Chapter 22 Blessed
Fang Ruo said, "Now that all four ranks of imperial concubines are in place, Consort Hua is General Nian's younger sister..."
On the monitor, Hongzhao heard Fangruo say her most famous line: "Even if all the Manchu and Mongol Eight Banners were combined, they wouldn't be as magnificent as Consort Hua."
At this moment, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Zhen Huan was arrogant, otherwise she wouldn't have said to Fang Ruo, "How long can one's beauty last in serving others?"
He listened with great interest as Fang Ruo went on to say that the most important thing in the harem was having offspring, otherwise one would have no one to rely on for the rest of one's life.
Seeing that the two young ladies were worried again, she changed her tone and said optimistically, "Take Consort Xin for example. The Fifth Prince, the Sixth Prince and the First Princess in the palace are all born to Consort Xin. Consort Xin also rose to the rank of Consort because of her children and promoted her father. This is the best example."
Zhen Huan nodded thoughtfully, "I remember that this Consort Xin gave birth to twins three years ago? Everyone in the city was envious at the time."
“Yes,” Fang Ruo replied with a smile, “Consort Xin is very fortunate. She is not old, has a son who is favored, and her family is powerful.”
An Lingrong smiled with a hint of envy and asked curiously, "Is Consort Xin very favored, to be able to give birth to so many children?"
Fangruo chuckled at her rather naive words—"Consort Xin naturally enjoys the Emperor's favor. You will know this when you enter the palace. Consort Xin has the best temperament. She is the most cheerful, generous, warm-hearted, and loves to talk and laugh."
Both of them had a look of longing in their eyes.
"Consort Qi was in the same situation back then. Now that she is older and the Third Prince is the Emperor's eldest son, the mother of the eldest son cannot have a low rank. This is the advantage of having offspring."
After talking for a while, An Lingrong only heard about three imperial concubines, and asked softly, "Where is the other concubine?"
"..." Fang Ruo paused for a moment, then explained, "Consort Duan is unwell and cannot see anyone."
The two seemed to understand but didn't ask any more questions.
Before the young ladies even entered the palace, things were already bustling at Yikun Palace.
"Your Majesty, Consort Cao of Yikun Palace is about to give birth! Consort Hua requests your presence!" Xuan'er, a young maid outside, announced loudly.
Upon hearing this, Lü Yingfeng didn't have time to ask any more questions. She told Hong Xihai to keep an eye on the prince and princess, then turned around and hurriedly walked towards Yikun Palace with Xuexin.
In fact, there were signs that Consort Cao was about to give birth before dawn, and the news spread throughout the palace within an hour or two. However, since she was only a Noble Consort and had her own mistress to look after her, and she didn't have much of a relationship with Lü Yingfeng, she didn't make a fuss and only sent a maid to inquire about it in the morning.
At this moment, Consort Hua came to summon someone, which must mean that something had happened.
This premonition was confirmed when she saw Consort Qi, who had also rushed over. A few days ago, Consort Hua and Consort Qi had argued in front of the Empress because of her. Now that Consort Hua was willing to set aside her pride and invite her over as well, it must be no small matter.
The two exchanged a glance, quickly greeted each other, and went together to the inner hall.
At this moment, Consort Hua paced anxiously in the hall, while Imperial Physicians Jiang Cheng and Jiang Shen exchanged glances as they knelt before the hall.
"What use are you! You can't even protect a single child!" A teacup was thrown heavily and shattered in front of the two men, the warm tea soaking their robes, but they dared not flinch.
Qi Fei was so startled by the flying teacup that she took two steps back and tightly gripped Lü Yingfeng's sleeve.
Lu Yingfeng, who was always bold, only paused for a moment upon seeing this, and then pulled Consort Qi inside with her expression unchanged. "Consort Hua, don't be so angry. Tell us what happened."
Seeing that the reinforcements she had summoned had arrived, Consort Hua took two deep breaths to suppress her anger and pointed at Jiang Cheng and Jiang Shen, saying viciously, "These two good-for-nothings! Consort Cao has been claiming she's going into labor since dawn, and now it's already dark. She's exhausted from all this! They say there's nothing they can do!"
Indeed, it was only after Consort Hua mentioned this that Lü Yingfeng realized that the inner palace smelled strongly of blood, but she couldn't hear any cries of pain or straining. Even the maids were tiptoeing around fetching water, as if afraid of bringing bad luck upon themselves.
"Is she... feeling weak?" Consort Qi noticed as well, and she asked tentatively, "Did you make the ginseng soup? Give her a slice of ginseng to suck on."
Upon seeing this, Jiang Cheng spoke up: "Your Majesties, the medicine has been brewed and the ginseng slices have been taken, but it's all ineffective. If she cannot give birth, not only will the prince be in danger, but even the noble lady herself will be in grave danger."
The difficulty lies in this: he knows why Consort Cao can't give birth, and Jiang Shen understands even more clearly, given her daily exposure to the incense of pleasure. It's already a miracle they've managed to hold on for eight months.
They knew it was useless, but the Empress did not.
Lu Yingfeng noticed the fleeting look of conflict on his face.
Upon hearing this, Consort Hua was about to panic again, but Lü Yingfeng stepped forward and grabbed her outstretched arm, patting it reassuringly. Then, she turned her head and, abandoning her usual smiling expression, looked sternly at the two kneeling below.
"The two imperial physicians are the best in the Imperial Hospital. Although Consort Qi and I have both given birth, we are not as knowledgeable about this matter as you two. Please speak frankly and tell us what methods you have to cure the patient. In the future, whether it is the Emperor or the Empress, you two will not be treated unfairly in terms of rewards."
Jiang Cheng and Jiang Shen naturally dared not ask for any more rewards. The two exchanged a glance and hesitated before saying, "There is a folk remedy that is specifically for treating difficult childbirth for ladies, but the medicine is too potent and we dare not give it to the noble ladies in the palace."
Lu Yingfeng understood that the prescription must be extraordinary to prevent either of them from taking action.
Consort Hua urged them to quickly fetch the medicine for Consort Cao, but Lü Yingfeng spoke up at this moment, asking, "This prescription is very potent; are there any side effects?"
Seeing that he had finally gotten to the point, Jiang Cheng quickly replied, "Your Majesty, this prescription uses extremely daring ingredients, and it's specifically targeted at strong and healthy women in the countryside. Even if they take this medicine, they will likely have no hope of conceiving again, and..."
He looked up at the three empresses standing in the hall, gritted his teeth and continued, "There is also the risk of hemorrhage."
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. Qi Fei, unusually quick-witted, quietly took two steps back and tugged at Lü Yingfeng beside her.
Logically speaking, this matter is of utmost importance and involves life and death, so the Emperor and Empress should make a decision. However, Consort Cao sees that she is barely breathing and going back and forth would take too much time, so this idea can only be done now.
Consort Hua is her superior, so it's best if she decides whether or not to use the medicine. This way, she won't be blamed, and if anything goes wrong, she won't be held responsible if the Emperor investigates.
Consort Hua was not one to hesitate. After a moment's thought, she said to Jiang Cheng in a calm voice, "You just go and take the medicine. I'll handle the rest. If you fail to protect the imperial heir, you'll be in big trouble!"
Jiang Cheng and Jiang Shenru hurriedly walked out of the inner hall after being granted a pardon, while Zhou Ninghai limped quickly from outside.
His face showed he was extremely anxious. As soon as he entered the room, he knelt down on the ground with a thud. "Your Majesty, Consort Fang is making a scene. She says that Your Majesty not only harmed her child, but also wants to harm Consort Cao!"
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