Chapter 59: Beautiful Daughter vs. Heirless Emperor 59
After New Year’s Eve comes the Lantern Festival.
There was no curfew on the night of the Lantern Festival. According to the customs of the Dazhao Kingdom, the emperor would ascend the Feitian Terrace, light nine sky lanterns, and pray for all the people.
This was the biggest event in the entire capital. The lights on Chang'an Avenue stayed on all night, and most of the people in the capital gathered here.
There were lantern displays from various mansions on both sides of the road, and the Liu family's lanterns were still the largest and most gorgeous, taking the lead.
The river lanterns of all sizes flow in the underground river, shining like stars in the sky, so beautiful that it seems beyond the human world.
Unfortunately, these had nothing to do with Ji Yunhuan. She was unable to move around easily and could only stay in the palace to enjoy the lanterns.
The emperor specifically ordered the Imperial Household Department to find many skilled craftsmen in an effort to bring the prosperity of Chang'an Street to the Imperial Garden.
Ji Yunhuan looked at the huge Tenglong lantern in front of him. It was so bright and golden that it blinded the eyes. It was decorated with gold foil and jewels all around and must have been very expensive.
Further ahead were animal-shaped lanterns, which looked very lifelike. There were riddles posted on the lanterns. Ji Yunhuan guessed the riddles one by one, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Huipin opened the riddle and laughed, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, you guessed it right again. Your Majesty is well-versed in history and modern times, and has great talent. If you go to Chang'an Street to guess lantern riddles, you will definitely win first place!"
"You only know how to make me happy, but you can't do that this year. I can't move easily. Next year, I'll ask His Majesty to take you out of the palace to enjoy the lanterns."
Huipin was overjoyed. Admiring the lanterns was secondary. The most important thing was that she could take the opportunity to see her parents and relatives.
She was born a palace maid and her parents were ordinary people. During the holidays, other ladies with royal titles could enter the palace, but she could only watch helplessly.
Concubine Chun felt sorry for her and asked her to deliver letters and gifts to her family, but unfortunately they still couldn't meet.
Huipin knelt down excitedly and said loudly: "Thank you, Your Majesty. You are so kind to me."
Ji Yunhuan signaled Taohong to help the man up, "It's just a small matter, it's not worth it. When you are made a concubine in the future, you can also earn an imperial decree for your mother, which will make it easier for you to enter the palace."
Huipin was so excited that she didn't know what to say. For someone like her who came from a humble background and was not favored by the Majesty, it was basically impossible for her to be granted the title of a concubine. This position of concubine was obtained through the special favor and exception of the Empress.
The palace maids started setting off fireworks, and Huipin was eager to try. "Don't move, let me do it! Your Majesty, just watch there, I will set off the biggest and most beautiful fireworks for you!"
Huipin was as happy as a child. She had never been so happy since she entered the palace.
After lighting the fuse, Concubine Hui ran away cheering, and a group of little palace maids followed her, laughing non-stop.
Fireworks rushed into the sky, sparks rose up, and suddenly exploded, lighting up the dark night sky.
Ji Yunhuan smelled a very strange fragrance, which was covered by the smell of gunpowder, but was still strong and pungent.
The word "Fu" in the palm of his hand flashed quickly and faster and faster. A breeze blew by, dispersing the thick white smoke in front of his eyes.
Ji Yunhuan felt something flowing out from her lower body. She grabbed Taohong's arm and said in a steady tone, "Taohong, I think I'm about to give birth."
There was a scream in her ears. Taohong was so anxious that she was at a loss. She froze and dared not move. "She's going to give birth... She's giving birth? What should I do now? It's over! Taohong forgot everything!"
"Someone come! Help! The queen is about to give birth..."
Taohong's voice was very loud and instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Huipin was holding a fire starter in her hand, ready to light the next firework. When she heard the words, her hand trembled and her hair was touched. She slapped it twice and shouted, "What are you all standing there for? Go get the imperial physician and the midwife, and quickly boil some hot water!"
"Taohong, stop shaking, hurry up and help your mother to the delivery room. Forget it, I can't rely on you, let me do it!"
The delivery room had been prepared long ago, and the Imperial Hospital was on standby at all times. It happened that Imperial Doctor Li was on duty tonight, and he rushed over without stopping, sweating profusely on his forehead.
"Why did it start suddenly? Counting the days, there should be about a month left. What did your Majesty use today?"
Taohong told him everything, and Doctor Li didn't hear anything unusual. He could only suppress his doubts for the time being. The most important thing at the moment was to save Concubine Chun and the child.
"This is your first baby, and it may take several hours from labor to delivery. Your Majesty has eaten too little. Go prepare some easily digestible food first, and then make some ginseng soup for later use."
Taohong finally stopped wandering around like a headless fly and went to make arrangements immediately.
Several midwives also arrived. They were experienced and helped Ji Yunhuan walk around the room a few times.
"My lady, please be patient for a moment. Don't scream yet. Save your energy."
Ji Yunhuan felt fine. She felt her stomach was falling down and the pain came in waves. It was bearable at first, but then it became more and more painful.
After lying on the bed, she immediately opened the panel. A white light flashed on the screen that only she could see, and the birth control pill entered her body and became one with her.
Ji Yunhuan felt his whole body lighten, all the pain disappeared, and his body seemed to be wrapped in a soft ball, feeling lazy and comfortable.
If the surroundings hadn't been so noisy, she would have almost fallen asleep.
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The emperor was lighting sky lanterns outside the palace. The huge lanterns were blown up by the hot wind and were about to rise into the sky.
Below the stage were a bustling crowd of people, all craning their heads to look up at the flying stage, wanting to catch a glimpse of the emperor's face. Unfortunately, it was too far away, and they could only see a majestic figure in bright yellow.
An Wu appeared like a ghost and stood silently behind the emperor, "Your Majesty, Concubine Chun is about to give birth."
At this time, the eunuch who came to report the news was still on the way, and everyone didn't know what had happened. They saw the emperor's hand shaking and almost burned the sky lantern.
Prince An, who was standing by, held up the sky lantern, but the emperor had already let go. The sky lantern slowly rose into the sky. The people below cheered, knelt on the ground in groups of three or two, and shouted "Long live the emperor!"
"Let's go back to the palace!" The emperor walked hurriedly to the stage.
The Minister of Rites and several officials stood in front of the emperor and said, "Your Majesty! Nine sky lanterns must be lit. Nine is the most sacred number. One less will not do. The people in the audience are watching. Your Majesty, you cannot leave!"
The emperor was extremely anxious!
Those mediocre doctors in the Imperial Hospital clearly said that Huan'er would give birth in a month, and that's why he felt comfortable leaving Huan'er in the palace. Now that Huan'er has suddenly given birth prematurely, how can he not be anxious?
"Prince An, please light the remaining sky lanterns for me."
Prince An was closest to the emperor and also heard the voice of the secret guard. He immediately responded, "Brother, just go ahead and rest assured. I will leave this small matter to this humble servant."
The Minister of Rites knelt down and said loudly, "Your Majesty, this is against etiquette. It has always been the emperor who lit the sky lanterns. Your Highness Prince An did not dissuade us, but he agreed so quickly. I think it is inappropriate. Please think twice!"
The rooftop was filled with officials kneeling in a neat row, saying in unison: "Your Majesty, please think twice!"
The emperor's face turned pale. No wonder Prime Minister Liu claimed to be ill and didn't come today. It turned out that there was such a good show waiting for him.
Concubine Chun gave birth prematurely in the palace, and people outside the palace tried to stop him from returning and to sow discord between him and Prince An. What on earth do these people want to do?
"Get out of here!" The emperor kicked the Minister of Rites away.
When he first ascended the throne, he was always oppressed by these people. But now the Liu family is no longer the only one in power in the court, and he has his own children. He will never be constrained by others again!
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