The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Extra 3Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Birth
In the twelfth lunar month of the first year of Taichang.
Qin Yan had been pregnant for more than six months, and her belly grew day by day. The palace began to prepare for the empress’s upcoming delivery, with busy preparations underway.
On the 16th day of the twelfth month, the official of the Imperial Observatory, Zhang Xi, came to Ningshou Palace to inspect the feng shui and determined that the 26th day of the following month, at noon, would be auspicious.
On the 26th day of the first month of Taichang, palace servants began digging a “joy pit” in the location indicated by Zhang Xi from the Imperial Observatory.
The “joy pit” was a pit used to bury the placenta and umbilical cord after the empress delivered the heir to the throne.
After digging the joy pit, two experienced midwives knelt before the pit, murmuring “joyful chants” while placing chopsticks, red silk, gold and silver treasures, and other auspicious items in the pit, praying for a smooth and safe birth for the empress.
Qin Yan could understand the use of the red silk and the gold and silver treasures as symbols of celebration, but… the chopsticks?
The midwife explained to the empress, “Your Majesty, the chopsticks symbolize a quick and safe birth, wishing that Your Majesty’s delivery will be smooth and fortunate. They are also an auspicious charm.”
Qin Yan turned her head and gave a half-smiling, half-amused glance at Feng Zhan. Feng Zhan instantly read the meaning in Qin Yan’s expression.
Do you actually believe this?
Feng Zhan returned her gaze and spoke softly, “As long as it can ensure your safety, even if it’s just superstition, what’s wrong with believing in it just this once?”
After the ceremony, each person who participated in the digging of the joy pit was given a reward of ten taels of silver from Lord Song, representing the Emperor’s generosity and his great esteem for the Empress. For the palace servants, this was considered a substantial reward, further showing the Emperor’s deep affection for the Empress.
Starting from the first month, the officials from the Minor Treasurer had been preparing various items for the Empress, such as spring silk jackets, silk shirts, silk quilts, cloth mattresses, long cushions, and large red silk curtains. These items were prepared for when the Empress would “meet joy” (give birth). Once ready, they were sent to Ningshou Palace for the Emperor and Empress to review.
In Ningshou Palace, Qin Yan received a small silk jacket for her child that was handed to her by Shen Ying. A warm feeling instantly surged in her chest.
Qin Yan looked down at her protruding belly and gently stroked it with her hand.
Such a tiny jacket, which would be worn by the little one inside her once they were born, was so small…
Feng Zhan, having withdrawn his gaze from the small wooden basins, bowls, wooden spades, small wooden knives, and the lucky cradle prepared for the imperial heir, now looked at Qin Yan with softened eyes.
Noticing Qin Yan’s actions, Feng Zhan stood up from his chair, walked over to her side, and wrapped his arms around her. His rough hands gently covered the back of her hand that rested on her belly.
Feng Zhan had intended to say something, but it seemed that no words could fully express his current feelings, so he simply held Qin Yan tenderly in his arms.
Everyone in the hall held their breath, not daring to disturb the warm and peaceful atmosphere between the Emperor and Empress.
The crowd standing with lowered heads couldn’t help but silently admire the Emperor and Empress, marveling at how well-matched and enviable they were as a couple.
With such handsome looks, surely their heir would also be a beautiful little prince or princess…
————-
Since the Empress’s pregnancy reached six months, six experienced and reputable midwives were selected and brought into Ningshou Palace. The Imperial Hospital also assigned six skilled physicians to keep vigil to ensure the safety and well-being of the Empress and her child.
The physicians and midwives were divided into two shifts, rotating day and night. They reported the Empress’s pulse and pregnancy condition to the Emperor regularly.
In the second year of Taichang, on the first day of the second lunar month, the Empress was eight months pregnant.
As per custom, a piece of “Easy Delivery Stone” was placed in the delivery room in the back hall of Ningshou Palace, as the Empress prepared for childbirth.
Since the Empress’s pregnancy was at a later stage, her mobility became increasingly difficult. According to palace protocol, when any imperial concubine in the palace was with a child, one family member was allowed to enter the palace to assist in her care.
On the fourth day of the second lunar month, an imperial decree was issued, permitting the Empress’s maternal aunt, Madam Fang Su, the wife of the Shizi of Duke of Zhenguo Mansion, to enter Ningshou Palace to care for and accompany the Empress.
At the same time, Ji Nanfeng and the six physicians and midwives at Ningshou Palace took the Empress’s pulse. They found her pulse to be steady but advised caution and proper care.
However, when the physicians, midwives, and Ji Nanfeng took the Queen’s pulse and made predictions about the potential timing of her delivery, some complicated signs arose.
As per tradition, to avoid disturbing the pregnancy and delivery, if any abnormalities were noticed with the fetus, they would typically not be disclosed to the expectant mother. This was to prevent unnecessary anxiety or panic that might make labor even more difficult.
Qin Yan, aware of this protocol, noticed the subtle change in the physicians’ and midwives’ expressions but did not ask about it. Instead, after exchanging a glance with Ji Nanfeng, she motioned for them to leave.
———–
In the Imperial Hospital, the physicians, midwives, and Ji Nanfeng all furrowed their brows, and the atmosphere was tense.
Based on the timing of the Empress’s pregnancy, calculated from when she conceived the child by the banks of the Turkic Lake and the pulse readings from when she first returned to the capital, it was expected that the Empress would enter her ninth month of pregnancy by the beginning of the next month and would give birth to the imperial heir within that month.
However, since the sixth month of her pregnancy, the pulse readings had indicated an abnormality. The size of her pregnancy was larger than that of a typical woman, and it raised the possibility that the Empress might be carrying twins.
Determining whether the Empress was carrying a single child or twins based on pulse readings was not entirely accurate. The matter of the imperial heir was of great importance, and neither the physicians nor the midwives dared to jump to conclusions.
As a result, opinions were divided regarding this suspicion. What concerned everyone the most was that childbirth was already a perilous process for any woman, and if the Empress was indeed carrying twins, the risks would be much higher. Furthermore, this would likely result in premature labor.
Although Ji Nanfeng hailed from the prestigious Medicine King Valley and was highly skilled in medicine, he lacked the experience with childbirth that the physicians and midwives had. Therefore, he placed great importance on the opinions of the more experienced medical professionals.
After an hour-long discussion about the Empress’s pregnancy, the group decided that Ji Nanfeng would be the one to report the news to the Emperor.
At this point, everyone was well aware of how much the Emperor cherished the Empress, even more than the imperial heir. No one dared to be the first to report the news about the potential risk of the Empress carrying twins. It was deemed best for Ji Nanfeng, as the Empress’s confidant, to convey this message.
With complex expressions on their faces, the physicians and midwives watched as Ji Nanfeng exited the Imperial Pharmacy.
Ji Nanfeng’s mood was heavy, and there was an underlying surge of violent anger within him.
If only Qin Yan hadn’t been pregnant, she wouldn’t be facing such a risk.
But now that things had come to this point, the urgent matter was how to ensure Qin Yan’s safety.
————
Ji Nanfeng entered the Emperor’s study where he found Feng Zhan, but instead of bowing in greeting to the Emperor, he stared coldly at him, his eyes betraying the fury that he was trying to suppress.
Feng Zhan’s sword-like brows furrowed, and a shiver ran down his spine.
Ji Nanfeng had sought an audience with the Emperor through Song Zhi, which could only be related to Qin Yan. The strange expression on Ji Nanfeng’s face meant that something had gone wrong with Qin Yan.
“Speak,” Feng Zhan said coldly, his eyes flashing with icy danger.
Ji Nanfeng took a deep breath, reined in his emotions, and without hesitation, furrowed his brows as he spoke, “Qin Yan may be carrying twins.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Feng Zhan’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
Twins!
Feng Zhan has been studying childbirth extensively in recent days. How could he not know how dangerous it was to give birth to twins?
Ji Nanfeng continued, “Qin Yan is a first-time mother, and childbirth is already difficult, but with twins, there’s an even greater chance that the fetal position may not be right.”
“Qin Yan is already over eight months pregnant, and it would be difficult to correct any issues with the fetuses at this stage.”
“The physicians and midwives at the Imperial Hospital don’t have a solution, and can only assist and make decisions based on the situation when the time comes.”
“Whether she can give birth smoothly depends on two factors: the situation at the time, and Qin Yan’s own physical condition.”
“And the question now is, should we tell Qin Yan this?”
The atmosphere in the Emperor’s study grew heavy, as the two men sat and stood in silence, both frowning.
After a moment of silence, Feng Zhan stood up.
He looked at Ji Nanfeng and spoke in a deep voice, “She must know the truth.”
“Qin Yan is not an ordinary woman. She needs to understand the situation in order to adjust her mindset and make the best decisions for her own well-being.”
“Tell her.”
Feng Zhan’s decision aligned with Ji Nanfeng’s thoughts.
Qin Yan was resolute and not someone who would shrink from difficult situations. Perhaps it would be better for her to know the possible risks ahead of time. Compared to keeping the truth from her, leaving her unprepared in case of complications, telling her now would be more beneficial in the long run.
————-
At the outer hall of the Yihe Palace in the Ningshou Palace.
The emperor and empress sit at the top of the hall, with a group of imperial doctors and midwives standing inside, including Ji Nanfeng.
After listening to everyone analyze her condition, Qin Yan furrowed her brows in silence.
Qin Yan gently tapped the armrest with her fingers, seemingly deep in thought.
After a moment, Qin Yan spoke, “Do you have any methods to help increase my strength?”
The imperial doctors and midwives could only think of a few solutions, such as appropriately consuming ginseng soup during childbirth and practicing breathing and exertion techniques in advance to conserve energy.
However, both Qin Yan and Feng Zhan still furrowed their brows, unable to completely put their minds at ease.
Qin Yan knew that ordinary women often suffered excruciating pain during childbirth. Some even endured such intense pain that the labor was prolonged, causing the fetus to suffocate in the womb and die, while others had children who, despite being born, became mentally disabled due to the prolonged delivery.
Although Qin Yan was a martial artist in excellent physical condition, she was never reckless or blindly confident in her actions. She always made several preparations in advance. Since this was her first pregnancy and childbirth, Qin Yan was naturally very cautious. She could not guarantee that, in the event of unexpected circumstances during delivery, her physical strength and energy would be sufficient to handle it.
Ji Nanfeng, standing at the side of the hall, hesitated for a moment before finally speaking out a suggestion that had been on his mind for several days, “Your Majesty, Empress, I have a proposal.”
Everyone in the hall turned to look at Ji Nanfeng.
Feng Zhan also looked at Ji Nanfeng and spoke, giving his consent, “Speak.”
Ji Nanfeng said, “The Medicine King Valley once developed a pill that can reduce a person’s sensitivity to pain without harming their physical strength.”
“During my time at the Medicine King Valley, there were prominent families who sought this pill for their pregnant women, hoping it would help them have a smooth delivery.”
“As I’ve learned, taking this pill has not had any adverse effects on the newborns.”
“My suggestion is that the Empress could take it before giving birth, to lessen the pain and conserve energy, allowing her to deliver more quickly.”
As soon as Ji Nanfeng finished speaking, the imperial doctors and midwives in the hall were shocked, and they immediately voiced their objections, “The Empress’s heir is delicate; how can we recklessly administer medicine to the Empress? What if it harms the heir?”
“Every medicine has some degree of toxicity. Even if Mr. Ji’s pill only relieves pain, we cannot be sure it won’t harm the heir.”
Everyone spoke out in disagreement, one after another.
Their concerns were not without merit. Any doctor would know that, even in ordinary households, they would hesitate to give medicine to a woman who hasn’t given birth yet. Even more so for Empress Qin Yan, whose unborn child, being the heir, was of paramount importance, and directly tied to the stability of the nation.
At the same time, the people in the hall were also stunned by how bold Mr. Ji’s suggestion was.
If the Empress were to take the pill that Mr. Ji mentioned, and if anything unusual happened to the heir after birth, even if it had nothing to do with the pill, Mr. Ji could still be held responsible, possibly facing punishment or even death.
This was why no one dared to offer suggestions outside of conventional methods.
The Emperor greatly valued the Empress, and everything related to the Empress and the heir had to be handled with extreme caution.
Feng Zhan and Qin Yan both carefully considered the pros and cons of this method.
After a moment, Feng Zhan turned to Qin Yan and said, “Taking this pill will ensure your safety, and the heir’s safety will follow.”
Just as the imperial doctors and midwives were about to speak and say, “Your Majesty, Empress, please reconsider,” the Empress’s voice echoed in the hall, “This is my first pregnancy. And if it turns out to be twins, the time required for delivery will be even longer. If, by any chance, the positions of the babies are not correct, I cannot guarantee that I will have enough strength to handle it.”
“Mr. Ji, give me the medicine.”
The Emperor and Empress were both decisive and resolute in their decisions, and well-known for their firm stances. The people in the hall had no choice but to keep quiet, hoping for a smooth delivery.
With the Emperor and Empress having spoken, the others in the hall swallowed their objections.
In the end, Feng Zhan ordered Ji Nanfeng and the Imperial Hospital to test the pill and discuss the proper dosage for different scenarios.
The imperial doctors and midwives were all very surprised by today’s events. In most imperial families, the heir was treated with utmost importance, but here, it seemed that nothing was more important than the Empress, even the heir was secondary.
The Empress truly has great fortune!
———–
After the imperial doctors and midwives had left, Ji Nanfeng reported another matter to Qin Yan.
He conveyed that Shen Shiying, who had previously sent a letter stating she was preparing to return from Northern Liang to Great Xia, had now sent word that she had encountered some special circumstances and would not be coming for the time being. She hoped that Qin Yan would not worry.
Qin Yan furrowed her brows, feeling a sense of unease and concern.
What urgent matter could have arisen that caused her mother to suddenly change her plans?
Qin Yan asked Ji Nanfeng, “Has there been any unusual activity within or outside of Northern Liang, or with the Turkic tribes recently?”
Ji Nanfeng and Song Zhi both reported that there had been no abnormalities.
Yet Qin Yan still felt uneasy. Her mother was alone in Northern Liang…
Feng Zhan dismissed the attendants, wrapped Qin Yan in his embrace, and rested his chin on the side of her head. His voice was low, warm, and soothing, “Yan Yan, don’t overthink it. Your mother’s matters are already being handled by the Emperor of Northern Liang.”
“If you’re still worried, I’ll send Feng Subei to Northern Liang to check, alright?”
“Let’s wait a few more days,” Qin Yan murmured, rubbing against Feng Zhan’s chest, and then began to close her eyes to rest.
While the Emperor and Empress were in their tender moment, enveloped in mutual affection, Feng Subei, who was secretly plotting to take another man’s fiancée and still unaware that he might soon be assigned to leave the capital…
————-
On the evening of the 23rd day of the second month in the second year of Taichang, Qin Yan was feeling uneasy, unable to sit or lie still. After observing the Empress’s condition, the imperial doctors and midwives at Ningshou Palace concluded that she might be showing signs of labor.
Given that it had previously been predicted that the Empress might be carrying twins, if this turned out to be true, there was a high likelihood that she would give birth early. As a result, although preparations in Ningshou Palace were busy and tense, everything remained orderly.
That night, Feng Zhan and Qin Yan moved from the Yihe Palace to the specially prepared back hall, a place chosen by the Imperial Observatory for its auspiciousness, where the Empress was to give birth.
Upon hearing the news, the Empress Dowager, the two dowagers, other than the imprisoned Dowager Jing, and the two princesses rushed to Ningshou Palace to anxiously await updates.
Duke of Zhenguo Shen Changshan, his son, Shizi Shen Shiyan, and Shen Ci, who had just returned to the capital from the northwest, also arrived at the palace to wait for news.
In Ningshou Palace, the imperial doctors and midwives, including Ji Nanfeng, took turns observing the Empress, while also making use of any free moments to rest, preparing for any sudden developments.
Inside the eastern side chamber of the back hall, Feng Zhan practiced breathing techniques with Qin Yan as instructed by the midwife. Qin Yan couldn’t help but smile as she watched Feng Zhan, who seemed even more nervous than she was.
Throughout the night, Qin Yan experienced subtle pains in her lower abdomen, and by the time the rooster crowed the next morning, she showed clear signs of impending labor. Feng Zhan was asked to leave the chamber and wait in the outer hall.
His deep, focused gaze remained on Qin Yan’s face, his throat tightening, but in the end, he said nothing.
Qin Yan smiled, reaching out to pull Feng Zhan’s head onto her shoulder, gently stroking his black hair as she whispered softly, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid…”
This scene… Who, exactly, was about to give birth?
After a night of subtle abdominal pain, Qin Yan showed signs of impending labor by the time the rooster crowed the next morning. Feng Zhan was asked to leave the eastern chamber and wait in the outer hall.
Feng Zhan ignored the imperial doctors and midwives who described the delivery room as a place of blood and mess, insisting that he stay inside to watch over Qin Yan during her labor. However, Qin Yan firmly refused.
Her breath slightly shallow, she gave him a single, decisive command, which made Feng Zhan obediently leave the chamber.
“Don’t cause any trouble here.”
Seeing that the Emperor finally relented, the imperial doctors and midwives breathed a sigh of relief. If the Emperor had insisted on staying to oversee the birth, they might have been too nervous and made mistakes in the process.
However, the Emperor’s devotion to the Empress was truly exceptional!
Following their previous discussion, Qin Yan took the pill prepared by Ji Nanfeng to help alleviate the pain.
At the exact moment of the rooster’s crow, Qin Yan’s labor began.
It was unclear whether the medicine from Ji Nanfeng was effective, or if Qin Yan simply had a higher pain tolerance, but unlike most women in labor, no shrill screams of agony filled the room. Instead, Qin Yan occasionally gritted her teeth and moaned softly, trying her best to follow the breathing and exertion techniques that the midwife had taught her in order to deliver the child more swiftly.
Outside the delivery room, Feng Zhan, seeing basin after basin of blood being brought out, felt a tightness in his chest from the heavy, pungent smell. His gaze remained fixed on the side door of the chamber, as if, at the slightest indication of anything wrong inside, the cold-faced Emperor would rush in immediately.
Half an hour later, the sound of a baby’s loud cry filled the delivery room. Everyone outside, including the attendants, showed relief and joy on their faces. However, Feng Zhan’s brow remained furrowed. Without hesitation, he strode toward the side door.
Feng Zhan met the midwife as she exited the room, holding the swaddled baby. The midwife, with a smile on her face, bowed and congratulated the emperor, “Congratulations, Your Majesty. The Empress has given birth to a prince.”
Feng Zhan barely glanced at the crimson-faced baby in the swaddle before taking a step toward the inner chamber, only to be stopped by another midwife.
The midwife urgently said, “Your Majesty, there is still one more child inside. The Empress is still in labor. Please, you must wait a moment longer.”
A chill spread over Feng Zhan’s body, and he took a step forward, determined to enter, but was stopped by the Empress Dowager and the two princesses.
“Your Majesty, the Empress will be fine.”
But it was true—twins. Amid the joy of the Empress delivering a prince, everyone was suddenly overcome with a deep sense of anxiety.
The Empress could not suffer any harm…
Inside the delivery room, upon learning that there was another child, Qin Yan instructed Shen Ying to give her another pill. She adjusted her breathing and exerted herself once more.
Not long after, the sound of another baby’s cry echoed from the delivery room. Outside, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
The baby was born!
Feng Zhan passed the midwife holding the swaddled child once again and quickly entered the inner chamber.
The midwife stood stunned for a moment as the Emperor’s robes disappeared into the doorway. Then, the swaddled baby was taken by the Empress Dowager, who had stepped forward.
As Feng Zhan walked into the sleeping chamber, he saw Qin Yan, who was resting with her eyes closed. Her complexion was pale, and her hair was damp with sweat, sticking to her cheek. His heart tightened at the sight.
The midwife, bowing to the Empress Dowager, said, “Congratulations, Empress Dowager. The Empress has given birth to a princess.”
Everyone outside was filled with joy.
If the Empress had given birth to two princes, it would have been considered an ill omen for the imperial family.
But now, with one prince and one princess, it was truly a perfect outcome!
However, the joy quickly turned to concern as everyone looked toward the delivery room. Fang Su urgently asked, “How is the Empress?”
The midwife, still smiling, reassured them, “The Empress is doing well. Her pulse is steady and calm, but she will need careful care.”
Everyone felt their anxiety lift.
Inside the delivery room, Qin Yan had been tended to by the maidservants and midwives, covered with a quilt, and was lying on the bed.
Feng Zhan approached her quietly, kneeling beside her and gently taking her hand, which rested outside the silk blanket. His throat tightened with emotion.
Qin Yan wasn’t asleep, though she felt tired. Sensing the man’s presence beside her, she slowly turned her head and opened her eyes. When she saw his eyes, which were slightly red and almost shimmering with unshed tears, warmth spread through her heart, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.
But at that moment, Feng Zhan couldn’t bring himself to smile. He gently brought Qin Yan’s hand to his lips and kissed it deeply.
This handsome, powerful man shut his eyes tightly, and a single tear finally slipped from the corner of his eye.
Qin Yan slowly smiled and then softly spoke, “It’s over. Don’t be afraid, it’s all fine…”
On the 24th day of the second month in the second year of Taichang, the Empress safely gave birth to a son and a daughter.
The imperial doctors and midwives who assisted the Empress during her labor were all generously rewarded.
That same day, a decree was issued from the imperial palace in the Fengtian, “By the Emperor’s order, the Empress’s eldest son is to be named Crown Prince. After the prince and princess are named, their titles will be given, and the ceremony for their establishment will take place.”
Everyone was somewhat surprised. The Empress’s son was established as the Crown Prince before even being named, which clearly demonstrated how much the Emperor valued the Empress!
While the entire capital celebrated the safe birth of the heir, in a carriage at a corner outside the Shenwu Gate of the imperial city, Xie Changyuan, who hadn’t slept all night and whose eyes were tinged with dark circles, finally relaxed, though his heart also felt a slight bitterness.
Xie Changyuan’s carriage had stayed at this spot the entire night, not moving until early this morning, when the palace finally relayed the good news.
What brought Xie Changyuan a sense of relief was Qin Yan’s safety. But what was the cause of the slight bitterness in his heart?