Everyone knew what this meant, and Tiao Hong immediately withdrew.
Then Qiu Qing stepped forward and helped Song Chaoyu back onto the bed. "Princess, you must not think of anything now, you cannot think of anything. We will handle matters here. You just need to lie down and wait for the midwives and wet nurses to arrive."
When the pain began to strike, Song Chaoyu was already surrounded by women.
Everyone was well-prepared, so there was no apparent chaos in her abdomen.
Aunt Liu also stayed by Song Chaoyu's side, holding her hand and saying softly, "Ayu, don't be afraid. Mother is here, and Mother will not let anything happen to you. Women always have to go through childbirth. You have taken good care of yourself, so I believe there will be no problems today. Ayu, be obedient and follow the instructions of the midwives, and you will surely be fine!"
In fact, driven by the pain, these words sounded like a vague "buzzing" in Song Chaoyu's ears.
She tried her best to do as Aunt Liu said, and then gripped Aunt Liu's hand tightly.
However, the people they invited from Chang Wangfu were all experienced old wet nurses from the palace.
The leader was "Wet Nurse Zhong," who had previously served the Empress Dowager and the Empress.
She calmly stepped forward and smiled at Song Chaoyu. "Princess, you need not worry. Your pregnancy has always been good, and you have been well-cared for in Chang Wangfu. You will surely have a smooth delivery today. Princess, just listen to us, and exert your strength when it is time to exert your strength!"
Then, Wet Nurse Zhong directed everyone to undress Song Chaoyu and adjust her position.
Her demeanor brought Song Chaoyu a little peace of mind.
At this moment, it was still relatively quiet outside, suggesting that the intruders had not yet reached the backyard.
When the pain struck again, Song Chaoyu could no longer think about anything else.
And at this very moment—
Everything in the palace was peaceful and tranquil.
The Emperor had summoned the Crown Prince and Chang Wang to the palace for the matter of the snow disaster, and there was a reason for it.
The Emperor felt that there seemed to be an unknown force in the court controlling many matters.
For instance, regarding this snow disaster, although the situation was indeed severe, it had not reached the extent described by the court officials.
Someone had deliberately leaked the news, and in the south, people had incited the masses to cause trouble, which led to the discussions in court about "Chang Wang's ill omen."
Moreover, during this period, it was not yet time for the wedding of Prince Wen and Princess Ti Le, and the envoys from the Southern Kingdom were present, yet they appeared to be too "calm."
All of this seemed unusual, making the Emperor vigilant and believe that even those around him might be untrustworthy.
Therefore, he had summoned the Crown Prince and Mu Changxi to the palace in secret to discuss these matters in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
It was a rare opportunity for the father and his two sons, so they naturally had to seize it firmly.
The Emperor held the hands of the Crown Prince and Mu Changxi, feeling very pleased.
Time passed, and perhaps even the Emperor and the Crown Prince did not know how long.
Only Mu Changxi felt a constant unease.
The Emperor naturally noticed this and pulled Mu Changxi's arm. "Chang'er, I know you are worried about your Princess. I just want to tell you that as men, we should not always be entangled in romantic affections. It is good that your Princess and you are harmonious and deeply in love, but you must also prioritize state affairs. Chang Wangfu has enough staff, and you cannot constantly be thinking of her. Do you understand my intentions?"
Mu Changxi might not have agreed, but since the Emperor had said so, what else could he say?
Even the Crown Prince repeatedly gave Mu Changxi glances, so Mu Changxi could not just leave.
Who would have thought that they would end up staying for an entire day!
It was not until the next day that the Crown Prince and the Emperor were still enthusiastically discussing matters.
The palace doors were then urgently knocked upon by a young eunuch. "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince, something has happened!"
"Bang!"
The Emperor's mood was at its peak when it was suddenly interrupted, and he was naturally displeased.
He threw the vermilion brush in his hand towards the door and angrily said, "Wasn't it ordered that no one should disturb us?"
The young eunuch outside seemed to quickly kneel and then said, "It's... Chang Wangfu seems to have had an accident! A signal flare was fired, and I fear it is a grave matter!"
"What?!"
Mu Changxi almost instinctively stood up from his wheelchair!
Fortunately, the Crown Prince was quick-witted and grabbed Mu Changxi's shoulder, asking, "Are you sure the signal flare was fired from Chang Wangfu?"
The young eunuch's voice, which had been fearful, now turned firm. "It was fired from Chang Wangfu. Many people saw it clearly. An orange signal flare, it seems Chang Wangfu is in trouble."
The Crown Prince then strode forward and opened the palace doors.
Mu Changxi also saw that the sky outside was already beginning to lighten.
He pushed his wheelchair towards the outside. "What's the situation?"
Xiao Ruizi, who had entered the palace with Mu Changxi, also helped to push Mu Changxi's wheelchair and then whispered, "Your servant just saw it. I don't know what happened, but I heard that some people who had fled from the Southern Kingdom seemed to have entered the capital, and I don't know if they entered Chang Wangfu."
"Nonsense!"
Even with the Emperor behind him, Mu Changxi could no longer hold back and slammed his hand onto the armrest of his wheelchair. "The Princess is still in the mansion, pregnant and about to give birth! If there were no extraordinary danger, the Princess would never have someone fire that orange signal flare. The mansion must have had an accident. This is outrageous! How could you have allowed those intruders to enter the capital?!"
Xiao Ruizi lowered his head, not daring to speak.
He knew that if the Princess and the child met with misfortune, let alone him, all the servants in the vast Chang Wangfu would likely be flayed alive!
But soon, Mu Changxi, on his way out of the palace, calmed down. "This matter is not right. It must have been deliberately orchestrated by someone. Smile the most, go and investigate for me! Find out who wants to harm Ayu, who wants to harm this King's child!"
At the same time, the carriage leaving the palace accelerated again.
Mu Changxi lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw that the streets of the capital seemed no different from usual.
The morning citizens, just waking from their sleep, were beginning their day's work. Even in such heavy snow, everyone had to keep moving for their livelihood.
And the direction of Chang Wangfu was eerily quiet.
On the snow-covered streets, there were no signs of any intruders.
Until Mu Changxi's carriage arrived at the entrance of Chang Wangfu—
Xiao Ruizi got out of the carriage first and then stood in front, whispering, "Your Highness, something is wrong! Look, why are there no guards or servants at the entrance of the mansion? And the main gate of the mansion seems to be bolted from the inside. Should we enter from here, or go to the back door?"
"Smash it open for me!"
Mu Changxi almost gritted his teeth and roared, "If there is anyone inside who is not from Chang Wangfu, go up and kill them! Only leave two alive, Liu Li, for questioning!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ruizi's body couldn't help but tremble.
He had seen his master angry before, but this was the first time he had seen him like this!
He couldn't help but feel that those who entered the mansion today would likely have to prepare to "die."
And they would probably die a terrible death!