Chapter 69 New Life She felt her entire world had been illuminated…
Since the day she spoke openly with her parents, Bai Lian felt that half of the burden in her heart had been lifted. She settled down in the Bai residence with peace of mind, and Qinglian Pavilion once again became her little world, a sanctuary for her soul.
The impending arrival of this little life also comforted Bai Moyuan and Changsun Rao'er. Changsun Rao'er's complexion visibly improved, and Bai Moyuan's tightly furrowed brows relaxed considerably. It seemed that the happy days of the family of three had returned.
Time flows peacefully, and the drizzle of late spring is gradually replaced by the sunshine of early summer.
Bai Lian's belly started to show, and although her morning sickness had subsided, she was easily fatigued. Cui Zhu stayed by her side at all times, taking meticulous care of her.
That morning, Bai Lian had just woken up when she saw Cui Zhu walk in carrying a heavy sandalwood food box.
“Miss, look at this,” Cuizhu placed the food box on the table, looking puzzled. “It was placed by the door, and no one saw who put it there.”
Bai Lian lifted the lid of the box, inside was perfectly chilled plum juice and several exquisite palace snacks, just the kind of taste she occasionally craved when she had no appetite lately.
There was also a cloth bag next to it, which, when opened, contained several bolts of exceptionally soft, fluffy cotton fabric.
Cuizhu whispered, "Miss, this... is from the palace, right?"
Bai Lian ran her fingers over the smooth, cool fabric, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "I'll eat the snacks later. Put the fabric away."
"Yes," Cuizhu replied, but she knew perfectly well that the Emperor was quite willing to put in the effort.
From then on, these "gifts" would appear at the entrance of the Bai residence every now and then. Sometimes they were carefully prepared pregnancy-supporting supplements from the Imperial Hospital, sometimes they were rare local fresh fruits, and there were also many clothes for pregnant women and baby supplies.
From the soft, close-fitting inner garment to the adorable tiger-head shoes, the materials used are of the highest quality, the workmanship is extremely meticulous, the stitches are tight, and there is not a trace of ostentation. They are elegantly wrapped up and then appear silently.
As the seasons quietly change, the snacks in the food box have also changed from refreshing summer treats to warm and nourishing autumn pear syrup.
The clothes delivered for adults and infants gradually became quilted, and the sizes were just right, as if someone had been calculating the days.
That day, Cuizhu showed Bailian a newly delivered brocade jacket: "Miss, feel it. This material is so soft, and the cotton inside is very even. The stitching must have been done by an old embroiderer from the palace."
Bai Lian took it and saw that the jacket was autumn-colored, with a thin trim of the same color, and a small lotus flower embroidered on the hem. "He is thoughtful," she said lightly.
Cuizhu glanced at her expression and carefully replied, "Your Majesty... must be thinking of you and the young master all the time."
Bai Lian didn't speak, but gently placed the jacket aside and looked at the leaves that were beginning to fall outside the window.
Autumn was fast approaching, and Bai Lian was nearly nine months pregnant. Her body felt heavy, and her movements became increasingly difficult.
As evening fell, Bai Moyuan returned from the palace. Instead of going to his study, he came to Qinglian Pavilion with a solemn expression.
“Lian’er,” he said, looking at his daughter’s protruding belly with some worry, “the Emperor Emeritus…I’m afraid it’s only a few days away.”
Bai Lian was taken aback when she heard this. She had heard that the retired emperor Jia Fengtian had been bedridden for a long time, but she did not expect his condition to deteriorate so quickly.
Bai Moyuan continued, "The Emperor summoned me today to discuss your wish to enter the palace. Since the abdication of the Emperor Emeritus, his greatest regret has been not being able to see the royal family have children. The Emperor hopes... if your health allows, could you come to the palace to put the Emperor Emeritus's mind at ease."
Bai Lian stroked her belly, remained silent for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Father, what do you think?"
Bai Moyuan sighed and said, "From a moral standpoint, we should go. After all, the Emperor Emeritus is this child's grandfather. From a legal standpoint, we can't refuse the Emperor's request, but given your health..."
"I'm fine," Bai Lian said, trying to stand up. Cui Zhu quickly stepped forward to help her. "In that case, let's prepare the car now."
-
Phoenix Dance City appeared particularly solemn in the twilight. Bai Lian followed her father directly to Ning Shou Palace.
The air inside the hall was thick with the smell of medicine, and time seemed to slow down. Bai Lian could sense that something was about to happen.
Like a long story that has finally come to an end, all they can do now is wait for it to be finished.
At the entrance to the inner sanctum, she met Garo Rin.
He had lost a lot of weight, his eyes were noticeably dark and bluish, and he looked tired. The dragon robe he wore seemed a bit loose on him.
When he saw Bai Lian, his lifeless eyes suddenly brightened, and then gained a look that was a mixture of surprise and gratitude.
He strode forward, wanting to reach out and take Bai Lian's hand, but stopped abruptly, looking intently at her: "Lian'er, you've arrived. Was the journey smooth? Did you feel unwell anywhere?"
"It's alright," Bai Lian replied softly, avoiding his overly piercing gaze.
"Go in quickly," Galorin stepped aside, her voice low, "Father... has been holding on to this life, waiting for you to come."
The inner hall was dimly lit by candlelight. Jia Fengtian on the bed was no longer the imposing figure he once was. Now he was emaciated, his breath was weak, and he was an old man in his twilight years.
Galo Lin leaned down and whispered in his ear, "Father, look, Lian'er has come to see you."
Jia Fengtian's cloudy eyes slowly moved, his gaze focusing on Bai Lian. "It's Bai Lian. I've always... always wanted to see you again. Thank you for saving me back then..."
With Bai Moyuan's support, Bai Lian struggled to perform the proper greeting.
When Jia Fengtian saw her protruding belly, his eyes seemed to clear a little.
“Good…good child…please rise…” Jia Fengtian said with difficulty, raising his withered hand and pointing to Bai Lian’s stomach, “This…this is…”
Galo Lin quickly grasped her father's hand, her voice filled with suppressed excitement: "Yes, Father, you are about to become a grandfather. Lian'er is carrying my child, and you will soon be able to hold your grandchild."
“Good…that’s wonderful…” Jia Fengtian gripped his son’s hand tightly, his gaze shifting between Bai Lian and Jia Luolin, tears streaming down his face. “Our Jia clan…has an heir. I…I can finally rest easy…”
Jia Fengtian just stared at Bai Lian, his gaze gradually becoming calm and unfocused until it slowly closed.
His lips moved as if he had a lot more to say, but in the end he could only manage a relieved expression, and his hand fell limply to his side.
"Father!"
"The Retired Emperor!"
Inside the Ning Shou Palace, a mournful cry suddenly arose. Emperor Jia Fengtian had passed away, and the national mourning bells echoed over Fengwu City.
-
This sudden turn of events disrupted Bai Lian's original plans. With her due date approaching and also wanting to observe mourning for the Emperor Emeritus, she temporarily stayed at her old residence in the palace, accompanied by Changsun Rao'er and Cuizhu.
During the period of national mourning, everything was kept simple, and the city of Fengwu was draped in white mourning clothes.
Galo Lin was busy with funeral rites and court affairs, and he looked visibly haggard. But no matter how busy he was, he would always find time to visit Bai Lian every day and inquire about her well-being. Sometimes he would just sit for a while, not saying much, and only leave with peace of mind after watching Bai Lian fall asleep.
He didn't mention the troubles of the court, nor did he speak of the pain of losing his father. Instead, he frequently inquired about Bai Lian's daily life, had De Shun promptly send her nourishing and palatable meals, and personally inspected the clothing sent by the Imperial Household Department.
Bai Lian noticed all of Galorin's consistent and subtle concern, and her prejudice gradually faded with the passage of time.
Since becoming pregnant, she has felt her heart soften much more than before, and she no longer refuses Galorin's arrangements.
That night, the north wind howled, disturbing Bai Lian's peace and preventing her from falling asleep for a long time. Suddenly, she felt a tightness and pain in her abdomen, and her lower abdomen felt extremely bloated.
"Cuizhu..." she was in so much pain she could barely speak, "I think... I'm going into labor."
Cuizhu jumped up with a start: "Miss, don't be afraid! I'll go get someone right away!" She hurriedly ran out of the palace and shouted to the guards outside the door: "Quickly report to the Emperor! Quickly summon the imperial physician and midwife! General Bai is about to give birth!"
The entire palace was immediately brightly lit, and the imperial physicians and midwives arrived quickly. Palace servants carried hot water and cloths in and out in an orderly manner.
"Your Majesty, General Bai has sent a report..."
Before the guard could finish speaking, Galo Lin had already jumped up, put on his outer robe, and rushed out the door. He didn't care about anything else and staggered towards the White Lotus Palace.
As soon as he arrived at the palace gate, the midwife stopped him at the door: "Your Majesty! The birthing room is full of blood and qi, and we must not disturb you. You must not go in!"
Galorin paced anxiously outside the door, listening to the faint, suppressed groans coming from inside, feeling as if her heart was about to break.
"Lian'er! How are you?" He couldn't help but call out inside, his voice trembling without him even realizing it.
Inside the delivery room, Bai Lian was drenched in sweat, torn apart by intense pain.
Changsun Rao'er also arrived, holding her hand tightly and wiping her sweat to encourage her: "Lian'er, push harder! It'll be over soon! Don't be afraid, Lian'er, Mom is here!"
Bai Lian gritted her teeth, concentrated all her strength, and followed the midwife's instructions to push again and again...
After an unknown amount of time, Bai Lian felt that all her strength had been exhausted. A loud and clear cry of a baby suddenly broke the silence of the palace night.
"It's a baby! It's a little prince! Mother and child are safe!" came the midwife's joyful voice.
"Lian'er, look, how much she looks like you." Changsun Rao'er stroked Bai Lian's hair, tears welling in her eyes. "Don't cry, good child, it's all over now."
Bai Lian reached out her hand, trembling, and took her child. She carefully picked him up.
So this is the weight of life, Bai Lian thought, wondering how to describe this wonderful feeling. Her baby was so small and soft, blinking its big, black grape-like eyes at her, and then grinning at her.
At that moment, Bai Lian felt her entire world was illuminated. She felt a real and tangible happiness, and tears welled up in her eyes as she smiled.
She held the baby's little hand and couldn't help but kiss it again. She then said to Cuizhu beside her, "Let his father see him too."
Jialuolin, who had been waiting outside the palace for a long time, finally saw the curtain lifted a crack, and Cuizhu came out carrying a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. She smiled and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Miss has given birth to a little prince for you!"
Galorin practically lunged forward, carefully taking the warm little swaddling clothes.
Ah, his precious son, his cheeks flushed and wrinkled, was waving his little fists at him, making "ee-yah" sounds.
This immense joy overwhelmed him. In the darkest moment after losing his father, his child with Bai Lian was born, as if it were the most important gift in his life.
Galorin, carrying her child, strode into the delivery room and came to the bedside.
Looking at Bai Lian's weak and pale face, his eyes instantly reddened again.
He handed the child to Cuizhu, wiped the sweat from Bailian's forehead, bent down and hugged her tightly, his voice choked with emotion, his words incoherent: "Lian'er...you've worked so hard...thank you...thank you..."
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