The imperial physician who was originally in charge of Consort Zhang's department was summoned to Consort Sun's department.
Both of them were concubines, so they couldn't possibly live in the main hall. The remaining things were to be occupied by each of them in a side hall.
The imperial physician came and went in a hurry, and soon returned to report to Consort Hesheli Fangyi that Consort Sun's condition was not good and she needed to rest and recuperate.
"Please trouble the imperial physician to prescribe the medicine as soon as possible," Hesheli Fangyi said, then waved her hand, her gaze turning to the situation inside the main hall.
Everyone except Consort Shu was present.
It's normal that Consort Shu didn't come. She was scolded by the Emperor and even stopped paying her daily respects. Expecting her to run to Xianfu Palace in the freezing cold to watch other people give birth? That's wishful thinking.
However, with one less argumentative person around, Hesheli Fangyi felt more at ease, as no one wants to be in a bad mood every day.
"Tanyun, go and bring some chairs over," she said, "it's not right for me to sit while everyone else stands (especially since Kangxi will be coming again). Sisters, please sit down and wait."
"This humble servant thanks Your Majesty the Empress."
Everyone found a place to sit down, but because the woman next door was giving birth, they didn't say much, and the hall remained very quiet.
After a while, footsteps could be heard outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, Consort Zhang is experiencing a difficult labor. If no action is taken soon, this prolonged stalemate could be detrimental to the young prince in her womb."
The midwife knelt before Hesheli Fangyi, her face filled with worry and tension.
"The imperial physician has taken her pulse? Does he have any suggestions?" Hesheli Fangyi frowned slightly, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes. "At this time, the primary task is to ensure the safety of Consort Zhang and her child."
You are the midwife, and you have the most experience with childbirth. Just do it your way.
Upon hearing this, the midwife kowtowed twice and stated that she needed labor-inducing medicine, at least to help Consort Zhang open her birth canal.
"Go ahead, the medicine is being brewed in the small kitchen. If necessary, send someone to fetch it."
After dismissing the midwife, Hesheli Fangyi gestured for Tanyun to go over and supervise the inspection.
If something were to happen to Consort Zhang and her son at this time, the responsibility would fall on her shoulders.
Empress Hesheli Fangyi was not so intolerant of a princess who was destined to be married off to a foreign land.
Tan Yun responded with a "yes," bowed, and turned to leave.
...
It is said that childbirth is a woman's life-threatening ordeal, which shows how dangerous childbirth is.
Because childbirth is related to individual physical condition, the timing can vary.
Consort Zhang was giving birth for the first time, and first pregnancies are generally slower than second or third pregnancies. In addition, she showed signs of dystocia from the beginning, and the midwives and others in charge of the delivery did not think she could give birth quickly.
Inside the delivery room, Consort Zhang's voice gradually became low and somber.
The midwife was extremely anxious. She had already given the patient half a bowl of labor-inducing medicine, and the birth canal should have opened by now, but there was still no sign of labor.
If things continue to be delayed like this, the longer it goes on, the worse it will be for Consort Zhang. She won't have the strength left, and if she's exhausted and still hasn't given birth, she won't survive.
"My lady, this won't work. You need to breathe deeply, inhale and exhale, push, push..."
Consort Zhang, already in a daze, couldn't hear what the midwife was saying. She was in great pain, and the groans coming from her mouth revealed her state of mind.
"Oh dear, quickly go and fetch the imperial physician, and have the young mistress put slices of ginseng in her mouth."
The midwife scratched her head, muttering to herself, "This child can't have any problems, otherwise they'll be held accountable and punished."
Outside the main hall, as time passed, the crowd grew increasingly anxious.
It took quite a while; they waited for over an hour, just sitting there doing nothing.
"We already sent them to the delivery room with labor-inducing drugs, why are they still so slow?"
Nara muttered something under her breath, which was overheard by Xiuning, who was sitting next to her.
“People have different constitutions. Consort Zhang gave birth at full term this time, so she should be close to delivery.”
It's not like it was premature or anything; it's really unreasonable for a full-term baby to have problems.
Using this topic as a starting point, the two began to slowly start talking.
After the two women finished going over the procedures, the delivery room still hadn't sent any good news.
At this moment, Hesheli Fangyi suddenly stood up and walked out of the hall.
Why?
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Nara craned her neck to take a look, then straightened her clothes and stood up.
"This humble concubine greets Your Majesty, wishing you ten thousand blessings."
Please have a seat.
Kangxi turned his head and glanced at the closed door of the delivery room. "Empress, is Consort Zhang's condition progressing well?"
Hesheli Fangyi listened to Kangxi's questions with a mixture of joy and worry on her face. She not only told him about the imperial physician's diagnosis and the midwife's labor-inducing drugs, but also added at the end, "Consort Zhang's pregnancy is stable, so you don't need to worry too much."
Kangxi: ……
How could Kangxi not be worried? He sighed and sat down in the chair at the head of the table, where he was greeted by the concern and comfort of his concubines.
Standing at the back, Xiu Ning watched coldly, feeling that everyone's thoughts were all about playing the fool; no one really cared about Consort Zhang and her son, and most were just using the opportunity to seek their own benefits.
Just then, the midwife responsible for delivering the baby ran out of the delivery room once again.
Upon seeing that the Emperor and Empress were both present, the midwife knelt even more readily.
"Do we still need labor-inducing drugs?"
Kangxi frowned, releasing a slightly oppressive aura.
Labor-inducing drugs are not good for you, and taking too much of them can have adverse effects on your health.
He currently only has one son, Chengrui. Even if Consort Zhang is pregnant with a daughter, at least the birth of her will bring some fun to the harem.
"Go and make arrangements. Do your best to protect the mother and child. If necessary, prioritize the imperial heir."
With just a few simple words, the truth about the royal selection process was laid bare.
To give birth to offspring and continue the bloodline.
Ultimately, the most important thing is the child; as for the child's biological mother, there are plenty of people who can be one.
The prepared labor-inducing medicine was sent into the delivery room and, using special methods, the midwife forced it into Consort Zhang's mouth.
As the soup entered her body, Consort Zhang's exhausted body slowly recovered.
"My lord, push, take a deep breath, breathe! The little prince will be out soon, you must hold on!"
The midwife instructed the maid to whisper in Consort Zhang's ear, hoping that Consort Zhang would be able to muster her strength and give birth to the child in one go.
Consort Zhang was in excruciating pain; it was the most painful experience she had ever had in her short life of just over a decade.
Annoying voices could be heard from time to time, which made Consort Zhang clench her hands tightly and exert force. It felt as if her lower body was being torn apart, but then she suddenly felt relaxed.
"Waaaaaah!"
The baby's cries awakened Consort Zhang's senses and made her realize that she had given birth.
The midwife, holding the baby she had just cleaned, announced the good news to Consort Zhang: "Congratulations, Your Highness, it's a healthy little princess."
"Really? That's great."
Although it wasn't the son she had hoped for most, at least she was mentally prepared. With a slight sense of regret, Consort Zhang fell into a deep sleep, feeling content.
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