Emperor Jing had been anxiously waiting all along. From the twelfth lunar month when labor began until the successful delivery, he had lost track of how long it had been. Yet throughout this long period, he hadn’t heard his beloved Layue crying out in agony.
He still clearly remembered how Consort De had screamed hysterically during her childbirth.
Lixi had been standing by the door watching anxiously. With the sounds from the delivery room muffled, naturally nothing could be heard outside.
Regardless of what these consorts might be thinking, the emperor anxiously hoped that Consort Chun could give birth smoothly.
In the distance, he saw Xing’er, a maid from Consort Chun’s quarters, walking out with a baby in her arms, and Lixi hurriedly reported the good news: “Your Majesty, it’s done! The lady has successfully given birth!”
Then he noticed behind her two nannies following closely, each carrying a small swaddled infant.
Lixi was so excited he could barely speak coherently: “Th-th-this lady has given birth to triplets!”
Emperor Jing had already stood up upon hearing the initial news, but upon learning they were triplets, he froze on the spot in shock.
He stood there in utter disbelief.
While he was stunned, Xing’er had already entered the room with the two nannies, each carrying one of the newborns.
As they all spoke auspicious words, the emperor learned that among the three newborns, one was a little princess and two were princes. Though full-term, being triplets, all three babies were quite small.
“So tiny.”
The emperor sighed, looking at the three little ones.
The consorts nearby were considerate enough and immediately spoke words of blessing upon seeing the situation.
“How is your mistress’s condition?”
Xing’er replied: “The lady exerted too much effort and fainted, but upon careful examination, there is no serious problem. She’s just very tired.”
The emperor examined the three infants. All three were asleep with their eyes closed, looking soft and delicate.
“Which one is the little princess?” Naturally, it was impossible to distinguish the gender of the newborns at first glance.
Xing’er quickly approached with the baby she was holding. The emperor reached out to take the baby, but Xing’er hesitated.
She trembled slightly: “Your Majesty… the little princess is still too small and frail. You…”
She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence: “Do you even know how to hold a baby?”
Lixi noticed her dilemma and came to her aid.
“Your Majesty, the little princess is still very young. Moving her around might easily wake her.”
The emperor glared at him, then at Xing’er: “Give her to me.”
This was said decisively and firmly.
With no choice, Xing’er could only hand over the little princess to the emperor, her heart filled with anxiety. After all, how would the emperor know how to hold a baby?
Even more unexpected for the consorts present was that among the three children, the emperor had chosen to hold the little princess himself.
Could it be that the emperor truly longed for a daughter, a little princess?
Indeed, the emperor didn’t know how to hold a baby properly. His posture looked extremely uncomfortable for the infant. The little one puckered her lips slightly but didn’t cry.
He gazed at the baby for quite a while, then shifted his gaze to the other two newborn sons. The three children were about the same size and looked very similar; it was hard to distinguish them.
The sound of hurried footsteps approached.
In the palace, only two young princes would dare to run like that.
Sure enough, it was the two boys, just back from their studies.
Upon hearing that Consort Chun was giving birth, they had rushed over. Naturally, Yanjia was less emotionally affected than Yanyu.
Even though he was young, he understood that childbirth could be life-threatening.
They arrived breathless and were both startled to see the three small bundles, exchanging glances.
“Why have you come here?” The emperor asked, seeing his two sons running in.
Yanjia had later moved to Huici Palace to reside, and with what had happened to Consort De, he was no longer the innocent child he once was. Somehow, he had become more timid. Since Yanyu was about the same age and his brother, he had become dependent on him. Just like now, seeing the emperor’s expressionless face, he instinctively grabbed Yanyu’s robe.
The emperor didn’t miss this subtle interaction between the two.
Yanyu was also somewhat fearful, but he swallowed hard and seemed to gather his courage.
“Greetings, Father. We… we came to see our little sister.” He answered quickly.
The emperor slightly lifted the corner of his mouth: “Come here.”
Eh?
The two boys exchanged glances but ultimately couldn’t resist their father’s invitation.
“Come, this is your little sister.” To their surprise, the emperor actually squatted down. The two boys quickly gathered around.
It was rare for them to see their father acting like this, and they were visibly excited.
Looking at the tiny baby, with her small eyebrows, small nose, and small mouth, everything about her was miniature.
Yanyu reached out his hand wanting to touch her but hesitated, leaving his small hand suspended in mid-air.
The emperor’s smile widened: “Go ahead, touch your sister gently.”
Yanyu nodded quickly and lightly touched his little sister’s cheek. He immediately withdrew his hand.
So soft!
Watching his older brother touch her, Yanjia looked on longingly: “C-can I…?”
The emperor nodded.
Without hesitation!
Yes, so soft, so very soft!
“Our little sister is so adorable.”
“There are also two little brothers. From now on, Yuer and Jia’er will be big brothers.” The emperor’s rare tenderness moved not only the two children but also all the consorts present, who felt the warm affection in the air.
The two boys then looked at the twins.
After observing them and then looking back at the little princess, they commented: “The three of them look so similar.”
Lixi smiled beside them: “They’re triplets, of course.”
Yanyu looked from Lixi to the emperor hesitantly: “When we were just born, were we also this small?”
The emperor handed the baby back to Xing’er, who took her with a heart finally at ease.
He ruffled Yanyu’s hair: “Yes, you were also this small.”
Yanyu seemed to really enjoy his father’s touch, closing his eyes with an expression very much like the emperor’s.
Looking at his two lively sons and then at the three little ones in the swaddling clothes,
The emperor genuinely smiled.
“Lixi, announce my decree. Consort Chun’s virtuous and graceful conduct pleases me greatly. Now that she has given birth to triplets, a rare blessing for the imperial family, she shall be promoted to the rank of Noble Consort, first grade.”
Upon hearing this, all the consorts present were astonished.
They had naturally expected Consort Chun to be promoted, but advancing two ranks directly from Consort to Noble Consort, the highest among the four principal consorts, was an extraordinary honor.
Next to the Empress and Imperial Noble Consort, she would be the highest-ranking among all the consorts.
And both of those positions were currently vacant.
Even Qifei, known for her composure and restraint, couldn’t help changing expression, while Huifei bit her lip, visibly shocked.
It was against protocol to visit a woman who had just given birth, so the emperor did not break the rules. Knowing that Shen Layue was safe and having seen the three children, he nodded: “You may take the children to see the Empress Dowager. Yanyu and Yanjia will go with you.”
Lixi nodded to a trusted eunuch behind him, and a young eunuch led the way.
Looking back at the consorts, the emperor seemed to be in a good mood: “You may all disperse now; there’s no need to stay here. Even if you stay, you won’t be of any help. Lixi, let’s go!”
As Emperor Jing departed, the consorts also left one by one, each lacking in spirit.
Shen Layue had safely given birth to the children, and they were triplets.
The emperor had promoted her to Noble Consort. From now on, there would no longer be Consort Chun; she was now Noble Consort Shen.
Jieyu Jing, Bai Youran, returned to her quarters with her personal maid.
Seeing that no one was around, the young maid spoke softly: “My lady. Now that Noble Consort Shen has safely given birth, should we prepare any gifts?”
She emphasized the word “gifts.”
Bai Youran glared at her: “Of course, gifts must be prepared, but I must personally approve them. You needn’t guess my intentions recklessly.”
The maid replied: “I understand. I overstepped.”
“You’ve been by my side since I entered the palace, yet you remain so impulsive. Some matters must not be rushed; timing and circumstances must be considered. Noble Consort Shen is currently in her prime, and judging from the delivery process, I find it hard to believe it wasn’t orchestrated by the emperor himself. We should remain low-key and avoid provoking her. From the beginning, I’ve never intended to fall out with her.”
Bai Youran spoke as she walked, her voice low, but since the surroundings were open, it was safe.
“I understand.”
Bai Youran smiled faintly: “Would I, without reason, want to harm someone? That Bai Xiaodie deserved her fate; I merely used circumstances to my advantage.
Now things are going quite well. I will quietly and peacefully raise my child.”
Though she hadn’t acted directly, she understood the art of using circumstances to her advantage and deeply knew of Bai Xiaodie’s personality flaws. Indeed, these past few times had yielded good results.
But precisely because of this, she had already drawn the emperor’s suspicions. Although the emperor appeared gentle and affectionate on the surface, Bai Youran wasn’t someone who longed for love, and she had her own analysis of Emperor Jing.
That day when she sprinkled the talcum powder was originally meant to make the emperor pay more attention to her pregnancy. She hadn’t expected Consort De and Consort An to be affected instead.
She knew Consort An had been investigating the incident.
She absolutely refused to accept that conclusion.
Fortunately, Consort De had committed an offense, otherwise how could she have used the trusted maid from Consort De’s quarters to frame Consort An?
Smiling to herself, Bai Youran thought contentedly: No one comes out of nowhere. Even if loyal, everyone has parents and siblings.
Consort De, you were indeed too arrogant!
Thinking back, after this incident, Consort An would no longer focus solely on her. However, the trouble during her delivery must have been caused by either Consort De or Consort An. She just didn’t know which one was responsible yet.
It didn’t matter; none of it did. She would find out the truth. If she ever learned the facts,
She would make that person pay back a thousandfold.
“Continue the investigation, but be extremely cautious.”
“I understand. My lady can rest assured.”
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