In October, on the day of Consort Ulanara's delivery, all the concubines in the harem gathered in the west wing of Changchun Palace. Early that morning, Consort Ulanara felt cramps in her stomach and quickly summoned the imperial physician. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be contractions. The wing quickly got busy, but since it was morning and the emperor was still in court, he could only notify Consort Zhao to take charge of the situation. Naturally, the other concubines also received the news.
"Greetings, Consort Tong." Wanyi bowed to Consort Tong along with the other concubines.
"Get up! Consort Zhao, how is Consort Ulanara?"
When Consort Tong passed by Wanyi, she glared at her, simply because Wanyi's current favor with the emperor was now equal to hers.
"Thank you, Consort Tong."
"The midwife has already gone in. She just said that the cervix hasn't dilated yet. This is Consort Ulanara's first pregnancy, so it won't be quick. Sisters, please sit down and wait!"
As soon as Consort Zhao arrived, she arranged everything in the room and then had people bring out the chairs from the main hall, arranging them properly. Unlike last time when Consort Tong had to stand, only Emperor Kangxi had a seat.
"Thank you for your consideration, Consort Zhao." After sitting down, Consort Tong said disdainfully to the concubines below.
"Sister Zhaofei, you are really good to them, but I don't know if they will appreciate it!"
"What are you saying, Consort Tong? Of course we are grateful to Consort Zhao." Consort Yehenara said nonchalantly. In this harem, Consort Tong was somewhat wary of Consort Yehenara, who had a son.
"That's what I say, but what I really think is something only I know."
After Consort Tong finished speaking, no one responded to her. None of the concubines in the harem wanted Consort Tong to become Empress because she was too obsessed with Emperor Kangxi. Whenever a concubine served him or served him too often, she would always find fault with her.
The waiting time was always long. As the palace maids came and went, the cries of Consort Ulanara could be heard from inside.
"How is the situation inside?" Consort Zhao grabbed a palace maid who came out to get something.
"Your Majesty, she's already seven centimeters dilated. The midwife has been told to prepare more hot water." After saying this, the maidservant quickly went to get busy.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
As soon as Emperor Kangxi finished court, someone reported that Consort Ulanara had gone into labor, and he rushed over without even changing out of his court robes.
"Get up! How's the situation inside?"
Emperor Kangxi did not have high expectations for the children of Consort Zhang and Consort Ulanara, but he did care a little, which is why he came to see them.
"She's already seven centimeters dilated, so she should be able to give birth soon." Consort Tong immediately smiled and quickly greeted Emperor Kangxi.
"That's good. Did it start this morning?" Kangxi noticed the tired concubines, although they all looked smiling.
"It started at Chenshi (7-9 AM)," Consort Zhao replied with a smile. To be honest, they were all hungry, but none of them dared to say they wanted to leave.
"How about this? Let's take turns eating in the main hall!" Kangxi said considerately.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will make the arrangements immediately." After saying that, Consort Zhao began to make the arrangements, and Consort Wan was among the first to go and eat.
“Look at how Consort Tong acted when she saw the Emperor just now. She’s always putting on an act.” Consort Li sat down at the table. Consort Wan was also at the table. Consort Borjigit sat to Wan’s right, and Consort Zhaojia sat to her left. There were four people at the table.
"What's the big deal? Consort Tong is a princess born to the Emperor's maternal family, and the Emperor's cousin. If she doesn't even know this, how dare she dream of that position?"
What Consort Zhaojia really meant was that everyone in the harem could put on an act, but since Consort Tong had punished her, she naturally harbored resentment towards Consort Tong.
"As soon as she saw the Emperor, she didn't even eat lunch. Consort Zhao had arranged for her to eat first, but she insisted on staying, saying she wasn't very hungry. I was close to her, and her stomach was rumbling. I wonder what the Emperor will think of her when it's quiet there." Consort Li found it amusing to think about it.
"Really? Are you two that hungry? You've been eating the whole time."
"Gossiping behind someone's back is a violation of palace rules. It's more appropriate to have a proper meal."
Wanyi slowly swallowed the food in her mouth and replied in a soft voice, leaving Consort Zhaojia and Consort Li speechless. Consort Borjigit, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but smile.
Because Emperor Kangxi was there in the afternoon, it was quite lively, unlike the quiet atmosphere at Consort Zhang's place earlier.
"Your Majesty, I remember when Baoqing was first born, he was thin and small. I heard from Consort Borjigit that Baoqing has grown quite a bit taller." Consort Yehenara mentioned Baoqing, Kangxi's current sixth prince, at the opportune moment.
"I have indeed heard Zhuoerji mention him. Here's what we'll do! Yehenara, you should go and see Baoqing in a few days. You haven't seen him in a long time." Kangxi was thinking of one of his only remaining princes and was very concerned about him.
"This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace."
Consort Yehenara was quite excited. She hadn't expected Emperor Kangxi to be so agreeable. She had thought she would have to persuade him or that she wouldn't be able to go.
"Congratulations, Yehenara! If only Brother Baoqing could return to the palace, then we wouldn't have to be separated like mother and son," Consort Tong said regretfully.
“Borjigit Fujin has taken very good care of Baoqing, and I am very relieved.”
"If you're so at ease, why are you so eager to go and see him? I thought you didn't care about the Sixth Prince at all!"
Consort Tong couldn't understand how Consort Yehenara could bear to send Baoqing away. Even if he had smallpox, the side palace could have been sealed off. Instead, she suggested that he be raised in a minister's home.
"How could that be? The Sixth Prince was born to a concubine. What mother wouldn't love her own child?" Consort Yehenara forced a smile.
Wanyi suddenly realized how wonderful it was to have a good family background and be favored by the emperor. Just look at how aggressive Consort Tong was; even Kangxi was watching with great interest. However, Consort Tong didn't dare to go too far.
Meanwhile, in the delivery room, Consort Ulanara was also at a critical moment. The midwife kept telling Consort Ulanara to push harder, and out of sight of others, the midwife pressed an acupoint on Consort Ulanara's waist.
"Push harder, we can see the prince's head, Concubine, push harder."
"Hmm!" No matter how hard Consort Ulanara tried, she couldn't give birth to the prince; the child's head just stayed there.
"Oh no, the prince's head is too big and it's stuck. Send someone out to inform the Emperor whether to save the mother or the child."
The midwife pulled Jumei aside and spoke loudly and urgently, which was heard by Consort Ulanara on the delivery bed, something the midwife never expected.
"Ah!" Consort Ulanara made a tough decision and, with all her might, gave birth to the child amidst contractions, though her lower body was severely torn.
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