Chapter 121:

Actually, in Shen Layue’s case, there had indeed been no news about Prince Liu’s pursuit of Yue Feng. The main concern came from Yue’s maternal uncle, who worried about Shen Layue’s health and feared that excessive anxiety might be harmful to her.

Such matters, if properly controlled, wouldn’t change in the short term anyway, so it was more important to focus on childbirth.

As it was already the ninth lunar month, the delivery was expected to happen soon.

Everyone was extremely cautious every day.

Because of this, Shen Layue had become quite nervous herself. After experiencing two false labors, she decided to relax her mood. Fortunately, spring had already arrived, although the weather remained cold, the long branches of trees had started to show tender buds and small leaves.

Jin Xin and Madam Zhou carefully supported Shen Layue.

After walking for a while, Shen Layue felt that she had been too tense lately, which was not good.

Still inexperienced with childbirth, Shen Layue asked Madam Zhou, “Madam, how long does giving birth usually take?”

Hearing this childish question,

“Well, it varies from person to person. Some women give birth smoothly within two or three hours, while others might take two or three days.”

Upon hearing Madam Zhou’s explanation, Shen Layue winced.

Two or three days? She couldn’t even imagine it.

Sensing her apprehension, Madam Zhou added carefully, “Childbirth certainly requires great effort, but there will be prolonged labor pains beforehand. My Lady, you mustn’t waste your strength too early. Just endure the pain until it’s truly time to push. Then, you can exert all your strength to ensure a smooth delivery.”

Shen Layue nodded quickly, indicating her understanding.

Everyone knew that childbirth was a dangerous ordeal for women. It wasn’t just first-time mothers who faced risks; even experienced women sometimes lost their lives during labor. However, Madam Zhou would never say anything discouraging at this moment.

After all, the young mistress was already very young. Such words might scare her further, which would be even worse.

After walking for a while, Shen Layue felt some discomfort in her stomach, but she didn’t say anything.

Since everyone said twins usually arrived before full term, she had started preparing from her eighth month. However, these two little ones didn’t seem in a hurry at all and had actually reached the ninth month.

Seeing that the previous episodes had been false alarms, Shen Layue gently patted her belly and continued her walk.

It was probably just her imagination.

Suddenly, she felt a slight pain again.

Although she thought it might still be another false alarm, she no longer felt like continuing her walk.

“Madam, I feel a bit uncomfortable. Let’s go back.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou quickly asked, “My Lady, where do you feel discomfort? Is your stomach hurting? How exactly does it hurt?”

Even if it was another false alarm, they needed to contact the necessary people immediately in case of real labor pains.

Shen Layue furrowed her brows and thought for a moment, “Just occasional twinges of pain.”

Madam Zhou nodded, and judging from what she had heard, it didn’t seem like the real labor yet.

Still, to be safe, she instructed Jin Xin, “Quickly, go and have everything prepared. We would rather be overly cautious than let my lady face even the slightest danger.”

Jin Xin immediately agreed and hurried off to inform the others.

Just as Jin Xin left, Shen Layue felt the frequency of the twinges increasing.

With a pained expression, she murmured, “I want the Emperor…”

Hearing this, Madam Zhou quickly tried to soothe her, “My Lady, be patient. The Emperor will come soon. Just endure it for a while.”

“You won’t go get him, so how will he know to come?”

Enduring the pain, Shen Layue clutched Madam Zhou’s clothes.

Actually, Shen Layue had her own thoughts. She deeply understood how dangerous childbirth could be within the palace. She had placed all her hopes on the Emperor. He had to be there because his presence would ensure her safety.

However, she didn’t express these thoughts outwardly, simply repeating like a child, “I want the Emperor… I want the Emperor…”

At this moment, several senior palace maids from Qing’an Palace had already arrived.

Cui Wen, without worrying about anything else, said, “I’m strong, let me help move my lady to the bed.”

Madam Zhou hesitated for a moment and nodded.

Cui Wen had always been involved in physical labor and indeed had more strength. While assisting Shen Layue, she secretly checked her pulse.

Feeling the instability in Shen Layue’s pulse, she realized that labor was likely imminent.

“Madam Zhou, my lady might be about to give birth,” she whispered. While others might not notice, both Shen Layue and Jin Xin immediately understood—labor had begun.

Shen Layue whimpered softly, “I want the Emperor… I want the Emperor…”

Meanwhile, at Xuanning Hall, Emperor Jing was reviewing memorials when Lai Xi hurried in.

“Your Majesty, is there something urgent?”

“Someone came from Qing’an Palace. They say Concubine Chun is in labor and keeps calling for… for you.”

Previously, when Virtuous Consort gave birth, she had also shouted for the Emperor continuously. Emperor Jing had only briefly checked in before leaving. He wondered whether Concubine Chun would be the same.

Emperor Jing set down his brush, “Quickly, prepare the carriage.”

When Emperor Jing arrived at Qing’an Palace, everything had already been prepared. All the midwives had been arranged by Emperor Jing beforehand, so there shouldn’t have been any issues. However, Madam Zhou still had Jin Xin double-check everything. Jin Xin was indeed cautious, inspecting each midwife alongside Cui Wen.

At a time like this, there was no need to hide Cui Wen’s identity anymore. Childbirth was a matter of life and death. If anything happened to their mistress, whether or not she remained hidden wouldn’t matter. Besides, there was no major issue with trusting Cui Wen.

Seeing them meticulously checking everything, Emperor Jing strode into the room.

Shen Layue’s voice was soft, like a small animal whimpering, “I want the Emperor… I want the Emperor…”

Seeing Emperor Jing arrive, Madam Zhou sighed in relief and immediately stepped aside.

Upon seeing the Emperor, Shen Layue pouted slightly and said, “If… if something happens to me, please protect our child.”

That was her first sentence, and Emperor Jing scolded her, “Nonsense! Nothing will happen to you.”

Her voice was barely audible, “I mean… just in case.”

She gripped his robe, “If something happens, please protect our child. Don’t treat him like you did Yu’er, okay?”

Emperor Jing thought for a moment. He realized that Shen Layue must have some trauma regarding this.

His own mother had died during childbirth, and his beloved Empress Fu Jin Xiu had also died giving birth.

She was so young; naturally, she felt anxious about such matters.

He held her small hand in his larger one, soothing her, “You will be fine. You will be safe. Don’t you still have many wishes to fulfill? Don’t forget, don’t forget! If you don’t give birth properly, I won’t love them, not even a little.”

Tears brimmed in Shen Layue’s eyes, “Promise me…”

“No! Take care of the baby yourself.” After saying this, Emperor Jing hardened his heart, released her hand, and stepped outside.

At this moment, he absolutely couldn’t promise her. Only with this concern would she become stronger.

Once outside, Emperor Jing noticed that all the midwives had been dressed in identical clothing.

Guo Er, noticing the Emperor’s gaze, explained, “This was a rule set by Madam Zhou beforehand. It prevents any tampering with the clothing.”

Better safe than sorry; this was always the right approach.

Once everything was ready, the midwives entered the room one by one. Naturally, Emperor Jing couldn’t stay inside during the delivery, but he noticed that the room was eerily quiet, without any sound.

This made him uneasy.

After all, childbirth was rarely silent.

Soon enough, Apricot ran out excitedly.

“Your Majesty, my lady says you should return to your quarters and rest. She will do her best to give birth. It’s still cold outside. Don’t catch a chill.”

“Go back and attend to your mistress. You don’t need to concern yourself with matters outside. Do you think I can freeze to death?”

Emperor Jing didn’t give her a pleasant look, and Apricot quickly scurried back inside.

While Emperor Jing was outside, a group of concubines soon arrived.

Seeing that they were all dressed up, Emperor Jing couldn’t tell whether they had come to visit or to flirt with him, which displeased him.

Lai Xi noticed the chill in the air and persuaded the Emperor to move to the hall.

Because of the childbirth, Shen Layue had already been moved to a side chamber.

At this point, Shen Layue’s labor pains had intensified, but she firmly remembered what Madam Zhou had told her—she shouldn’t start pushing yet. She needed to endure the pain and conserve her strength.

Even though the pain was unbearable, Shen Layue merely gripped the edge of the quilt tightly, enduring it with all her might.

The hall wasn’t far from the side chamber, so if Shen Layue cried out, those in the hall would certainly hear.

At this moment, some people were very puzzled.

With the Emperor present, wouldn’t it be a great opportunity to show more pain and gain more of his care afterward? It was such a missed opportunity.

Seeing her pale face, continuously sweating and panting, Jin Xin lovingly wiped her brow with a towel.

Eventually, Shen Layue lost track of how long she had endured the pain.

Then she heard Madam Zhou shout loudly, “Alright, my lady, no need to hold back anymore. Now, use all your strength to push.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Layue felt as if she could finally see the chubby baby.

“My lady, push hard…”

At this point, Shen Layue didn’t scream. She bit down on a handkerchief and pushed with all her might.

She wouldn’t scream, she wouldn’t cry out—this would save energy. She needed to focus on giving birth…

“Quickly, push harder, push harder. The baby’s head is already visible. Push…”

“My lady, the little princess is coming out. Push harder. You can’t rest now. My lady, you did so well with the first princess. Push…”

Inside the room, there was a strong smell of blood, but Shen Layue no longer noticed. It felt as if something had finally come out.

Then she heard Madam Zhou’s voice, “Wonderful, wonderful! It’s a little princess…”

“Waaah…” The baby cried out as if it had been slapped.

Madam Zhou pressed down and realized there was still one more baby inside. She shouted, “My lady, keep pushing. There’s still another baby. You can’t rest now. Push hard. You did so well with the first princess. Push…”

Shen Layue was half-conscious but still clearly heard Madam Zhou’s voice.

At this moment, she was exceptionally strong-willed. Her teeth were clenched until they turned white. Her entire body was soaked in sweat, yet she continued to push with all her might.

“Quickly, the head is already visible. Push…”

Feeling her body suddenly lighten, Shen Layue sensed something leave her body.

“Heavens! No, no! My lady was pregnant with triplets. There’s still another baby…”

Shen Layue was already half-conscious, but she still followed the trustworthy voice in her ear, continuing to push. Yes, Madam Zhou told her to push, so she must push. Only then would her baby be safe. Yes, push…

“My lady, the little prince is out. The little prince is out. Look, you have one little princess and two little princes. You’ve given birth to triplets!”

Hearing Madam Zhou’s joyful voice, Shen Layue knew she had finally completed her task. Slowly, she drifted into sleep.