The sudden onset of labor in Gu Qianxue's womb caused a commotion within the Eastern Palace.
The Empress had barely stepped out of the East Palace gate when Granny Zhang rushed out and hurriedly reported,
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Consort Gu is about to give birth!"
Granny Zhang was a nanny specially sent by the Empress to monitor the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
When something so important happens, it's natural to inform her immediately.
Upon hearing this, the Empress's eyes flashed with surprise and doubt, her expression uncertain, as she recalled the words Gu Qianxue had just spoken to her.
The Empress suddenly realized that Gu Qianxue's scheme was actually against the child in her womb.
"Old Zhang, this Eastern Palace is the Crown Prince's new residence."
The auspicious day was determined only after numerous calculations by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
The stains from childbirth are believed to bring bad luck, so let's move Gu Qianxue to the side room so she doesn't soil the Crown Prince's bridal chamber.
"Yes! This old servant understands! I'll go and do it right away!"
Having received the Empress's order, Granny Zhang, along with several guards from the Eastern Palace, hurried to the Zhi'en Hall.
Inside the Zhi'en Hall, Gu Qianxue was placed on the wedding bed by Li Zhiyan.
Because of the intense pain from the contractions, she had almost exhausted all her strength and was in a semi-conscious state.
Suddenly, a commotion came from outside, startling Gu Qianxue, who was still in a daze, back to reality.
"Your Highness! This is your bridal chamber!"
"Under no circumstances should Consort Gu be allowed to give birth here!"
"How dare you! This is my palace. Do you expect me to be at your beck and call?"
"Your Highness, please forgive me! This is the Empress's order. If I disobey, this old servant will also face death!"
"Your Highness, please spare this old servant, for the sake of my decades of unwavering loyalty to Her Majesty the Empress!"
"Consort Gu is not only my first wife, but also my savior."
Everyone says that childbirth is a brush with death for a woman. Now that Consort Gu is on the verge of death, am I to abandon her?
"Your Highness, think this through! There are so many side rooms in the Eastern Palace!"
Why did you have to give birth in the bridal chamber?
Tomorrow is your big day; it would be bad if you brought bad luck upon yourself.
The jarring noises could be faintly heard from outside. Gu Qianxue's eyes were cool, and her expression was cold.
She clutched her pregnant belly and slumped to the side of the bed, letting out a hoarse scream.
"Your Highness! Xue'er is in so much pain! Waaah!"
"Your Highness! Your Highness! Save Xue'er!"
The midwife saw Gu Qianxue faint before her eyes and quickly pinched her philtrum and fed her brown sugar water.
"Consort Gu! Consort Gu! What's wrong? You have to hold on!"
Seeing this, the Crown Prince's eyes flashed with a cold light as he glared at Granny Zhang, and he warned her angrily.
"You are someone close to the Empress Dowager. For the sake of the Empress Dowager, I will not hold it against you."
However, if you dare utter another word, I'll make you regret it.
Granny Zhang's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly retreated towards the outside of the house.
"Since the Crown Prince insists on this, then this old servant has no choice but to obey."
I only hope that afterwards, the Crown Prince can plead with the Empress on my behalf.
Li Zhiyan's gaze darkened, and he waved his hand at her, "It's alright! You may all leave!"
"Thank you, Your Highness, for sparing my life."
As the cacophony subsided, a smug smile crept onto Gu Qianxue's lips.
Li Zhiyan quickly went to Gu Qianxue's bedside, gently helped her into his arms, and anxiously asked,
"Xue'er! Xue'er! I'm here! I promise you I'll never leave you again in this lifetime! Wake up!"
After speaking, Li Zhiyan's cold gaze fell on the midwife.
"Midwife, if anything happens to Consort Gu, I will never let you off the hook!"
Upon hearing this, the midwife trembled uncontrollably and knelt on the ground, begging for mercy.
"Please, Your Highness, spare her! Consort Gu has simply fainted due to exhaustion."
The old servant has prepared brown sugar water for her; she should wake up soon.
Upon hearing this, Li Zhiyan's tightly clenched heart finally relaxed a little.
He stepped forward and pulled Gu Qianxue into his arms, gently patting her shoulder and softly comforting her.
"Xue'er, for our child's sake, you must pull yourself together!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianxue's delicate eyebrows trembled slightly, and her eyes slowly widened.
When she realized she was in a warm embrace, her expression brightened, and she parted her lips slightly to speak softly.
"It's all Xue'er's fault for making Your Highness feel awkward!"
Your Highness, Xue'er is alright!
This is His Highness's bridal chamber; how could Xue'er bear to let you bring bad luck upon yourself?
"Xue'er, what nonsense are you talking about?"
You silly girl, to me, you are my only wife.
If I were to send you away while you're about to give birth, wouldn't I become a heartless man?
Vague memories surfaced in Li Zhiyan's mind once again.
In his previous life, Li Zhiyan wronged a girl named Qianqian. Only after she passed away did he realize that she was the one he loved most.
In this life, he was reborn and he was determined to treat this girl named Qianqian well.
"But Xue'er doesn't want to put Your Highness in a difficult position. It would hurt Xue'er's heart."
Looking at the pale, bloodless woman before him, Li Zhiyan felt a surge of pity.
"Silly girl, how could I possibly be in a difficult position for you?"
"Be a good girl, and after you give birth, I'll beg His Majesty to promote you to the rank of secondary wife, okay?"
Gu Qianxue looked up at the speaker and saw that Li Zhiyan's expression was firm and his eyes were burning, not like he was joking.
In fact, what she was waiting for was Li Zhiyan's promise.
Gu Qianxue's brow twitched slightly, her eyes lifted slightly, and a relieved smile appeared on her face. She raised her hand to stroke Li Zhiyan's cheek and said gently,
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