The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1549 - 1546: Saving the Child

The midwife, having received the confirmation, gritted her teeth, washed her hands again with hot water, and then began pressing on the Imperial Noble Consort’s stomach.

As soon as her hand went up, the Imperial Noble Consort, who was scarcely able to breathe, let out a sudden scream.

A Little Palace Maid, who had just entered with hot water, was so frightened that the copper basin in her hands clattered to the ground.

Before the senior Palace Maids could speak, the Little Palace Maid had already knelt on the ground, trembling all over.

The Sister guarding the door was about to lose her temper when Wang Yongzhu glanced over: "What are you kneeling for? Quickly wipe the floor with a cloth and then fetch another basin of water!"

She couldn’t say anything else.

Gratefully, the Little Palace Maid kowtowed, picked up the basin and went out for a moment.

Then a few Little Palace Maids came in and briskly wiped the water off the floor.

Meanwhile, Wang Yongzhu was focusing on the Imperial Noble Consort’s condition. The midwife was skilled, and after some pressing.

It indeed had some effect. The Imperial Noble Consort was first invigorated by the pain, then followed the midwife’s guidance, exerting effort for a while; finally, the midwife joyously exclaimed, "I see the head, I see the head..."

This utterance not only reinvigorated the Imperial Noble Consort but also kindled hope among those outside.

Coincidentally, the Emperor’s side sent someone to inquire about news. Having heard this, the person hastened back to report.

At this moment, the Emperor was at the palace banquet. Without the Imperial Noble Consort by his side, he was accompanied by the highest-ranked Noble Consort.

The palace banquet had its customary protocol long established. The Imperial Noble Consort had arranged everything a month in advance; it was merely a matter of following the rules.

The palace stewards were experienced, handling such matters several times a year. If they still bungled it, they probably wouldn’t keep their jobs.

Therefore, everything was orderly, and no mishaps occurred.

After all, it was New Year’s Eve. Although everyone knew that at this moment, in the palace, the Imperial Noble Consort was fighting for her life, even the Emperor, everyone wore smiles on their faces, collectively choosing to forget her at this moment.

The front was ablaze with lights and laughter, a scene of peaceful prosperity, lavish and splendid.

In Changchun Palace, however, everyone was shrouded in gloom, with the Imperial Noble Consort and the child in her womb struggling at the edge of life and death.

Some who had been somewhat friendly with the Imperial Noble Consort or envied her favor could not help but feel chilled upon witnessing this scene.

Despite the Imperial Noble Consort’s high favor, in such a life-or-death moment, His Majesty hadn’t even gone to see her.

For those of us who lack favor, if something unexpected happened, what hope could we possibly have? It left them disheartened.

Among those present were many people, each with their own thoughts.

Midnight was approaching, and once it passed, the New Year would officially begin.

Everyone saw a Little Eunuch by the Emperor’s side quietly approach and whisper something in Chief Steward Su’s ear.

Even the usually impassive Chief Steward Su showed surprise. He asked another question and then stepped before the Emperor to say something.

In the gaze of the crowd, the Emperor appeared stunned for a moment, and those nearby only heard him say: "Really?"

Chief Steward Su nodded, and the Emperor’s face showed a complex expression, one that seemed neither joyful nor saddened.

After a moment, he instructed: "Continue to monitor and report back with any news promptly—"

Chief Steward Su nodded, about to leave, when the Emperor called him back, hesitated for a moment, then seemed to make a decision: "Prepare yourself; after the banquet ends, we’ll proceed to Changchun Palace—"

Chief Steward Su quickly responded and went down to give orders.

The Noble Consort understood, fearing there was a change at Changchun Palace? Could it be that wretched woman, the Imperial Noble Consort, had such good fortune to give birth smoothly?

But looking at the Emperor’s expression, it didn’t seem so?

With doubts in her heart, the Noble Consort became absent-minded.

The Empress Dowager, being old, had retired early to rest.

At this moment, with the two paramount figures above both distracted, those below dared not enjoy themselves, and the festive atmosphere suddenly chilled.

Although the music continued, and the dance went on, the smiles on everyone’s faces became forced.

Finally, approaching midnight, the Emperor instructed to distribute New Year’s money, served dumplings, ate a couple of mouthfuls casually, and outside, fireworks began to light up the sky.

The sky was illuminated by the blazing fireworks.

The Emperor only stood briefly before instructing everyone to disperse. He then hurriedly left.

The concubines, princes, princesses, and princess consorts all rose to respectfully see the Emperor off, only dispersing once he was out of sight.

Only then did they start discussing the Imperial Noble Consort, all guessing her current state. Seeing the Emperor’s urgency, could it be that something had already happened to her?

When the Emperor hurried to the Changchun Palace, the moment he stepped into the courtyard, he saw everyone kneeling on the ground.

The atmosphere was terrifyingly silent.

There was no sound from the delivery room—no screams from women, no cries from a newborn child.

A bad feeling surged in his heart.

Chief Steward Su, standing beside him, was also taken aback. Hadn’t they said earlier that the child’s head had already been seen? What was happening?

He hurriedly pulled aside a Little Eunuch, whispering, "What happened?"

The Little Eunuch, choking on his words, replied, "The message from inside is that Madam, Madam is about to collapse—"

Chief Steward Su’s heart skipped a beat as he hurried to look at the Emperor.

The Emperor’s face was dark and terrifying under the shadow.

Chief Steward Su had a belly full of words but didn’t dare utter a single one at the moment.

After standing for a moment, the Emperor closed his eyes, swishing his sleeve as if preparing for the worst. If it was truly the end, he must see her before she passed, to see if she had any last wishes.

Just as he reached the door and was about to lift the curtain,

a familiar voice emerged from inside. It held a bit of menace mixed with a sob, "Don’t give up! Just try a little harder! Let’s try once more! The child is almost here! You have carried him for ten months; it’s just one last step. Do you not want him to be born into this world? Would you, as his mother, give up on him first?"

"Think about it. He hasn’t had a single drop of your milk, hasn’t called you ’mother,’ you haven’t held him, haven’t kissed him, he hasn’t opened his eyes to see you, hasn’t seen this world, how can you give up?"

...

This voice? Wasn’t it the wife of Song Chongjin? The Emperor, who was about to enter, paused, and those behind him also followed suit, holding their breath.

Wang Yongzhu, although she heard footsteps outside, couldn’t care less at the moment.

The Imperial Noble Consort had struggled throughout the night and day, reaching her limit.

Though the child’s head was visible, her strength had been exhausted. Even the ginseng soup was of no use. She felt an icy chill spreading across her body, strength seemingly flowing away with her blood. Her eyelids felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and she just wanted to sleep, hoping the pain would disappear, hoping all would be well after a good rest.

Wang Yongzhu knew that the Imperial Noble Consort was suffering from excessive blood loss and if she fell asleep like that, she might never wake again.

In modern times, there could have been a blood transfusion, but here, one could only watch helplessly.

But if she allowed the Imperial Noble Consort to leave like this, she could never forgive herself.

She could only use words to provoke the Imperial Noble Consort, urging her to keep fighting.

Even knowing these words could harm if spread, she couldn’t care anymore.

The Imperial Noble Consort, upon hearing this, seemed slightly more awake, letting out a bitter smile: "I wish I could, but I am truly exhausted. If there is a way, could you save the child! As long as there is hope, save the child, don’t worry about me—"

Wang Yongzhu, enraged, slapped the Imperial Noble Consort across the face: "Are you truly confused or just foolish! Even if we saved your unborn child, what good would it do if you died? A prince who caused his own mother’s death, what good could become of him? Do you not understand?"

"It’s already the first day of the New Year. If you die today, it will add another layer of sin! Even if we desperately save the child, can you imagine the life he will lead? He will be seen as an ominous sign, a star that cursed his mother! Without a father’s affection, with a dead mother, anyone in the palace could harm him, and if he’s lucky, he might survive, but if not, he might soon follow you to death."

"Are you willing to see your son go from the son of an Imperial Noble Consort to the least favored prince in the palace? To be bullied and looked down upon by even the lowest palace maids and eunuchs? Those women who are against you, who knows how many ways they will find to torment him! And that’s just on the surface; what if one skilled enough raises your son as her own, calling another woman ’mother,’ showing filial piety to another? Would you be content? Would you be willing?"

"You have taken 99 of 100 steps, it’s just one last step, can’t you push through? If you truly think like this, I must have been blind to recognize you! If you are so resigned, why did you seek my life-saving pill to protect the child? Why drag us all to drown with you?"

"Get up! Open your eyes and look! These people filling the house, those outside in the courtyard, if you close your eyes forever, they will be buried with you! Are you satisfied? They have served you loyally, not asking for riches and grandeur, just hoping for a stable life, and what about you?"

...

Wang Yongzhu’s slap, followed by her harsh scolding, shocked not only the Imperial Noble Consort but also the midwives, palace maids, and Sisters in the room. They looked at Wang Yongzhu as if seeing a deity.

This wife of the heir-apparent really has the courage of a lion!