Ling Mohan offered no further objections. He was helpless and could only follow Feng Jin's method. It was a desperate measure.
"Stop with the nonsense. If you have nothing else, leave quickly. Don't disturb the child by staying here. This little one needs to rest well."
Feng Jin pushed and shoved Ling Mohan, eager to send him away. Keeping him here might lead to more eccentric behavior, which she couldn't handle.
The man's expression instantly soured. Did she find him that much of an eyesore that she wanted him gone? If it were for Da Bao and Er Bao, he wouldn't say anything, but to do this for a child who wasn't even related to them, he felt a deep sense of unease.
"Hurry and go," Feng Jin couldn't hold back any longer, pushing Ling Mohan towards the exit. They bickered and pushed each other all the way to the door. Just as they were about to successfully escort him out, Lu Shi appeared at an inopportune moment.
Lu Shi arrived in a rush and, upon seeing their actions, quickly averted his gaze. "I saw nothing!"
Feng Jin's lips twitched. She couldn't hide her embarrassment. The misunderstanding was too deep, and though she had words, it was difficult to explain.
"It's not what you think. Why are you here at this time!"
"Young General, Madam, it's Liu Menghan... she's in difficult labor, the child won't come out. If this continues, both mother and child will die."
"If it's difficult labor, send for the imperial physician. What use is it for you to come to me!" Ling Mohan's tone was laced with anger. He couldn't fathom what Lu Shi was thinking, rushing to him instead of the imperial physician. He couldn't deliver babies.
"The imperial physician has already been sent, but the child still won't come out. Madam, can you...?"
"No!"
Ling Mohan directly refused on Feng Jin's behalf, then cast his gaze upon her. "You've been busy for so long. You must rest well now. Don't run around."
He absolutely would not allow Feng Jin to undertake such a task. Liu Menghan's life or death was of no concern to him.
"Young General, if Liu Menghan dies here, it will be difficult to explain..."
After all, the child Liu Menghan carried was of royal blood, the Emperor's grandchild. If they refused to help, even if the Emperor said nothing on the surface, he might harbor resentment.
"I'll go take a look. Liu Menghan is secondary. The child in her womb is also of royal blood. If something happens under your care, and the Emperor becomes angry and blames you, you won't be able to clear your name even if you jumped into the Yellow River."
Feng Jin spoke to calm Ling Mohan. She knew he was concerned about her health and didn't want her to go, but she also cared for him and didn't want him to be caught in such a mess, unable to watch others tarnish his reputation.
"But..."
"Don't worry, I know my body. I'll be careful and won't let you worry."
Feng Jin placed her hand on his and patted it, reassuring him. "You stay here and guard the person inside. Make sure nothing happens to him. I'll be back soon."
"Lu Shi, let's go."
"Yes, Madam."
The two arrived at the prison and were met with the pungent smell of blood. Liu Menghan's screams filled the entire prison, sounding incredibly tragic.
As Feng Jin walked forward, she saw the imperial physician and the midwife in a panic, the entire room in chaos.
"Did you send for the imperial physician and midwife?"
"Replying to Madam, the imperial physician and midwife were sent by the Emperor. His Majesty's order is to save the child at all costs."
Lu Shi whispered into Feng Jin's ear. The Emperor had sent for the imperial physician and midwife long ago. They had been trying for three to four hours, and the child still wouldn't come out.
He was worried that Liu Menghan would suffer a double death, and out of desperation, he had come to fetch Madam.
"Have someone guard the entrance of the prison. Make sure no one enters."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
One must guard against others. She was also worried that someone with ill intentions might sneak in and harm Liu Menghan. If anything happened, they would not be able to escape responsibility.
"Imperial Physician, what is the situation?"
"Madam is here, so there is hope. Madam, the Third Prince's Consort has agitated her fetal qi, causing a malpresentation. She is bleeding profusely and has no strength to deliver the child. It's likely difficult."
Feng Jin stepped forward and lifted Liu Menghan's skirt. Indeed, it was difficult to deliver. Her pulse was extremely weak. It was too late.
"Madam, you must find a way to save the child in her womb. His Majesty has ordered that the child must be saved first."
The imperial physician whispered into Feng Jin's ear. The situation was critical. Since a complete rescue was impossible, saving the child was the priority.
If something happened to the child, their own heads would not be safe.
"It is already impossible for the mother to give birth naturally. If we want the child to be born safely, there is only one method."
"If Madam has a way, please state it quickly. We cannot delay any longer."
The imperial physician was already at his wits' end, not knowing what to do. Hearing that Feng Jin had a solution, he felt as if he had grasped a lifesaver and urged her to speak.
"Caesarean section!"
"This... Caesarean section..." The imperial physician heard Feng Jin's words and was stunned. He had never even heard of such a method; it was too unbelievable.
"May I ask Madam, how is a Caesarean section performed?"
"It's very simple. Cut open the mother's abdomen, remove the child, and then stitch it up. Given the current situation, this is the only way. Whether to proceed or not, it is up to the imperial physician to decide."
After all, Emperor Xuanwen had dispatched them to do this, not her. She had stated the method; the final decision on whether to proceed rested with these imperial physicians.
"This... are there any risks involved?"
"Certainly, there are. If not handled properly, it could lead to the death of both mother and child. However, if done, there is about a fifty percent chance of success."
The most significant factor was the backward medical environment, and this place was so unsanitary. She truly did not have absolute confidence. Furthermore, after such a prolonged labor without delivery, the child in the womb must have already suffered oxygen deprivation. Even if born alive, it would likely be intellectually disabled.
It was a pity that Liu Menghan, who had schemed her entire life, would meet such an end. It could only be said that she brought it upon herself.
"Then, perform a Caesarean section!" After hesitating for a long time, the imperial physician finally agreed to Feng Jin's method of performing a Caesarean section.