Page 337

Chapter 131: The Third Life (Still Focused on Emperor Jiaoyu and Empress Qi, Caution)

Qi Zhen: "You're not like your father; he doesn't cry easily."

Qi Zhen once suspected that Xiao Yan had lost his mind.

It seemed as if, by fulfilling their conjugal duties in certain places on specific days, their children, Zhaozhao and Zhuo Zhuo, would surely come into existence. Yet, she remembered that it was indeed in the study one night that she conceived Zhaozhao.

Parents' expectations for their children are often vague and indistinct. However, Qi Zhen sensed that Xiao Yan's expectations for Zhuo Zhuo and Zhaozhao were precise and clear.

When she was pregnant with Zhuo Zhuo, she was curious about which parent the child would resemble. Surprisingly, Xiao Yan answered solemnly, "I don't know about Zhuo Zhuo, but Zhaozhao will resemble both you and me."

Truly, he was obsessed.

Oddly enough, Qi Zhen joined him in this obsession. After September passed, she began counting down the days of her menstrual cycle. When her monthly visitor didn't arrive, she summoned the imperial physician, who confirmed a joyful pulse. Although the pregnancy was still in its early stages, it was indeed a sign of joy.

Grandma Gui was overjoyed and hurried to send word to Xiao Yan.

But Qi Zhen stopped her, smiling. "There's no need, the Emperor already knows."

She gently caressed her belly and whispered, "Our Zhaozhao has finally arrived. Your mother and father have been waiting for you for a long time."

As soon as the words left her lips, she found it amusing. Was she becoming as obsessed as Xiao Yan?

Upon returning from court, Xiao Yan was informed by Wang Dehai about the imperial physician's visit to the Kunning Palace.

Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Head to the Kunning Palace and send someone to the imperial kitchen to instruct the chefs to prepare more sour preserved fruits and sour beverages."

However, when he arrived at the palace, he learned that Empress Qi was taking her afternoon rest. Xiao Yan didn't disturb her and instead went to the side palace to find Xiao Lie.

At that moment, Xiao Lie was teething, with drool coating his chin. Seeing his father, he immediately waved his arm, resembling a lotus stem, and called out, "Father."

Xiao Yan approached to lift him up, weighing him in his arms. Believing his father was playing with him, the little one giggled uncontrollably.

Xiao Lie was an incredibly joyful child, inheriting his father's gentle nature. He seldom got flustered, endearing him greatly to the palace attendants and maids in the Kunning Palace.

In particular, Aunt Gui affectionately called him "Golden Lump" behind closed doors.

As Qi Zhen rose, she found the inner palace quiet and serene. Auntie Gui was busy arranging the sour preserved fruits sent from the imperial kitchen, with her back turned to Qi Zhen.

At this hour, Auntie Gui would usually be in the side palace accompanying Xiao Lie in play.

Her wet nurse was more concerned about Xiao Lie than Qi Zhen, his mother, tagging along wherever he went, fearful that the servants might not be attentive enough and accidentally injure the crown prince.

"Today, why are you here, Auntie?" Qi Zhen asked with a smile, a hint of teasing in her voice.

"The Emperor is reading to the crown prince in the side palace. How could this old servant dare to disturb them?" Auntie Gui brought over a cup of sour plum fragrant drink with a bright smile. "The Emperor specially instructed the imperial chefs to make these sour preserved fruits and drinks. Eunuch Wang delivered them personally. Your Highness, please try some."

Qi Zhen had never been fond of sour foods; after one taste, she refused to have more.

"When I was pregnant with Zhaozhao, I didn't eat a single piece of sour preserved fruit."

Ordinarily, women in their first trimester would experience nausea, making sour preserved fruits and drinks essential. However, Qi Zhen's pregnancy with Xiao Lie had been incredibly smooth. Not only did she not vomit, but she also had an excellent appetite and slept soundly.

Qi Zhen had initially believed her pregnancy with Zhaozhao would be just as uneventful.

Thinking that Xiao Yan had ordered the imperial chefs to prepare these treats and drinks for nothing, she deemed it unnecessary.

However, a few days later, when she was clutching a copper basin and vomiting to the point of fainting, her thoughts changed.

The Imperial Kitchen kept sending sour preserved fruits and beverages to the Kunning Palace.

Qi Zhen vomited for four whole months, her delicate face losing its plumpness.

Xiao Yan also slimmed down alongside her. Every time Qi Zhen woke up in the middle of the night to throw up, he was the one who handed her water for rinsing her mouth and the sour treats. Thus, he didn't get a good night's sleep for the entire four months.

Unlike Qi Zhen, who could catch a nap during the day, Xiao Yan had no such luxury. The Great Yin was currently in a state of revival, facing both external and internal troubles. He was so busy that he had to squeeze time out for meals.

Qi Zhen had intended to ask him to stay in the Qianqing Palace and not come to the Kunning Palace.

But Xiao Yan would always listen patiently with a gentle expression, only to ignore her words afterward. No matter how late it was, he would come to accompany her.

Qi Zhen eventually gave in. Fortunately, by the end of the year, her morning sickness improved, allowing her to eat and have a peaceful sleep.

As the first trimester passed, Qi Zhen's pregnancy progressed smoothly day by day. Doctor Sun from the Imperial Hospital personally attended to her health, saying that her condition was excellent. The baby was expected to be born around late June or early July – surely a propitious date.

Qi Zhen believed that this child, like Zhuo Zhuo, would safely reside in her womb until the right time for birth.

Hardly had April passed when, without any warning, Qi Zhen's amniotic sac unexpectedly ruptured.

Xiao Yan had long anticipated this day. Upon receiving news of Qi Zhen's labor, he promptly set off for the Kunning Palace with a few midwives in tow.

Premature birth was never a favorable occurrence. Even though Qi Zhen had given birth once before, she couldn't help but feel anxious.

Granny Gui brought her the jade Buddha bracelet that Lady Qi had left behind, and just as Xiao Yan arrived, the bracelet inexplicably broke, scattering forty-nine jade Buddha beads across the floor.

An ominous feeling welled up within Qi Zhen.

She feared they might lose the child.

Seemingly sensing her fear, Xiao Yan approached and took her hand, saying, "Don't be afraid, both you and Zhaozhao will be fine."

The birthing chamber was an unclean place, and as emperor, he shouldn't have set foot inside.

As empress, Qi Zhen should have urged him to leave.

But at that moment, she needed Xiao Yan there. His presence seemed to calm her panic.

Qi Zhen was disinclined to engage in the tedious debate of saving the mother or the child. Instead, she held Xiao Yan's hand and said, "Stay with me."

Xiao Yan agreed.

Grandma Gui brought a bowl of labor-inducing herbal decoction. Xiao Yan personally fed it to Qi Zhen, wiped her sweat, and replaced the softened cork that she had bitten through.

After a long night of struggles, at three-quarters past the third hour of April sixth in the second year of Jia You, the Ling Zhao Princess of Great Yin finally entered the world.