After Taozhi finished speaking hastily, she instructed the other bewildered guards to boil water and brought out wooden basins, knives, clothes, and birthing tools to prepare everything.
In the royal family, if a princess gives birth to the eldest son, it is a momentous event that is celebrated by the whole nation. The ceremony involves shooting arrows at the heavens and the earth, divination, welcoming the child, celebrations and sacrifices, and an announcement to the ancestral temple. The rituals are complex and elaborate.
They had dozens of servants to attend to them, and the poor princess was now living in such poverty.
Taozhi became increasingly uneasy, so she immediately ordered Xiao San to offer the three sacrificial animals—ox, sheep, and pig—on the altar. She also burned incense and prayed to Buddha. She then had them dig a burial pit and buried red silk, gold, silver, and other precious items inside. They were busy with all of this.
Chu Changning's forehead throbbed as he heard the commotion outside.
She was in so much pain, why did she have to cause so much trouble?
"Peach--Peach branch---"
"Princess--"
Taozhi burst in, shovel in hand, sweat beading on her cheeks.
Chu Changning clutched his stomach, weakly propping himself up as he looked at her.
Has the midwife arrived yet?
"It'll be here soon."
After she finished speaking, she hurriedly ran to the kitchen and brought in the ginseng soup that the guards had prepared.
"Princess, ginseng soup, drink it to replenish your qi and blood."
Two days ago, Xiao Yan went out of his way to buy a thousand-year-old ginseng, which he had finally managed to obtain.
Chu Changning was sweating profusely, his temples were damp, and his lips were pale. She helped him drink a bowl of ginseng soup and he lay down weakly.
"Go and urge them."
"good."
Tao Zhi hurriedly sent her guards to urge them on.
She remembered that the concubines in the palace would eat something before giving birth, so she hurriedly went to the kitchen and brought over all the snacks and soup that had been prepared in advance.
"Princess, have something to eat, so you won't be too weak later."
Incense, which was believed to boost spirits, was burning in the room. Chu Changning felt her pain lessen considerably, and not wanting to suffer any more, she obediently ate some.
Taozhi looked at her and couldn't help but feel sad. If it were in the palace, the princess would have all kinds of tonics prepared before giving birth, and dozens of servants would have served her. How could she be so poor?
Before long, Xiao Yan arrived in a hurry with several midwives, followed closely by Xiao Wu, who was holding the female doctor he had arranged in advance.
The midwife and doctor were carried all the way here, panting heavily. Before they could even catch their breath, Taozhi pulled them into the house.
The moon hung low in the sky, its red light illuminating the room, making the entire space brightly lit.
The guards waiting outside hid themselves, and only Xiao Yan paced back and forth in the courtyard.
It snowed in Penglai a few days ago, the temperature was low, and the nights were chilly. He was only wearing a thin robe, but he didn't feel cold. He was extremely nervous, and his palms were sweating.
From time to time, the calls and urgings of the midwife could be heard from inside, mixed with the princess's cursing voice, which sounded strangely powerful.
He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. With such a loud voice, he must be in good health and nothing bad would happen to him.
The crescent moon hung high on the treetops, and lanterns were lit throughout the Xin Palace, with pavilions, towers, and flying eaves covered in green tiles.
Inside the main hall, against the backdrop of bright moonlight and pearls, rows of beautiful maids dressed in ginger-red gauze swayed and danced, their seductive music filling the air.
Yan Beimo, wearing a white robe, leaned against the main seat, shaking a wine pot in his hand, looking listless and dejected.
His Highness was surrounded by members of noble families, all arguing fiercely about the affairs of the previous dynasty.
Two days ago, Yan Beimo took action against the Li family of Longxi, which angered many aristocratic families. In today's world, aristocratic families are very powerful, and such disregard for their dignity is met with dissatisfaction.
However, the powerful families in the world, led by the Yan family, did not dare to openly oppose Yan Beimo, and instead used the banquet as an excuse to cause trouble.
The powerful families are deeply entrenched, and a single move can have far-reaching consequences. Yan Beimo cannot afford to provoke public anger.
"Now that Your Majesty has captured Southern Liang, our Great Qi has a vast territory. Whom does Your Majesty intend to send to Southern Liang?"
"When Emperor Wei was alive, eight princes were enfeoffed in the north. Their struggle for the throne caused widespread suffering and turmoil for hundreds of years. I believe that members of the imperial clan should not be chosen as successors, but rather virtuous and capable individuals should be appointed."
The members of the Yan clan were not satisfied with these words. Their Yan family was the top clan among the aristocratic families. When did it become anyone else's place to talk nonsense? So they started arguing loudly.
“But my Yuan family of Runan has been in Southern Liang for many years. Do you all know the situation there?”
Ultimately, it all boils down to power struggles among aristocratic families.
Yan Beimo slammed down the golden cup, didn't even look at them, and got up to go to the back hall.
Xin Palace was magnificent, even larger than the imperial palace in Jiankang, the capital. It was surrounded by long corridors, illuminated by gauze lanterns, and had tall buildings, ponds, and winding streams everywhere.
Yan Beimo stood under the corridor and spoke to He Xing, who had followed behind him.
"A person who doesn't listen should be silenced forever."
Having followed Yan Beimo for many years, He Xing instantly understood what Yuan Shi meant when he recalled her words.
"I will take care of it immediately."
Yan Beimo's ascension to the throne was due not only to his own military power, but most importantly to the strong support of the Yan clan.
But after he ascended the throne, the members of the Yan clan became increasingly arrogant.
He touched the ring on his finger and spoke softly.
“My paternal grandfather is getting old and should no longer be burdened with court affairs; it is time for him to pass away peacefully.”
He Xing was taken aback, but quickly realized what was happening.
"yes."
The Xin Palace is filled with carved beams and painted rafters, palaces made of white marble, and luxurious ancient lamps that can be seen for miles at night.
Yan Beimo returned to Changxin Palace, took a bath, and came out wearing a thin robe.
"Nighthawk".
Hearing his voice, the Night Hawk, who had been hiding in the shadows, immediately appeared, pushed open the palace door, and walked in.
"His Majesty."
Yan Beimo lay sprawled on the soft couch, one hand resting on his bent knee, his expression nonchalant.
"Bring the things in."
Nighthawk paused, hesitated for a moment, and did not move.
"Um?"
"Your Majesty has been taking too much medicine recently; please take care of your health."
Yan Beimo closed his eyes briefly, his voice hoarse, "I can't sleep."
Nighthawk, "---"
Since the lady left, the lord has often needed to take stones to fall asleep, and no one knows why.
"What do you think she's doing right now?"
Suddenly, his voice came from ahead, asking a question.
Nighthawk didn't need to guess; he knew who he was asking.
He swallowed hard and said carefully, "It's late, I should go to sleep."
After he finished speaking, the air fell silent.
Suddenly, a man's voice came from above.
"Heartless."
"Has everything been arranged in Jiankang?"
Night Hawk replied respectfully, "It's all arranged."
"Then let's leave tonight."
After saying that, Yan Beimo suddenly got up and got off the bed.
Nighthawk was startled. "Now...now?"
"Do you have a problem?"
Yan Beimo glanced at him, his gaze indifferent, yet inexplicably giving off a sense of oppression.
Night Hawk was startled and dared not say anything more. He quickly and respectfully went to make preparations.
He was already busy with matters at court and was supposed to wait a few more days before leaving, but now that he had to leave so suddenly, he had to quickly give instructions to his subordinates.
As night fell, the palace and its surroundings came alive with activity.
Outside the Xin Palace, a magnificent carriage inlaid with gold and jewels was parked. Yan Beimo changed his clothes and got into the carriage.
The horse is a fine steed that can travel a thousand miles; it runs very fast.
"After leaving Chaoge, we changed to a warship and traveled by water."
A lazy, husky voice came from inside the car.
Nighthawk drove the car. "Yes."
The clattering of hooves echoed out of the palace gates, heading towards the outside of the imperial palace.
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