After New Year’s Eve comes the Lantern Festival.
There is no curfew on the night of the Lantern Festival. According to the customs of the Dazhao Kingdom, the emperor will ascend the Feitian Terrace, light nine sky lanterns, and pray for the people.
This was the biggest event in the entire capital. The lights on Chang'an Avenue stayed on all night, and most of the people in the capital gathered here.
There were lantern displays from various mansions on both sides of the road, but the Liu family's lanterns were still the largest and most gorgeous, taking the lead.
The river lanterns of all sizes flow through the underground river, shining like stars in the sky, so beautiful that it seems out of this world.
Unfortunately, these had nothing to do with Ji Yunhuan. She was unable to move around easily and could only stay in the palace to enjoy the lanterns.
The emperor specifically ordered the Imperial Household Department to find many skilled craftsmen, striving to bring the prosperity of Chang'an Avenue to the Imperial Garden.
Ji Yunhuan looked at the huge Tenglong lantern in front of him. It was so golden and bright that it blinded the eyes. It was decorated with gold foil and jewels around it and was very expensive.
Further ahead were animal-shaped lanterns, which were very lifelike. There were riddles posted on each lantern. Ji Yunhuan guessed the riddles as he went along, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Huipin opened the riddle and laughed, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, you guessed it right again. Your Majesty is well-versed in history and present-day knowledge, and is extremely talented. If you were to guess lantern riddles on Chang'an Street, you would definitely win first place!"
"You only know how to make me happy, but you can't do that this year. I'm not in a good position to move. Next year, I'll ask His Majesty to take you out of the palace to enjoy the lanterns."
Huipin was overjoyed. Enjoying the lanterns was secondary. The important thing was that she could take the opportunity to see her parents and relatives.
She was born a palace maid and her parents were ordinary people. During the holidays, other ladies with royal titles could enter the palace, but she could only watch helplessly.
Concubine Chun felt sorry for her and asked her to deliver letters and gifts to her family, but unfortunately they still couldn't meet.
Huipin knelt down excitedly and said loudly: "Thank you, Your Majesty. You are so kind to me."
Ji Yunhuan gestured to Taohong to help the person up. "It's just a small matter, not worth anything. When you are made a concubine in the future, you can also earn an imperial decree for your mother, which will make it easier for you to enter the palace."
Huipin was so excited that she didn't know what to say. It was basically impossible for someone like her who came from a humble background and was not favored by the emperor to be made a concubine. This position of concubine was obtained by the Empress Dowager with special favor and exception.
The palace maids set off fireworks, and Huipin was eager to try. "Hold still, let me do it! Your Majesty, just watch over there. I'm going to set off the biggest and most beautiful fireworks for you!"
Huipin was as happy as a child. She had never been so happy since she entered the palace.
After lighting the fuse, Huipin ran away cheering, and a group of palace maids followed her, laughing non-stop.
Fireworks rushed into the sky, sparks rose up, and suddenly exploded, lighting up the dark night sky.
Ji Yunhuan smelled a very strange fragrance, which was covered by the smell of gunpowder, but was still strong and pungent.
The word "Fu" in the palm of his hand flashed rapidly, faster and faster. A breeze blew by, dispersing the thick white smoke in front of his eyes.
Ji Yunhuan felt something flowing out from her lower body. She grabbed Taohong's arm and said in a steady voice, "Taohong, I think I'm about to give birth."
A scream rang out beside her ears. Tao Hong was so anxious that she was at a loss for words. She froze and dared not move. "She's going to give birth... She's giving birth? What should I do now? It's over! Tao Hong has forgotten everything!"
"Help! Help! The Queen is about to give birth..."
Taohong's voice was so loud that it instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Huipin was holding a tinderbox, ready to light the next firework. Hearing this, her hand trembled, causing her hair to twitch across her forehead. She slapped it twice and shouted, "What are you all standing there for? Go get the imperial physician, get the midwife, and quickly boil some hot water!"
"Taohong, stop shaking! Hurry up and help your mother to the delivery room. Forget it, I can't rely on you, so let me do it!"
The delivery room had been prepared long ago, and the Imperial Hospital was on standby at all times. It happened that Imperial Physician Li was on duty tonight, and he rushed over without stopping, sweating profusely on his forehead.
"Why did it suddenly start? Calculating the time, it should be about a month away. What did your Majesty use today?"
Taohong told everything in detail. Doctor Li didn't hear anything unusual, so he could only suppress his doubts for the time being. The most important thing at the moment was to save Concubine Chun and the child.
"This is your Majesty's first baby. From labor to delivery, it may take several hours. Your Majesty has eaten too little. Go prepare some easily digestible food first, and then make some ginseng soup."
Tao Hong finally stopped wandering around like a headless chicken and immediately went to make arrangements. Several experienced midwives also arrived and helped Ji Yunhuan walk around the room several times.
"My Lady, please be patient for a moment. Don't scream yet and save your energy."
Ji Yunhuan felt okay. She felt her stomach was falling down, and the pain came in waves. It was bearable at first, but then it became more and more painful.
After lying on the bed, she immediately turned on the panel. A white light flashed on the screen that only she could see, and the birth control pill entered her body and became one with her.
Ji Yunhuan felt his whole body lighten, all the pain disappeared, and his body seemed to be wrapped in a soft ball, feeling lazy and comfortable.
If the surroundings hadn't been so noisy, she would have almost fallen asleep.
********
The emperor was lighting sky lanterns outside the palace. The huge lanterns were blown up by the hot wind and were about to rise into the sky.
The audience was bustling with people, all craning their heads to look up at the flying stage, wanting to catch a glimpse of the emperor's face. Unfortunately, it was too far away, and they could only see a majestic figure in bright yellow.
An Wu appeared like a ghost and stood silently behind the emperor, "Your Majesty, Concubine Chun is about to give birth."
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