CHAPTER 632: CHAPTER 632 PRODUCTION 2

The night deepened. The Emperor was the first to leave.

The Empress glanced at everyone’s tired expressions and instructed lightly, "No need to keep watch; all of you may leave. Come back tomorrow morning!"

After speaking, she gave further instructions to Sister Ji. "You and Yu Fu take turns keeping watch here. If anything happens, report it immediately!"

Sister Ji hastily acknowledged the order. The Empress took another look inside before departing.

Once the Empress left, the rest of the people also dispersed. They naturally could not afford to leave someone to watch over as the Empress did. At most, they ordered their personal attendants to keep an eye out for news from here.

「The night passed without incident.」

Lights were kept burning all night in Yichun Palace. By the wee hours of the next day, the cry of a newborn baby finally sounded. It was not particularly loud, but enough to bring tears to Honored Lady Cheng’s face.

"Congratulations to Honored Lady Cheng on the birth of a prince; the mother and son are safe and sound!"

Too exhausted to do anything but glance at her child once, Honored Lady Cheng fainted.

The news was immediately relayed to Zhaochen Palace. At that time, Zhao Junyao had yet to attend the morning court session. Hearing the news that ’mother and child are safe,’ he immediately breathed a sigh of relief. He felt a sense of contentment, as if he had finally lived up to his ancestors. He wouldn’t be pressured by those court officials, citing ’the importance of the state’ as a reason to have more princes anymore. Two might not be many, but it was certainly better than just one. Having multiple heirs was definitely preferable.

However, having too many women in the Harem was ultimately not a good thing. Thinking about the selection for next year’s draft, the young Emperor felt a headache coming on. He just hoped to choose a few honest and unassuming ones. He didn’t care if they weren’t good-looking; as long as they were unassuming, that would be enough.

Otherwise... COUGH, COUGH, I’m overthinking this!

Zhao Junyao gathered his composure and then ordered Li Shengan, "After the court session, go to the treasury and select some rewards to send over."

Honored Lady Cheng had always been dutiful, and now that she had given birth to a prince, she was a meritorious subject. Naturally, Zhao Junyao would not ill-treat her.

"Yes!" Li Shengan respectfully replied.

「Dawn slowly broke.」

The news of Honored Lady Cheng giving birth to a prince spread through the Harem in no time.

Xia Ruqing smiled. "Although it was a premature birth by over a month, it’s fortunate the Imperial Medical Bureau was there! Honored Lady Cheng always had a stable pregnancy; there shouldn’t be any major issues with the child! This is good news!"

Now there’s someone to keep Little Bun company, isn’t there? This means someone has drawn some of the animosity away from Little Bun, reducing it from a hundred to sixty.

Xia Ruqing then smiled as she gave orders, "Go, prepare a welcoming gift; we should pay a visit today! And also prepare the gifts for the third-day bath ceremony!"

Zi Yue laughed, "Your Highness thinks of everything!" she said, heading to the small storage room to pick out congratulatory gifts.

Breakfast was served, and as Xia Ruqing ate breakfast with Little Bun, she patted his head and said, "My son, you have a little brother now. Do you want to go see him?"

Little Bun was already a year and a half old, able to understand and speak. Excited by the idea of visiting his little brother, the small child was quite enthusiastic.

Perhaps he shouldn’t be called Little Bun anymore, considering how tanned he’s gotten! So... Chocolate Bun?

"Mother!"

"See brother!"

Xia Ruqing kissed him on the cheek. "Good, let’s go see your brother!"

Soon after, Zi Yue brought out a pair of small, solid gold bracelets. They were quite heavy. Though such gifts were rather cliché, they were foolproof. How could one go wrong with them?!

"Alright, that’ll do. Wrap it up; we’ll go later!"

"Yes!" Zi Yue replied.

The Empress arose, had her breakfast, and hurriedly headed for Yichun Palace. The Noble Consort also went soon after. It went without saying for Consort Ning, as she was the master of Yichun Palace. The others also inquired about the right time to visit, aiming to arrive neither too early nor too late.

However, Honored Lady Cheng had just given birth. She was extremely weak, and the Imperial Physician said she had greatly depleted her vital energy. She was still unconscious!

The Empress nodded and, understanding it was best not to disturb her, instructed Yu Lan to present her gifts, saying with concern, "This is a welcoming gift for the Little Prince, also a small token of Our regard! Tell your Honored Lady to rest well."

Huan Cui kowtowed in gratitude.

The others also sent out their welcoming gifts. The Honored Ladies, naturally, didn’t have anything particularly valuable to give. Some offered a small purse, others a pendant, and the quality wasn’t necessarily high. However, Huan Cui respectfully accepted each gift and expressed her thanks.

After presenting the gifts, the Empress led everyone away. Leaving Yichun Palace, she departed in her sedan chair. After respectfully seeing off the Empress, the various Concubines also returned to their own palaces.

Honored Lady Cheng’s delivery, though perilous, had a safe outcome. According to the Imperial Physician, the Little Prince was somewhat weak, but not gravely so. At least for now, there seemed to be no significant problems. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. At least the Little Prince would live.

Never mind the others; the Empress herself was so moved that she knelt before the Buddha and kowtowed several times. "Amitabha!"

After lighting three sticks of incense, the Empress finally stood up.

Sister Ji was quite puzzled. "Your Majesty, Honored Lady Cheng seems quiet, but she is actually a clever person, and now she has given birth to the Second Prince! She will surely do everything possible to care for the child, and, as for us... it will be difficult for us to intervene!" She assumed the Empress wanted to raise the child herself.

The Empress slowly turned, her expression serene, and said softly, "Sister, you are mistaken. This time, I do not intend to interfere in matters concerning the child. The prayers were merely a heartfelt wish."

Sister Ji was astonished.

The Empress slowly walked out of the Buddhist hall and reclined on the soft couch in the inner chamber. Holding a fan, she waved it gently, lost in thought.

"If the child is safe, he is safe! If he is not safe, then it will be considered my fault! As for the Emperor now... ALAS..." It’s a long story.

There was no need to say more; Sister Ji understood. Upon hearing this, she frowned with regret and said, "Your Majesty, how can the Emperor understand your painstaking efforts!"

The Empress gave a bitter smile. "Whether he understands or not, I do not know; it is enough that my conscience is clear!"

In the past, whenever she did something wrong, the Emperor would always find ways to warn her.

Now, since this wasn’t her doing, the Emperor should be able to find out who was truly responsible, shouldn’t he? It certainly wasn’t her.

With a clear conscience, she felt no fear.

Suddenly recalling something, the Empress asked, "By the way, what happened to Honored Lady Du? What exactly is going on with her? That doesn’t sound like her, to be so audacious!"

Honored Lady Du sought my patronage long ago. I just didn’t think much of her. That woman is timid, cowardly, and selfish; the slightest thing can frighten her into a stupor. With such a timid nature, she couldn’t possibly commit such a vile act. And yet... under everyone’s watchful eyes, if it wasn’t Honored Lady Du, who else could it be?

Sister Ji then said, "Early in the morning, Consort Hui Pin had someone quietly report! It’s said Honored Lady Du is unconscious. Consort Hui Pin had her sent back to her residence with guards posted!"

The Empress nodded lightly. "Since she is unconscious, then send for the Imperial Physician; she is an Honored Lady, after all. By the way, while she is unconscious, thoroughly search her dwelling!"

Perhaps someone bribed her.