Inside Yongshou Palace, chaos and turmoil reigned.
Qian Shengyan's delivery was too sudden. Although the delivery room was ready, she did not go in. The sudden abdominal pain and water breaking made her unable to move. It was two strong nannies who carried her into the delivery room.
However, the baby was delayed in being born.
Qian Shengyan was worried that too much amniotic fluid would be bad for the baby, but she also felt that the baby was not even eight months old yet, which was too early. She thought it would be better to wait a little longer.
But as the contractions became more and more intense, Qian Shengyan could no longer wait. The bed sheet she was gripping was torn, and the midwife, seeing that the baby had not yet come out, went out anxiously and brought her a large bowl of labor-inducing soup.
After drinking it, the pain became more and more obvious. Qian Shengyan felt like she was about to faint, but as soon as she thought that if she really lost consciousness, the two children in her belly might have problems, she bit her tongue hard and tried to stay awake.
"Your Highness, please don't rush. Conserve your strength. Your Majesty's pulse doesn't indicate that you're about to give birth. Please be patient a little longer..."
People were coming and going in the delivery room. Liu, the imperial physician, took the pulse through the bed curtains. He was also a little anxious. After hesitating for a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, I... I will prescribe another dose of labor-inducing medicine for Your Majesty."
"I just drank," Qian Shengyan said weakly. "Judge Liu, my... child..."
"Your Majesty... this labor-inducing medicine is different from the previous one. It is extremely potent. If... if Your Majesty feels weak, please... please take this medicine..." Liu, the imperial physician, stammered. His meaning was clear, but Qian Shengyan, whose mind was preoccupied with the contractions, did not understand: "Extremely potent?"
"Your Majesty..." Imperial Physician Liu was sweating profusely. He had been praying to the gods and Buddhas every day for the Imperial Noble Consort to have a smooth delivery, but unfortunately, even though her water had broken, the baby had not yet come out. The Imperial Noble Consort was in so much pain that she was pale, and the Emperor had not yet returned from the sacrificial ceremony. There was no one to make a decision for her.
But Imperial Physician Liu always remembered the Emperor's words about protecting the Imperial Concubine. He spoke tremblingly, "This labor-inducing medicine... no, it won't affect Your Highness's health, it will only promote the delivery of the baby..."
"Liu Kang'an! Who gave you the audacity!" Qian Shengyan finally understood and flew into a rage. "If anything happens to my child, I will take your life!"
With a "thump," Judge Liu knelt on the ground, but dared not say that this was the Emperor's will.
Fortunately, there is always a way out. At this moment, the emperor returned.
Upon hearing the announcement, Judge Liu breathed a sigh of relief, crawled to the door on his knees, and apologized, saying, "Your subject is incompetent."
"You are indeed incompetent!" Yinzhen kicked Liu Yuanpan over and, ignoring the nanny's attempts to stop him, walked directly into the delivery room.
Upon seeing Qian Shengyan's pale face, Yinzhen swayed almost imperceptibly. He paused for a moment before daring to step forward, saying, "Yanyan..." before angrily demanding, "What happened here!"
"Your Majesty, Her Highness suddenly went into labor, but the baby won't come out..." The midwife trembled violently, her voice shaking, "This servant...this servant..."
"Get out!" Yinzhen roared in fury. The midwife, terrified, tried to leave, but he stopped her through gritted teeth, "Stand there!"
"Your Majesty, I..." Qian Shengyan coughed a few times before continuing, "I'm fine, the child, the child..."
"Your Majesty, I have prepared a labor-inducing medicine for the Imperial Noble Consort. If necessary, she can take it, and the baby will be delivered quickly, ensuring her safety," Imperial Physician Liu quickly said.
"No! I disagree!" Qian Shengyan said loudly when she saw the hesitation on Yinzhen's face. "Your Majesty, this is Your Majesty's and my child. They must be safe and sound!"
At this point, Qian Shengyan had no time to think about how long the empress dowagers of the Qianlong era lived. The whole history had been distorted and twisted. She, who should have only had one son, now had Fuerguochun and Hongshan.
No one knows what changes the butterfly's wings will bring. It would be a lie for Qian Shengyan to say she's not afraid of death, but she's unwilling to trade her child's life for hers!
"Yanyan..." Yinzhen held her hand, his Adam's apple trembling. He placed her hand on his face, his voice so soft it seemed to dissipate, and said, "We still have Hongli and Hongshan, and we still have Fuerguochun. They can't be without their mother, and I... I can't be without you either..."
He had had enough of life without Qian Shengyan in his dreams.
Qian Shengyan's eyes were filled with tears. She shook her head and pleaded, "Your Majesty..."
"I promise you, I will not use that medicine unless absolutely necessary," Yinzhen said in a trembling voice. "But if it really comes to that, Yanyan, don't blame me, don't hesitate."
"I only want you to live."
Qian Shengyan closed her eyes in despair. She felt tears welling up uncontrollably, and she could also feel Yinzhen's trembling fingers stroking her cheek.
In that instant, the problem that had been troubling her for a long time suddenly became unimportant.
Has Yinzhen changed? Yes, he has. But he is still himself, only he, only the one who has been with him all these years, would be like this.
Perhaps he had some strange precognitive ability, or some extraordinary encounter she was unaware of, but she had no interest in exploring it. All she needed to know was that he was still him.
"Your Majesty..." Qian Shengyan closed her eyes, gently stroking Yinzhen's hand as she reached for it. Her lips parted slightly, and she called out in a disrespectful yet extremely soft voice, "Yinzhen..."
We've been together for twenty years, through thick and thin.
From initial doubt and dislike to familiarity and attraction, she no longer wanted to admit that this man had almost taken over her entire life and all her emotions.
She wasn't oblivious; she could sense his favoritism and doting affection, and she could also perceive his growing love for her.
When she understood the difference between pampering and love, she also gained a better understanding of Yinzhen's feelings.
"Yanyan, I'm right outside, don't be afraid."
Several nannies risked their lives to speak to the Emperor, saying that the birthing room was indeed filthy, and that the Empress would be unable to relax and exert herself if the Emperor were there.
Yinzhen wasn't afraid of any filth, but he understood the second half of the old woman's words. After saying that to Qian Shengyan, he stood up, squeezed Qian Shengyan's hand again, and bent down to whisper in her ear, "You will live, live a long, long life, and become the longest-lived empress dowager in the history of the Qing Dynasty."
A sharp pain shot through her, and Qian Shengyan's eyes widened instantly. She didn't quite hear what Yinzhen said, and she only managed to utter a dazed "Your Majesty." After that, everything before her eyes seemed to be accelerated.
A noisy crowd, urgent calls, a blood-stained handkerchief, hurried footsteps, joyful shouts, and Green Willow rushing over, desperately calling her name.
Qian Shengyan felt pain for a very long time, and then suddenly felt relieved. She stared blankly at the long canopy above her head, tears falling unnoticed.
As evening fell, good news finally arrived from Yongshou Palace: the Imperial Noble Consort had given birth to twin princes, and both mother and children were safe and sound.
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