The fact that the crying was weaker meant that the second prince, whom the wife had just given birth to, was not in good health.
Li Chenjiao couldn't quite describe the feeling in her heart, and after a long while, she could only let out a soft sigh.
"Have all the things to be sent to the main courtyard been prepared? Have Xiao Luzi make a trip to deliver them to the main courtyard. Also, say some auspicious words, wishing the prince good health and that the second prince will have long-lasting blessings."
Qiu Ci hesitated for half a second upon hearing this: "I heard from the servants in the front courtyard that although the Princess Consort gave birth to the Second Prince smoothly, she fainted after giving birth to him. The imperial physician has given her ginseng slices, but she is still in a daze."
Upon hearing this, Li Chenjiao frowned, understanding Qiu Ci's meaning.
"Since there are so many people coming and going in the main courtyard, let's send the gifts there later." Li Chenjiao picked up her chopsticks, but even her usual favorite meal tasted rather bland.
Childbirth is inherently difficult for women.
Although the wife's pregnancy was partly due to her own actions, it still evokes a sense of empathy from many.
Lately, Li Chenjiao has been dining in the flower hall, giving instructions and then bowing her head to pick up her chopsticks.
After noon, the bright sunlight filtered through the latticed window and fell on Li Chenjiao's skirt, making her waist look like a blue seal script painting. Her long, straight eyebrows furrowed slightly as she spoke, carrying a hint of coquettishness.
However, when those bright eyes were slightly raised, they carried a coldness, and even the flower ornament between her brows appeared dignified and solemn.
The two maids who were standing in the flower hall, feeling uneasy because of the main wife's childbirth, gradually calmed down when they looked at their mistress.
These days, no matter how flustered the two maids are, seeing their master's calm and composed demeanor quickly soothes them.
It wasn't until nightfall that they heard the news that the Princess Consort in the main courtyard had woken up.
Li Chenjiao didn't feel much emotional reaction when she heard Xiao Luzi's report from outside.
"It's getting late today, let's send the gift first thing tomorrow morning. Let's replace the jade ruyi we originally prepared with a longevity lock."
The princess consort has already given birth to this child, but it is still a prince, a legitimate son.
So everyone's attention quickly fell on Li Chenjiao's east courtyard.
Li Chenjiao originally planned to wait until the Fourth Prince had some free time to visit her the next day to see his mood and then give him some hints.
Li Chenjiao knew that Fourth Master wouldn't mistreat the little girl in her womb just because the child was a princess, but—
But mothers always tend to think more deeply.
On the first day of the fifth month, at noon, the second prince was born to the Fujin. The next evening, the fourth prince returned to the mansion from the Ministry of Revenue and instructed Su Peisheng to go and see the Fujin. Before he could even step into the east courtyard, he saw Fulu in the gatehouse instructing people to prepare the carriage.
Although the wife woke up in the evening after giving birth to the second prince in the main courtyard, she quickly fell back into a deep sleep.
When the imperial physician reported to the Fourth Prince in private, his voice was trembling.
"This time, the Princess Consort has been seriously injured."
Even after Song gave birth, Physician Zhou never said anything like that; he always said that Song might be pregnant.
The meaning of these words is now almost plain and obvious.
The princess consort is finding it difficult to conceive.
"Master is back! Master Li is about to give birth in the east courtyard." Fu Lu almost slipped and fell as he stepped down the steps, clearly in a great hurry.
Fourth Master's brow twitched.
"Go to the East Wing!"
Fourth Master rarely walked in such a hurry; his steps were disordered and fast, and even Su Peisheng almost couldn't keep up.
As they walked, Su Peisheng heard the Fourth Master's panting voice: "Has the imperial physician been summoned? Have the ginseng slices that the master ordered to be taken out of the storeroom been sent to the East Courtyard? How could she have given birth prematurely out of the blue?"
Fourth Master knew that Li Chenjiao's due date was in the next few days, but he still couldn't help but question her.
The shocking scene in the main courtyard yesterday is still vivid in Fourth Master's mind, lingering for a long time.
Li Chenjiao is someone who would burst into tears and pout at the slightest needle prick in her hand; I wonder how much pain she must be in during childbirth.
As Fourth Master walked down the road, he became increasingly alarmed by what he thought about.
A feeling of panic lingered in his heart. The person who could sit still in the main courtyard yesterday almost slipped and fell when passing by the garden.
Su Peisheng cried out "Ouch!" and hurriedly went forward to help his fourth master.
Fourth Master waved his hand: "It's alright, let's go to the East Courtyard first."
Just as Fourth Master reached the entrance of the East Courtyard, he saw Xiao Luzi walking through the corridor with a complicated expression, instructing Madam He to prepare food.
Fourth Master stopped and asked, "Where is your mistress? Has she not given birth yet? I'll go in and check on her."
Xiao Luzi stopped talking and quickly bowed: "Reporting to Fourth Master, our mistress has given birth—the nanny said it weighs six pounds and six ounces, and she is a very healthy little princess."
Fulu, who was a few steps behind, had just arrived at the East Courtyard. Before he could even stand still, he heard Xiaoluzi's voice.
From the time he received the news, went to the gatehouse to get the carriage ready to invite Fourth Master, to the time he traveled from the front to the east courtyard, only half an hour had passed.
Did he hear that right? Master Li has given birth already?
Fu Lu pinched his thigh hard.
Ouch, that really hurts.
He wasn't dreaming. Master Li gave birth in just half an hour?
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