freenovelworld Chapter 205 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 18
Chapter 205 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 18
The Emperor stood outside the delivery room, his brow furrowed, his gaze frequently drifting towards the closed door.
His feelings were very complicated. He was worried about Consort Jin's safety, but he also worried that if he missed the morning court session because of a concubine, the officials in the court would definitely make a big deal out of it. In particular, those ministers who already had a lot of complaints about the concubines in the harem would probably point the finger at Consort Jin, just like they had impeached Zhen Huan back then.
He didn't want Consort Jin to be involved in the court's intrigues, nor did he want her to become a target of public criticism because of his favor. Just as he was hesitating, the door to the delivery room shook slightly, and Fanglan came out carrying a swaddled baby, her face full of joy.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty the Empress! Consort Jin has given birth to a little prince. Mother and child are safe and sound!" Fanglan's voice was loud and clear, her excitement barely concealed.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor immediately stepped forward and gently lifted a corner of the swaddling clothes. He saw that the little prince's face was rosy and flushed, completely unlike the wrinkled appearance commonly seen in newborns. He felt a surge of joy, as if even the sky had brightened, and sunlight shone through the clouds, seemingly celebrating the arrival of this new life.
"Good! Good! Fanglan, take good care of the young prince and make sure he is safe and sound." The Emperor laughed heartily, his tone full of relief and joy.
However, Empress Yixiu, standing to the side, had a gloomy face and could barely control her expression. She never expected that Consort Jin would give birth to a little prince! The imperial physician had clearly diagnosed it as a little princess, how could it suddenly become a little prince? She was burning with anger and wanted nothing more than to rush up and throw the swaddled child to the ground.
"Empress, Consort Jin has given birth to a little prince. Aren't you happy?" The Emperor noticed Yixiu's expression and his tone was cold.
Yixiu quickly composed herself, forced a smile, and said in a low voice, "I just saw the Sixth Prince and was reminded of the First Prince Honghui. I couldn't help but feel a little sad."
The Emperor frowned and said in a cold tone, "Today is a joyous day, Empress, there is no need to mention these sad things."
Yixiu felt a pang of pain in her heart. The Emperor had mentioned Honghui so casually, as if her son had never existed. She suppressed her anger, lowered her head, and remained silent.
Just then, another commotion arose in the delivery room. Jingfu led out a midwife, while Jing'an knelt before the Emperor, his voice trembling as he said, "Your Majesty, please do justice for our Empress! This midwife was about to harm her, but thankfully we discovered her in time. These are the drugs we found on her; the imperial physicians have examined them—they contain safflower and schisandra, enough to cause postpartum hemorrhage!"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face instantly darkened. He gestured for Su Peisheng to take the medicine, gave the midwife a cold look, and then ordered Su Peisheng, "Investigate this matter thoroughly immediately. I want to see who dares to tamper with things right under my nose!"
Yi Xiu stood to the side, her face showing no sign of panic, as if all of this had nothing to do with her. On the contrary, An Lingrong's eyes flickered, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to meet anyone's gaze.
After instructing Fanglan to take good care of Consort Jin and the young prince, the Emperor hurriedly left Chuxiu Palace. The morning court session was approaching, and he couldn't delay any longer.
Yixiu gave a few perfunctory instructions and then left. Seeing this, the other concubines also took their leave. Consort Duan was the last to leave, and she sighed softly, saying in a low voice, "Consort Jin is really lucky. Not only did she give birth to a little prince safely, but she also won the Emperor's favor."
Feng Ruozhao stayed behind, exchanged a few words with Jingfu, and said that she would come to visit again after Consort Jin woke up.
A few days later, the midwife committed suicide in the Imperial Prison. Su Peisheng followed the clues and found Xia Ju in the main hall, who was then removed from the palace. However, the mastermind behind it all remained undetermined.
Upon hearing the news, Wen Yuan merely sneered and said to Fang Lan, "It seems the Empress Dowager has made her move again. She's really going to great lengths to protect the honor of the Ulanara clan."
Fanglan gently comforted her, "Your Majesty need not be sad. His Majesty had no choice but to handle it this way."
Since Wen Yuan gave birth to the young prince, Fang Lan has completely sided with her. Now, Fang Lan is the head maid of Chuxiu Palace, responsible for managing all the affairs of the palace. Jing Fu and Jing An are learning from Fang Lan.
Meanwhile, Zhen Huan continued her peaceful yet lonely life in Suiyu Pavilion. The Emperor never visited Suiyu Pavilion again; it was like an isolated island.
That day, Wen Shichu came to examine Zhen Huan's pulse as usual. The Suiyu Pavilion had been closed for a long time, and news from the outside world was almost impossible to get in. Although Jinxi had some connections, she dared not use them lightly.
After taking her pulse, Wen Shichu said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, two days ago, Consort Jin gave birth to a baby prince prematurely."
Upon hearing this, Huanbi couldn't help but say indignantly, "What's so great about a little prince? Our Empress will also give birth to a little prince!"
Zhen Huan glanced coldly at Huan Bi and scolded, "Huan Bi, watch your words! How dare you discuss the affairs of the young prince?"
She turned to look at Wen Shichu and asked calmly, "Isn't Consort Jin only eight months pregnant? How could she have given birth prematurely?"
Wen Shichu replied in a low voice, "It is said that Consort Liu was jealous of Consort Jin and instructed a palace maid in Chuxiu Palace to apply medicine to the doors and windows. With the help of the fragrance of orchids and the medicine in the candles, she caused Consort Jin to have a premature birth. The Emperor has already issued an edict to execute Consort Liu."
Zhen Huan sneered and said indifferently, "Consort Liu? She's nothing but a scapegoat."
She knew in her heart that the Empress was behind all of this. How could the Empress tolerate a concubine from the Manchu Banners giving birth to a prince? She just hadn't expected that Consort Jin would actually escape this calamity.
A month later, the Sixth Prince's full-moon celebration was held in the palace. The Emperor personally bestowed the name "Hongxi" upon the young prince and hosted a grand banquet to celebrate.
Wen Yuan had no objection to this. The Emperor bestowing the name at the full moon banquet clearly showed his high regard for the Sixth Prince. However, this action only made Yi Xiu more embarrassed.
The Empress Dowager had repeatedly advised Yixiu to adopt the Sixth Prince, since he was of Manchu bannerman blood and was still young, and would naturally grow up to be close to his adoptive mother.
However, Yixiu firmly disagreed. How could she tolerate a son born out of wedlock threatening Honghui's position? The Empress Dowager was very dissatisfied with this and even refused to see Yixiu.
The turmoil in the previous dynasty had not subsided. The Emperor ordered Zhen Yuandao to write a poem rebuking Qian Mingshi, but Zhen Yuandao made various excuses to refuse, even putting on a righteous and awe-inspiring posture. The Emperor already harbored suspicions about Zhen Yuandao, and seeing his ungrateful behavior, he ordered him to be imprisoned and strictly forbade him from telling Zhen Huan about the matter, so as not to affect her pregnancy.