The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1550 - 1547: Narrow Escape from Death

Wang Yongzhu was infuriated, and naturally, she didn’t lower her voice when speaking. Not only did everyone in the room hear her clearly, but even the Emperor at the door and the eunuchs and palace maids following him heard everything.

The Emperor’s expression didn’t reveal much, while Chief Steward Su and the other chamberlains, although having spent decades in the palace, witnessing all sorts of peculiarities, should have been battle-hardened and remained composed even if a mountain collapsed right in front of them.

But an incident like this, where a Lady of the Outer Court slapped the Imperial Noble Consort and scolded her harshly—they had never seen such a scene in their lives! One by one, they were dumbfounded, glancing at one another, unsure whether to lament for the Wife of the Heir-Apparent inside or to cover their ears first.

Chief Steward Su stealthily glanced at the Emperor’s expression. Generally, he could sense the Emperor’s emotions, whether joyful or angry; he could roughly guess about seventy to eighty percent.

But at this moment, seeing the Emperor’s indistinguishable expression, he too was at a loss.

He only lowered his head, staring at his toes.

Inside the room, the Imperial Noble Consort, who was initially dazed by Wang Yongzhu’s slap, found her mind cleared up considerably.

Upon hearing Wang Yongzhu’s scathing rebuke, inexplicably, she suddenly felt a surge of strength throughout her body. Clenching her teeth, she said, "I, I am not reconciled! I’m not reconciled!"

Seeing the light return to the eyes of the Imperial Noble Consort and her gathering strength, Wang Yongzhu wiped the tears that had somehow escaped from her eyes and held the Imperial Noble Consort’s hand: "Yes! Let’s try harder! Strive for a safe delivery for you and your son! Just think, once you succeed, you will have unparalleled sway in the entire palace, and the Little Prince will be the royal heir of the highest birth!" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Those concubines who have mocked you and expected your downfall in recent days, even if they’re unhappy inside, they’ll have to come and congratulate you obediently tomorrow, with cautious smiles, fearing your displeasure! Don’t you want to see them frustrated, hating you yet unable to do anything about it?"

...

Anyway, Wang Yongzhu had already struck the Imperial Noble Consort. Seeing her regain motivation, she naturally spoke in a way to fuel her spirit and feelings of dissatisfaction.

But to others, these words felt truly outrageous.

Each wished their ears were deaf.

The Imperial Noble Consort took deep breaths while exerting her strength, tightly gripping Wang Yongzhu’s wrist with one hand: "You... you’re right! I... I want those laughing at me... those women to regret..."

The midwife observed that the child’s head had emerged a bit more. Unable to hold back, she shouted, "Your Ladyship, push once more, and the child will be born soon!"

The Imperial Noble Consort summoned every last ounce of her strength, feeling something slide out of her body, and immediately felt a sense of relief.

The midwife quickly but carefully picked up the baby and cut the umbilical cord.

Turning the baby around, she saw its face tinged with a bluish hue, unable to cry, and if not for the warmth of its body, one might have thought the baby was already dead.

The immediate joy of a narrow escape faded away, but fortunately, she was seasoned. She quickly gathered her wits, first lifting the baby up, patting its bottom a few times, to no effect.

With a tight chest, the midwife flicked the sole of the baby’s foot, still no response.

The midwife’s hands began to tremble, nearly unable to hold the child.

Just then, as quick as a flash, Wang Yongzhu took the child, cleared the amniotic fluid from its mouth with her hand, and concentrated on circulating the Intermediate Level Physical Enhancement Technique within her, allowing a fine stream of energy to enter the child’s body, circulating once.

Then the previously silent child choked up a large gush of amniotic fluid, bursting into loud cries, its face flushing a healthy red.

The little fists seemed to wave in protest, clearly a sign of good health.

Everyone inside and outside the room let out a collective sigh of relief at the sound of the baby’s cries.

Especially the attendants of Changchun Palace, who couldn’t help but have their eyes well up with tears, thanking heaven and the Bodhisattva. The Lady had finally safely given birth to a royal heir, and they in Changchun Palace had narrowly escaped disaster along with her.

Upon hearing the infant’s cry, a hint of relaxation quickly swept across the Emperor’s face, soon followed by a trace of joy.

The perceptive chamberlains nearby realized that fortune had indeed smiled upon Changchun Palace once more.

Previously, they thought the Lady was doomed, and His Majesty had come to bid her farewell—a last meeting. But now, the cries proved otherwise.

Chief Steward Su hurriedly invited the Emperor to the main hall to rest, as the cold and freezing weather outside might cause illness.

The Emperor waved his hand.

Chief Steward Su had no choice but to bring in chairs and a brazier, along with hot tea, inviting the Emperor to sit down.

In the delivery room, Wang Yongzhu handed the child over to the midwife, who carefully examined the baby for any disabilities, then smiled and congratulated: "Congratulations, Your Ladyship, it’s a healthy Little Prince!"

Saying this, she prepared to present the wrapped Little Prince to the Imperial Noble Consort.

The Imperial Noble Consort had been holding her breath, waiting for this moment.

When the child was born and didn’t cry, she felt an ominous foreboding, desperately holding on as she watched the midwife’s futile attempts at resuscitation, and her heart sank.

It wasn’t until Wang Yongzhu took the child and, after some unknown maneuvers, made the child cry that she let out half a sigh of relief.

Only after the midwife and Wang Yongzhu finished examining the baby and declared it a healthy Little Prince did she completely relax, her entire being going limp.

Startling Hong Fei and Lv Cui to tears: "Your Ladyship, Your Ladyship, what’s wrong with you?"

Wang Yongzhu stepped forward, took the Imperial Noble Consort’s pulse, "It’s nothing, just exhaustion. Let your Ladyship rest well; she’ll feel better after a nap!"

She added, "Clean up the delivery room a bit, and to be on the safe side, have Director Du and his people come in to check Your Ladyship’s pulse again."

The words awakened everyone in the room, all of whom had been petrified by the day’s events in the delivery room.

Only when Wang Yongzhu spoke did they remember what needed to be done.

They hurriedly tidied up the delivery room, carried out the bloodied water, lit incense to suppress the scent of blood.

They used hot water to scrub the floor, changed the bedding underneath the Imperial Noble Consort, and dressed her in clean, soft clothes.

Trained palace attendants, after all, quickly had everything in order.

The midwife, still holding the child, looked eagerly at Wang Yongzhu: "Wife of the Heir-Apparent, shouldn’t we go out and announce the good news now?"

Wang Yongzhu was momentarily taken aback: "The good news hasn’t been announced yet? Why is everyone looking at me? Just do what needs to be done."

Only then did the midwife carefully wrap the Little Prince and head out the door.