In the midst of their conversation, a palace maid came to report,
"Your Majesty, Noble Consort Chen has awakened."
Xiao Jingheng took a deep breath, sweeping away the sorrow on his face, and a look of joy appeared in his brows.
"I shall go in and see."
The inner chamber was not spacious, and after giving birth, Noble Consort Chen didn't have the energy to entertain the many people who came to offer their congratulations. Therefore, the Empress Dowager instructed the other consorts to wait outside while only she accompanied Xiao Jingheng and the little princess inside to visit Noble Consort Chen.
At that moment, Noble Consort Chen lay weakly on the bed.
She was once the most beautiful flower in the imperial city, but now she appeared pale and withered.
Despite this, when she saw Xiao Jingheng enter, she made an effort to tidy up the strands of hair stuck to her forehead by sweat. With great difficulty, she smiled at Xiao Jingheng, wanting to show her best side to the man she loved the most.
"My dear consort, you've worked hard," Xiao Jingheng held her hand and sat by the bedside, gently wiping away the sweat on her forehead.
Qingzhu brought the little princess forward for Noble Consort Chen to see.
With just one glance at the little one in Qingzhu's arms, Noble Consort Chen felt her heart melting.
She carefully caressed the baby's cheek, overflowing with joy.
"So, we have a princess this time? A princess is good, regardless. Before I fainted, I clearly remembered giving birth to a prince first. This way, I have given you, Your Majesty, a pair of auspicious dragon and phoenix, and there won't be the taboo of 'phoenix suppressing the dragon.'"
Noble Consort Chen let out a long sigh of relief, and the Empress Dowager also smiled from the side.
"What you need to do now is to take good care of your health. Giving birth to twins will inevitably weaken your body. I will have someone carefully attend to your postnatal recovery, and you will be in good health."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Noble Consort Chen replied weakly. Then, she half-supported her body and looked around.
However, all she saw was a swaddled bundle in Qingzhu's arms.
Confused, she asked, "Your Majesty, where is our son? When I gave birth earlier, I only heard the nursemaid say it was a prince. I was too focused on the delivery and didn't get to see him. Your Majesty, please bring him in so that I can see if he resembles you more or me~"
Xiao Jingheng spoke with a gentle tone, "The little prince was born with a minor ailment, but it's not serious. When you fainted after giving birth, I had the imperial physician take our son to the Imperial Prince Residence for meticulous care."
As he said this, he looked directly into Noble Consort Chen's hopeful eyes, his gaze sincere and unwavering.
He carefully tucked in the corners of Noble Consort Chen's bedding and joked,
"You know, even though that illness is not serious, if it is not treated properly, it will leave scars on the body. You wouldn't want our child to have any shortcomings in the future, would you?"
Noble Consort Chen wholeheartedly believed what Xiao Jingheng said.
She thought of Chenghuan's troubled life due to his psoriasis, so of course, she wanted her own biological son to be healthy and beautiful.
So, she said somewhat regretfully,
"In that case, let the imperial physician treat him well. We still have a long life ahead, and a day or two won't make a difference."
Xiao Jingheng nodded repeatedly. After a brief silence, he tightened his grip on Noble Consort Chen's hand and sighed,
"You have brought a pair of auspicious dragons and phoenixes to Us. We must reward you with something. We are thinking of bestowing the title of Princess Gulun upon our daughter. We will issue the decree immediately and forgo the marriage alliance. What do you think?"
Upon hearing these words, Noble Consort Chen could hardly believe her ears.
She stared wide-eyed in astonishment, her eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and joy.
Princess Gulun was supposed to be the legitimate princess born to the Empress. It was an honor bestowed only if she gained the Emperor's favor after coming of age or when granted the decree for a marriage alliance.
Noble Consort Chen's daughter was neither a legitimate princess nor required to marry.
Yet, even with the child just born, Xiao Jingheng bestowed upon her such great honor.
As a mother, how could she not be happy?
Overwhelmed with joy, Noble Consort Chen could no longer hold back her tears, which burst forth uncontrollably.
She choked back tears of happiness and repeatedly said:
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Inside the palace chambers, false laughter filled the air.
In the main hall, concealed intentions were abound.
The consorts who were just weeping a moment ago now gathered in pairs, whispering to each other. Their conversations were nothing more than mocking Noble Consort Chen.
Consort Yao pulled Song Zhao to the side and whispered to her:
"This is so satisfying. We have been oppressed by her for so long, and today, it seems like karma has finally caught up with her. Both of her sons died on the sixteenth day of the second month. If I were her, I would be crying my eyes out every February from now on."
Song Zhao remained silent, with only a faint smile and a nod to acknowledge her.
Amidst the eerie atmosphere, an untimely cry suddenly broke out.
Following the sound, they saw Consort Hui covering her mouth, sobbing.
Everyone gathered around her, asking what had happened.
Through her tears, Consort Hui cried, "Wuwuwu... I just feel so sorry for the little prince. Noble Consort Chen's pregnancy was going so well, how could it turn out like this..."
The other consorts regarded her as if she were a joke and half-heartedly tried to console her.
Consort Hui wiped away her tears with her small hand and continued to sob, saying:
"That Ru, she did that voodoo doll to curse Noble Consort Chen. And now, look what happened to the little prince! Wuwuwu~"
If she hadn't mentioned it, everyone would almost have forgotten about that incident.
Once this matter was brought up, it inevitably led to whispered speculations.
Later, when Xiao Jingheng emerged from the palace chambers, the Empress hurriedly approached him and inquired:
"Your Majesty, Noble Consort Chen...?"
Xiao Jingheng made a hushing gesture and whispered, "Her emotions have temporarily stabilized. It's not advisable to grieve excessively after childbirth, as it can harm her health. Let's keep it from her for a few days."
The Empress's face was filled with compassion as she nodded in agreement.
After accompanying Xiao Jingheng out of the main hall, she spoke:
"While we were praying for Noble Consort Chen's well-being, we suddenly remembered something that might be related to the sudden loss of her child today..."
Xiao Jingheng raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is it?"
The Empress hesitated and said, "Consort Hui mentioned it unintentionally. She recalled the incident when Concubine Ru used witchcraft to curse Noble Consort Chen... And now, with Concubine Ru still under house arrest, Your Majesty, please consider this matter..." (Chapter 224)
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingheng's face immediately darkened, as if a storm was about to unleash.
He hardly hesitated for a moment and forcefully suppressed his anger, saying, "Originally, I thought that the art of witchcraft was nothing but a groundless rumor. Besides, Ru has no knowledge of the true date and time of the imperial concubine's birth, so even if she had intentions to curse, it would be futile.
In the past, out of consideration for the face of the Mongol King, I spared her life. But now it seems that my leniency has instead harmed my son! Jiang Deshun, take Ru to Chaoyang Palace. I will personally interrogate her."
Concubine Ru, who had been under house arrest for several months, was taken aback when she saw Jiang Deshun suddenly arrive. She thought that Xiao Jingheng was going to release her ahead of time and greeted him with a smiling face, asking, "Why has Grand Tutor Jiang come? Has the Emperor remembered me and decided to lift my confinement early?"
"Hmph." Jiang Deshun snorted coldly, paying her no attention, and sternly replied, "I am here to take you out of the palace. But it's not to lift your confinement, it's to lead you to your death!"
"What!?"
Concubine Ru's face turned pale, and she stammered in fear, "Thi-this... What do you mean, Grand Tutor?"
Jiang Deshun's voice was indifferent as he said, "Your witchcraft is truly formidable. The imperial concubine should have been a joyous occasion, but because of you, the young prince was cursed to death!"
Upon hearing the whole story, Concubine Ru was so frightened that her legs went weak. She leaned against the door frame to support herself and anxiously pleaded, "N-no, it's not like that. I...!"
"Enough. If you have anything to say, go and explain it to the Emperor in the court."
With that, Jiang Deshun waved his dusting brush and shouted, "Take her away!"
[520 Happy, except for the dog emperor.]
