Hongli was impatient, but Emperor Yongzheng kept talking about state affairs. For some reason, he had a bad feeling, fearing that something unexpected might happen. He couldn't wait any longer, so he simply spoke his mind.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. My maid, Madam Su, is about to give birth today. When I entered the palace, the midwife was already there. She has always been weak, and I was worried that something might happen to her, so I asked her to return to her residence to stay with me."
Upon hearing this, Hongzhou frowned and secretly thought that things were not good. He knew that his father, the Emperor, was most averse to discussing family matters when discussing politics. His fourth brother was suddenly talking about his maid in public. Wasn't he afraid that his father would get angry?
As Hongzhou had predicted, Yongzheng's expression darkened, and he was furious. "Hongli, I was discussing the Yunnan crisis with everyone, and you are not concerned with matters of state, but only with personal feelings for your children! Which is more important, state affairs or family matters?"
Hongli knew he shouldn't bring up family matters at this time, but the thought of Su Yushan enduring immense pain alone at home made his heart ache and he couldn't calm down. Rather than hesitating and suffering here, he decided to resign directly.
"Your Majesty, I believe that family matters are just as important as state affairs, but there is a distinction between what is urgent and what is important. At present, lives are at stake, and the safety of Su Shi and the child is still unknown. I cannot concentrate on discussing politics, and there is no point in me staying here. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Worried that his elder brother would be reprimanded, Hongzhou also advised from the side, "Father, please make an exception this time and let Fourth Brother go back to his residence first? Your son will listen carefully here and will definitely convey the final decision to Fourth Brother later."
Recalling the suffering that Consort Nian endured when she gave birth, the usually upright and selfless Emperor Yongzheng finally refrained from reprimanding her. He waved his hand, signaling her to step back.
With the Emperor's permission, Hongli kowtowed to express his gratitude, then immediately turned and left the palace, hurrying back to his residence.
After alighting from the carriage, Hongli's expression was solemn. Before Li Yu could set out a stool, he jumped down and hurried towards Huatang Pavilion. He noticed Yunfang pacing back and forth outside the door, and Hongli lowered his eyes to inquire.
"How is Yushan?"
Yunfang was so anxious that she stomped her feet. "The baby hasn't been born yet, and they won't let me in. I can hear that Sister Yu seems to be in a lot of pain and keeps screaming."
Hongli immediately stepped forward to push the door open, only to find that it was locked from the inside, which aroused his suspicion.
At this moment, Su Yushan was crying out in pain. The midwife inside the room was sweating profusely and asked in a panic, "What should we do? The baby is stuck there. Princess is having a difficult labor. Should we save the mother or the baby?"
Another midwife, with short eyebrows, narrow eyes, and a plump appearance, narrowed her eyes and whispered, "Of course, save the baby!"
As she spoke, she took out a brown pill from her sleeve, preparing to insert it into Su Yushan's bed. The midwife next to her was terrified at the sight, but dared not utter a sound, for fear of causing trouble.
Just then, a loud bang was heard behind us, as if the door to the outer room had been kicked open!
Through the screen, the plump midwife couldn't see clearly, but she could vaguely make out a figure rushing towards her. Before she could even make out who it was, she felt a sudden pain in her shoulder and was kicked to the ground.
"You insolent lackey! How dare you! I have repeatedly instructed you that no matter what happens, you must protect the infant. Who gave you the audacity to make such a decision on your own? Speak! Who sent you?"
Hearing the sound, the plump midwife, in pain, finally reacted, endured the pain as she got up, and replied in a trembling voice, "Fourth Master, this old servant is only thinking of your bloodline!"
"You dog slave! Stop trying to deny it!" Hongli gritted his teeth and shouted angrily, his eyes flashing with a fierce light. He raised his voice and ordered, "Guards! Take her out and await your judgment!"
Su Yushan cried out in pain from inside the tent. Upon hearing this, Hongli, no longer concerned with investigating the midwife's responsibility, rushed to Su Yushan's side.
"Yushan, I'm back! Don't be afraid!"
Seeing her pale and haggard appearance, Hongli felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He held her hand, but was afraid of hurting her by using too much force.
Su Yushan's hair was soaked with sweat, she was weak all over, and her lips were cracked. She managed to speak, "What do they mean by that? Is the baby going to be lost? The baby has been perfectly fine!"
Her voice was unusually hoarse, clearly from unbearable pain. She cried out for a long time, and Hongli could imagine how difficult it must have been for her during the few hours he was away from home.
At this moment, he hated himself for going to court according to the rules. He should have stayed at home with her from the beginning. To prevent her from overthinking, Hongli gently comforted her, "The child is fine and can be saved. You and the child can both be saved. I'm just saying that just in case, we must save you first."
“We can’t give up on the baby. I’ve had such a difficult pregnancy, I must give birth to it…” Holding his hand tightly, Su Yushan’s eyes were unusually firm as she emphasized to him again.
"I can still endure it. Don't give up on the child. Let me try again."
Hongli was moved by her determination and couldn't bear to refuse. "Don't be afraid. I will not give up the child, nor will I give up you. With me here, everything will be alright."
At this moment, Hongli was right beside her, their fingers intertwined. Su Yushan felt inexplicably at ease. Even though she was extremely weak, she still gritted her teeth and persevered, holding his hand back as if she could draw strength from his fingers.
Now only two midwives remained. Since Hongli had given the order, they dared not slacken their efforts and patiently taught Su Gege how to exert herself.
"Gege, don't panic. Stay calm. Don't exert any force before you feel pain. Save your strength and exert it when the contractions come."
During another contraction, Su Yushan used all her strength, her slender neck involuntarily tilting back as she strained desperately!
In an instant, she felt a slip below, followed by a loud cry!
Finally, everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the long-awaited sound. Large beads of sweat dripped from the midwife's forehead, but she didn't bother to wipe them away. "It's born! The princess's child has been born!"
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