Consort Hui couldn't help but feel worried, but now she was already on the verge of disaster and had no choice but to act.
Juechanshi was having a difficult childbirth in the delivery room. Since her own father, the Emperor, was not coming, she could only rely on herself to keep things going.
Chengxin, with her keen perception, dismissed the palace maid and then, holding Consort Hui's wrist, escorted her to the main hall without further ado.
At this point, there's no need to torture yourself if the emperor doesn't come.
"Orange Heart, my life has never been smooth sailing."
How should I put it? I can't say, I really can't say. If you blame Juechan, then it's actually in her own best interest to do this. But if you don't blame Juechan, then the child she gave birth to isn't favored by the Emperor. Wouldn't raising him just backfire and prevent her own son, Yinqi, from having a chance?
Consort Hui was conflicted, and her expression turned ugly.
"Your Majesty, you're overthinking it. The Emperor is probably too busy to come right away. Please wait..."
Before Chengxin could finish speaking, Consort Hui interrupted her, "What could His Majesty possibly be busy with at Qixiang Palace? It's all because the woman in the delivery room is so useless. Sigh, my heart aches for her."
As she spoke, Consort Hui covered her chest with her hand and leaned back.
Seeing this, Chengxin was terrified and quickly called the palace servants to help Consort Hui into the palace. Then she helped her catch her breath and called the imperial physician.
Before Juechan in the delivery room could even take Huipin's pulse, she had already started using it on her.
"Your Majesty, this is a case of qi and blood attacking the heart, causing angina pectoris due to the surge of pent-up emotions."
Generally speaking, it's nothing to worry about; just rest is enough.
The imperial physician stroked his gray beard as he spoke while packing his medicine chest. "Your Majesty, I will prescribe a remedy to help you recover. If you experience similar symptoms again, simply decoct and administer a few doses according to the prescription."
Upon hearing this, Chengxin quickly thanked the imperial physician and then saw him off to the delivery room.
When she returned from outside, Consort Hui was still lying on the couch with her eyes closed, touching her chest, which was rising and falling.
There was no way around it; what had just happened was truly terrifying. Consort Hui was already holding her breath, and the fact that Kangxi wasn't coming was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, making her unable to bear it any longer. Her tense body finally collapsed like dominoes.
"Your Majesty"
Chengxin cautiously called out to Consort Hui, then stood there helplessly.
"I'm fine. What did they say from the delivery room?"
Chengxin whispered, "Everything went smoothly in the delivery room, but Juechan took too good care of herself during her pregnancy. The midwife said that the little prince in her belly is too big, so it may take a while longer."
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui opened her eyes, a glint of malice flashing in them before she quickly regained her composure. "Have the midwives protect Jue Chan and her child as much as possible. Is the little prince too large? I hope it won't be a difficult birth."
Few women in the harem survive a difficult childbirth. Although Juechan was not a good person, Consort Hui understood that the other party's survival was the greatest help to her.
She had considered using this incident to get rid of Juechan clan without anyone noticing, since no one cared anyway, and she could just get an adopted son for free.
Given the current situation, Najue Chanshi's survival is a way to leave himself a way out, and there's no need to be completely tied to his adopted son.
With a wave of her hand, she sent Chengxin to keep an eye on the delivery room. Consort Hui looked up at the roof beam and then closed her eyes to rest.
Time marched on, and Emperor Kangxi and Xiuning were already having dinner at Qixiang Palace, while the situation at Chuxiu Palace remained far from optimistic.
Consort Hui's words finally hit the nail on the head: because the fetus was too large, Juechan could not give birth at all.
Chengxin, covered in sweat, reported back to Consort Hui with the midwife's latest script.
"Labor-inducing drugs?"
Consort Hui stood up, her expression calm, but her eyes were filled with something she was trying hard to suppress.
Chengxin nodded, and fearing that Consort Hui might misunderstand, she quickly explained that this also meant that the imperial physician had given his approval.
"It's just that Juechan's baby is too big. The midwife used every means at her disposal, but the baby's head is stuck in the birth canal and he just can't come out."
Chengxin spoke with a slight embarrassment. It wasn't that they wanted to do anything; it was simply that Juechan had been eating too well and not exercising much in her later years. With Consort Hui's indulgence, the midwives and imperial physicians couldn't control her. As a result, all these problems were exposed during today's delivery, making everyone busy running around.
"Follow the imperial physician's instructions to get the medicine, and then find someone to inform the Emperor of the latest situation of Juechan. Even if the Emperor is not happy, we should not hide it."
Otherwise, if the worst-case scenario occurs and Juechanshi goes offline, it will be difficult for her to explain.
Chengxin replied "yes" and turned to go to the small kitchen to get the labor-inducing medicine.
Fortunately, labor-inducing drugs are usually prepared during childbirth, so it doesn't take much effort; all that's needed is to bring the medicine over.
She let out a heavy sigh and pretended to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
The Chuxiu Palace is bustling with activity, with countless palace servants coming and going, but unfortunately, there isn't a single proper concubine among them.
Alas, it seems that without the emperor's presence, not even a concubine would come to make a formal appearance. This is the stark reality of the imperial harem.
Turning her head to glance at the entrance of the delivery room, Chengxin quickened her pace to the small kitchen.
A moment later, Chengxin entered the delivery room carrying a bowl of steaming labor-inducing medicine.
Compared to the outside, the delivery room was filled with a strong smell of blood.
Chengxin felt like gagging, but thankfully she understood why she had come and quickly handed the labor-inducing medicine to the midwife.
"This is a labor-inducing drug. Our Empress said to do everything as you say, but we must ensure the safety of Juechan and her child."
She covered her mouth and nose with her hand, speaking rapidly. Especially when it was cold, the room windows were never opened, and all sorts of smells mingled together, creating a very strong odor.
The midwife nodded. "Miss Chengxin, I must warn you beforehand that after this labor-inducing medicine is taken, the woman in bed may not be able to conceive again."
"It has dragged on for far too long; all I can say is that I will do my best."
Labor-inducing drugs cannot be taken at will; there are time restrictions, and the imperial physician must also approve them.
Furthermore, labor-inducing drugs are not good things to begin with. Using them can increase the probability of postpartum hemorrhage, and no one wants to take on that responsibility. Therefore, in general, labor-inducing drugs are only used as a last resort.
"Don't worry, Madam, I will report back to Her Majesty truthfully."
Not wanting Juechan's condition to be so bad, Chengxin said a few words to reassure the midwife before turning and leaving the delivery room.
After informing her master of the situation, Chengxin stepped aside, tacitly isolating herself from her master.
There was no way around it; being in the delivery room meant being covered in blood, and if you got too close to your master, it was your master who would suffer.
"Now we've done everything we can. The rest depends on whether Juechan can live up to expectations."
If she performs well, everyone is happy; if she doesn't, it's not a big problem for her.
They waited and waited until it got dark before the good news came from the delivery room: Juechan had finally given birth.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, it's a baby boy weighing seven pounds and six ounces."
Consort Hui beamed with joy, "Bring it here so I can see it."
The baby, wrapped from head to toe in swaddling clothes, was placed in Consort Hui's arms, and Consort Hui was able to see the healthy, chubby baby as she had wished.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
