Feng Ruoyan weakly propped herself up, glancing at the baby in the swaddling clothes. Although premature, the child was remarkably robust, appearing as if born full-term.
"Yes, the young master is indeed very healthy, just like a full-term baby. It's clear how well the concubine has nurtured the child."
Looking at the child, Feng Ruoyan's heart soared with joy. With this child, her future wealth and status were secured.
"Has His Highness... not come yet?"
"Miss, His Highness was summoned to the palace and has not yet returned."
"When His Highness returns, you must have him come see the child, you must..."
Before Feng Ruoyan could finish speaking, her raised hand fell heavily, and she fainted completely. No matter how her maids called out, she remained unconscious.
"Imperial physician... Imperial physician, please come quickly! My lady has fainted and is bleeding a lot... Imperial physician..."
The imperial physician waiting outside the door heard the commotion and rushed into the room, immediately examining Feng Ruoyan.
"Quickly, go boil the blood-stopping medicine, quickly..."
The joy of childbirth had barely subsided before the entire courtyard became chaotic once more.
...
'Bang!'
A jade hairpin fell from the woman's fair and slender hand onto the floor, shattering into pieces. It lay there forlornly, a touch of desolation about it.
"What did you say? Feng Ruoyan gave birth, and it's a boy!"
"Your Highness, this servant just heard from a maid in that courtyard. The concubine's maternal grandmother passed away this morning, causing her to miscarry. She barely survived to give birth, and now the concubine is unconscious. The imperial physicians are trying to save her, and His Highness has also gone there."
"It's over... it's over..." Liu Menghan murmured, collapsing onto a chair, her eyes filled with worry. Her hands, resting on the chair, trembled slightly.
"How could she have given birth at this time? It truly is a case of man proposes, heaven disposes!"
Liu Menghan came back to her senses, tightly gripping the wet nurse's hand. "Wet nurse, what should I do now? Wet nurse, you must help me!"
"Your Highness, please don't worry, don't worry. Even if she gave birth first, you are carrying the legitimate heir. His Highness is also in that courtyard now. Hurry and tidy yourself up to go over. You must appear very concerned about the matter. Only then can you win His Highness's heart."
Liu Menghan calmed herself, thought carefully, and finally nodded in agreement. After steadying her emotions, she looked at herself in the bronze mirror, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips. She took a pure silver hairpin from her jewelry box and casually tucked it into her bun.
As the lady of the princely mansion, it was only natural for her, as the legitimate mother, to visit when a concubine gave birth.
"Go fetch the white jade collar from my dowry chest as a congratulatory gift for the child. We shall go see the baby."
"That's more like it, Your Highness. As the mistress of the household, you should have such magnanimity."
The wet nurse smiled with relief, seeing Liu Menghan's gradual improvement. Finally, her teachings this time were not in vain.
By the time Liu Menghan arrived, the courtyard was crowded with people. Maids carried basins of bloody water, pouring them out one after another. The courtyard was filled with the strong smell of blood. Restraining the nausea churning in her stomach due to the crowd, she walked further in.
Approaching the Third Prince, she curtsied slightly, "Your Highness."
"You've come." Chu Yanxi glanced coldly at Liu Menghan and said only that, then paid her no further attention.
His entire heart was now focused on Feng Ruoyan inside. After so long, he didn't know how she was doing.
"Your Highness, since Sister has safely given birth, she is bound to be resilient and overcome this difficulty. Your Highness need not worry so much."
Liu Menghan, in her attempt to please Chu Yanxi, had humbled herself to the extreme. Yet, even so, she had never received a pleasant look from Chu Yanxi.
Chu Yanxi cast a cold glance at Liu Menghan and snorted, "Stop harboring ill intentions towards Yan'er, and she will naturally be resilient. Don't think I can't see your true intentions."
"Your Highness, this consort is wronged. I can swear to the heavens that I have never harbored the slightest ill will towards my sister. Since I became pregnant, I have followed the Empress's instructions to recuperate in my chambers, never venturing out. Where would I have had the opportunity to harm my sister? I beg Your Highness to investigate."
Liu Menghan's perfect explanation couldn't help but make Chu Yanxi waver. Liu Menghan had indeed been staying in her courtyard these days, rarely even leaving her room. She truly had no opportunity to frame Feng Ruoyan.
Perhaps he had wrongly accused Liu Menghan? Chu Yanxi lowered his gaze, suppressing his emotions. He glanced at Liu Menghan, who was still kneeling on the ground, and his tone softened considerably, "You may rise."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
A perceptive maid beside them helped Liu Menghan to her feet. Liu Menghan stood respectfully beside Chu Yanxi, appearing somewhat frail and delicate.
"Bring a chair here for the princely consort to sit."
After all, the child in Liu Menghan's womb was also his flesh and blood. Forcing her to stand while pregnant would be seen as him mistreating Liu Menghan.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
This was the first time Chu Yanxi had shown such a gentle attitude towards her, even considering letting her sit.
Liu Menghan's joy was evident. Did this mean His Highness was starting to care for her? If so, her future days would surely be better.
"Look, the princely consort seems dazed with happiness. Your Highness, you are still pregnant, so you shouldn't stand. Please sit down quickly."
The wet nurse quickly helped Liu Menghan to sit. After all, she was an elder who had served in the palace for many years, and her ability to read people's expressions was formidable. With a few subtle words, she smoothed over the awkwardness between them.
Chu Yanxi no longer paid attention to Liu Menghan, his heart completely consumed by his concern for Feng Ruoyan.
"Your Highness..."
"There's no need for so many formalities. How is Yan'er now? Is she in any grave danger?"
Chu Yanxi's every word was about Feng Ruoyan. If not for the servants blocking him, he would have already rushed into the room.
"Your Highness, the concubine was already weakened by the premature birth, and her previous miscarriage had severely damaged her foundation. This pregnancy was difficult to begin with. Now, with the hemorrhage, I fear it is... a sign of the oil running dry. Your Highness must prepare for the worst."
The imperial physician reported the situation inside with a trembling voice and then respectfully stepped aside, no longer speaking.
"Yan'er... Yan'er..."
Chu Yanxi swayed, steadied himself, and was about to walk into the room when he was stopped by several wet nurses.
"Your Highness, the delivery room is filled with blood. You still have descendants to father, you absolutely cannot enter!"
"Your Highness, you must not enter! If you were to bring misfortune, it would be too late. Your Highness, please reconsider!"