Chapter 475 Birth
On the day of Wuwu in the first month of the second year of Wude, at the third quarter of the hour of Mao, a strange phenomenon suddenly occurred in the palace.
Before dawn that day, a red light suddenly appeared in the southeast, its color like cinnabar, shaped like a phoenix spreading its wings, soaring straight into the sky, and lingering for a long time. Soon after, the palace was filled with a fragrant aroma, neither orchid nor musk, filling the room with a wonderful fragrance, which astonished everyone.
Shortly after, the eldest son of the King of Qin was born in the inner chamber. The baby's cry sounded like the cry of a phoenix, which was soothing to hear. His Majesty was overjoyed and bestowed upon him the name "Chengqian".
——
"Guanyinbi, it's just an ordinary family banquet, you don't necessarily have to come."
Li Shimin carefully helped his heavily pregnant wife, Empress Zhangsun, walk along the palace path, and couldn't help but offer words of advice.
Empress Zhangsun glanced at him lightly, "Your Highness, don't worry, with so many servants following you, nothing will happen."
Seeing him gazing at her belly with a worried expression, Changsun Wugou took his hand and placed it on her own belly. "Don't worry, the baby is very well-behaved. It's already over eight months along and will be coming out to meet Ye Ye soon."
Li Shimin gently touched it, his brows relaxing considerably. This was his first child, and also his child with Guanyinbi, so naturally he cared about it.
Seeing that his face had relaxed, Empress Zhangsun took his hand and gently advised, "After all, it was Father Emperor who gave the order. Even if you are unhappy, Erlang, please bear with it for now."
Li Shimin squeezed his wife's hand back and nodded: "Don't worry, Guanyinbi, as long as they don't provoke me, I won't take action."
Empress Zhangsun glared at him lightly, then couldn't help but laugh. "What kind of behavior is it to fight at a palace banquet? Erlang is just talking nonsense and lying to me."
"Okay, okay, I won't do it."
Li Shimin couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine when he saw her laughing so hard she was leaning back slightly. He quickly supported her waist, inwardly blaming his father for holding a banquet at this time, saying he had absolutely no sense of propriety.
Li Shimin was well aware of the purpose of the banquet.
He made great contributions to the establishment of the Tang Dynasty. When the war was being fought, his father promised him a future, but when the new dynasty was established, he was only granted the title of Prince of Qin, while the crown prince was still his elder brother Li Jiancheng.
At this point, he was dissatisfied, and so was his older brother.
He felt that his achievements were more than enough to make him crown prince, while Li Jiancheng felt that he, as the Prince of Qin, was too much of a threat, and the relationship between the two became quite strained.
Unfortunately, Father also liked to smooth things over. Even though he knew they were at odds, he would still hold palace banquets from time to time, as if eating more food would make them reconcile.
Li Shimin was already annoyed, and Guanyinbi was even more pregnant and had to travel around with him, which made him even more unhappy.
He had made up his mind. He wouldn't take action, but if Li Jiancheng and his gang dared to provoke him, he would get them all drunk and make them look ridiculous!
...
Inside the Linde Hall of Taiji Palace, the gilded candlesticks illuminated the entire hall as if it were daytime.
Li Yuan raised his glass cup high, his silver beard trembling slightly with his hearty laughter: "Today, let us not observe the formalities between ruler and subject, but drink together the wine of peace!"
The courtiers shouted "Long live the Emperor!" Amidst the flowing red silk sleeves, the sound of the pipa suddenly rose, and the Hu women danced to the beat of drums. The aroma of wine and incense mingled under the eaves, creating a beautiful mist.
Amidst the lively atmosphere, Li Shimin lowered his eyes to look at the celadon bowl on the table, and used his fingertips to cut the stewed venison into small pieces, carefully removing the small bones.
Beside her, Empress Changsun's moon-white dress bulged, and she stroked her belly and smiled faintly, "Your Highness, please have some too, don't just think of me."
Before he finished speaking, a commotion broke out in the room. Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji walked slowly in, their black brocade boots with dragon patterns making a thud on the blue bricks.
"Second brother, you've fought brilliantly in these battles." Li Jiancheng tilted his amber wine cup, the wine gleaming coldly in the candlelight. His face was gentle, but his tone carried the arrogance and pride of a superior. "Elder brother toasts you. Thank you for your hard work fighting for the Tang Dynasty."
Displeased with his tone, Li Shimin's knuckles on the table suddenly turned white. He remained seated, a cold laugh escaping his throat: "Your Highness is too kind."
Li Yuanji stepped forward, his gold and jade ornaments clashing at his waist: "Second brother, you're putting on airs higher than the heavens! The Crown Prince has condescended to serve you, and you won't even stand up?"
"The Prince of Qi is even more concerned than the Crown Prince."
Li Shimin abruptly stood up, causing the long table to tremble, and spilled wine from his cup onto Li Jiancheng's sleeve. "Since the Crown Prince has invited me, how dare I refuse?"
With a clang, the two wine cups struck each other heavily, and the splashed wine foam landed on the backs of their clasped hands like beads of blood.
The three faced off, swords drawn, the atmosphere heavy. Li Yuan's brows furrowed slightly as he looked over, and he opened his mouth, about to call someone to check on them.
At this moment, Empress Zhangsun's pale fingertips gripped Li Shimin's robe tightly.
Cold sweat soaked her temples, and a suppressed sob escaped her throat: "Your Highness... I have severe abdominal pain..."
"Guanyinbi!" Li Shimin's expression changed drastically. He bent down and picked her up, his pupils contracting sharply as he looked at the bloodstains on the soft couch. He shouted, "Imperial Physician! Summon the Imperial Physician!"
Seeing this, Li Yuan also became anxious and shouted, "Quickly summon the imperial physician! Go to Chengqian Palace!"
Upon hearing Li Yuan's words, Li Shimin did not hesitate to carry his wife to Chengqian Palace. Before leaving, he glared at Li Jiancheng with murderous intent and said, "If anything happens to Guanyinbi, I will not spare you."
What does he mean?
Watching Li Shimin hurriedly leave, Li Yuanji retorted indignantly, "It wasn't us who did it!"
Unlike Li Yuanji, who acted impulsively, Li Jiancheng looked grim. He knew that if anything happened to Lady Changsun, even if he wasn't the one who did it, he would be held responsible.
Who doesn't know that he and the King of Qin are at odds?
Who exactly is framing him?
“Father,” Li Jiancheng walked up to Li Yuan in a few steps and immediately knelt down, “Please issue an edict to control all people who came and went at the banquet and thoroughly investigate this matter.”
Li Yuan gave his eldest son a few deep looks before giving the order: "Left and Right Guards, listen to my command! Seal off the palace banquet; no one is allowed to leave without permission!"
Having said that, Li Yuan's dragon robe billowed as he smashed the jade cup hard onto the blue bricks, chilling everyone to the bone.
As he turned, his jade belt jingled, and he led Li Jiancheng and several important officials across the mess on the ground, hurrying toward the Chengqian Hall.
As dusk stained the eaves of Chengqian Hall blood-red, the blood scabs on Li Shimin's clothes gleamed dark red in the wind. He stood at the entrance of the hall, his fists clenched, breathing rapidly, his eyes bloodshot, exuding a violent aura.
Seeing this, Li Yuan's throat tightened. "How is it?" Before Li Yuan could finish speaking, a suppressed cry of pain suddenly came from inside the hall.
Li Shimin turned around abruptly, his eyes scanning everyone with intense wariness. "Production is underway."
“The month is not yet full-term…” Li Yuanji murmured subconsciously, but before he could finish speaking, a dark shadow flashed before his eyes.
Li Shimin pounced like a trapped beast, his iron fist striking Li Shimin's cheekbone, causing him to stagger and fall to the ground.
"If Guanyinbi suffers any harm, I will kill you all!"
Li Shimin pressed his knee heavily against Li Yuanji's chest, his fists raining down like raindrops. In his panic, Li Yuanji grabbed the other's wrist, but the blood-stained wrist guard left deep marks.
"Pull it open quickly!" Li Yuan's roar startled the crows perched under the eaves.
The guards hurriedly pulled the two apart. Li Yuanji, his hair disheveled and blood trickling from his mouth, was still roaring, "What's wrong with you! How could I possibly harm a pregnant woman?"
Li Jiancheng rushed forward, his black brocade robe shielding his younger brother behind him, and said urgently, "Second brother! How can fratricide be the spirit of the Tang Dynasty?"
Li Shimin staggered as he was supported by his guards, then suddenly let out a cold laugh that sent chills down the spines of everyone present.
He slowly turned his head, his eyes bloodshot and cracked: "The imperial physician said that Guanyinbi took something that promotes blood circulation."
His voice grew lower and lower, yet it was as chilling as a viper's hiss, "This inner palace..." His gaze swept over Li Jiancheng's pale face, "Who could have succeeded so easily?"
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but look at Li Jiancheng.
Li Jiancheng clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, promising, "It wasn't me. I swear to God, if I did such a despicable thing, may I be struck by lightning. Second brother, don't worry, I will definitely find out the truth and give your wife justice!"
This will clear his name! Who is it? Who dares to make him take the blame?!
"Erlang, trust me, I will give you an answer."
Li Yuan looked at Li Shimin reassuringly and made a solemn promise.
Li Shimin's murderous gaze lingered on Li Jiancheng. He wasn't stupid; Li Jiancheng was unlikely to be the mastermind. But this matter was definitely related to him, and no matter who was involved, he wouldn't let them get away with it!
In the end, it was Empress Zhangsun's cries of pain that drew Li Shimin's attention. He broke free from the guards' restraints and rushed to the palace gate, shouting, "Guanyinbi, don't be afraid, Erlang is here, I'm here..."
His voice trembled, choked with sobs, and Li Shimin couldn't help but shed tears, moving everyone present.
From dusk till night, and from night till dawn, Li Shimin grew increasingly anxious and impatient. Had it not been for Li Yuan, who was watching over him, restraining him, he would have already rushed inside.
"Don't be impulsive!"
"Father..." Li Shimin looked at Li Yuan with tears in his eyes, "Guanyinbi needs me, she has no strength left, I must go and help her, help her..."
Seeing his son trembling, Li Yuan's eyes also reddened, and he said heavily, "You can't help her."
"Then let me go keep her company!"
Li Shimin still wanted to struggle, but suddenly a crimson light came from the southeast and landed above Chengqian Hall.
"What is that?" Li Yuanji exclaimed in surprise.
A crimson light, like silk, slid down from the eaves, enveloping the entire Chengqian Hall. After Changsun Wugou in the hall suddenly let out a violent cry of pain, it abruptly took shape, like a phoenix spreading its wings, soaring straight into the sky, and lingering for a long time.
A miracle?
It's unclear which minister said it, but the others were all shocked.
Li Jiancheng felt a sense of crisis. Was this a question about the origins of Li Shimin's children?
Before he could react, a strange fragrance wafted from the hall. Li Yuanji subconsciously sniffed it and blurted out, "What's that smell?"
Li Shimin also smelled it, and his heart pounded. He wasn't concerned about the child's miraculous appearance, but rather wondered if Guanyinbi would be safe and sound if it was so miraculous.
He broke free from Li Yuan's restraints and approached the palace entrance, where he heard a clear, crisp cry of a newborn baby, like a phoenix perching on a parasol tree. In an instant, it calmed his agitation and unease, and an unprecedented sense of comfort welled up from within.
"She's given birth! Princess Qin has given birth to a son, and both mother and child are safe!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
