Inside Yanxi Palace, Consort Hui, Noble Lady Lan, and others waited outside the delivery room, each with their own thoughts.
End of Xu hour
Consort Jing hurried along and finally arrived at Yanxi Palace.
Upon entering the gates of Yanxi Palace, Consort Jing took a deep breath, smiled, and curtsied halfway, saying, "Sister Consort Hui, His Majesty heard that Noble Consort Zhi had given birth prematurely and instructed me to come to your palace to help you out."
"Sister Huipin, how could Consort Zhi suddenly give birth prematurely?"
Consort Jing looked worried, but inwardly she sneered, thinking to herself that Consort Zhi's sudden premature birth was no accident.
Perhaps it was because Consort Yu gave birth today, it was artificially induced.
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui exchanged a glance with Noble Lady Lan, who was standing to the side, without making a sound.
After careful consideration, Consort Hui spoke softly, "Consort Zhi has been overthinking and worrying during her pregnancy. Now that she is almost nine months pregnant, her sudden emotional outburst makes premature birth understandable."
A hint of displeasure flashed quickly in Consort Hui's slightly lowered eyes.
"Did the noblewoman give birth prematurely at eight months?"
Consort Jing exclaimed in surprise, her face full of astonishment, and said, "Sister Consort Hui, although I have never given birth, I know of a folk saying: 'Seven lives, eight lives'."
"The noblewoman's unborn child was born prematurely at only eight months. What will become of this unborn child?"
Swallowing the words that were about to come out, Consort Jing awkwardly shut her mouth, a hint of schadenfreude flashing in her eyes.
Consort Zhi already has a princess, and this pregnancy...
It would be best if this pregnancy didn't end in birth.
Or perhaps they were born, but couldn't be raised to adulthood.
A flash of displeasure crossed Consort Hui's eyes. She gave Consort Lan a meaningful look, and Consort Lan understood. She spoke softly, "Your Highness, rumors circulating among the people are not to be believed."
"The child in Consort Zhi's womb is of royal blood and of noble birth; there is no way it will fail to survive."
Consort Jing nodded slightly, sat quietly with her head down, and had a thoughtful expression on her face, it was unknown what she was thinking.
Consort Shou, who had been keeping her head down, quickly looked up and glanced at Consort Jing.
Yikun Palace
Half past midnight, a loud cry of a newborn baby came from the delivery room.
Consort An and Consort Yi's expressions changed, then they showed joy. Emperor Kangxi sat up straight, craning his neck and looking expectantly at the delivery room, his eyes fixed on it.
The delivery room door was pushed open, and the midwife came out carrying a swaddled baby. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! Consort Yu has given birth to a little princess."
"Princess?"
Emperor Kangxi paused for a moment, then seemed to realize something and laughed loudly, "Princess, Princess, how are the little princess and Consort Yu? Have the imperial physicians examined them?"
The midwife replied respectfully.
"Your Majesty, the little princess and Consort Yu are both safe and sound. The little princess is in good health, and Consort Yu is also doing well."
Emperor Kangxi nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Liang Jiugong?"
Liang Jiugong stepped forward respectfully to await Kangxi's instructions.
After a moment's thought, Emperor Kangxi spoke in a loud voice. "By imperial decree, Consort Yu is hereby rewarded with one hundred taels of gold, various precious tonics, sixteen bolts of brocade of different colors, and a box of jewelry for the hardship of giving birth to the fifteenth imperial daughter."
"yes."
Liang Jiugong respectfully agreed.
Consort An, Consort Yi, and others felt relieved when they heard that Emperor Kangxi had only bestowed gold and silver jewelry as a reward. They were secretly relieved that he had not promoted them in rank.
Above the rank of Imperial Concubine is the Noble Consort!
Consort An and Consort Yi exchanged a glance, their faces beaming with smiles, and said in unison, "We congratulate Your Majesty and Consort Yu on the birth of your fifteenth daughter."
"Yes, you're very thoughtful."
After glancing indifferently at Consort An and Consort Yi, Kangxi told them to return to their respective palaces to rest.
Cining Palace
The room was brightly lit. The Empress Dowager sat calmly and composedly, while the Empress Dowager beside her lowered her head slightly, glancing at the Empress Dowager from time to time with a hesitant expression.
"It's almost midnight. I wonder if Consort Yu's unborn child has been born yet, and whether it's a prince or a princess?"
The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow and said in a deep voice, "Although the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital have diagnosed that Consort Yu's unborn child is most likely a princess, there are times when the diagnosis is inaccurate."
"Consort Yu is very fertile, with one son and three daughters. If this pregnancy results in a princess, that would be good. But what if it's a prince?"
With a soft sigh, the Empress Dowager glanced at the bright moonlight outside the Cining Palace.
"The Emperor has only three sons. If Consort Yu's next pregnancy results in a son, given the Emperor's high regard for her, she is certain to be promoted to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort."
"The Imperial Concubine is currently ill and her days are numbered. If Consort Yu were to give birth to a prince at this time..."
The Empress Dowager looked very worried.
The Empress Dowager looked up at the Grand Empress Dowager, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Empress Mother, Consort Yu may not be fortunate enough to give birth to a prince. Even if..."
"Even if Consort Yu's child is a prince, given her background and the fact that her maternal family has no important officials in the previous dynasty, Consort Yu would at most be a Noble Consort."
After a moment's hesitation, the Empress Dowager spoke again.
"The Empress Dowager has always favored Consort Yu. If Consort Yu gives birth to a prince this time and the Emperor bestows upon her the title of Noble Consort, that would be good."
"Although Consort Yu did not contribute to the stability of the country, she did contribute to the continuation of the royal lineage."
The Empress Dowager spoke these words against her will, not from her own heart.
The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, her eyes dark and unfathomable as she looked at the Empress Dowager, her aged face filled with deep thought.
At this moment, Sumalagu hurried in from outside the Cining Palace.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, news has come from Yikun Palace that Consort Yu has safely given birth to a little princess. His Majesty is overjoyed and has immediately bestowed gold and silver jewels upon Consort Yu."
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