched out his hand and handed the child to the imperial concubine, "This is your child, you hold him too."

The imperial concubine had never given birth before, so she felt a little awkward and didn't know how to reach out. "How should I hold her? Will it hurt her?"

"No, I will teach you."

The imperial concubine took the child, and it was so soft that her whole body stiffened immediately. The baby in her arms seemed to feel uncomfortable as well. It had been sleeping quietly, but suddenly it twisted its body and started crying loudly.

"Your Majesty, why is she crying? Please save me..."

Zhao Yuancheng hadn't seen the imperial concubine so frank for a long time. He felt satisfied but also guilty.

After all, she has never hurt anyone.

The midwife came forward and took the baby, and the imperial concubine felt relieved. In just a moment, a layer of sweat broke out on her back.

"I hereby declare that the talented woman Hui has been meritorious in giving birth to the royal heir. Effective immediately, she will be promoted to the rank of Beauty, and the princess will grant her the title of Duanshu. As for the name, Imperial Concubine, you may choose it."

Wanpin flattered, "Princesses are usually only given titles when they are one month old. Now that the third princess has just been born, the emperor has already bestowed the title of Duanshu. This shows how much the emperor loves the third princess."

The imperial concubine wept with joy and knelt before Zhao Yuancheng, "I, your concubine, thank the emperor for his grace on behalf of Duanshu."

"Get up," Zhao Yuancheng said cheerfully, "I'll go tell the Queen Mother the good news. Noble Concubine, please take good care of Hui Mei."

"Yes, I respectfully send your Majesty off."

Zhu Yu stepped forward to help Zhao Yuancheng tie his cloak. When he looked up, he saw the emperor slightly sideways glancing at Wei Shi, who was not far away. "Selectwoman Wei, why don't you follow?"

The imperial concubine was completely focused on her newborn baby, and she didn't care what the emperor said at all.

However, Concubine Xi and Concubine Wan changed their expressions immediately.

Especially Concubine Wan, her face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it.

Consort Wei's eyes were filled with joy, but she did not dare to show it too much. She knelt down and saluted the two of them before following the emperor out.