Tuantuan was treated like a pregnant woman again this time. Caiwei was specially assigned to take care of her. She loves animals by nature. Although she is not good with words, she is reliable and capable. In order to take good care of Tuantuan, she even consulted Baizhu to learn some nutritious meals. She made them delicious and healthy, and made Tuantuan's skin smooth and shiny.
Changning couldn't help but exclaim, "Caiwei's cooking skills are really good. Tuantuan has gained weight and looks like a glutinous rice ball now."
Hongmin and Hongchen also particularly liked Tuantuan, spending a lot of time around her and feeding her. As a result, their attitude towards Caiwei also improved a lot, which made her feel flattered.
Yuezhi has been racking her brains these past few days. The weather has been cool lately, not as hot as in summer, so her mistress doesn't use cooling beads much anymore. Moreover, according to her observation, her mistress has never liked smoky smells or overly strong fragrances. Because of her pregnancy, she rarely uses incense and often uses fruits and vegetables to fumigate the house.
This gave her an idea.
Yuezhi has created a spice blend made from flowers and fruits, with a sweet and refreshing taste that is not cloying, and also has an elegant air about it.
Upon hearing this, Changning was indeed delighted and asked her what it was made of.
Yuezhi spoke eloquently: "Your Majesty, it is made by mixing lychee peels, dried cypress leaves, jujube pits, pear pits, osmanthus flowers, and chrysanthemum flowers."
Changning praised her craftsmanship and ingenuity: "Not bad, not bad. Does this fragrance have a name?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this incense is said to be found throughout the mountains and forests."
Changning nodded. She really liked Yuezhi. She was skilled, capable, and down-to-earth. Moreover, her perfume-making skills were extremely high. It was as if she had a private, high-end perfume expert. It was an incredible bargain.
As autumn approaches and the Banjin Festival draws near, Changning's belly is growing larger and larger, sometimes quite alarming to look at. It feels like there are more than two babies inside, even bigger than when she was pregnant with Hongyan and Hutu.
Bai Zhu also felt something was wrong, so he had to ask the Bai family physician to come and take a look.
After examining the fetus for a while, the physician from the Bai family said with some doubt, "It seems that Master Chun is carrying more than twins. We cannot be sure exactly how many there are."
Upon hearing this, Yinzhen was taken aback. He was worried about Changning's health, so he immediately rode to the palace to invite the imperial physician. He also went to Yonghe Palace to explain her situation and told her that she should not participate in the Golden Banquet Festival. Otherwise, what would happen if she gave birth in the palace while heavily pregnant?
Consort De was both happy and worried. She told Yinzhen to take good care of Changning, and that she would report to the Emperor herself.
However, His Majesty's health is deteriorating day by day. He is rarely lucid these days, and he keeps this a secret from the outside world, not even from the concubines in the harem.
Consort De sighed. She had been with him for decades, and now, it could be said that her life had come to an end.
The physician whom Yinzhen invited back was Zhou, the most skilled gynecologist in the palace. He had a full head of white hair, but his eyes were bright and piercing, and he had the demeanor of a famous doctor.
Even Changning got nervous the moment he started working.
After a while, his leisurely voice was heard: "Your Highness, please rest assured. This is Consort Chun's third pregnancy. Her pulse is strong and powerful, and all three children are healthy. Only one is slightly smaller than average. She can get more nutrition, but not too much, otherwise it may make delivery difficult. Also, this will definitely not be a full-term delivery. The delivery room can be prepared."
Knowing that her mistress was pregnant with her third child and was about to give birth, Granny Zhang personally came to arrange the delivery room for her, and even Hu Tuli and the others came to accompany her several times a day.
Every time they saw their mother's protruding belly, they felt their hearts pound with fear.
Hutuli asked worriedly, "Mother, does your tummy hurt? You have three younger brothers and sisters, aren't you very tired?"
Changning shook her head, happily eating her snacks: "It's nothing, I just get hungry easily."
Hutu quickly peeled another pomegranate for her: "Here, Mother, eat more."
Changning took the pomegranate, tasted it, and praised, "Our pomegranate tree in the manor is the best. It's so sweet and juicy."
Hutu also took one and ate it herself, echoing, "Yes, it's so sweet. Mother, are we going to make pomegranate wine again this year? I think pomegranate wine with roasted venison tastes absolutely amazing."
But she didn't get a reply from Changning. Turning her head, she saw her mother clutching her stomach and crying out in pain, which terrified her: "Mother! Mother! What's wrong?"
Changning felt warm liquid flowing out of her lower body, knowing that her water had broken, but this time the contractions seemed to have started earlier than before.
Hutu followed her gaze and lay down to look. Her skirt was dripping wet, which startled her, and she whispered, "Oh my god! Mother! Did you wet your pants?"
Changning couldn't help but roll her eyes: "You two are exactly the same! I'm about to give birth, call for help!"
At this moment, the people outside, including Chuixue Zhuiyu, heard the noise and rushed over to help Changning to the delivery room.
Hutuli suppressed her pounding heart; she had to stay calm, and the natural painting required her to take charge.
She first instructed Granny Zhang and the others to go see her mother as soon as possible, then asked Zhao Fuhai to guard the courtyard and not let any outsiders in. She then called her maid to fetch the family doctor, and instructed the wet nurses and nannies to coax the three younger brothers in the courtyard to the nearby Xinghua Chun Pavilion so that Hongzhao could play with them.
After handling these matters in an orderly manner, she hurriedly went to Kyushu Qingyan to invite her father.
Yinzhen was discussing smallpox with Changhua when he saw Hutu rushing towards him. His heart skipped a beat, and he knew that something must have happened to Yaoxian. He hurriedly went out.
Hutuli, not even bothering to bow, exclaimed, "Father, Mother is about to give birth!"
Yinzhen darted out in a flash, and Su Peisheng couldn't keep up even as he ran.
Changhua was also surprised: "Ning'er is about to give birth? Is it going smoothly?"
Hutuli turned to follow, but seeing her uncle, she quickly replied, "I don't know either! I gave my mother a pomegranate, and she almost went into labor after eating it. This pomegranate is terrifying!"
Changhua remained relatively calm. Seeing that Hutuli was also frightened, he quickly comforted her, "The prince has already passed by. Don't be afraid. Keep an eye on your younger brothers."
Hutu nodded: "Uncle, I'll have Zhang Qilin and the others prepare a room for you to rest. Mother has given birth, and I'll send someone to deliver the message to you."
"Good." Changhua looked at her niece who handled things in an orderly manner and felt extremely gratified.
However, he was still very worried about his sister. He heard that she was pregnant with triplets, and could only pray that everything would go smoothly.
When Hutu returned to the Natural Picture, Yinzhen was already sitting at the door, watching the maids and eunuchs performing their duties in an orderly manner, and her heart was at ease.
Yinzhen also saw her, beckoned her over, and praised her, "Hutuli did a good job, she kept things under control, but your mother is about to give birth. You can't help here, go to Xinghuachun Pavilion and look after the younger ones."
Hutuli wanted to stay, but even a fool could tell that it was impossible, so he reluctantly left the courtyard, looking back every few steps.
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