Feng Ruoyan weakly propped herself up and glanced at the baby in the swaddling clothes. Despite being premature, the child was remarkably robust, appearing much like a full-term infant.
"Indeed, the young master is exceptionally vigorous, just like a full-term baby. It truly shows how well the concubine has nurtured him."
Looking at the child, Feng Ruoyan's heart was filled with joy. With this child, her future prosperity and wealth were secured.
"Has His Highness not come yet?"
"Madam, His Highness was summoned to the palace and has not yet returned."
"When His Highness returns, you must let him see the child, you must..."
Before Feng Ruoyan could finish speaking, the hand she had raised fell heavily, and she fainted completely. No matter how her maids called out to her, she remained unconscious.
"Imperial physician... Imperial physician, please come and examine her quickly. My lady has fainted and is bleeding profusely... Imperial physician..."
The imperial physician waiting outside the door heard the commotion and hurried into the room, immediately attending to Feng Ruoyan.
"Hurry and boil the hemostatic medicine, quickly..."
The joy of childbirth had barely subsided when the entire courtyard was plunged back into a state of frantic activity.
...
'Crash!'
An emerald hairpin fell from the woman's fair and slender hand, shattering into pieces on the ground. It lay there forlornly, appearing somewhat desolate.
"What did you say? Feng Ruoyan gave birth, and it's a boy!"
"Madam Imperial Concubine, this servant just heard from a maid in that courtyard. This morning, the concubine heard news of her mother's tragic death and suffered a shock that caused her to go into labor. She barely survived to give birth. The concubine is now unconscious, and the imperial physicians are working to save her. His Highness has also gone there."
"It's over... it's over..." Liu Menghan murmured, slumping onto a chair, her eyes filled with worry. Her hands, resting on the chair, trembled slightly.
"How could she give birth at this time? Truly, man proposes, but heaven disposes!"
Liu Menghan regained her senses and tightly grasped the wet nurse's hand. "Wet nurse, what should I do now? Wet nurse, you must help me!"
"Madam Imperial Concubine, please do not worry, do not worry. Even if she gave birth first, the child in your womb is still the legitimate son. His Highness is also there now. Hurry and tidy yourself up and go there. You must appear very concerned about the matter. This is the only way to win His Highness's heart."
Liu Menghan calmed herself and thought carefully. Finally, she nodded in agreement. After steadying her emotions, she looked at herself in the bronze mirror and a faint smile curved her lips. She took a pure silver hairpin from her jewelry box and casually tucked it into her hair.
As the mistress of this princely mansion, it was natural for her to visit when a concubine gave birth.
"Go and fetch the white jade collar from my dowry chest. We will present it as a congratulatory gift to the child, and then we will go see the baby."
"Madam Imperial Concubine, that's right. As the head of the household, you should have such magnanimity."
The wet nurse looked at the increasingly mature Liu Menghan with a relieved smile. Finally, her teachings had not been in vain.
When Liu Menghan arrived, the courtyard was crowded with people. Maidservants were carrying basin after basin of bloody water outwards. The courtyard was filled with the heavy scent of blood. Despite the crowd, she forced down the nausea churning in her stomach and walked inside.
Approaching the Third Prince, she curtsied slightly. "Your Highness."
"You've come," Chu Yanxi glanced coldly at Liu Menghan and said faintly, then paid her no further attention.
At this moment, his entire heart was focused on Feng Ruoyan inside. After so long, he did not know how she was faring.
"Your Highness, since Sister has safely given birth, she will surely be blessed with good fortune and overcome this ordeal. Your Highness need not worry so much."
Liu Menghan humbled herself to the point of groveling to please Chu Yanxi, yet she had never received a kind glance from him.
Chu Yanxi shot her a cold glance and snorted, "Have fewer wicked thoughts about Yan'er, and she will naturally be blessed. Do not think I cannot see your true intentions."
"Your Highness, this concubine is wronged. This concubine can swear to the heavens that she has never harbored any ill will towards Sister. Since becoming pregnant, I have followed the Empress's instructions and rested indoors, never even leaving my chambers. Where would I have had the opportunity to harm Sister? I implore Your Highness to investigate."
Liu Menghan's flawless explanation could not help but make Chu Yanxi waver. Liu Menghan had indeed remained in her courtyard these past few days, rarely venturing out of her rooms, and thus had no opportunity to frame Feng Ruoyan.
Could it be that he had wrongly accused Liu Menghan? Chu Yanxi lowered his gaze, concealing his emotions. He glanced at Liu Menghan, who was still kneeling on the ground, and his tone softened considerably. "You may rise now."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
A sharp-witted maid beside her helped Liu Menghan up. Liu Menghan stood respectfully beside Chu Yanxi, appearing rather delicate and frail.
"Bring a chair and let Madam Imperial Concubine sit."
After all, the child in Liu Menghan's womb was also his flesh and blood. If he made her stand while heavily pregnant, people would accuse him of mistreating Liu Menghan.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
This was the first time Chu Yanxi had treated her with such gentleness, even considering her well-being enough to offer her a seat.
Liu Menghan's joy was evident. Did this mean His Highness was finally showing concern for her? If so, her future days would surely be easier.
"Look, Madam Imperial Concubine seems to have become silly with happiness. Madam Imperial Concubine, you are also pregnant; do not stand any longer. Please sit down quickly."
The wet nurse quickly helped Liu Menghan to sit. After all, she was an old servant who had served in the palace for many years, and her ability to observe and interpret expressions was outstanding. Her few light words resolved the awkwardness between them.
Chu Yanxi no longer paid attention to Liu Menghan, his entire heart consumed with concern for Feng Ruoyan.
"Your Highness..."
"There's no need for so many formalities. How is Yan'er now? Is she in any serious danger?"
Chu Yanxi's every word was about Feng Ruoyan. If not for the servants holding him back, he would have rushed into the room long ago.
"Your Highness, the concubine was already premature and her vital energy was depleted. Her last miscarriage had severely damaged her foundation. This pregnancy was already difficult. Now, with severe bleeding, it is likely... likely a sign of her life force dwindling. Your Highness should prepare yourself."
The imperial physician reported the situation inside with a trembling voice and then respectfully stepped aside, remaining silent.
"Yan'er... Yan'er..."
Chu Yanxi's body swayed. He steadied himself and moved towards the room but was stopped by several wet nurses.
"Your Highness, the birthing room is filled with blood. You still have many descendants, you absolutely cannot enter!"
"Your Highness, you must not enter. If you disrupt anything, it will be a disaster. Your Highness, please reconsider!"