TPNCQ CHAPTER 21
Take as a warning
Supported by Shuangjiang, Su Limo returned to Jingren Palace. As soon as she entered the inner chamber, she quickly reclined on the brocade couch, pulled out a flower-patterned footrest, and drank a bowl of bird's nest soup served by Dong Xue. After rinsing her mouth, she finally calmed down.
When she heard the news this morning, Su Limo was also surprised for a moment. Xiu Guiren's temperament was known throughout the palace, but she never expected her to be so resolute and decisive in doing such a thing. She couldn't, and didn't want to, comment on it. Everyone has their own path to walk, their own choices to make, and this is no exception in the palace.
*
In Chunxi Palace, Jia Fei was anxiously waiting for news, supporting her waist. Because of her advanced pregnancy, she didn't go to Changchun Palace to wait, but stayed in her own chamber for two or three hours.
"Niangniang, the Empress has given birth," the head palace maid, Lamei, reported upon entering the chamber.
"A princess?" Jia Fei grabbed Lamei's arm and asked nervously. Seeing that Lamei didn't answer, she continued to ask, "Or is it a prince? A prince?"
"The Empress... has given birth to... a legitimate son, and the Emperor is overjoyed. He has rewarded everyone in Changchun Palace, and the midwife, the nurse, and the imperial physicians have all received generous rewards," Lamei stammered, afraid that her mistress would not be able to stand after hearing the news, so she quickly reached out to support Jia Fei.
"..." Upon hearing this, Jia Fei stumbled back a step, but fortunately, Lamei supported her firmly, and she only swayed slightly before regaining her balance.
Lamei quickly helped Jia Fei sit on the brocade couch and bowed to comfort her, "The birth was not smooth. There was bleeding at first, and after taking medicine to stop the bleeding, she also took medicine to induce labor before giving birth successfully. Although she was nearly full-term, she was still seven days early, which can be considered premature. I'm afraid she will need a lot of care. Niangniang, don't worry, take good care of your own pregnancy, and it's most important to give birth to the dragon child in your womb safely."
“It’s easy for you to say. The Empress has taken the lead in giving birth to a direct son. Even if I give birth to a son, it will only be icing on the cake, unnecessary. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager will surely focus all their attention on the direct son. Will my son even be considered? Originally, the Empress had no direct son, so anything was possible. Now that the Empress has successfully given birth to a direct son... my hopes... even if I safely give birth to a prince, I'm afraid I won't be treated as well as the girls in Jingren Palace." Jia Fei let out a long sigh, her voice low.
Seeing her mistress so disheartened, Lamei perked up and said with a smile, "What does it matter if Chun Gufei has two princes and one princess? Without a family background and the Emperor's favor, she can't compare to even one of niangninag's fingers. Your Highness must not underestimate yourself to build up others. Besides, as niangninag also knows, the Empress has been very unwell since she became pregnant. She hasn't been able to sleep well for days, and her body has been restless. How could the fetus in her womb be at peace? Moreover, she suffered a great shock from Xiu Guiren today. I'm afraid this matter won't be so easily resolved..."
"In the past, I underestimated this Xiu Guiren. I didn't expect her to have such a temper, to act so recklessly. I'm actually quite scared now. Fortunately, the matter is now over, and she's gone mad, so she won't have any good consequences." Jia Fei said, her furrowed brow smoothing out a little.
"That's right, Xiu Guiren will have to bear the consequences of her own actions, what does it have to do with others," Lamei nodded and said, pausing before comforting her again, "Niangniang, please calm down and take good care of yourself. Before I came back, I had already reported to Xian Gufei and arranged for the four midwives and four experienced nurses in charge of the delivery to wait in Chunxi Palace. Xian Gufei has agreed and asked them to come in tomorrow."
"Xian Gufei is indeed sensible. With what happened to Xiu Guiren earlier and the Empress being troubled by Xiu Guiren today, she had no reason to refuse." Jia Fei sneered.
"Indeed, with these things happening one after another while Xian Gufei is in charge of the palace affairs, and now that the Emperor can't take care of everything, I'm afraid she will be scolded in the future. Niangniang just wait and see the good show." Lamei saw that her mistress's mood had calmed down, so she quickly poured a cup of honey water and handed it over.
Jia Fei took the glass cup and drank two sips before handing it to Lamei. She said leisurely, "I'm hungry too. Serve the midday meal."
*
When Empress Fucha woke up again, it was already evening. She opened her eyes and saw the Emperor sitting by the bed, a gentle smile spreading across his lips. "Your Majesty."
"You're awake. Are you feeling any discomfort? Should I call the imperial physician to attend to you?" Qianlong asked continuously.
"I'm fine. Where's the Seventh Prince?" Empress Fucha looked around.
"The wet nurse has taken him to feed him. He just fell asleep. Everything is fine. Don't worry. Both mother and child are safe, you don't know how happy I am." Qianlong held Empress Fucha's hand and said, "When I heard that Xiu Guiren had bumped to you, I was terrified."
Hearing the words "Xiu Guiren," Empress Fucha, whose voice was hoarse from giving birth, raised her voice slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I beg you for one thing. Now that the Seventh Prince and I are both safe, I can't bear to see any bloodshed. Just consider it as accumulating blessings for the Seventh Prince. Moreover, Xiu Guiren's father and brothers have made many contributions to the court..."
After Xiu Guiren's miscarriage, Empress Fucha had blamed herself for many days. Now that Xiu Guiren had offended her, she would definitely be punished. However, having experienced the pain of losing a child as a mother herself, she knew how painful it was.
"In that case, I will spare her life and simply order her to be confined to the Cold Palace, without involving her family."
*
With the birth of a direct (legitimate) son in the Empress's palace, the gloominess was swept away, and the entire palace was filled with joy. The matter of Xiu Guiren was quickly forgotten, and no one remembered that a Guiren who had miscarried and lost favor had entered the Cold Palace.
Unnoticed by others, Su Limo secretly visited the Cold Palace. The once-favored Xiu Guiren, who had been so arrogant and spoiled when she was pregnant, was now living in the cold, dark, and dilapidated Cold Palace, eating scraps and going hungry. Who knows when she would lose her life and be wrapped in a straw mat, thrown into a mass grave to feed wild dogs.
It was already early April, a warm and sunny day, but the Cold Palace was completely devoid of sunlight. After standing outside for a moment, she felt a chill and left the Cold Palace supported by Shuangjiang and Dong Xue.
It was so much better outside, with the warm sun, the birds singing and flowers are blooming.
As the daughter of a meritorious official, her starting point was indeed higher than many others. If she had been cautious, had not flaunted her pregnancy, and had taken good care of herself and her child, the gentle and virtuous Empress would have been tolerant. As seen in the palace, many concubines had given birth to children. As long as she was more cautious, the probability of a safe delivery would be relatively high.
Unfortunately, Xiu Guiren was too high-profile. First, she caused the Emperor a headache, then she aroused the jealousy of the entire palace, then the Empress Dowager came forward to teach her a lesson, and finally everyone joined in to attack her. After a series of blows, she miscarried, lost her child, and was helpless. Now, she was spending her days in the Cold Palace, living one day less each day.
This wicked harem.
Xiu Guiren's example sent a chill down Su Limo's spine. She would never let herself end up like that. Taking this as a warning, she must protect the safety of four, mother and children.
*
On the tenth day of the fourth month, it was the Seventh Prince's bathing ceremony, another day of pomp and excitement.
After breakfast, the concubines gathered in Changchun Palace.
Su Limo also had an early breakfast, carefully put on some makeup, maintaining her tired and listless appearance. She then had Shuangjiang pack up the baby clothes she had prepared earlier and a string of pendants she had made, placing them on a tray, and headed to Changchun Palace to offer a gift.
When she arrived, the main hall was already packed with people. She first went to pay her respects to the Empress, handed the gift to Saoqin, and according to the rules, said a few congratulatory words to Empress Fucha before retreating to a corner on the outer edge of the crowd.
Today's protagonists were Empress Fucha and the Seventh Prince, and as an unfavored Gufei, she naturally had to be sensible and discreet.
The Seventh Prince's bathing ceremony began. In the crowd, the Empress personally held the Seventh Prince, with the Emperor protecting the mother and child. The presiding mama (a senior palace maid) began the bathing ceremony.
With everyone's attention focused on them, the Empress, having finally obtained a direct son, was in high spirits, smiling happily from ear to ear.
Congratulations poured in one after another, as the concubines vied for the favor of the Empress and the Emperor.
Su Limo stood in the corner, occasionally joining in with the crowd and saying a few words, but most of the time she stood quietly.
"Niangniang, why are you standing in the corner?" Chen Guiren and Shu Pin were standing on the outer edge, turned around to see Chun Gufei, and pulled Shu Pin over.
"I prefer it here, and I'm afraid that getting too close will disturb the mama's who are performing the ceremony. I can see just as well from the outer edge," Su Limo said with a gentle smile.
"That's good. The Empress is delighted to have a direct son, and the Emperor is very pleased," said Shu Pin. She looked at the family of three who were the center of everyone's attention, with a hint of envy in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed her gaze.
Shu Pin's emotions changed in an instant, but Su Limo still caught it. Her impression was that this Shu Pin had given birth to the Tenth Prince, but the Tenth Prince had died young. When the Empress Dowager was ill, it was mostly she who served and attended to her. Whether it was due to chance, the Empress Dowager's cultivation and support, or her own initiative to seek refuge with the Empress Dowager, it seemed that she was also a clever person who knew how to protect herself.
Since she got along quite well with Chen Guiren, Su Limo couldn't help but pay more attention to her.
After the bathing ceremony ended, and Qianlong was very happy. He rewarded the Empress and the Seventh Prince with many precious items, and even the servants who served them were well rewarded. Everyone in Changchun Palace was overjoyed.
The concubines also searched for many good items to give to the Empress and the Seventh Prince, hoping to gain favor in the eyes of the Emperor and the Empress.
The most thoughtful was Ling Pin, who personally copied ten volumes of Buddhist scriptures in meticulous small characters, showing great care. The Seventh Prince was born on the eighth day of the fourth month, which was the Buddha's birthday, and these ten volumes of Buddhist scriptures were exactly what the Emperor and Empress desired.
Qianlong was very appreciative and praised her a few extra words. The phrase "Buddha's birthday" especially pleased Qianlong, and he publicly named the Seventh Prince Yongcong.
The meaning of "cong" was self-evident: a jade artifact used in temples.
With this name, the Emperor's high hopes for his son to become a successful successor were clear.
The concubines understood this, but they didn't dare show any flaws on their faces. One by one, they smiled happily and congratulated the Emperor, the Empress, and the Seventh Prince.
After a long and lively celebration, with so many people and noise, the Seventh Prince became drowsy again, so the Empress had the wet nurse take him away and then dismissed everyone.
As the concubines left Changchun Palace, each had their own thoughts.