Chapter 253 The Eldest Son

With the birthday person gone, the party naturally couldn't continue.

The first to get up and leave was Hongyan. The Emperor said that he was truly intelligent and had no selfish motives whatsoever. At such a young age, he could already sense the subtle atmosphere in the hall just now. Not long after his elder brother left, he got up and bid farewell to his mother.

After all, when he was born, his fifth brother was personally raised and doted on by his father, the Emperor, and his sixth brother occupied most of his mother's attention. Given that no other path was viable, it was perfectly normal for him to be precocious.

Once someone started, the Empress Dowager didn't linger any longer. Only after everyone had left the room, looking at the remaining scraps, did the previous joyous atmosphere seem like a dream. She was left alone, sitting at the head of the table, her figure appearing rather forlorn.

Xuexin felt sorry for her and went to help her up. The two of them had been together for a long time and no longer had any reservations about what they said.

"If Your Majesty wants the Emperor to pay more attention to the Sixth Prince, why choose today to say it? It only makes you feel bad." Although she said her disapproval, her words still revealed her concern for the Empress Dowager.

Lu Jiaying also fell silent. As the effects of the alcohol gradually wore off, regret inevitably surfaced on her face.

"I only mentioned it because I was happy at this rare moment, and when he refused, I let it go... Sigh."

It's true that one shouldn't touch alcohol. Now, thinking back, Hongzhao's expression at the time is somewhat blurry, but it certainly wasn't happy.

The palace servants took care of cleaning up outside, and Xuexin simply helped the Empress Dowager walk step by step toward the inner palace.

There were some things that a servant girl shouldn't have said, but the Emperor had no intention of holding a birthday banquet this year. He wanted to remember the late Emperor. When the late Emperor was alive, no one would mention other people at the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, let alone ask for favors for their own younger brother.

Today is really not a good time.

Hongzhao's depression lasted only one night. After waking up the next day, whether he truly forgot or simply didn't care, he acted as if nothing had happened and went to Shou Kang Palace to pay his respects as usual.

The Imperial Household Department, under the Emperor's orders, carefully selected three individuals and brought them to the Shou Kang Palace for the Empress Dowager and the Sixth Prince to assess.

No one mentioned the subtle atmosphere in the palace that day. Hongjin did enter the palace alone twice afterward. The siblings closed the door and no one could hear what they said. The eunuch De, who was in charge, was always tight-lipped when it came to matters concerning the emperor.

After a lively and bustling New Year, we put down our pens and picked them up again, and before we knew it, a truly prosperous year had arrived.

As February arrived, everyone was on high alert, especially those in Jingren Palace, for no other reason than that the Empress was nine months pregnant and nearing her due date.

This is the Emperor's first child, and it came from the Empress's womb, so everyone's eyes are on it. If it really is a prince, then he will be the eldest son and legitimate heir, and his future will be limitless.

Unlike the others' anxiety, Fucha Yingjun continued to eat and drink as usual. The pregnancy seemed to be going well; she hadn't experienced any discomfort for over nine months. Apart from feeling a bit heavier and being a little picky about food, she had virtually no other symptoms and wasn't experiencing any problems.

I don't know if it's because of his good attitude, or because the Emperor sometimes said in private... that he's in good health.

Anyway, Fucha Yingjun didn't suffer much and arrived at the day of delivery smoothly.

It must be said that she was truly blessed. On the day the attack occurred, she was just about to go to bed after washing up when Hongzhao happened to be right next to her, reading Sun Tzu's Art of War with great enthusiasm to her bulging belly. However, Fucha Yingjun could clearly feel that the child in her womb was becoming more and more restless.

At first, she thought it was normal fetal movement. She even joked with the emperor, saying, "Don't talk to this child about fighting and killing. He's already practicing it in the womb."

But as the contractions grew more and more intense, she gradually realized that something was wrong.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty, I think I'm about to give birth."

With a gasp from her, Hongzhao immediately threw the book aside, swiftly steadied her, and called out to the "professional team" that had been prepared in advance.

Although it was already night, the midwives and imperial physicians at Jingren Palace were practically on standby day and night, just waiting for an order to send the person into the "delivery room" in an orderly and efficient manner amidst the chaos.

The Empress's childbirth was a major event. As soon as the news spread, the few concubines in the harem gathered here, and even the Empress Dowager, who had already retired, hurriedly came to Jingren Palace after redoing her makeup.

This was Hongzhao's first time experiencing this, and as he listened to the suppressed cries of pain gradually rising from inside, he couldn't help but frown and pace back and forth.

Although Yingjun was in good health and there were no problems with this pregnancy, childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell for a woman, so he couldn't help but worry.

"Your Majesty, please don't worry. The imperial physicians and midwives are the best we've ever chosen, and Yingjun is in good health. She'll be fine," Lu Jiayingfeng said, trying to comfort her son as he paced anxiously.

"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress is blessed with good fortune and will surely give birth to the prince safely," Shushen said to the Empress Dowager.

Hongzhao looked in the direction of the voice and saw Shushen, Gao Xiyue, and Su Luyun all standing there dressed simply and plainly. It was clear that they had received the news and hurriedly combed their hair to rush over. Both their hair ornaments and clothes were very simple, and the three women, each with their own unique beauty, all showed the same anxious expression.

Whether as Empress or Crown Princess, Yingjun took great care of them. They were grateful for both her kindness and the favor she showed them, which comforted Hongzhao greatly.

"Go and fetch a stool. It's late and the dew is heavy, so don't stand. Please have a seat." Hongzhao waved his hand to signal, and then personally helped the Empress Dowager to her seat.

Listening to the ticking of the Western clock in the hall, hearing the midwife's repeated cries of "Your Majesty, push harder!", and hearing Yingjun's suppressed moans emanating from her chest, accompanied by intermittent heavy breathing, the waiting time seemed to stretch on endlessly.

Hongzhao sat there silently, his gaze fixed on the inner room behind the screen. The knot between his brows had remained untied ever since Yingjun was brought in. People can't make any expressions when they're nervous, but his tightly clenched and constantly rubbing fingers betrayed a part of his emotions.

Finally, amidst the anticipation of countless people, the first rays of dawn, accompanied by the first loud cry of a child, pierced the silence within the hall.

As dawn broke, this child, carrying the love of countless people, was born.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Empress Dowager! The Empress has given birth to a legitimate son! A healthy little prince!"