Chapter 332: Zheng Jinxiu Has Given Birth

Chapter 332: Zheng Jinxiu Has Given Birth

No wonder the women in the harem all disliked her; she usually returned to the palace empty-handed, only bringing gifts on major festivals.

And while her gifts were always original and unique, they were also very cheap.

Yet, every time she came back to the palace, she never left empty-handed, taking food and gifts with her.

Who could possibly like that?

The Princess smiled as she said, "This is Crystal Cake, it's very difficult to make. Your Majesty, please taste it and see how it tastes."

When the Emperor heard that it was difficult to make, he subconsciously assumed that she had made it herself.

He was so delighted that his mouth nearly watered.

In a hurry, he repeated the word 'good' three times, picked up a piece of Crystal Cake and put it in his mouth.

Then, he repeated the word 'delicious' several times, laughing in an unrefined manner.

The Consort Shu and others rolled their eyes at her side.

No matter how difficult it was to make, could it be more difficult than the pastries made in the palace?

Hmph, just because it was sent by the Princess, the Emperor could praise it to the heavens.

"This year, the gift from Royal Sister is the most thoughtful. Royal Sister must have worked hard."

Everyone was powerless to criticize; after all, the Princess's gifts were always the best every year.

However, this year's Crystal Cake was slightly better than the bamboo-copter she sent two years ago.

"If His Majesty likes it, then it's good."

Ha, as long as you send it, he will like it.

Consort Shu rolled her eyes so hard they seemed to reach the heavens.

Though she was full of dissatisfaction, she didn't dare say a single word against it.

Last year, she offended the Princess and was confined for three months, almost driving her mad.

After that, she dared not speak out of turn again.

Throughout the banquet, the Emperor was the one making a fool of himself trying to please the Princess, while everyone else was merely there as decoration. Fortunately, everyone was used to it.

As a return gift, the Emperor gave her a jade sculpture.

It was made of the finest white jade and carved into the likeness of a fairy, whose face resembled the Princess by about seventy to eighty percent. The fairy depicted was the Princess herself.

The remaining twenty to thirty percent of dissimilarity was due to the sculptor's limitations.

The two-foot-tall sculpture of fine white jade stunned the Princess.

The Emperor asked in a fawning manner, "Does Royal Sister like it?"

The Princess couldn't stop smiling and repeated the word 'good' several times.

"Good, good, very good, I like it, I like it very much."

"Hahaha, I knew Royal Sister would like it. Attendants, give them a reward."

When the Princess said she liked it, the craftsmen received rewards as well.

Consort Shu and others were green with envy.

"A sculpture of white jade this big and flawless, how rare. If we used it to make bracelets, each of us sisters could have one."

"Shh, keep your voice down, or it'll cause trouble if someone hears you."

"Hmph, I just want to say it. How can there be a person like the Princess? She always picks the cheapest gifts to give, but when it comes to taking, she doesn't hold back. Look at how she's smiling; it's all because she knows this white jade is valuable."

Everyone was speechless, and could only remain so.

Today, the Princess smiled non-stop after receiving the white jade sculpture, drinking wine with the Emperor in a very gracious manner.

Her alcohol tolerance was excellent, unfortunately, the Emperor wasn't as capable.

Overjoyed, he drank too much and passed out on the table.

Seeing this, Consort Shu hurried over to help him up and said to the Princess, "Royal Sister, since the Emperor is drunk, why don't we end tonight's banquet here? What do you think?"

"Alright, then I'll go back to my palace. Take good care of the Emperor."

"Don't worry, I will."

No one dared to compete with Consort Shu when she took action.

She directly escorted the Emperor back to her own palace.

With the help of the maidservants, she helped the Emperor onto the bed, personally removed his shoes, and had the maidservants bring water to wash his feet.

After serving him, she dismissed the maidservants.

Ever since she was punished for arguing with the Princess last year, she hadn't had the chance to attend to the Emperor in his chambers.

This was an opportunity; whether she could regain his favor depended on tonight.

But it wasn't easy for Consort Shu to undress him; after a few tugs, she failed. She had no choice but to lie beside him and say, "Your Majesty, please turn over, let your humble servant take off your clothes."

The Emperor obediently shifted to his side, making it easier for her to take off his clothes.

Princess Shu's heart pounded like a drum as she drew the bed curtains and undressed herself.

Then, with great caution, she tried to seduce him but failed after some time, leaving her somewhat irritated.

Sitting beside him, she huffed in anger and said, "Your Majesty hasn't touched me in a long while. Do you even miss your concubine?"

The man who was nearly asleep from drunkenness opened his eyes slightly at these words and uttered in surprise, "Empress Sister?"

Huh?

Princess Shu turned back to the Emperor in frustration. "What Empress Sister? Your Majesty, it's your concubine."

The Emperor shook his head, but his mind remained muddled, and his vision blurry.

"Empress Sister is happy today, so she decided to stay and accompany me, right?"

Princess Shu: "…"

"Empress Sister…sob sob~"

The Emperor unexpectedly threw himself into her arms, crying as he held onto her waist.

Princess Shu didn’t know what to do.

"Why did you have to marry Xie Heng? What’s so good about him? Has he been better to you than I am?"

Hearing this, Princess Shu was so shocked that she couldn’t speak, her entire body trembling.

What was he saying? What was the Emperor saying?

Was it just her imagination? Was she drunk too?

No, to keep sober and seize this opportunity to share his bed, she hadn’t drunk any alcohol tonight.

"He…if I don’t marry him, then who else can I marry?" Princess Shu swallowed hard, one hand stroking the Emperor’s head as she tentatively asked, "Can I marry you instead? You’ve already been adopted by my father, making you my own flesh and blood brother."

"No, no more of this. I don’t want to be the Emperor anymore. Empress Sister, please don’t marry Xie Heng, alright?"

Princess Shu was stunned with fright. He would rather not be the Emperor than let the Eldest Princess go?

So…his indulgence of the Eldest Princess wasn’t just an act, nor was it simply gratitude for her help in securing his position. Instead, he had such lewd thoughts about her?

But…even if he hadn’t been adopted by the late Emperor, they were still cousins. How could they possibly be together?

This was incest.

Terrified, Princess Shu dared not speak another word, sitting stiffly until she heard his even breathing.

...

Just two days after the Zhongyuan Festival, Zheng Jinxiu gave birth to a son after half an hour of labor.

She didn’t suffer much and delivered very smoothly.

After giving birth, Zheng Jinxiu was still very spirited and felt completely at ease. After all, the burden was finally gone, and she felt much lighter than before the delivery.

Madam Zhou wept with joy, saying, "Young Lady, you didn’t suffer at all, and Little Master came out without causing his mother any trouble. He must be here to repay your kindness."

Zheng Jinxiu was overjoyed. "Quick, bring him over for me to see."

She sat up directly and walked towards the midwife, who was bathing and dressing the child nearby.

The midwife grinned, revealing her large yellow teeth. "Young Lady, don’t rush. Please lie down quickly. Once I’m done wrapping Little Master, I’ll bring him to you."

Madam Zhou advised, "Young Lady, you should get back into bed. You’ve just given birth, after all."