The person inside waved their hand, and the gauze curtain outside was opened by a maid. Gu Qianying knelt by the bedside, and the woman’s wrist was revealed.
She kept her head down, only catching a hurried glimpse of the person on the bed when she moved. It was a pity that the person on the bed wore a veil, so she couldn’t see her face clearly.
“Mind your own eyes. If you dare to look around carelessly, beware of losing your head.”
Grand Tutor Su’s words came from above her head. Gu Qianying understood that if she didn’t comply, this woman would truly kill her.
After a brief pulse-taking, she retreated outside. When Grand Tutor Su emerged, Gu Qianying stepped forward to report.
“Grand Tutor, the noble person inside is nearing her due date. For safety, I hope you can quickly prepare what is needed for childbirth.”
Although she wasn’t a midwife, she had seen childbirth before and knew some of the preparations needed for labor.
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Grand Tutor Su’s eyes, but then a trace of sorrow appeared on her face.
Gu Qianying, who was observant, naturally saw that Su Qingqing was struggling with something.
If the person inside was truly the Empress, it wouldn’t be impossible to give birth without anyone knowing. Why then did Grand Tutor Su look so troubled?
Gu Qianying’s heart filled with doubt, so she quickly continued.
“Although she is nearing labor, when I took her pulse just now, I sensed that the noble person’s fetal position seems to be abnormal. If she wants to deliver smoothly, a thorough check is still necessary to ensure safety.”
Su Qingqing didn’t understand what she meant by fetal position.
“Just give birth when the time comes. What is this fetal position?”
Her eyes immediately lit up with suspicion, fearing that Gu Qianying was stalling for time.
“Women in labor often experience difficult births, which are caused by abnormal fetal positions. The noble person inside is delicate and frail, and due to her esteemed status, if the baby’s position is not carefully examined, there is a risk of both mother and child perishing during childbirth.”
Although her intention was indeed to delay, out of a sense of responsibility, she also needed to properly examine the fetal position.
Su Qingqing narrowed her eyes.
“This is utter nonsense. I have never heard of any physician or midwife checking this before delivery. Are you trying to find someone to help you escape?”
Her tone grew colder, a clear threat to Gu Qianying not to harbor any further wicked thoughts.
“My lady, my medicinal boy and attendants are all in your hands. If I were to have any ulterior motives, would I disregard their lives? Moreover, in this vast imperial palace, even if I escaped this courtyard, where could I hide without being discovered?”
What she said was indeed true.
She had observed this Gu Qianying during this time. While there wasn’t much intimate contact with her attendant, that child must hold an extraordinary place in her heart.
With this, Su Qingqing finally relaxed her guard.
“Wait here.”
She flicked her sleeves and walked into the inner room.
It seemed she was going to explain the situation to the person inside.
This further solidified Gu Qianying’s certainty that the person inside was indeed the Empress.
In a short while, Su Qingqing emerged.
“Since you are concerned for the safety of mother and child, then go in and take a look.”
Having received permission, Gu Qianying re-entered the room.
The woman was perhaps a little nervous. While Gu Qianying was examining her, she remained silent but her body trembled slightly.
“Noble person, there is no need to be nervous. I am doing this so that you can deliver smoothly. Just relax and breathe.”
Comforted by her words, the person on the bed indeed calmed down, and the subsequent examination proceeded smoothly.
However, as Gu Qianying concluded her examination, her expression was not optimistic.
Seeing her demeanor, Grand Tutor Su urged her to explain the situation quickly.
“Reporting to the Grand Tutor, during the examination, I discovered that the fetus in the noble person’s womb is not in the correct position. If forced to deliver naturally, there is a high possibility of a catastrophic outcome, potentially leading to the loss of both mother and child.”
She truly spoke these words with a sense of responsibility.
Upon hearing this, both the Grand Tutor and the woman on the bed were startled.
They remained silent for a long time, and Gu Qianying dared not look up.
“What you say must be accountable for.”
Su Qingqing’s voice finally broke the silence. Gu Qianying quickly nodded.
“It is absolutely true. I implore the noble person not to risk her life, but to be cautious.”
Her words once again led to silence. Afterward, Aunt Wang was summoned.
“Since that is the case, you must stay in the place I have arranged until the delivery. If we need you and cannot find you, then the people in my hands will not keep their lives.”
Gu Qianying was threatened again, but she truly had no intention of leaving.
Aunt Wang led her back to her original room, but this time she was not even allowed to step outside the courtyard.
Gu Qianying watched as the sky began to darken. Recalling the actions and expressions of Grand Tutor Su and the other woman today, she felt something was amiss.
Time flew by, and as night deepened, after eating dinner, Gu Qianying pretended to sleep early. The guards outside, seeing that the lights inside had been out for a long time, gradually relaxed their vigilance.
Taking this opportunity, Gu Qianying knocked out the guards at the door and climbed onto the roof beams.
She was determined to see if the mysterious woman was indeed the Empress that Su Yuxi suspected.
The moon tonight seemed to be aiding Gu Qianying. It was very dark outside, and she successfully found the woman’s room and pried open the roof tiles.
Without moonlight filtering in, she remained well-hidden.
“If, as Gu Qianying said, my labor will be dangerous, then what should we do?”
The woman’s voice drifted up from below. Gu Qianying discovered that Grand Tutor Su was also in the room.
The two of them were actually discussing the matter she had raised today.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m still here, and nothing will happen. Be good.”
Su Qingqing’s voice followed, but her actions below stunned Gu Qianying.
The two of them were sitting side by side, but when the child was mentioned, they actually embraced each other.
“I will protect you and absolutely ensure that you are not in any danger.” After Grand Tutor Su finished speaking, her head moved towards the woman’s face.
It was at this moment that Gu Qianying finally saw the woman clearly. She was indeed the Empress.
But the actions of these two in the room at this moment greatly shocked her.
The Empress and the Grand Tutor, the child and the Grand Tutor.
The relationship between these three made Gu Qianying’s mind a muddle.
She left the place and returned to her own room, secretly using a stone to unblock the acupoints of the guards at the door, and then restoring everything to its original state.
Gu Qianying sat in her room, recalling everything she had seen tonight. She suddenly had another guess about Grand Tutor Su’s identity.
As she was pondering, her head aching, footsteps were heard from outside the door.
“Miss Gu, are you asleep?” This voice belonged to Aunt Wang.