Chapter 39: Update

Chapter 39: Childbirth

In the early hours of October 30th, the 17th year of the Kangxi era.

Fang Yu suddenly woke from her sleep and reached down—her water had broken. She immediately called for help.

"What's wrong, my lady?" Hong Ye, who was on night duty, came over to ask and lit the lamp.

"My water broke. Quickly, call the imperial physician and the midwives."

Hong Ye was even more flustered than her and hurried off to summon people. Soon, the entire Yonghe Palace was lit up, brightly illuminated.

The delivery room had been prepared two months in advance, and the midwives were already staying at Yonghe Palace. Since Fang Yu had just broken her water, it was estimated that it would still be several hours before she actually gave birth.

Consort Duan came in and told her not to worry. She had already sent someone to inform the Emperor, and the imperial physician was on the way. Hot water and ginseng soup had also been prepared.

"Don’t worry, I’ll handle things out here. I won’t let anything happen to you. Just focus on safely delivering the little prince."

At this moment, Consort Duan’s comforting words helped calm Fang Yu’s heart a little.

"We won’t follow you into the delivery room to avoid soiling it. Don’t be afraid. Although it’s your first time, the midwives are experienced. Just listen to them."

Fang Yu nodded to Consort Duan, then was helped into the prepared delivery room. Aside from the four midwives, only Pan Liu followed her inside.

A short while later, the imperial physician on night duty also arrived and waited in the back, just in case.

Fang Yu heard from the midwives that she was only two fingers dilated and would likely not give birth until after daybreak. She experienced intermittent labor pains, and the midwives, fearing she might bite her tongue, had her hold a cloth in her mouth.

After what felt like a long time, Fang Yu heard noise outside. Pan Liu went to the door to get news and reported that the Emperor had arrived.

The Emperor’s arrival did little to ease her pain. Fang Yu followed the midwives’ instructions to position herself, trying her best to ignore the people outside.

She had no idea how long she had been in the delivery room—she had already drunk two bowls of ginseng soup.

The sky began to lighten.

The Empress and others arrived after hearing the news at daybreak, joining the Emperor in waiting at the backyard of Yonghe Palace. They all stood under the corridor, close to the delivery room.

Niuhulu Yu Wan noticed the Emperor’s tense expression and could tell he was very worried about Wuya Shi inside. She had heard that the Emperor had arrived much earlier, over two hours before them.

Since she was to raise Wuya Shi’s child, she naturally did not want anything to happen to Wuya Shi and silently prayed that Wuya Shi would give birth to a prince.

Perhaps Wuya Shi was about to give birth, as basins of hot water were carried in, soon followed by basins of bloodied water being carried out.

Those waiting outside did not hear any screams from Wuya Shi and had no idea how she was doing.

"She gave birth, she gave birth! Your Majesty, Your Highness, Noble Lady De has given birth to a little prince!" One of the midwives came out to report, excited.

Just as Niuhulu Yu Wan was about to speak, the Emperor first asked how Noble Lady De was doing. She couldn’t help but glance at the Emperor. Whether a man cares about you can be seen during childbirth by whom he asks about first—the child or the mother.

When Consort Zhang gave birth to the little princess, the Emperor hadn’t even gone to see her. When Consort Rong gave birth, the Emperor did go but didn’t stay the entire time.

While Niuhulu Yu Wan was still pondering the Emperor’s unusual behavior, another midwife came out carrying the little prince wrapped in red satin. Without thinking, she stepped forward to see the child.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! The little prince is very healthy and has a loud cry."

Hearing the midwife’s words, Niuhulu Yu Wan instinctively reached out to touch the child’s face. Unlike the child she had given birth to prematurely, who was thin and small, this child looked strong and robust. A full-term baby was indeed healthier than a premature one. The little prince’s eyes were tightly shut, and his face was wrinkled, but his cry was as loud as the midwife had said. She directly took the child from the midwife’s arms to soothe him.

Consort Duan, who had also reached out, could only withdraw her hand and asked, "What about Noble Lady De? How is Noble Lady De?"

"Reporting, Your Highness, the noble lady is well. The delivery went smoothly, and she is fine, just a bit tired. They are cleaning her up now."

Only then did Consort Duan feel relieved. Perhaps because the Empress had been holding the child for too long, she reminded her, "Your Majesty, the child has just been born and should not be exposed to the wind. It would be better to hand the child over to the wet nurse."

Niuhulu Yu Wan reluctantly handed the child over to the wet nurse, who had been waiting nearby, and had the wet nurse take the child back to the room. She turned to the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, you still have audiences to attend. Leave matters here to me. I will take good care of Sister and the little prince."

The Emperor ignored her words and instead asked when Noble Lady De would come out. The midwife said it would be soon.

Niuhulu Yu Wan’s eyes darkened, but she said nothing more.

A short while later, Noble Lady De was carried out on a thick quilt, moved from the delivery room back to her own room.

They followed inside. Noble Lady De looked tired, her face slightly pale, but otherwise fine. She had been cleaned up, and her hair was tied back simply. She no longer looked as disheveled and strained as during childbirth, instead appearing delicate and vulnerable, like a beauty worn out by exhaustion.

Niuhulu Yu Wan knew she had to show concern at a time like this. She stepped forward and said kindly, "Sister Wuya, you’ve worked hard. The child has been taken by the wet nurses to care for. He is a blessed child, with features resembling both you and the Emperor. Rest well, Sister. You’ve truly worked hard."

"It was no trouble. It is my duty to bear children for the Emperor."

"Rest well," the Emperor said. "We will take our leave now."

Wuya Shi nodded, and the Emperor led the others out. Outside, the Emperor rewarded everyone in Yonghe Palace with ten taels of silver each, instructing them to take good care of Wuya Shi. Afterward, they all returned to their respective palaces.

Niuhulu Yu Wan returned to Kunning Palace and sat down on the heated kang in the warm chamber.

Nanny Gui handed a hand warmer to her mistress to warm her hands and remarked, "It really is a little prince. Noble Lady De is truly fortunate to have a prince as her first child."

"A prince is good, a prince is good."

Although the Emperor had not explicitly said she would raise Wuya Shi’s child, she felt she had a better chance than Noble Consort Tong. Noble Consort Tong and Wuya Shi were openly at odds, and the two had even come to blows last time. She was clearly more suitable to raise Wuya Shi’s child than Noble Consort Tong.

"Nanny, add some ginseng, codonopsis root, and lingzhi mushrooms to the rewards that were previously sent back by Noble Lady De. Send them to Noble Lady De tomorrow."

"Understood, my lady."

Niuhulu Yu Wan thought of something else and added, "Also, prepare children’s clothes, a longevity lock, jade for the child to wear, silver bracelets and anklets. I will bring them all to Noble Lady De."

Nanny Gui nodded in agreement.

The next day, around 9:15 AM.

Niuhulu Yu Wan led her attendants to Yonghe Palace. Wuya Shi happened to be awake. She had all the rewards she brought placed in Wuya Shi’s room and specially took out the items for the child to show Wuya Shi.

"This jade has been blessed by a master, and this longevity lock—I had characters carved on it. Sister, take a look."

Fang Yu took a quick look. Knowing that the Emperor had already decided to let the Empress raise the child, she couldn’t afford to antagonize the Empress. She put on a smile and pretended to be grateful. "You're too kind, Your Majesty. I will have the wet nurse bring the child over to try these on. Pan Liu, ask the wet nurse to bring the child."

The wet nurse brought the child over, and Fang Yu personally placed the longevity lock around the child’s neck, praising, "It's beautiful."

"The child is sleeping so soundly."

Fang Yu replied, "Yes, the wet nurse said he slept soundly last night too. Children are like that—they need lots of sleep. Your Majesty may hold him again if you wish."

Niuhulu Yu Wan had held him once yesterday and had been reluctant to give him back. Seeing that Wuya Shi was offering to let her hold the child again, she felt more certain that she would be raising the child. She carefully took the child from the wet nurse, cradled him in her arms, and gazed at him lovingly. This would be her child from here on out.

Fang Yu was still sore from childbirth and spoke to the Empress from her bed. She was too tired to entertain the Empress and only wished for her to leave so she could rest.

Perhaps because of the bond between mother and child, the child began crying shortly after the Empress held him, likely because he was hungry. The wet nurse took him away to feed him.

The Empress had nothing more to say and stood up to take her leave.

"Forgive me, sister, for not being able to get up to see you out. Please take care on your way."

"No need to see me off. Rest well and take good care during your confinement. I'll take my leave now."

Once the Empress left, Fang Yu instructed Xiao Fangzi to store all the rewards given by the Empress in the storeroom exactly as they were, without touching them for now.

"Mistress, it's time for your meal. Please have something to eat." Hong Ye brought in the meal and set up a small table on the bed.

Since she didn't need to breastfeed, the food was fairly light and not overly nourishing. She drank a bowl of pigeon soup and ate two bowls of rice porridge with meat before feeling full. She then asked the wet nurse to bring the child to her.

In a few months, the child might be sent to the Empress's side, so she didn't have many days left to be this close to him.

The child, full from feeding, began to doze off again, his little head drooping. Fang Yu kissed the child's small hand.

The Emperor came in. Fang Yu only glanced up at him before continuing to kiss the child's hand.

"It's only the first day. Don't hold the child too much; be careful of your wound."

"It's fine. I'm only holding him for a little while. Your Majesty, would you like to hold him?"

Kangxi was experienced, having held the Crown Prince before, so his movements were skilled and natural without any awkwardness.

"Your Majesty, you're better at holding the child than I am."

"You’ll get the hang of it with practice."

"I'm just afraid I won't have the chance."

Both fell silent for a moment. Fang Yu quickly changed the subject, asking the Emperor when he planned to name the child.

"I had it decided a month ago. Following the 'Yin' generation, he will be called Yin Qi. What do you think?"

Fang Yu was taken aback. She had expected to hear the name Yin Zhen. What is this Yin Qi? Which 'Qi' was it—the 'qi' for banner, the 'qi' for chess piece, or the 'qi' for prayer? Was it possible she hadn’t given birth to the Fourth Prince, Yin Zhen? Where did this one come from? Was there another child between the Third Prince, Yin Zhi, and the Fourth Prince, Yin Zhen?

"It's the 'Qi' for hope, the character with the '示' radical," Kangxi explained, noticing Wuya Shi's puzzled expression.

Fang Yu couldn't outright say the name was unsuitable, especially since the Emperor had thought of it a month ago and must have considered it carefully. She smiled and said, "The character 'Qi' is good. Yin Qi—the name sounds nice. Has Your Majesty calculated the birthdate characters together? Does the character 'Qi' match the child's astrological chart?"

"I'll have the Imperial Astrologers check it in a few days."

"Alright, I'll trust Your Majesty's judgment. Your Majesty, he has fallen asleep. You can hand him to the wet nurse."

The Emperor stayed with her for a while before leaving. Fang Yu was also tired and fell asleep again. When she woke up, she wanted to wash her hair because her scalp was itchy, but Pan Liu and the others refused, saying she couldn't wash her hair during confinement as it could easily give her a cold. She had no choice but to endure it.

During her confinement, the Empress visited her from time to time. Other ladies she was familiar with also came to keep her company. The Empress Dowager also visited once, bringing gifts from the Grand Empress Dowager.

The midwife occasionally massaged her abdomen to help with postpartum bleeding and also helped her milk come in.

By the twentieth day, Fang Yu had mostly recovered and was able to get out of bed and walk. The incision downstairs had also healed.

She truly couldn't stand going twenty days without washing her hair. Since the confinement period was forty days, she insisted Pan Liu and the others fetch water for her to wash her hair. After washing it, she felt much refreshed.

"Look, I've brought all the little clothes our June wore and brought them over for you."

Constant Attendant Zhang spread the baby clothes on the bed and told her that it was better for children to wear used clothes, as clothes from many families were thought to bring good luck.

"Thank you, sister. I will instruct the wet nurse to dress the child in these clothes. According to the wet nurse, the child wakes up several times at night. Do you have any methods to help the child sleep through the night?"

Constant Attendant Zhang's Little Princess was already three years old. Since she was a princess, the child should have been raised in the quarters for imperial daughters, but Constant Attendant Zhang was frail and often ill. She doted on the child and had been raising her by her side all along. The Emperor turned a blind eye to this and did not reprimand her.

"The baby probably has gas. Have the wet nurse gently rub his belly more to help him pass gas, and don't feed him too much at once. It's better to feed him smaller amounts more frequently."

Fang Yu made a mental note.

"What are you all talking about?"

Ying Shan entered as well. By late November, the capital was already freezing. She first went to the charcoal brazier in the room to warm herself up and didn't approach the bed until she had warmed up a bit.

"How are you feeling? Better?"

"Much better."

Ying Shan reminded her, "You must take good care of yourself during the confinement month. If you don’t, it’s easy to develop health problems later. Keep away from drafts completely. Just bear with it a little longer—it’ll be over in another ten days or so."

"I know. Pan Liu has shut the doors and windows tight, not a single draft gets in."

Pan Liu mentioned from the side that she had washed her hair a few days earlier.

Ying Shan patted her hand. "You too—couldn’t you have held out a little longer? Washing your hair can easily lead to a chill. It’s so cold out, how could you wash your hair?"

Fang Yu gave an embarrassed smile.

"Has the Emperor chosen a name for the little prince yet?"

Fang Yu shook her head, saying it hadn’t been decided yet.

"And the baby?"

"He’s sleeping."

Ying Shan stood up and said she wanted to go see the baby.

Constant Attendant Zhang laughed. "Is Sister Nara here to see you or to see the baby?"

Fang Yu chuckled and teased that she was here to see the baby and to check on her as well.

Xiao Fangzi came in from outside and said he had seen the Emperor heading toward Yonghe Palace.

Constant Attendant Zhang immediately stood up. "The Emperor is coming. I should not disturb you further, sister."

Fang Yu did not insist she stay. After Constant Attendant Zhang left, she asked Pan Liu to bring Ying Shan over from the baby’s room next door. By the time the Emperor arrived, Ying Shan happened to be in the room.

They bowed to the Emperor.

"You may rise. What were you all doing just now?"

Fang Yu replied that they were just chatting together.

"About what?"

"About the baby’s nighttime wake-ups. Your Majesty, look, these are the clothes Constant Attendant Zhang brought. They were all worn by the Little Princess."

The Emperor glanced at the pile of clothes on the bed. "These are for a princess. How can a boy wear girls' clothing?"

Fang Yu thought to herself that baby clothes couldn’t really be distinguished by gender—babies could wear anything. But she had heard that the Crown Prince wore new clothes every day, so she replied evasively, "It’s good that the baby has clothes to wear. This is Constant Attendant Zhang’s kind thought, and that’s what matters most. What fits a princess can fit a prince too. Did Your Majesty come to see the baby?"

The Emperor had actually come to see her, but since she said that, he could only murmur in agreement.

"Pan Liu, tell the wet nurse to bring the baby over."

Nala Yingshan felt a twinge of envy seeing Ning Yan speak so naturally with the Emperor. She could never be that relaxed and at ease in front of His Majesty.

"It's almost time for the meal. Yingshan, would you like to join me for dinner?"

Nala Yingshan knew Ning Yan wanted her to stay, giving her more opportunity to spend time with the Emperor. But when she stole a glance at the Emperor, she sensed that he wished to be alone with Ning Yan and did not want an "outsider" lingering. So she declined, saying she wasn’t hungry and needed to return.

"Your Majesty, this servant begs leave to retire."

The Emperor waved his hand, signaling that she could go.

Fang Yu couldn’t help but glance at Yingshan. If she had agreed to stay just then, the Emperor wouldn’t have said anything. She thought to herself, since it didn’t matter who served the Emperor in the bedchamber, why not let it be Yingshan?

As soon as Yingshan left, the Emperor drew closer to her, lifted her chin, and asked, "What, did you want her to stay?"

Fang Yu’s eyes darted around. "It’s mealtime, after all; it’s just adding an extra pair of chopsticks."

The Emperor tightened his grip. "Wuya Ning Yan, don’t try to be clever and bring people before me."

He disliked it when women in the harem played these little games, deliberately pushing others in front of him so he might select consorts for the night. It made him feel manipulated. Choosing who would share his bed was supposed to be a pleasure, something he decided for himself—not something arranged by others.

"Since Your Majesty saw through it, it means I’m not clever enough. Yingshan is my friend—what’s wrong with me helping her? Since you’re going to choose someone anyway, why not Yingshan? What’s wrong with wanting her to serve you?"

Seeing Lady Wuya so defiant, the Emperor laughed in anger. "You help her, but where does that leave me? I don’t like being arranged. Who I choose is not for you to decide."

"Your servant does not understand what Your Majesty means. Does Your Majesty not intend to have anyone serve you? Yingshan has a good temperament, she’s young and pretty—what’s wrong with letting her serve? Do you have any idea how difficult life is for an unfavored Answering Attendant in the palace? If it weren’t for her friendship with me, her days in the harem would be very hard."

The Emperor wondered if he had been too indulgent with Lady Wuya, allowing her to speak to him like this—with such conviction, without a hint of remorse. Pushing him toward someone else—what did she take him for, an object?

Seeing the Emperor’s stormy expression, Fang Yu quickly softened her tone. "Forget it. If Your Majesty doesn’t wish to choose her, then don’t. Your servant was wrong. Your servant should not have acted on her own. Your servant never meant to force Your Majesty to listen. Your servant only felt sorry for Yingshan and wanted to help her. If it angered Your Majesty, please pretend your servant never said anything. Your servant won’t do it again. Can Your Majesty please not be angry?"

"I am angry. Why can you so easily push me toward someone else?"

Fang Yu wondered what he meant by "pushing him toward someone else." During her recovery after childbirth, he hadn’t exactly been abstaining—so why blame her now? As if she could tell him not to choose anyone else, to let her monopolize his favor—would he even listen?

He’d still have others serve him, Fang Yu thought to herself.

"Your Majesty, your servant did not push you toward anyone. Your servant simply cannot serve you right now."

The Emperor was so angry his head throbbed. He felt there was no getting through to her. Just then, the nanny brought the child in. He didn’t even look at the baby, turning instead to leave.

Fang Yu knew he was angry—angry at her. She couldn’t let him leave like this, letting misunderstandings take root. They needed to talk things out, not leave any resentment. She caught his sleeve to stop him, signaling the nanny and others to leave first.

"Your Majesty, what are you angry about?"

"I’m not angry."

Fang Yu poked his cheek with her finger. And you call this not angry?

His face was almost dark with anger. She carefully considered what he had said earlier—that he disliked being arranged. She wondered if, when it came to selecting consorts, the Emperor also faced constraints. For example, he might not wish to choose certain individuals, but the harem was closely tied to the court. Many women here were sent by their families, and the favor they received symbolized the Emperor’s regard for those families. To balance relationships between various clans, he had to keep things balanced—he couldn’t always act on his own desires.

Even as Emperor, there were times he was not entirely free; not everything was under his control or to his liking. As a ruler, he wanted to command everything.

By suggesting Yingshan and bringing her before him, did it seem to him like she was pressuring him?

"Your Majesty, I did not force you to choose Yingshan."

"But by doing this, weren’t you hoping I would choose her?"

"Yet I did not force you."

The Emperor looked at her. What she had done was almost equivalent to forcing him. It was like when the Empress recommended her own people to serve him—the Empress relied on her status, and he had to show her some respect. And Lady Wuya relied on his affection for her. If he didn’t want to disappoint her, he would have to choose Answering Attendant Nala.

"You didn’t force me, but unconsciously, you were hinting that I should do this, that I ought to do this."

There was a sliver of truth in that. Fang Yu had no choice but to apologize. "I was wrong. I was indeed being too clever for my own good, and I messed things up. Your Majesty, please don’t be angry with me. Everyone makes mistakes—just treat this as one of mine. I know my errors and correct them. I promise it won’t happen again. Your Majesty can choose whomever you wish. I won’t say another word. Please forgive me this once. But Your Majesty came unexpectedly today. Yingshan just happened to be visiting me and was in my room. You can’t blame everything on me."

The Emperor rapped her forehead, using a bit of force.

"It hurts…"

"It hurts so you remember the lesson. If you dare do this again, I won’t let you off as easily as today. I will send you to the Cold Palace."

"Where is the Cold Palace?"

Furious, the Emperor pinched her ear. Was she actually asking to go to the Cold Palace?

"Your Majesty, aren’t you angry anymore? Shall we have the meal served? I’m hungry."

"Is eating all you ever think about?"

Fang Yu rose on her toes and kissed him.

The Emperor’s anger had already subsided. He gently pinched her cheek and said in a low voice, "The name I mentioned to you last time—I think it doesn’t sound good. The name 'Qi' implies begging. I’ve chosen a new name: Yin Zhen. 'Zhen' means to receive blessings due to genuineness. Our child was blessed by the gods from the moment he was born—there’s no need for begging."

Fang Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he was called Yin Zhen.