"Aa ...
"Your Highness, you're awake! Push, push!" the midwife quickly reminded her to start pushing.
Ruan Yumu had been in pain for too long, and even though she managed to move a couple of times with all her might, it was as if it were useless.
"I'm afraid I can't do it! Qi Jingxuan, are you satisfied now?"
To be honest, Qi Jingxuan was also shocked by the scene and could hardly imagine how hard it must have been for a woman.
"I'm not satisfied. Don't you want to fight me while you're still alive? I haven't even seen you fight me yet! Give me your strength!" Qi Jingxuan didn't use the imperial title "朕" (Zhen, meaning "I" or "the Emperor") in front of Ruan Yumu, but instead addressed her as "我" (Wo, meaning "I" or "me").
"Girl, try a little harder!"
"Ziling, I'm afraid I can't make it. I have no strength left." Ruan Yumu was exhausted, both physically and mentally. In her daze, she seemed to see her tragically deceased mother calling out to her.
So tired! He never imagined that he, a great general, would be reduced to this state, bearing children for his wives and concubines. It was truly humiliating. He wanted to give up everything. What great hatred? What future of the Qi family? He didn't want to think about any of it anymore.
All the events of the past years began to flash through his mind, and he also remembered how much he and Ruan Yumu loved each other when they were young. Back then, he was punished by his father to clean the stables at the horse farm. He couldn't do anything, but a thin little girl could do everything better than him, and he admired her immensely.
Ruan and Mu were exceptionally skilled riders, and I learned a lot from them. Later, I rode on the battlefield for many years and never saw anyone who was a better rider than her.
Perhaps in Ruan Yumu's heart, she wanted to be with one person for life! But she was born as the only son of the Qi family, and after 3 or 4 years of marriage, she still didn't have a child. Coupled with her obsession with power and her weariness of married life, she chose to be with Jiang Mengyi.
Little did they expect that Ruan Yumu had used some kind of sorcery to change their souls and then enjoyed them.
A fleeting moment of glory!
The aura, ambition, and great achievements of the man in his dream are now being enjoyed by Qi Jingxuan, who sits beside him.
Was he really going to leave like this? Watching her so smug and triumphant?
No!
She was unwilling to accept it! The thought of her mother dying alone in the mountain villa filled her with resentment.
Mother? No, I absolutely cannot die. If I die, wouldn't that make Qi Jingxuan extremely happy?
Thinking of the great revenge he had not yet taken, Ruan Yumu suddenly gripped the midwife's hand tightly, her hateful eyes staring straight at Qi Jingxuan, making him feel uneasy.
The pain returned, and this time Ruan Yumu followed the midwife's rhythm, constantly inhaling and exhaling.
She did this so that she could give birth quickly and easily.
"Your Majesty, give it your all!" The room was filled with encouraging voices.
Seeing this, the imperial physician quickly administered acupuncture, fearing that the empress might experience severe bleeding after giving birth due to the prolonged labor.
He then pricked Ruan and Mu's people again.
Ruan and Mu were panting heavily.
Giving birth is something you can only do on your own, so even though Ruan and Mu had no experience, they began to rhythmically listen to the midwife's instructions and start pushing.
Soon after, the sound of a child crying rang out, "Your Majesty, the Empress has given birth! It's a prince! It really is a prince!"
Everyone present broke out in a cold sweat, knowing that if the baby couldn't be born, they would all likely lose their lives.
But now that the emperor's eldest son has been born, things have become quite different.
"All of you in Chengde Palace, listen to my command! You have rendered meritorious service in protecting Consort Ruan during childbirth. The Imperial Household Department shall reward you accordingly. Palace maids Ziling, Rong'er, Mei'er, and Lian'er, who remained calm in the face of danger, shall be granted a pair of white jade bracelets. Ziling shall be promoted to second-class palace maid. Consort Ruan has given birth to a son for me, and shall be immediately promoted to Consort Mu, the head of Chengde Palace!"
"Your Majesty, this is impossible! How can one bestow the title of concubine so suddenly?"
"I intend to bestow the title of Imperial Concubine upon her, so that she will no longer be bullied. You should rest well, as I have to attend the morning court tomorrow."
Qi Jingxuan lingered for a while longer, glanced at the young master, and then left.
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