"Ha ha ha ha ha! Good! Very good!"
Xiao Jingheng's loud laughter could be heard from outside the hall, entering Song Zhao's ears.
From his tone, one could tell that he was also very satisfied with this child.
After the laughter subsided, Xiao Jingheng then pushed open the door and walked in, sitting down in front of the couch with a delighted expression on his face. He grasped her hand and patted it, saying:
"Zhao'er, you have safely given birth to a precious son for me."
He unabashedly spoke the words "precious son" from his mouth,
his attitude completely different from when Consort Gui had given birth to a freak baby back then.
"You've suffered." He patted the back of Song Zhao's hand, and said in a low voice: "What happened today was my fault, making you suffer such torment for no reason."
Having just given birth, Song Zhao looked rather weak,
but she still managed to squeeze out a smile, shaking her head and saying: "Your Majesty must not blame yourself, aren't your concubine and the child both fine?"
"Yes, everything is fine, very good!"
Xiao Jingheng didn't know if he was too overjoyed, or if he was still not completely sober from the drinks,
but his words sounded somewhat incoherent at the moment.
Today, Song Zhao had gone into labor during Xiao Jingheng's birthday banquet, so the female guests who had been attending the banquet naturally also came along to Longle Palace to check on the situation.
When the Empress led the consorts into the inner chamber, Consort Chen walked ahead of her by one position,
and was just in time to see Xiao Jingheng tightly grasping Song Zhao’s hand, treating her as a precious treasure, gently soothing her. Her heart inevitably felt a little unhappy.
But she still suppressed her temper, and calmly said to Song Zhao:
"Congratulations to you."
The Empress also said: "Consort Yi has safely delivered a son, this is incredibly joyous news. Seeing how happy His Majesty is, I am truly happy for Consort Yi on behalf of her."
One by one, the consorts offered their congratulations to Song Zhao, with only one person lurking in the corner without making a sound. But she was the one who had most of Song Zhao's attention.
Rongyue stood at the entrance to the inner chamber, not squeezing inside.
She was naturally tall and slender, and just by standing on her tiptoes she could stick her head out above the crowd.
She took only one look at Song Zhao’s haggard appearance, and her tears were already welling up,
afraid that if she had to say some more congratulatory words, she would start choking up.
Song Zhao understood in her heart that even if Rongyue didn't say anything, just hearing about her sudden premature labor must have scared Rongyue badly.
Amidst the chorus of congratulations, Jiang Deshun also cleverly said:
"This servant congratulates Your Majesty and Consort Yi! It is such great fortune that the noble son shares the same birthday as Your Majesty. This is an incredibly auspicious omen!"
Hearing this, Xiao Jingheng laughed even more gleefully.
He had someone bring over the child, and teased him together with Song Zhao.
Consort Hui also squeezed forward, giggling nonstop at the little prince:
"This child is so beautiful! He looks like Your Majesty, and also like Sister Song. As white as a porcelain doll!"
She stretched out a hand, wanting to touch the child, but her fingertips had just brushed against the child's arm when she gave a start, immediately drawing back her hand:
"Ah! He's so soft, like a little cotton ball!"
Just like a child herself, Consort Hui's frightened and delighted words made everyone unable to hold back their laughter.
Xiao Jingheng also said: "Your Sister Song originally had skin as fair as snow, soft and delicate. This child is clever, specifically inheriting all the best traits from his parents, making one unable to help spoiling him."
Consort Hui laughed. "Sister Song went through great hardship bearing a noble son for His Majesty. His Majesty must properly reward Sister Song!"
"Naturally." Xiao Jingheng pondered briefly, then spoke loudly to issue an edict:
"Consort Yi has given birth to a noble son, greatly delighting my heart. Longle Palace's emoluments shall be rewarded with six months' worth. There shall be three days of canceled court sessions, and a general amnesty declared for the realm."
As he gently stroked Song Zhao’s disheveled hair by her temple, he said with unlimited tenderness:
"These next few days, I will properly accompany you."
Whether it was canceling court sessions or a general amnesty, these were all regarded as the greatest honors.
In the past when the late Emperor was still on the throne, it was only when the Empress gave birth to the Crown Prince that she received such treatment.
But although such rewards looked magnificent on the surface, when examined closely they were not entirely satisfactory.
Among the consorts' positions, the four corners remained vacant. Everyone assumed that now Song Zhao had given birth to an imperial son, Xiao Jingheng would surely be overjoyed and promote her to a Consort rank.
But from his words now, it seemed Xiao Jingheng had no such intention?
Everyone was somewhat surprised,
while only Song Zhao understood clearly in her heart,
Xiao Jingheng's actions were likely yet another test,
he wanted to see if Song Zhao was truly indifferent towards status and wealth, as she had appeared to be.
Thus Song Zhao's face showed no abnormality whatsoever, instead she laughed merrily:
"Being able to receive Your Majesty’s companionship is, for your concubine, the greatest reward in itself. I deeply thank Your Majesty!"
After that, the imperial physician said that Song Zhao had just given birth and needed ample rest.
So Xiao Jingheng handed over the young prince to a wet nurse to be entertained in the adjoining palace chambers, then left the inner chamber with the consorts, telling Song Zhao he would come visit her again early next morning.
As the crowds dispersed, Song Zhao lightly stroked her deflated belly, still feeling as if everything that had happened today was just a dream—
though this dream was precisely something that she had deliberately orchestrated:
Going into early labor and giving birth to a noble son on Xiao Jingheng’s birthday had all been calculated by Song Zhao well in advance.
Her actual due date had been late September, only ten days before Xiao Jingheng’s birthday. The child had been full term, premature delivery would not have harmed him from being underdeveloped.
Enke had achieved victory after victory this past year, delighting Xiao Jingheng’s heart, so he would certainly drink heavily during his birthday banquet.
Song Zhao thus made an excuse of needing some fresh air during the banquet and left Plum Blossom Pavilion.
She deliberately lingered outside, wasting time, because she knew how anxious Xiao Jingheng was about her pregnancy. Given how long she’d been gone, he would definitely come find her personally.
Having drunk so much, his mind would be a little muddled.
At that time, even the slightest physical touch between Song Zhao and Xiao Jingheng would make her immediately collapse, putting the blame of her premature labor on Xiao Jingheng.
That way,
If this child turned out to be male, as a noble son bearing the same birthday as Xiao Jingheng it would be a great auspicious sign of protecting Xiao Jingheng’s Purple Forbidden Star, destined for smooth sailing in the future with all this blessing.
And even if this child turned out female, there was no harm.
Song Zhao simply had to keep pretending to be weak for a long time after the premature labor, to make Xiao Jingheng feel that he was to blame for it all, so that he would feel immense pity and tenderness for her.
Song Zhao had calculated everything clearly,
but there was one matter that had completely exceeded her expectations...
And that was that Rongyue and Xiao Jingyan would actually have that kind of unspeakable relationship between them?
These two must be insane!
Within the forbidden palace chambers, if not for Song Zhao’s early labor today putting the blame on Xiao Jingheng, stopping him several more steps forward, he might have discovered Rongyue and Xiao Jingyan's covert affair.
Given Xiao Jingheng’s obsession with face, if he found out about this, how would he still let them live?
The more Song Zhao thought deeply, the more her head hurt.
Just then, Yun Shan came in carrying a bowl of medicinal soup:
"My Lady, this is a soup medication from Qinggong, drinking it will help you discharge the placenta sooner."
Song Zhao took the bowl, and took the opportunity to pat the back of Yun Shan’s hand:
"You did very well today."
Yun Shan said firmly: "With me here, no one will dare harm my Lady one bit!"
Song Zhao endured the bitter taste and drank the medicine. Xiao Fuzi very cleverly handed her a honey candy,
which she put in her mouth. She then asked Yun Shan, "That pair of scissors...what did you notice was off about it?"
"I just noticed it didn't look like the one prepared by the palace maid."
Yun Shan presented the scissors to Song Zhao with both hands. Song Zhao then had Xiao Fuzi take a look to see if anything was amiss.
Xiao Fuzi's brows instantly furrowed after looking it over:
"In reply to my Lady, the blades of these scissors are covered in a lot of rust! The color has been deliberately treated to match the blades, making it hard to notice.
Fortunately Yun Shan was vigilant today, otherwise if the midwife had used these scissors to cut your umbilical cord, you and the little prince might both have contracted tetanus..."
He paused, gasping sharply. Still frightened afterwards, he said:
"That tetanus is an incurable affliction that no medicine or treatment can save one from... Once infected, death would be inevitable..."
