The Crown Princess smiled with satisfaction, took her hand and patted it: "That's good. I'll have someone bring the tonic in a little while. Just drink it and you'll be fine. I'll have someone take care of you."
After saying that, the Crown Princess got up and left.
Ning Chenghui saw her out, his heart filled with coldness.
It wasn't that she was afraid some people had become bolder; clearly... it was the Crown Princess who was threatening her.
If she doesn't obey and gives birth prematurely, I'll kill her. Then she'll still have to give birth...
Ning Chenghui hated this feeling of powerlessness. Born out of wedlock, he was inferior to others in every way. He had no say in his marriage at all.
Apart from her own aunt, no one cared about her.
Even after marriage, she was still overshadowed by her elder cousin, who was born of the main wife. No matter how she tried to lower her head, it wouldn't work...
But she had no choice; if she refused to obey and give birth early, she would be forced...
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Hongdou's eyes reddened: "Chenghui..."
"It's alright, it's probably just induction of labor, and it's about time for her due date. You can get ready for me."
Forced into labor, she probably won't be able to get up for a long time.
The child would also be taken away, so she always had to make arrangements for herself.
The tonic arrived shortly afterward. It was Mother He who came in person.
She smiled and said, "Chenghui drank it, and the servants have all arrived, so he'll definitely be fine."
The people who serve them are the midwives.
Ning Chenghui didn't say anything, he just nodded with a pale face.
She stared at the bowl of medicine for a while, watching until the wisps of steam disappeared, before finally drinking it all in one gulp.
Mrs. He didn't leave; she simply offered her mouthwash herself.
About half an hour after drinking the medicine, Ning Chenghui started experiencing symptoms.
Mrs. He felt a moment of relief and quickly asked someone to help her into the delivery room.
Being forced into labor is naturally extremely painful.
Ning Chenghui could only grit his teeth and endure it. Guarded in Mingyue Pavilion, the midwife dared not utter a word. Maids and servants went in and out, constantly bringing in hot water.
After a long and arduous journey from morning till dusk, Ning Chenghui finally gave birth.
She looked like a rag doll, no longer recognizable as a human being.
Hearing the baby cry, she felt as if a piece of her heart had been emptied, yet she couldn't move.
Hongdou kept crying. She was just a maid. What did a maid in Chenghui's presence count for?
Fortunately, the midwives were quite responsible; two of them went to clean up the baby, and the other two were left to clean up after Ning Chenghui.
Fortunately, she did not experience severe bleeding due to induced labor.
The midwife fed her half a bowl of medicine, which was to prevent her from getting dizzy.
At this moment, Madam He came in and said with a smile, "Congratulations to Ning Chenghui. Our Lady said that when His Highness returns, she will promote you. After all, you have given birth to the eldest son."
Ning Chenghui closed her eyes, then opened them again, and said with difficulty, "I am incompetent and have failed to properly raise the young prince. I beg Your Majesty for mercy."
She's so sensible, so naturally her mother is satisfied. Otherwise, what would she be doing waiting here?
"It's pitiful, but it's also Chenghui's loving motherly heart," said Mama He.
"I am but a concubine, how dare I call myself a loving mother? But... let me take a look." She lowered her eyelids.
Mrs. He smiled and said, "What are you talking about? I'll bring it over once it's wrapped up."
After a while, the baby was brought over. Babies induced into labor are definitely not as good as those born on time, but I couldn't tell the difference.
It's just not very big.
Ning Chenghui didn't even raise his hand; he just used his eyes to trace the child's appearance over and over again.
She secretly vowed: I can't raise you, but I will definitely help you rise to a high position!
After seeing that she had looked at it, Mrs. He smiled and said, "Then let's take it to the main courtyard first, since you didn't prepare anything here."
Ning Chenghui nodded and said nothing more.
In the main courtyard, the Crown Princess was also satisfied after seeing the child.
At least it's a son; it doesn't matter if he's not her biological child. We'll talk about it after she gives birth.
"She didn't cause any trouble, did she?" the Crown Princess asked.
“How could she dare? She’s quite sensible. I told her that when His Highness returns, you will ask for a promotion for her. She accepted.” Mama He said.
"Oh, that's a small matter. After all, she has given birth, so promotion isn't out of the question. It's up to Your Highness," the Crown Princess said with a smile.
However, Cheng Hui's next wife was Liang Yuan.
The Crown Princess thought that the Crown Prince probably wouldn't agree.
If she disagrees, just give her some more gifts.
In the main courtyard, everything was ready, including the rooms for the wet nurse and the child.
A maidservant.
From then on, the child settled down in the main courtyard.
We'll just have to see if His Highness allows the child to be registered under his name when he returns.
It's fine if it's not allowed; it's right to raise a son born out of wedlock around your side.
Shu Chengfeng received a message from the manor, but he had no opinion on Ning Chenghui's premature birth.
The eldest grandson is safe and sound; that's enough.
Shu Chengfeng had other things to do, even though he was going to the imperial palace.
“Your Highness, the Eighth Prince isn’t having a bad time at the Imperial Clan Court. I’ve received word that Consort Zhou, after learning about this, discussed it with the Zhou family. Now they’re just waiting for His Majesty to return to the capital so they can plead for him. I’m afraid the Eighth Prince won’t be imprisoned for long,” Wei Xiao said.
After all, Consort Zhou was once favored by the emperor. And although the Zhou family supported the Seventh Prince, they were ultimately loyal to the emperor.
Now, the Seventh Prince is deposed. The Eighth Prince's reputation is ruined. If releasing the Eighth Prince would make the Zhou family more loyal, His Majesty probably wouldn't refuse to release him.
After all, the Eighth Prince is simple-minded and not the type to accomplish anything.
"Yes, I guessed that. It's alright. After returning to the capital, I will plead for my eighth brother. Eighth brother is still young, even though he's married. He just misunderstood for a moment." A father who murders his own son has been forgiven, so why shouldn't a younger brother who murders his older brother be forgiven?
“The people on the Second Prince’s side have been settled. He will not suspect anything. That woman is outstanding in appearance and will likely be favored,” Wei Xiao said with a smile.
Shu Chengfeng smiled.
"Now, some people have suggested that they be made kings."
“They haven’t yet made any contributions…” Wei Xiao said.
"Although there are precedents of granting titles to those who have rendered meritorious service, weren't previous generations also granted titles without any merit or effort? It doesn't matter." Shu Chengfeng didn't care.
"But after being granted the title of prince, they do have some power." Although they can now participate in politics, princes and kings are still different.
Wei Xiao worried: "The Second Prince's intentions are too obvious. He takes advantage of being the eldest among the princes and has many ideas. If he is made a king, I'm afraid his ambitions will become even greater."
“We’ll let him cause trouble eventually. Whether we shut him down or not, it’ll be the same. Give him a chance, and maybe he’ll cause something big,” Shu Chengfeng said.
Wei Xiao thought about it and agreed: "Yes."
"Prepare to return to the capital. Everything that needs to be arranged has been arranged. It's just a pity about Yingniang." Shu Chengfeng shook his head; she was originally the person he had prepared for His Majesty.
Unexpectedly, His Majesty, to appease him after the previous incident, gave the man back to him.
Well, she's just a dancer, nothing more. I don't expect her to amount to anything. We'll handle things in the capital later.
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