The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1552 - 1549: Everyone Fears for Themselves
"Your Majesty, are you certain you wish to ask for my opinion?" Wang Yongzhu looked at the Emperor.
The Emperor nodded.
"Regardless of whether there are any issues with these midwives, since it concerns the royal lineage, should Your Majesty not investigate thoroughly? If you let the suspects off easily just because the Imperial Noble Consort and the Little Prince are safe, wouldn’t that be too lenient for them? And let the masterminds behind the scenes remain at large?"
"Moreover, those involved in this birthing were all personally and carefully selected by Your Majesty. Every level of the palace vetted and verified their backgrounds to ensure they are of unquestionable character and loyal to Your Majesty. Yet, there are still those who harbor malicious intent among them. Does Your Majesty not find that terrifying?"
"If these people could act against the Imperial Noble Consort and the Little Prince today, who can guarantee that one day, with enough incentive or threat, they won’t act against others in the palace?"
"If Your Majesty does not investigate thoroughly, isn’t it equivalent to having hidden dangers lurking around you unnoticed?"
Since the Emperor insisted on her speaking, Wang Yongzhu was unreserved.
After her speech, not only did the Emperor’s complexion darken, but even the Chamberlain beside him showed expressions of nervous shock.
Not to mention the few midwives kneeling below.
They were not foolish; Wang Yongzhu’s words nearly explicitly stated the need to investigate the forces behind them, suspecting that the forces might target the Emperor after the Imperial Noble Consort and the Little Prince!
This matter targeted only the Imperial Noble Consort and the Little Prince, which might be attributed to harem strife, affairs among women.
But if it involves the Emperor’s safety, it transcends the harem and concerns the court.
If the Emperor truly wishes to investigate, he could uncover the truth even if he had to dig three feet into the ground.
Among the midwives, two struggled to maintain composure, but fear was evident in their eyes.
The bystanders were astute, easily identifying that these two midwives were likely guilty of foul play.
With a glance, Chief Steward Su signaled, and a nondescript Chamberlain quietly stepped forward from the back of the hall.
With a wave of his hand, seven or eight eunuchs advanced, adeptly covered the mouths of the four midwives and dragged them out of Changchun Palace.
Though there had been great joy in Changchun Palace with the Imperial Noble Consort successfully giving birth to a Prince, that joy was nearly extinguished by this commotion.
Everyone lowered their heads, engulfed in unease.
Just then, Du Zhongjing finished checking the Imperial Noble Consort’s pulse and came out, saluting to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, Her Ladyship is safe, only fainted from exhaustion, nothing serious. With adequate rest, she will recover."
"The Little Prince’s pulse has also been checked by your servant; he is lively and very healthy."
The Emperor finally nodded in relief, "In that case, according to protocol, leave two to oversee the daily wellbeing of the Imperial Noble Consort and the Little Prince. Serve them well, and if anything happens, bring your heads to see me!"
The Imperial Physicians shuddered at the thought of Yongzhu’s earlier words, fearing there might indeed be dark secrets within.
They dared not ponder further, accepting orders respectfully, leaving two behind while the rest bid farewell and left.
This entire ordeal lasted day and night over New Year’s Eve in Changchun Palace, unable to return home for a family reunion and farewell to the outgoing year, no one could endure longer.
All they could think of was resting for a moment before leaving the palace at dawn.
Then the Emperor instructed, "When dawn breaks, convey good news to the Empress Dowager; this joyful news should also be shared with the ancestors during the ancestral rites!"
He said this while heading towards the delivery room; after all, she was his beloved consort who had granted his wish by giving him a royal son, keeping his plans intact.
At this moment, the Emperor was certainly inclined to bestow more favors on the Imperial Noble Consort.
As the Emperor went inside, Wang Yongzhu lowered her head, muttering under her breath—what pretense of affection was he showing now? Where was he earlier? After the child was presented, not once did he inquire about the Imperial Noble Consort’s wellbeing.
Previously thought the Emperor a fool, at this moment, it seemed he was knowingly despicable.
While the Emperor was inside visiting the Imperial Noble Consort, Wang Yongzhu remained outside with the remaining midwives.
The surviving midwives were trembling in fear, recalling those taken away earlier, feeling their lives were at risk.
They looked at Wang Yongzhu with pitiful gazes.
The same unremarkable Chamberlain stepped forward again, waving his hand, intending to remove the remaining midwives.
The midwives panicked, kneeling before Wang Yongzhu, "Wife of the Heir-Apparent! We did nothing wrong! We honestly assisted in Her Ladyship’s delivery!"
One of them cried particularly woefully, "Wife of the Heir-Apparent, we lack the courage! If I had ill intentions, I wouldn’t have risked pressing Her Ladyship’s belly to hasten the birth! Please be discerning!"
At this moment, they knew that within the palace, the one who might speak up for them was before them, the Wife of the Heir-Apparent.
Wang Yongzhu sighed, raising her hand to block the advancing eunuchs.
The unremarkable Chamberlain lifted his head, giving Wang Yongzhu a sharp, penetrating look, his expression calm, "Wife of the Heir-Apparent, I’m executing His Majesty’s orders. Moreover, it was you who raised suspicions about these midwives. According to procedure, they should be detained for investigation to clear their names."
Wang Yongzhu felt a chill down her spine. The Chamberlain, with an unassuming look, bore an aura of death; his two casual sentences instilled a bone-chilling fear.
She cleared her throat, "I understand. I suppose I am a witness in this matter? Should I not give some testimony? Esteemed Director, the midwives I pointed out were suspicious, but these I monitored closely; I did not observe any misconduct."
"Especially her, who contributed significantly to the safe birth of Her Ladyship and the Little Prince. If it is determined that these indeed are innocent, please inform Her Ladyship. She will likely bestow generous rewards."
The Chamberlain was silent for a moment, nodding, "Understood, rest assured, Wife of the Heir-Apparent!" With that, Wang Yongzhu wisely stepped back.
The remaining midwives, having heard the exchange between Wang Yongzhu and the Chamberlain, felt somewhat relieved, expressing their gratitude through kowtows to Wang Yongzhu before obediently following the eunuchs out.
When the Emperor finished his visit with the Imperial Noble Consort and emerged, only Wang Yongzhu was left outside with a few palace attendants from Changchun Palace, diligently attending to her.
On seeing the Emperor emerge, they all hurriedly paid their respects.
The Emperor did not linger, knowing it was late, as he had to conduct ancestral rites early and preside over a grand banquet in the palace, accommodating ministers and the Ladies of the Outer Court coming to pay tribute and partake. Any further delay, and he would miss any chance for rest.
Thus, he briskly hurried out, only pausing after taking a couple of steps to instruct, "Stay with the Imperial Noble Consort, wait until the banquet is over before leaving the palace—"
With that, he strode out briskly, followed by the Chamberlains.
Wang Yongzhu, once the Emperor exited Changchun Palace, collapsed into a chair, prompting alarm among the palace attendants, "Wife of the Heir-Apparent, are you alright?"
Wang Yongzhu, eyes barely open, murmured, "Find me a bed, let me lay down for a bit—"
