Chapter 100: Virtuous Consort

Chapter 100: Virtuous Consort

"Your Majesty, it's the second watch of the night. Would you like to rest?" Shen An moves forward to tidy up the desk, then inquires.

"Return to Jianzhang Palace," Xiao Sheng orders, pausing before asking, "Has Imperial Physician Liu visited Yao Hua Palace to check the pulse?"

"Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Liu has already checked Consort Jiang's condition today," Shen An promptly replies. "He stated that the imperial heir in the Consort's womb is stable, but due to her continuous state of pregnancy and recent emotional distress, it has weakened her constitution. After giving birth, she will likely need a period of convalescence."

"A period of convalescence…" Xiao Sheng murmurs, nodding before asking, "Is the Second Prince ill?"

Shen An, sensing the importance of the matter, respectfully answers, "Yes, it was a minor cold some days ago, but he has greatly improved today."

After hearing this, Xiao Sheng falls silent for a moment before changing his destination: "Go to Fengyi Palace."

Shen An bows in response, thinking to himself that the Emperor, affected by the Dowager Empress's passing, is showing renewed concern for the Second Prince.

In Fengyi Palace, the Empress is surprised by the Emperor's sudden visit.

Due to recent missteps, the Emperor had already become distant towards her, maintaining only a superficial respect. Recently, with the Dowager Empress's unfortunate demise, the Emperor, in his distress, had barely set foot in any part of the harem other than Yao Hua Palace. His unexpected visit to Fengyi Palace on a day that wasn't the first or fifteenth of the lunar month was astonishing.

The Empress, having already prepared for rest, had no choice but to redress and have her maids, Chunyan and Xiachan, assist her in fixing her appearance.

To everyone's surprise, upon entering Fengyi Palace, the Emperor immediately turned his steps to visit his three children.

The Empress had no choice but to follow him to the eastern side hall. All three children, still very young, were living in the three rooms of Mingluan Hall’s eastern side hall.

“Is Your Majesty with Princess Huo?” the Empress inquired while walking.

Autumn Moon respectfully replied, “My lady, His Majesty is with the Second Prince.”

“The Second Prince…?” The Empress paused momentarily, then nodded nonchalantly and entered the eastern side hall with a flawless, gentle smile.

Inside, the Second Prince was sweetly asleep in his cradle. The Emperor stood beside, watching silently without the intention to pick him up. The night-shift palace maids stood quietly in the corner, holding their breath, daring not to make a sound.

“Your servant greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live in eternal peace and prosperity.”

The Empress’s arrival broke the quietude of the room. Standing next to the Emperor, she also gazed at the swaddled infant, her expression filled with tenderness.

“Your Majesty, Ah Shen caught a cold the other day. Imperial Physician Xu has examined him, and he’s much better now.”

Imperial Physician Xu had returned to the capital in May, resuming his duties as the Right Imperial Physician at the Imperial Medical Bureau.

“Ah Shen?” The Emperor slightly turned his head, his tone reflecting a trace of confusion.

The Empress’s smile was meticulously controlled, not too much to seem disrespectful towards the Dowager Empress, yet warm enough to appear affectionate. “The Second Prince was born at the hour of Shen; I thought of giving him a temporary name, so I casually call him Ah Shen. What does Your Majesty think?”

The Emperor nodded indifferently and left the room, subsequently visiting Princess Xiao Huo and Princess Xiao Yan before leaving Fengyi Palace for Jianzhang Palace.

The Empress watched the Emperor’s carriage leave from the front of Mingluan Hall until it disappeared from view, then she returned inside.

Chunyan began to undo her hair again, expressing slight regret, “It’s already the hour of Duhai. We thought His Majesty would stay the night at Fengyi Palace.”

The Empress, lacking her own children and only having adopted ones, with some of her authority shifted to Yao Hua Palace and the Emperor’s favor waning, led a life that was not exactly difficult but certainly not easy. Therefore, Chunyan, her accompanying maid, felt quite sorry for her mistress.

However, the Empress seemed in good spirits as she took off her white jade bracelet, frankly remarking, “Though the mourning period has ended, it’s barely a month since the Dowager Empress passed away. Even if His Majesty stayed in Fengyi Palace, he wouldn’t be in the mood for much.”

After a pause, she added with a smile, “This way, the Second Prince becomes more prominent, which is a good thing.”

Chunyan hesitated before speaking softly, "My lady, Consort Xu's due date is about a month away. If she gives birth to a prince, should we continue sending the huanhua grass?"

The Empress pondered upon hearing this. She had allowed Consort Xu to conceive to increase the number of high-born heirs and prevent the Noble Consort’s son from monopolizing power. If Consort Xu gives birth to a prince...

She spoke softly, "No need to send it anymore."

Consort Xu’s pregnancy was smooth with minimal discomfort. Without the daily obligation to pay respects at Fengyi Palace, she spent her days leisurely in Guangyang Palace, playing leaf card games with Shi Cairen and a few maids. Although she feigned abdominal pain ten times and the Emperor came only once, her days were enjoyable.

Only during the Dowager Empress's funeral rites, she felt a bit strained, but after a brief rest and examination by the Imperial Physician, Consort Xu quickly regained her vitality.

Thus, on the morning of August 29th, Consort Xu smoothly gave birth, as the midwife delivered a healthy, loudly crying baby.

Consort Xu, still conscious but pale and weak, eagerly asked, "Is it a prince or a princess?"

The midwife hurriedly showed the swaddled infant to Consort Xu, saying, "Congratulations, Consort Xu, you’ve given birth to a prince!"

Content, Consort Xu lay back on the bed and fell into a satisfied slumber.

With maids attending to Consort Xu, the midwife carried the newborn prince out of the delivery room and respectfully informed the Empress waiting outside, "Your Majesty, Consort Xu has given birth to a prince!"

“A prince?” Joy shone on the Empress’s face, impeccably radiant. She took a glimpse of the tightly wrapped swaddle and said with a smile, “Good, this is the Third Prince then. Everyone will be rewarded!”

She then instructed Chunyan, “Go wait outside Taiji Hall, and report the good news to His Majesty after the court session.”

“Yes,” Chunyan replied, bowing and hurrying off.

The Empress handed the Third Prince to the waiting wet nurse and inquired about Consort Xu, “How is Consort Xu now?”

The midwife promptly replied, “Your Majesty, Consort Xu is unharmed, just exhausted and asleep.”

The Empress, merely making a gesture, had no intention of entering the delivery room. She nodded slightly upon hearing the report and told the palace staff of Guangyang Palace, “Take good care of Consort Xu and the Third Prince,” before returning to Fengyi Palace.

After resting briefly in Mingluan Hall, Chunyan returned from Taiji Hall with a complex expression.

She lifted the curtain and approached the Empress, bowing and reporting, “My lady, I arrived just as His Majesty finished the court session. Upon learning of Consort Xu giving birth to the Third Prince, His Majesty said he would issue a decree to promote Consort Xu to the title of Virtuous Consort.”

“Virtuous Consort?” The Empress frowned slightly, “The Xu family isn’t favored by His Majesty. I thought it would only be a matter of granting a title. I didn’t expect her to ascend to the rank of the four consorts so soon.”

Virtuous and benevolent, though the Virtuous Consort ranks last among the four consorts, she already holds the high position of a second-rank official.

"Never mind, the Xu family is of little concern." The Empress relaxed her brow and seeing Chunyan seemed to have more to say, inquired, "Anything else?"

"My lady," Chunyan bowed her head, her tone tinged with joy, "His Majesty also said that in a few days, jade tablets will be granted to both the Second and Third Princes."