Since Rong Qingqing became pregnant, Xie Jingrun has personally taken care of her in every detail. Even when he was busiest with court affairs, he would personally take care of Rong Qingqing's meals after returning to his palace at night. Especially as Rong Qingqing's belly grew bigger day by day, he personally served her bathing and washing her feet.
Sometimes, when Rong Qingqing had leg cramps at night, no matter how late it was, he would get up and massage her until she felt better.
After dinner tonight, Xie Jingrun, as usual, helped Rong Qingqing walk around in the garden. But just as they were about to return to the palace, Rong Qingqing suddenly cried out, "Ouch!"
Xie Jingrun's heart tightened, and he asked, "What's wrong?"
Rong Qingqing looked at him, her face pale. "I...I think I'm going into labor..." Before she could finish speaking, she cried out in pain, "Ah, it hurts so much..."
Seeing this, Xie Jingrun's handsome face also turned pale. He quickly picked her up and said, "Someone, quickly fetch the imperial physician and midwife!"
The palace servants dared not delay and hurried off.
The commotion at Yuxian Palace alarmed Emperor Zhaojing and the Empress Dowager. When they arrived at Yuxian Palace, Rong Qingqing's bedroom was already closed, and Xie Jingrun was blocked outside. Heart-wrenching screams could be heard from inside.
Emperor Zhaojing approached and saw that Xie Jingrun's face was pale. He knew that Xie Jingrun had been frightened by the scene of the woman giving birth, so he quickly comforted him, saying, "Don't worry, everything will be alright. This is how it is for women during childbirth..."
Before he could finish speaking, another scream came from inside, "Ah—"
Xie Jingrun raised his foot to kick the door.
Emperor Zhaojing was startled and quickly grabbed him, "What are you doing?"
"Didn't you hear Qingqing screaming in so much pain? I need to go in and see her." Xie Jingrun turned around and said, his face pale.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaojing rebuked him, saying, "What woman doesn't experience pain during childbirth? Going in now will not only be of no help, but will also cause trouble. Wait quietly!" With that, he dragged and pulled him to the side hall next door.
The Empress Dowager was already sitting there waiting. When she saw the father and son come in, she said, "Sit down and wait. The delivery won't be that quick. It will probably be dawn."
Emperor Zhaojing released Xie Jingrun and said to the Empress Dowager, "Mother, please go back and rest. We'll take care of things here."
"It's alright, I'll sit for a while longer," said the Empress Dowager.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaojing did not offer any further advice.
The screams of Rong Qingqing from next door could be heard intermittently. Xie Jingrun's hands, resting on his lap, were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, but he no longer impulsively tried to rush into the bedchamber.
Before he entered the bedchamber, Rong Qingqing personally chased him out; she wouldn't let him stay there.
If he barged in at this moment, it would only enrage her and even disturb her mind, making it impossible for her to concentrate on giving birth.
If he had known this would happen, he should have stayed by her side no matter what.
He felt somewhat regretful, and even... somewhat helpless.
While Rong Qingqing was suffering through childbirth, he was completely helpless and could only sit there.
For the first time, Xie Jingrun felt so useless.
Emperor Zhaojing took a sip of tea and, looking at his son's pale face, couldn't help but recall the scene of Consort Li giving birth many years ago.
At that time, he was just like Xie Jingrun, worried and afraid, wishing he could suffer in place of Consort Li.
The three sat in silence. Not long after, a palace servant announced that Xiao Zhen and Madam Rong had entered the palace.
The two were elders whom Rong Qingqing respected. When Rong Qingqing went to the bedroom to give birth, Xie Jingrun sent someone to inform her.
Xiao Zhen was fine, but I didn't expect that Old Madam Rong, at her advanced age, would make a special trip to the palace.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group began to wait anxiously.
Just as dawn was breaking, a loud cry suddenly came from next door, announcing the birth of a child.
Xie Jingrun was stunned and didn't react for a long time. It was only when Emperor Zhaojing said happily, "The child has been born," that Xie Jingrun seemed to wake up from a dream and rushed out first.
The others followed closely behind.
Upon reaching the entrance to the sleeping quarters, the midwife emerged carrying a child in her arms.
Upon seeing Xie Jingrun, the midwife hurriedly offered her congratulations: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, the Empress has given birth to a prince!"
Xie Jingrun took the swaddling clothes with trembling hands.
Newborn babies have wrinkled faces and aren't very pretty, but they look very well-behaved with their eyes closed.
Looking at the child in his arms, Xie Jingrun felt a surge of emotion.
This is his and Qingqing's son...
He only hugged him briefly before handing him over to Emperor Zhaojing, then pushed open the door and went inside.
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