Chapter 5 I Want to Be Born

"Jianqiu, has the imperial physician from the maternal palace come to report on Consort Lü's pregnancy?"

Yi Xiu's brush moved swiftly and gracefully as he casually asked a question.

"I came this morning, and it's still the same as before. This Lady Lü is really amazing. Every doctor in the manor said that her pulse was weak and she probably wouldn't make it, but she still managed to hold on for eight months."

Jianqiu stood to the side, holding a hand warmer, and spoke with a somewhat sarcastic tone.

Yi Xiu smiled gently after hearing this. "She is quite capable. She has managed to stay in her room all these days without even leaving the house. She accepts the gifts sent to her but doesn't use them. She seems quiet and unassuming, but she is a woman of great ideas."

Looking at the Fujin's expression, Jianqiu said thoughtfully, "Since she won't come out, she can't stop others from going in, can she?"

Yixiu drew the character "顺" (meaning "smooth") on the paper with satisfaction, put down her pen, and glanced approvingly at Jianqiu, saying, "Go and call Consort Li, Consort Nian, and a few other ladies from their courtyards. As elders of the Prince's Mansion, they should at least show some concern for their sisters."

"yes."

Jade Hall

"The cold days are almost over, so things will be a bit easier for you here." Feng Gege sat on the embroidery stool that Xuexin had brought over, embroidering a bellyband while chatting with Lü Yingfeng.

"What's so hard about it? My body feels heavier and heavier. For the past two months, I haven't dared to get out of bed. No matter how nice the weather is outside, I don't dare to go out and breathe."

As the weather warmed up, Lü Yingfeng remained wrapped in a thick brocade quilt, leaning against the couch.

The room was burning with the finest silver charcoal, which was sent to Lü Yingfeng by Consort Nian after the last incident. The amount sent at once was enough for her to burn comfortably for three months.

Listening to the occasional popping of the candle flames, she sighed softly, "These days are so hard to bear, thank goodness you're here to keep me company."

Feng Gege shook her head indifferently and glanced at her with a smile—"Anyway, you have plenty of charcoal here. As long as you don't mind me bothering you often, we can keep each other company."

After saying that, she broke the silk thread in her hand, held the embroidery frame up to the light and examined it again and again. She nodded in satisfaction. Lü Yingfeng also looked over and muttered, "You've made enough. You've made everything this child needs to wear and use."

Although he said that, he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

The house was peaceful and serene, but a sudden burst of hurried footsteps caught their attention.

"Princess, the Fujin is here with Fujin, Fujin, Cao Gege, Fei Gege, and Xu Gege (Fang Guiren). They're almost at the door."

Xuexin rushed in after receiving the news, and Lengfeng stood at the door, talking to her from a distance, afraid that he might bring Lengfeng in.

Upon hearing this, Feng Gege and Lü Yingfeng exchanged a worried glance. Lü Yingfeng's pregnancy was progressing further, and she had stayed home for two months to avoid giving anyone in the household another opportunity. Now that they had come in such a large group, who knew what kind of trouble they would cause.

As the voices drew closer, Feng Gege quickly stood up, and Lü Yingfeng, with Ruyi's help, sat up from the bed, put on her outer robe, and made as if to get out of bed to pay her respects.

"Greetings, Madam Fuji, Madam Nian, and Madam Li."

Yixiu walked at the front and was the first to enter the house when she saw the two people inside. She quickly and considerately said to Lü Yingfeng, "Sister, don't stand on ceremony. Right now, the most important thing in the Prince's mansion is your health. Jianqiu, go and help her up!"

She looked every bit the kind and generous mistress of the royal palace. Jianqiu quickly took two steps forward, squeezed past Ruyi, and walked to Lü Yingfeng's side, steadily helping her sit on the couch.

In the crowd, Consort Nian rolled her eyes dismissively. Instead of being allowed to stay in her own room on such a beautiful sunny day, she had everyone invited to watch her play the good guy; her heart was filled with disdain.

Lu Yingfeng thanked the Fujin gratefully, but involuntarily shrank back.

Just now, as soon as Jianqiu got close to her, she felt a faint fragrance wafting into her nose.

Her family wasn't prominent, but the prefect of Chengzhou in Sichuan was still a fourth-rank official, and his daughter had seen a lot. Almost the instant she smelled the aroma, she immediately realized there was something wrong with it.

Lu Yingfeng smiled at everyone and said, "My house is small, but with so many distinguished guests today, it is truly an honor. Xuexin, quickly open the windows, lest they get musty from being out of the air for so long."

Xuexin gave a soft reply and went to open the window.

"Wait a minute." Yi Xiu stopped them, took two steps forward with a worried look on her face, and said considerately, "You are weak now, so don't worry about these formalities. If you catch a cold, it will be our fault."

Since the Fujin had spoken, Xuexin naturally dared not open the window again, and Lü Yingfeng could only force a smile.

The charcoal fire inside was burning brightly, and Consort Li, fearing that Lü Yingfeng would get cold, specially added two more pieces of charcoal. The mistress and maids, who were not very big in the room, sat or stood close together, all sweating profusely.

Only Consort Nian refused to squeeze in with them and chose a seat by the window far away.

Everyone was sitting in the room and it was getting uncomfortable, but since the Princess Consort wouldn't give the order to leave, no one could get up first.

The various scented powders and incense in the room, amplified by the heat, found even more ways to waft into the nostrils.

Seeing that Lü Yingfeng's complexion was getting worse and worse, Feng Gege was also very anxious.

As Yixiu spoke, she noticed that everyone's voices were gradually fading. She then suddenly realized this and said apologetically, "Look at me, I was so busy chatting and laughing with my sisters that I forgot that Lady Lü is too heavy-hearted to continue. In that case, we won't bother you any longer."

"You must take good care of yourself and make sure you give birth to a healthy child for the Prince."

After saying that, she stood up first, and Jianqiu, who had been standing next to Lü Yingfeng, also walked back to Yixiu's side.

Seeing this, the others also stood up and bid farewell to Lü Yingfeng.

Lu Yingfeng felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She forced a smile and watched everyone leave. Feng Gege walked at the back. After everyone had left, she gestured to Xuexin to quickly open the window and then went over to tuck Lu Yingfeng in.

Zhao You listened intently to the sounds outside, having sensed something unusual about Dui Dui's mother's body; she must have been stimulated by something.

"So, am I finally going to be born?" Zhao You thought to himself.

There were too many people around, so it wasn't a good time to lash out. He had been holding back and refusing to move.

As he listened to the outside gradually quieting down, he finally relaxed, following the rhythmic, consistent pressure.

His relaxation had a disastrous effect; Lü Yingfeng had felt a tightening in her lower abdomen when there were many people around, but it wasn't serious. Now that she could finally breathe some fresh air, the waves of bloating and pain in her abdomen made her even more alarmed.

She thought she could just endure it and it would pass, but as time went on, the pain became more intense and frequent. After all, it was her first time giving birth, and she panicked.

"Xuexin! Xuexin! Quickly go and fetch the imperial physician! I'm afraid I'm about to give birth!" she cried out, somewhat distraught.

Xuexin was startled when she heard this. The princess was only eight months old. It is said that an eight-month-old baby is not going to live. She lost her soul and ran away.

Covered in cold sweat, Lü Yingfeng quickly lay back on the couch, adjusted her position, and took deep breaths to resist the twisting pain.

Suo Xingfu's physician had been under the special care of her pregnancy, as instructed by Prince Yong. Xue Xin was also quick on her feet, and the two hurriedly entered the room, only to see that Lü Yingfeng's face was deathly pale, and cold sweat was rolling down her temples.

Without even taking her pulse, he glanced at her and went outside to call a maidservant—"Quickly, go and fetch a midwife, your princess is about to give birth."

Lu Yingfeng, supporting herself, waved to Xuexin, her chest heaving as she gasped for breath, and said, "Just ask the midwife to come. I know childbirth isn't that quick. We'll ask the prince to come when it's really close to delivery."

"We must invite the Prince first, and then invite the Princess and the others!"

Xuexin gripped her hand tightly and nodded nervously.

Lü Yingfeng knew she didn't hold much weight in the prince's heart. He probably wouldn't even sit idly by until she finished giving birth. She wanted the prince to personally witness the birth of the child and hear its cries.

He also hoped that this would awaken some of his fatherly compassion and make him remember the child more deeply.

The midwife arrived quickly and immediately instructed the maid to boil water.

"Go and make ginseng soup for the princess. Her cervix hasn't opened yet, so there's still a lot to make."

A screen was erected, and the bedroom was transformed into a delivery room.

Even in his dazed state, Zhao You didn't forget to remind the system, "System! Don't forget to let me use that auspicious omen from heaven!"

The system flashed in his mind as a response.