While resting and recuperating during her pregnancy, Gu Jiangli kept an eye on the developments at Cixi Palace.
She had already arranged for Lotus to inform the Empress Dowager that the Eldest Princess and Fang Xun were dead.
I heard that the Empress Dowager went mad for a while in Cixi Palace.
There was crying and shouting, and things were being thrown around, making quite a commotion, but it subsided after a short while.
Gu Jiangli understood the Empress Dowager.
The ruthless Consort Yun, now the Empress Dowager, will not change her nature.
She may not have done those heinous things in recent years, but the viciousness in her bones still remains.
The Empress Dowager's calmness was not a sign that she had resigned herself to her fate, but rather that she was waiting for an opportunity to take revenge.
Just like twenty years ago, she was confined to her quarters by the late emperor for more than half a year, and after the confinement was lifted, she remained silent and waited for an opportunity.
The current Empress Dowager is no different.
Gu Jiangli arranged for two bodyguards to keep an eye on her and report back at all times.
According to the information from the secret guards, the Empress Dowager will not cause her any trouble before the child is born.
When the abdominal pain began, Gu Jiangli knew that the child was ready to come into this world.
It was the dead of night, and when I opened my eyes, all I could see was the faint light from the lanterns.
She touched her belly, and a small movement startled the emperor sleeping beside her.
"What's wrong?" His worried voice reached Gu Jiangli's ears.
"Your Majesty, I think I'm about to give birth."
The emperor shuddered and immediately jumped out of bed. "I'll go and call someone."
He didn't even put on his coat before running outside.
Soon, the quiet Jinghe Palace became noisy with people.
Several midwives moved into Jinghe Palace early in the morning, ready to be summoned by the emperor at any time.
Physician Lü and Doctor Wu also rushed over.
"Quickly! Change the water!"
"Wipe the sweat from Her Majesty's forehead."
"Your Majesty, push harder!"
Gu Jiangli followed the midwife's instructions, breathing and pushing.
The birthing process didn't cause her much pain, and she was quite familiar with it.
But for the nannies and palace maids in the room, it was a huge headache.
The room was so dark that nothing could be seen, and although there was a small lantern with a starry sky, it was not enough to provide any real illumination.
Several midwives were sweating profusely with nervousness in Jinghe Palace.
They had never experienced a delivery in the dark before.
But having heard that the emperor couldn't be near fire, they dared not mention it. Mainly, none of them had expected the child to come in the middle of the night.
During a delivery under these circumstances, everyone is on tenterhooks.
Several palace maids rushed in and out in a flustered manner.
Liu Feng and Xiao Anzi craned their necks to look inside, saying as they did so, "Your Majesty, don't worry. The Empress is a lucky person, and she and the child will surely be safe and sound."
Liu Feng's voice was trembling; he was very nervous, and every word he uttered sounded like he was trying to comfort himself.
After all, no children had been born in the harem for many years.
The young palace maids and eunuchs were experiencing this scene for the first time, so it would be a lie to say they weren't nervous.
Xiao Anzi echoed his master, saying, "Yes, yes, Your Majesty, don't worry. Physician Lü and Doctor Wu are both here. The Empress and the child will definitely be safe and sound. Yes, that's right!"
But when the two of them turned around after they finished speaking, they found that His Majesty, who should have been standing by the door, was nowhere to be found.
The two exchanged a startled glance. Liu Feng was extremely anxious and was about to shout when, as he turned his head, a fiery red candlelight appeared in front of him.
"Did I...did I see wrong?"
He said to himself.
Xiao Anzi also turned around, revealing a surprised expression.
Jinghe Palace has been dark for many years, yet today it is lit by candlelight?!
The emperor came running quickly, holding candlesticks in both hands. The flickering candlelight swayed slightly in the breeze, but did not go out.
The emperor stopped in front of the two men and roared, "What are you standing there for? Go light the lamps!"
After he finished speaking, he turned sideways, smashed open the door, and rushed inside.
Liu Feng and Xiao Anzi belatedly realized what was happening, nodded like chicks pecking at rice, and then turned and ran away.
Liu Feng waved his hand, and several eunuchs moved with him.
He wasn't mistaken; it really was His Majesty himself who had brought the candles over!
Is Your Majesty allowed to see fire?
He laughed excitedly: "Listen up, everyone! Make Jinghe Palace even brighter than during the day!"
"Yes!" A group of eunuchs replied with great enthusiasm.
The emperor entered the room, and the several maids were startled to see him. "Your Majesty! This is the room where the Empress gave birth; you cannot enter!"
The emperor's expression was gloomy. He ignored the old woman's words, put down the two candles, and sat down directly on the edge of the bed.
He grabbed Gu Jiangli's hand and said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here, I'm with you."
Gu Jiangli looked at him with some weariness.
In the candlelight, the emperor's face appeared even paler.
His forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he gripped her hand tightly, but you could feel his trembling.
"Your Majesty, perhaps... we could wait outside?" she asked weakly.
She wasn't sure what scene flashed before the emperor's eyes when he saw those flames.
He really didn't need to force himself to overcome these things.
The emperor shook his head violently, as if trying to shake the fear out of his mind.
"I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere, I'm staying with you."
He was breathing heavily, but he tried to maintain a calm expression.
Gu Jiangli was powerless to persuade him and could only let him stay by her side.
Several of the old women wanted to say something, but seeing the emperor's expression, they stopped trying to persuade him.
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