Chapter 215

Chapter 215

The midwife also said, "The baby's head has barely come out. If it's stuck too long... its life could be in danger!"

Wan Linlang's legs gave way, and she nearly crumpled to the floor.

She hurriedly said, "Go fetch the Prince and Princess..."

The delivery room erupted into chaos.

Someone had already come to report to Prince Jing and the Princess: "Shiqie Lian has lost consciousness, and the baby's head hasn't come out yet. The midwife says if the baby stays like this too long, its life may be in danger. Shiqie Wan sent me to seek the Prince and Princess's orders."

Prince Jing said with displeasure, "Seek my orders? I know nothing about childbirth. What could I possibly say?"

"Just tell the physicians to treat her as needed and use whatever medicine is required!"

The new physician who had come along to report said in a trembling voice, "With Lady Lian's condition, we can only save one—the mother or the child."

"We can use acupuncture to bring the baby out first, then try to save Shiqie Lian. But forced induction will inevitably harm both the baby and the mother, and the young master may not be born intact..."

"There's another method that could save the young master's life, but Lady Lian... probably won't make it."

At a time like this, even the Princess didn't dare speak.

It was up to Prince Jing alone to make the call.

Prince Jing asked, "After the acupuncture-induced delivery, will it also harm the mother?"

"Yes, Your Highness. But it's the lesser of two evils—compared to the latter, at least her life can be saved..."

Prince Jing thought for just a moment, then said without a hint of hesitation, "Save the child!"

Upon receiving the Prince's order, the physicians sprang into action.

Xie Run had gathered a lot of information during her own childbirth, and she knew that the so-called "saving the child" actually meant cutting the baby out of the womb.

Under the medical conditions of ancient times, the baby would be delivered, but the mother had almost no chance of surviving.

Shiqie Lian had been free of illness and complications throughout her pregnancy.

During this delivery, there had been no talk of the baby being breech or coming out foot-first... yet the labor was so difficult.

Xie Run couldn't help suspecting that Wan Linlang had done something.

But thinking of how she had devoted herself to caring for Shiqie Lian over these past eight or nine months, and then thinking of what had happened to Shiqie Lian—

Outside, snow was falling heavily, and Xie Run broke out in a cold sweat all down her back.

As for the lilies that had already been found... Xie Run was certain that no evidence would lead back to Wan Linlang.

At the crack of dawn, a loud wail suddenly shattered the quiet of the courtyard.

The Princess and Xie Run stirred from their quiet waiting. "Has she given birth?"

A matron immediately came bearing good news: "Born! Born! It's a young master!"

"Five catties, seven taels!"

Prince Jing's expression was flat, showing little joy.

He only said in a low voice, "Reward them!"

"This servant thanks the Prince for his generosity!"

"This servant thanks the Prince for his generosity."

One after another, voices of thanks rang out across the courtyard.

The Princess said, "Judging by that cry, the child sounds quite sturdy?"

The matron replied, "Though the Sixth Young Master was born early, he's in good shape. The physician says he's sure to thrive!"

These words finally brought a bit of cheer to the room.

"How is Shiqie Lian doing?"

The matron's face clouded over. "Lady Lian... she probably won't make it."

The joy in the room was shattered, replaced by an eerie silence.

After a long pause, Prince Jing finally said, "Bury her with the honors of a Shu Fei."

The Princess asked, "And what about Shiqie Wan?"

Prince Jing had vaguely heard rumors that Wan Linlang was scheming to get Shiqie Lian's child.

But as long as the matter hadn't been brought to his attention or confirmed, Prince Jing wouldn't give it any thought.

Besides, you judge a person by their actions, not their intentions.

In safeguarding Shiqie Lian's pregnancy, Wan Linlang had rendered great service.

As long as she hadn't made a mistake, Prince Jing had to acknowledge that merit.

"Let her stay at Cloud Emerald Pavilion to keep an eye on things for now..." Prince Jing paused. "And Princess, make sure to keep two capable people there as well."

This remark made it clear that he didn't fully trust Wan Linlang.

Prince Jing also had Eunuch Shi'an assign two of his personal eunuchs to stay and keep watch.

"Nothing in this courtyard is to be touched. If even one thing goes missing, you'll lose the heads on your shoulders."

The two young eunuchs hastily agreed.

Quite a few guards were also stationed outside the courtyard.

The Princess was also methodically assigning the maids and matrons their duties.

After a brief pause, she said to Prince Jing and Xie Run, "It's already late. Why don't the Prince and Concubine Xie go get some rest?"

Prince Jing said courteously, "The Princess shouldn't tire herself out too much either. If anything comes up, just let the servants handle it."

The Princess replied, "This concubine thanks the Prince for his thoughtfulness."

Prince Jing turned to Xie Run and said, "Taotao has already been brought to the front courtyard. Spring Mountain Court isn't fit to stay in tonight, so come with me to the front courtyard to get some rest."

Xie Run lowered her head. "This concubine will do as the Prince wishes."

As soon as they stepped outside, maids and servants immediately raised umbrellas over them.

Xie Run clutched a warm hand warmer, and just as she walked out of the room with Prince Jing, she heard low sobbing coming from the side chamber.

The young maid standing at the door was also crying, sobbing continuously.

A faint smell of blood wafted over.

Xie Run stood still, gazing at the room where the candlelight flickered, stunned for a long while.

Prince Jing took her hand. "Let's go."

"If you care about sisterly bonds, come see her early tomorrow."

His words sounded cold and even absurd.

Cold, because his tone showed no emotion whatsoever for the woman who had just died giving birth to his child.

Absurd, because Xie Run barely knew Concubine Lian—how could there be any sisterly bond between them?

A bond from serving the same man?

Coming tomorrow would likely be to offer condolences.

They had only taken a few steps when suddenly, wailing erupted from the whole room at once.

Someone rushed out, weeping, "Lady Lian is gone!"

Another voice cried out, "May Lady Lian go in peace!"

The other maids and older servants standing in the corridor or by the courtyard gate all wore sorrowful expressions.

A young maid dashed out and knelt about a meter from Prince Jing.

"Your servant Yuyan begs an audience with the Prince!"

Eunuch Shi'an blocked her path, angrily, "Rushing out like this in the dead of night—are you not afraid of disturbing the masters?!"

Prince Jing said, "What is the matter?"

"Your servant is Lady Lian's personal maidservant, Yuyan!" Yuyan sobbed softly. "My mistress left a final message for the Prince. I beg the Prince to grant me a chance to speak."

Prince Jing said flatly, "Speak."

Yuyan wiped at her tears, her face stinging from the cold.

"Before she passed, my mistress clutched my hand and told me to beg the Prince to place the young master under Lady Wan's care."

"She said it was only through Lady Wan's careful watch that she was able to carry the child to term and give birth. She trusted only Lady Wan, no one else..."

These words were somewhat presumptuous.

Concubine Lian was but a mere concubine, with no right to decide who would raise the Prince's son.

Yet, since she had died giving birth to the Sixth Young Master, Prince Jing could hardly rebuke her for her final request.

Of course, Prince Jing did not readily agree either: "I have heard your mistress's words. But the heirs of this household are precious—not just anyone can raise them."

"Take good care of your young master for now. We'll discuss other matters later."

Yuyan kowtowed. "This servant thanks the Prince on behalf of my mistress and the young master."

Xie Run raised a hand. "Rise—go back and look after your young master. Be careful not to kneel too long and hurt your legs."

In the dead of winter, kneeling right in the snow—this girl was hard on herself.

If she wasn't careful, she could end up with lasting damage to her legs.