Chapter 57 (No further information)
The delivery room had been prepared in advance. Wenjuan and the others personally cleaned the room until it was spotless, as Jiang Ling had requested. The bedding and cloths were boiled in boiling water and then dried.
Jiang Ling's stomach only ached slightly. She smiled and said easily, "Wenjuan, don't worry, just do it the way we agreed before."
She didn't blame Wenjuan for her panic, after all, their relationship was unequal, and if she made even the slightest mistake, Wenjuan might pay with her life.
Seeing Jiang Ling remain calm, Wen Juan's mood gradually calmed down. Zi Shan had already run to fetch the imperial physician and midwife, and she helped Jiang Ling to the delivery room.
Aruo rushed over, remembering Jiang Ling's instructions, and stopped just in time at the door, only peeking her head in. Seeing Jiang Ling still chatting and laughing with Wenjuan, she breathed a long sigh of relief: "Sister Wenjuan, please take good care of Her Highness, I'll get some hot water and towels."
Soon, a palace maid brought hot water and a towel to the side room. The two midwives who were supposed to be delivering the baby also arrived. A'Ruo looked them over and asked, "Where is Midwife Zhang?"
"Lady Xia from Cuiwei Pavilion had an attack earlier, and Midwife Zhang and Midwife Li rushed over," Midwife Chen replied, and she and the other midwives were about to go inside.
"Oh, oh, oh, Her Majesty's water just broke, and it will be a while before she dies. You all go and wash up first, and change into clean clothes," A'Ruo hurriedly stopped them.
The two midwives looked at each other. The palace rules were strict, and they were afraid of offending the nobles. Neither of them had any unusual smell, and their clothes were neat.
However, the two dared not say much and followed A'Ruo to the side room to wash and change clothes. Wen Juan came in, having washed like them, and took scissors, asking the midwife to trim and file her long fingernails.
Midwife Chen looked at her bare fingers and said with a forced smile, "The prince is such a noble person. We midwives are used to being midwives. We will be very careful and will make sure that we do not hurt the little prince."
"Why bother? Just cut your nails and you won't have to worry about it," Wenjuan said with a smile.
After a moment's thought, Chen the midwife realized that made sense. A baby's skin is delicate; it would be better to trim their nails.
The two women entered the delivery room and went to check on the baby. Midwife Chen respectfully said, "Your Majesty will have to wait a while before the little prince comes out."
"Thank you for your trouble," Jiang Ling said politely, leaning back on the cushion.
"No, no," the two hurriedly replied. Seeing Jiang Ling's gentle attitude, they felt slightly relieved and stepped aside to sit and wait.
"His Majesty has arrived!" Zi Shan stood outside the door, lifted the curtain a crack, and whispered her report.
The two midwives were startled, never expecting that Emperor Yuanming would actually come in person. They quickly stood up and bowed their heads in respect.
Wen Juan was also very surprised. She walked to the door and asked in a low voice, "What brings the Emperor here?"
The woman in purple replied, "His Majesty is waiting in the main hall. He asked about my health and when I will give birth to the little prince."
"Go and tell the Emperor it's still early, tell him not to wait any longer," Jiang Ling said impatiently, frowning.
The arrival of Emperor Yuanming brought nothing but pressure.
Zishan quietly stuck out her tongue and quickly agreed. Wenjuan walked back to the bedside and asked with a smile, "Is Your Highness hungry? Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
"I'm not hungry..." Jiang Ling replied. Just then, the pain of contractions struck, and she frowned in pain. She secretly cursed Emperor Yuanming to vent her anger.
As time passed, Jiang Ling's contractions became more and more frequent, causing her to break out in a cold sweat from the pain, making her feel like she was living a life worse than death.
Every few moments, Emperor Yuanming would send someone to inquire. Huang Liang simply stood guard at the entrance of the delivery room, and as soon as there was any news, he would rush to report to Emperor Yuanming.
With a smile plastered on her face, Chen the midwife flattered, "Your Majesty is protected by the Emperor's true dragon energy and has already dilated to eight fingers. Everything is going very smoothly."
Jiang Ling was in too much pain to curse. She lay there weakly, her mind filled with images of the various dangers that occurred during childbirth.
Amniotic fluid embolism, massive hemorrhage, infection, ...
Mingjian (public hall).
At first, Emperor Yuanming sat in a chair, leisurely drinking tea and waiting.
As the water clock ticked away, the sun rose into the sky and then began to slant westward. Emperor Yuanming recalled the hardships his late empress had endured during childbirth, and his composure vanished, replaced by a growing somber expression.
"How is the situation at Cuiwei Pavilion?" Emperor Yuanming asked, remembering Cuiwei Pavilion.
Zhang Shan hurriedly sent a eunuch to inquire. After a while, the eunuch returned and reported: "The midwife said that Consort Duan is only three fingers dilated, it's still early."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanming grunted in response, patiently sat back down, picked up his teacup, and continued drinking tea.
The eunuch pulled Zhang Shan aside and whispered in his ear, "The midwife also said that Consort Duan's belly is too big, so the delivery will probably be more difficult."
Zhang Shan's expression changed slightly. The woman's fetus was too large, making childbirth difficult and causing suffering for both mother and child. One wrong move and both mother and child would die.
The late Empress had gone through the same ordeal, giving birth for a full day. The baby, a royal heir, was born, but the Empress herself died shortly after. Blood flowed like a river as she followed.
"Don't talk back!" Zhang Shan warned sternly.
The young eunuch hurriedly replied, "I know. If it's unlucky, I promise I won't say a word."
Zhang Shan snorted, glanced into the room, and said, "Call some people and make a trip to Cuiwei Pavilion in a while. Don't wait until the Emperor asks about it before you go."
The young eunuch readily agreed, "I'll go right away." He called his companion, and together they went to Cuiwei Pavilion.
Not long after, the two returned from Cuiwei Pavilion, and Imperial Physician Wu Shishan also arrived. Zheng Ze and the imperial physician were on duty at Fanying Pavilion. Zhang Shan was surprised and stepped forward to ask, "Why is Imperial Physician Wu here?"
Wu Shishan looked unwell and said, "Your Majesty, do you have a moment? I have an urgent matter to discuss with you."
Seeing this, Zhang Shan dared not delay and hurriedly went inside to report. Emperor Yuanming was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Summon them."
Wu Shishan rushed into the room and said in a panic, "Your Majesty, four hours have passed. The midwife said that Consort Duan was only dilated to five centimeters. I am very uneasy, fearing that if we delay any longer, Consort Duan and the young prince will be in danger. I beg Your Majesty's permission to have Physician Zheng accompany me to Cuiwei Pavilion to administer acupuncture."
Emperor Yuanming immediately said, "Consort Jiang is currently in the critical stage of childbirth, and Imperial Physician Zheng cannot leave her side. Since you are skilled in gynecology, you should prescribe the appropriate medicine and acupuncture for any problems you find!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wu Shishan dared not say more and hurriedly took his leave respectfully.
Although Zheng Ze did not receive permission from Emperor Yuanming to go to Cuiwei Pavilion, if something were to happen, with Emperor Yuanming's decree in place, it would not be considered acting on his own initiative or failing to provide adequate medical treatment.
After Wu Shishan left, Emperor Yuanming became increasingly uneasy. He put down his teacup and got up to pace back and forth in the room.
Winter days are short and night falls early, and the room gradually grew dark. Fan Ying Pavilion began to light its lamps, and Zhang Shan came in to light them.
Emperor Yuanming was completely unaware that his pace quickened and his heart was pounding like a drum.
"Huang Liang!" Emperor Yuanming stopped and roared.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Shan immediately ran towards the delivery room. Through the window, he heard Jiang Ling groaning inside. He couldn't help but shrink his neck and grab Huang Liang, who was standing on tiptoe peering through the window: "Master, the Emperor wants to see you."
"Oh dear, it's no use even if the Emperor summons me!" Huang Liang replied with a worried look, and quickly ran towards the main room.
"Why hasn't it been born yet?" Emperor Yuanming asked in exasperation.
Huang Liang lowered his head and replied cautiously, "Your Majesty, the midwife says it will be a while before she arrives."
Emperor Yuanming, enraged, brandished his arms and roared, "A bunch of useless trash! If there's even the slightest mistake, I'll exterminate their entire clan!"
Huang Liang was so frightened that he didn't dare to breathe and quickly bowed and retreated out of the room. When Zhang Shan saw him approaching with a pale face, he cleverly dodged around him and returned to the main room to stand guard.
Emperor Yuanming paced back and forth in the room like a trapped beast. Unable to bear it any longer, he simply came outside the delivery room.
Before he could even ask, Emperor Yuanming heard the midwife's voice from inside the room, Jiang Ling's loud shout, and the baby's loud cry.
In an instant, Emperor Yuanming seemed to be frozen in place, completely motionless.
He had never attended the births of the late Empress or Consort Lin before. This was the first time he had ever heard a newborn baby cry.
A strange and unfamiliar feeling welled up inside me, my eyes stung, and my whole body trembled uncontrollably.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Consort Jiang has given birth to a little prince!" Midwife Chen's face was full of smiles as she and another midwife offered their congratulations.
Jiang Ling was so exhausted she could barely lift her fingers. She roared inwardly, "If he doesn't become emperor, he'll have failed my life-or-death struggle!"
Upon hearing the midwife's voice, which carried a familiar sentiment from Jiang Ling, Emperor Yuanming's heart, which had been pounding in his chest, finally settled back into his stomach. He remained silent for a moment, then a smile involuntarily spread across his face, and he laughed heartily, "Rewards, rewards for everyone!"
Huang Liang went to get the silver to give as a reward, and Fan Ying Pavilion was filled with joy, with congratulations and well wishes coming incessantly.
The placenta fell off shortly afterward. A'Ruo, along with Zishan, tidied up the soiled bedding and helped Jiang Ling change into dry clothes. Wen Juan followed closely, watching the midwife closely. After the baby was wrapped in swaddling clothes, she quickly took the baby and placed it in front of Jiang Ling.
Midwife Chen advised, "Her Highness is still weak; the wet nurse should come in to feed her."
Wenjuan said tactfully, "Her Majesty has her own plans. Thank you both, you may leave now."
Emperor Yuanming personally guarded him every step of the way. Having witnessed Jiang Ling's status, Chen, the midwife, dared not interfere. She quickly smiled apologetically and withdrew with another midwife.
Jiang Ling had previously seen wet nurses in period dramas and, out of curiosity, read popular science articles about the pros and cons of breastfeeding.
For her, whether she breastfeeds herself, is fed by a wet nurse, or weans herself, she faces the risk of mastitis.
But for infants, it's a completely different story. In terms of nutrition and immunity, microbiome establishment, and disease transmission risk, breast milk is the best choice.
Jiang Ling planned to keep the wet nurse for a few days, and if she had enough breast milk, he would give her some money and send her out of the palace.
This is the only conspicuous decision Jiang Ling has made since transmigrating, and it is bound to attract everyone's attention.
After all, wealthy families hire wet nurses, let alone princes and princesses.
But she dared not take the risk. Many princes and princesses in the palace died young. Those who were pregnant for ten months, gave birth safely, and grew up with all their limbs intact all over the years had overcome many difficulties.
Considering the infant mortality rate and the high risks of childbirth for women in ancient times, the various methods of abortion used during pregnancy in palace intrigues seem somewhat unnecessary.
After Jiang Ling finished feeding the baby, she looked at the wrinkled, monkey-like infant in the swaddling clothes and clicked her tongue, saying, "It's really ugly!"
Wenjuan said reproachfully, "Your Majesty is really something. The little prince has only just been born. In a few days, he'll surely be as handsome as Your Majesty."
Thinking back to the pictures of ugly children that you shouldn't throw away, Jiang Ling couldn't help but laugh and said, "I gave birth to them myself, of course they'll look like me."
Aruo carried the food box into the room, and Wenjuan helped her place it on the low table. Aruo smiled and said, "It was all made according to Your Majesty's instructions. The Emperor added a bowl of red date sweet soup and ginseng soup, saying that it was to replenish Your Majesty's qi and blood."
Jiang Ling was already hungry, so she carefully placed the swaddled baby beside her and let him sleep peacefully. She didn't touch Emperor Yuanming's blood-nourishing and qi-tonifying soup, but ate egg custard and fish balls, cabbage and spinach, mixed grain porridge, and drank a cup of water.
After finishing her meal, Jiang Ling regained some energy. Leaning back on the cushions, she thought of Consort Duan and asked, "Has she given birth at Cuiwei Pavilion yet?"
A'Ruo was clearing away the dishes and said, "His Majesty has decreed that Imperial Physician Zheng and Midwife Chen have all gone to Cuiwei Pavilion. I heard that Consort Duan's voice became hoarse from shouting, as if she was in some kind of danger."
Jiang Ling was taken aback and asked, "Where is the Emperor?"
"His Majesty is having dinner in the main hall," Aruo replied.
What a useless idiot!
Jiang Ling cursed under his breath, looking at the sleeping baby beside him, feeling a mix of emotions.
Perhaps because she was a new mother, Jiang Ling understood the difficulties of childbirth and felt a pang of heartache for Duan Meiren.
But she was a concubine in the palace.
She gave birth to a son.
In the imperial harem, kindness and tenderness are so out of place.
What they fought for was family honor, power and wealth, the world and the country, and even life and death.
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