"Very well, then we shall perform a Caesarean section," Feng Jin said in a deep voice, nodding. Since they had made up their minds, she could proceed without hesitation, with nothing to hold her back.
"I request that all the imperial physicians observe, so that if any issues arise, I can explain them clearly."
After much deliberation, Feng Jin still felt it was best to have the imperial physicians present, lest any problems occur later that she couldn't clarify, leading to further trouble.
"Madam, please rest assured. If anything does happen, we will testify for the young madam. We implore you to deliver the child as soon as possible." The head imperial physician readily agreed with Feng Jin. They were all in this together now; if something went wrong, no one would escape. It was best to keep Feng Jin calm and deliver the child quickly to ensure their own safety.
"With your words, I can finally be at ease."
Having received their assurance, Feng Jin felt somewhat relieved and began the surgical procedure. The imperial physicians watched as Feng Jin calmly opened the laboring woman's abdomen with a knife. Blood spurted out like a fountain. The gruesome scene was too much even for the midwives, who retched and vomited. Even the imperial physicians, struggling to maintain their composure, looked visibly ill, on the verge of throwing up.
In contrast, Feng Jin remained utterly composed, as if performing a simple act like slaughtering a chicken, showing no trace of fear. When Feng Jin delivered the child, she was startled. The infant's face was purplish-blue, and its body was covered in large blotches of discoloration, appearing to be born with poison. Furthermore, having been confined for so long in the womb, it was unlikely to survive.
"This child... why is the child like this!" The imperial physicians were also seeing such a child for the first time, their faces filled with astonishment. How were they to report this to His Majesty?
"Why is the child covered in these blue spots, and its face so purplish-blue? Could it be... could it be..." The midwife hesitated to voice her thoughts, her inner speculation already terrifying her. If she were to speak, her own life might be forfeit. For the sake of her survival, she had to keep these words buried deep within her heart.
Feng Jin, at this moment, had no time to tend to the barely-alive Liu Menghan. If her suspicions were correct, Liu Menghan had been poisoned during her pregnancy. Now that the child was delivered, the toxins within her body would likely be harder to suppress. She might succumb to the poison soon, her life also coming to an end. It was a pity that this child, who had suffered so innocently, would follow its mother soon after entering the world, without even a glimpse of it.
After clearing the infant's nasal passages and mouth, Feng Jin vigorously patted the soles of its feet. Her hands ached from the effort, yet the child remained silent. She then began chest compressions, and only then did the infant exhibit a faint breath. Feng Jin wrapped the child and handed it to the midwife, her forehead beaded with sweat. With ragged breaths, she urged, "The child has just begun to breathe. Quickly, take the child back to the palace to let His Majesty see it." As long as Emperor Xuanwen saw the child alive, their mission would be considered complete, and he would have no valid reason to blame them.
"Yes, quickly back to the palace... hurry back to the palace!" The imperial physicians now understood Feng Jin's true purpose and hurried the midwife to return to the palace with the child. After entrusting the child, Feng Jin rushed back to attend to Liu Menghan, needing to stitch up her wound quickly. By the time she finished, it was already past midnight. Feng Jin slumped to the ground, exhausted, her clothes soaked with sweat. Her hair was matted to her skin, and her breathing was heavy. Finally, she had completed these tasks. It was truly exhausting. Now, it was up to whether Liu Menghan had the will to live and wake up. However, whether she woke or not, she was unlikely to escape death.
...
"How is it, Your Majesty? Has the child been born yet?" The Empress Dowager, having learned of Liu Menghan's critical condition during childbirth, had also rushed over to inquire. Although Chu Yanxi was guilty, the child was innocent. Ultimately, it was of royal blood, her great-grandchild. No matter how displeased she was with the Empress and Chu Yanxi, she would not blame the child for their crimes.
"Greetings, Mother. Your son has already dispatched imperial physicians and midwives, and Feng Jin has also gone. It should be fine. So much time has passed; they should be returning soon." Emperor Xuanwen was also filled with worry. So much time had elapsed, and the child should have been born by now. Why was there still no news? What was causing such a delay? Just as Emperor Xuanwen was pacing anxiously and preparing to leave the palace himself, the midwife rushed in, carrying a basket.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty, the Third Prince Consort has given birth to a little imperial grandson!"
"Good... Wonderful! Quickly bring the child here for me to see." Emperor Xuanwen was overjoyed, his suspended heart finally at peace. He eagerly stepped forward to see the child. This action earned him a few disdainful glances from the Empress Dowager. "Honestly, he's never seen such a sight. Is one imperial grandson truly worth being this happy about? Happier than when he himself became a father. So useless."
"Your Majesty... the little imperial grandson, he..." Before the midwife could finish speaking, Emperor Xuanwen had already lifted the blanket covering the child. Upon seeing the infant in the basket, he recoiled in shock, nearly falling to the ground. Fortunately, Eunuch Fu behind him quickly steadied Emperor Xuanwen.
"Your Majesty, be careful!" The Empress Dowager, seeing that Emperor Xuanwen was unharmed, slowly sat back down, leaning on her chair. "What is it? Seeing your grandson has made you so excited that you can't even stand steady!"
"Mother, look... this child... this child..." Emperor Xuanwen pointed a trembling finger at the cradle, unable to articulate his words. The Empress Dowager frowned, sensing that something was amiss. She slowly rose, walked towards the midwife, and said sternly, "Lift the blanket!" The midwife knelt on the ground, her voice trembling with fear. "Empress Dowager, please forgive me. It's best if the Empress Dowager does not look..."
"I said, lift it!" After a moment's hesitation, the midwife's hands trembled as she lifted the blanket. The Empress Dowager's gaze fell upon the basket. The moment she saw the child, her heart gave a sudden jolt. After a moment of hesitation, she reached out and pulled the blanket back over the child.