In February, the capital city was the most beautiful time of the year.
The gentle spring breeze lightly brushed by,
Wherever it landed, it made the place blossom in its purple and red beauty.
The palace had become a colorful and gorgeous painting, just like Noble Consort Chen's mood at this time.
Every morning when she opened her eyes, she could clearly feel the powerful movements of the two little ones in her belly,
Sometimes when they got too rowdy, they would kick up several big bumps on her belly, looking rather frightening.
But Noble Consort Chen was not afraid at all,
These were her children, she was overjoyed that the children were strong and powerful, how could she be afraid?
After a few spring rains in early spring, the weather had also lost the dryness of winter,
The air became humid, and Chenghuan's eczema had also improved a lot.
Speaking of the child,
In the past, whenever Xiao Jingheng came to Noble Consort Chen's palace, he did not even want to look at him.
But under Noble Consort Chen's persistence and efforts, Xiao Jingheng had more contact with the little one, after all, blood is thicker than water, he had started to change his attitude somewhat.
Just yesterday, he even smiled at the little one.
Ning Wanshuang saw it in her eyes, and her heart was also joyful,
She thought that after some time had passed, when her child was born, perhaps she could also beg Xiao Jingheng to enter Yu'er into the jade records?
Even as a secondary son would do,
The child had to have an identity to live in the palace.
Moreover, Chenghuan was born different from others to begin with, when he grew up and became sensible, knowing that he was treated this way by his father, he would surely be inferior to the bone.
But her child from Ning Wanshuang's womb must live a proud life from beginning to end,
She would not let 'her child' be inferior and self-pitying.
Throughout February, it wasn't all happy days for Noble Consort Chen.
She also had moments of grief,
For example, on the sixteenth day of the second month, she had not shown a hint of a smile on her face since morning.
This day was the anniversary of her Yu'er's passing.
She had never seen the child, but in her heart, she had always remembered him.
That was her and Xiao Jingheng's first child,
As a mother, whether in life or death, how could she forget her own child?
On this evening, Noble Consort Chen still burned spirit money in the palace for her unborn child,
Standing in the flames, the breeze brushed her face and blew away the tears on her cheeks,
"Yu'er, your younger siblings are about to be born soon."
"When they grow up, Imperial Concubine will definitely tell them that they have this elder brother."
"Your father and imperial concubine will not forget you."
"Never..."
After the memorial service was over, Liu Yue saw that Noble Consort Chen was not in good spirits, and was afraid that she would be choked by the smoke standing in the wind, so she supported her and walked to the inner chamber.
Unfortunately, the strong wind blew up the still sparking ashes which landed on the back of Noble Consort Chen's dress.
Her magnificent cape was covered with a thin layer of gauze, the sparks caught on fire as soon as they touched it.
"Ah! Noble Consort's clothes are on fire!"
Someone exclaimed, and the palace maids immediately fell into chaos,
Liu Yue held Noble Consort Chen tightly, afraid that she would collapse in shock,
And slapped the burning hem vigorously with a handkerchief.
Kang Yubin was also nearby, he was calm in the crisis, he fetched a ladle of water from the courtyard basin and splashed it on the flames,
Fortunately the fire was not big, and it was extinguished with just this ladle of water.
But Noble Consort Chen was really frightened,
After calming down, she could clearly feel her lower abdomen tightening in waves,
Not long after, intense pain suddenly rushed towards her, almost making her unable to stand.
Liu Yue saw that her amniotic fluid had already broken, and immediately exclaimed loudly:
"Noble Consort is going into labor! Hurry and call the imperial physician! Notify His Majesty quickly!"
*
At that time, Xiao Jingheng was having dinner with Song Zhao in Chang Le Palace,
Seeing Jiang Deshun rushing in flustered and pale-faced, urgently saying:
"Your Majesty, Noble Consort seems to be going into labor!"
Upon hearing this news, Xiao Jingheng and Song Zhao hurried to Yonghe Palace without stopping.
The pain suffered by women in childbirth varies, but it is extremely difficult to endure.
Especially for Noble Consort Chen,
She was petite but carrying twins, the birth process was destined to be more painful and agonizing.
When they reached the gate of Yonghe Palace, Song Zhao could already hear the agonizing screams from inside.
As someone who had gone through such an ordeal herself, she felt the softest part of her heart being twisted, and felt suffocated.
She and Xiao Jingheng waited in the main hall for news,
Seeing Xiao Jingheng was also very nervous,
He kept pacing back and forth, sending people in from time to time to ask about the situation inside.
Fortunately, although Noble Consort Chen's labor was arduous, everything went relatively smoothly.
After about half an hour, a midwife hurriedly came out and announced happily:
"Congratulations Your Majesty! Noble Consort has first given birth to a little prince!"
"Excellent! Wonderful!"
Xiao Jingheng clapped his hands reflexively, looking very happy,
And Song Zhao also inexplicably felt as if a huge boulder pressing down on her heart had been lifted, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The prince was born first, so no matter if the child born afterwards was a prince or princess, it would not be a case of 'a phoenix suppressing a dragon', so Xiao Jingheng had no reason to kill the child.
Although Noble Consort Chen had schemed against Song Zhao many times, she did save Cheng Yu's life after all,
She was so fond of children, Song Zhao was already a mother herself, and sincerely hoped that she could give birth safely this time and everything would go smoothly.
The midwife said: "We are cleaning the caul for the little prince inside, and will bring him out soon for His Majesty to see. Noble Consort is still in labor, I'll go back to assist."
After the midwife hurried back into the inner chamber, Song Zhao gently walked up, smiled at Xiao Jingheng and congratulated:
"Congratulations Your Majesty on gaining another son."
Xiao Jingheng took her hand and helped her up, also smiling and saying:
"It is great news. From now on, our Cheng Yu will also have a brother to keep him company."
He was all smiles,
But his hand was not warm.
Song Zhao was stunned for a moment, and could not think to respond to Xiao Jingheng for the time being.
She vaguely felt that something was strangely amiss somewhere.
After a long while, Song Zhao took a deep look at the inner chamber, before suddenly realizing:
That child...
Why isn't he crying?
