CHAPTER 190: CHAPTER 190: WALKING THROUGH THE GHOST GATE

"Quick, call for the midwife, and make sure everything needed is prepared."

While instructing, she guided Noble Princess Consort Ying to the side room.

Everything needed was already prepared there, ready for the birth.

This pregnancy of Noble Princess Consort Ying had been well-maintained all along.

She controlled herself well on regular days, with plenty of exercise, ensuring the fetus size was appropriate.

The likelihood of not being able to give birth was very small.

But as it was her first child, and she had just started labor.

So everything was just beginning.

The midwife hurried over, and upon seeing the situation immediately said,

"Her Grace’s water has broken; quickly place pads under her back and legs to prevent the water from draining, otherwise the child will be in trouble."

Upon hearing this, the Assistant Minister of Rites’ wife, who had previously been somewhat calm, became flustered.

Her two childbirths started with seeing blood; this was the first time she encountered a water break.

She thought it was similar to seeing blood, but hadn’t realized it was so dangerous.

She immediately grabbed Rong Le’s hand and instructed her,

"Go and call Nanny An."

"Yes!"

Then, holding Noble Princess Consort Ying’s hand, she whispered softly in her ear,

"Don’t worry, Nanny An has delivered over ten children in the estate, all very healthy. Just focus on giving birth, Mother will protect you!"

Noble Princess Consort Ying sometimes felt pain, sometimes did not, and wanted to respond to her mother, but lacked the strength.

She could only nod, and then was hit by pain that made her gasp.

The midwife was very experienced in the palace, and with Nanny An assisting, everything was still proceeding smoothly.

But this labor was very slow, the entire night passed with little progress.

Noble Princess Consort Ying had prepared for childbirth long ago, but hadn’t expected it to be so arduous.

Several times, she almost had no strength left.

If not for the ginseng keeping her spirits up, she might have fainted already.

The previously composed Assistant Minister’s wife was now sweating profusely, her eyes reddened with anxiety.

Her deliveries were relatively smooth, painful but not without the child appearing.

As dawn approached, still no sign of progress.

"Nanny An, what is happening, why is Her Grace in such pain without giving birth after a whole night?"

Nanny An, having delivered many children, had vast knowledge.

So she reassured the Minister’s wife, saying,

"Madam, don’t worry, Her Grace’s situation is not uncommon; it’s often slower for first-time mothers."

As soon as she finished speaking, the assisting midwife also chimed in with a smile,

"Yes, yes, it looks slow now, but it will speed up once it starts."

"When will that be?"

"I guess by noon or evening, it should happen."

Although the initial delay was long, it was not too overwhelming, and she could still maintain her strength.

So apart from feeding her a bit more when she wasn’t in too much pain, the Assistant Minister’s wife couldn’t do much more to help.

As the day gradually brightened, with sunlight fully above the horizon,

The news of Noble Princess Consort Ying going into labor spread throughout the Six Palaces.

The first to arrive was naturally Mu Changzai, who was friendly with Noble Princess Consort Ying.

Her status had been confirmed, waiting to move into Yao Yue Palace.

But with the Emperor absent, she dared not announce it to Princess Consort Yi.

If rejected, she wouldn’t have room for maneuver.

So she decided to wait for a good opportunity to arrange it.

She still resided in Yihua Palace for now.

Since Lin Wanyi hadn’t returned, she dominated the palace there.

Recently occupied with organizing palace affairs and arranging new palace attendants, she hadn’t visited Noble Princess Consort Ying.

Unexpectedly, she found out Noble Princess Consort Ying was giving birth.

Yao Yue Palace was bustling with people everywhere now.

Not long after she arrived, many concubines also came.

Except for Princess Consort Yi, who should have been presiding over everything, hadn’t appeared.

But no one dared to suggest disturbing Princess Consort Yi.

What if she just didn’t want to come?

Going to invite her now would only bring trouble.

Standing outside, listening to the intermittent cries from within,

Mu Changzai, never having given birth, shuddered with every scream she heard.

Not to mention Consort Ye and Du Changzai, who had experienced childbirth before.

Though there was some unease in their eyes, out of maternal instinct, everyone wished for more children in the palace.

At the very least, they hoped the child could survive.

Otherwise, often recalling their deceased children was indeed painful.

"With the Assistant Minister’s wife inside, she will surely oversee things. Sisters, let’s rest first, have some tea, it’s a bit thirsty after rushing over."

It was the former Consort Ye, now Concubine Qian, who spoke.

Though the Investiture Ceremony hadn’t been held, the Emperor had already declared it, and a title was granted.

So calling her Concubine Qian wasn’t too much.

The second-class palace maid from Yao Yue Palace, seeing this, showed her discretion.

Immediately brought chairs and served tea and snacks.

Although the concubines might not partake, the necessary formalities were observed.

So as not to let Yao Yue Palace become a laughingstock.

Mu Changzai, wishing to enter, was stopped.

"Sister, what are you doing?"

It was Consort Ming speaking.

Her status now was perhaps three points stronger than that of Concubine Qian.

In the harem, being favored held more sway than merely holding a title.

So when she spoke, Mu Changzai paused.

"Her Grace inside is calling out in pain, I thought of checking if I could help."

"No need to add chaos now, since you haven’t experienced childbirth either. Going in wouldn’t help, and if people have to attend to you, it would delay the Noble Consort’s labor."

Mu Changzai looked troubled.

Wanting to go in, yet realizing Consort Ming had a point.

So she busied herself pacing under the veranda, clutching her hands in prayer.

Her demeanor was sincerely devout.

But, to Yi Changzai, it seemed disingenuous.

She didn’t believe in deep sisterly bonds in the harem.

Wasn’t it just mutual exploitation?

Yet, despite her thoughts, she put on the appropriate demeanor.

Praying with "Bodhisattva bless, Bodhisattva bless" devoutly.

Her attitude couldn’t have been more earnest.

Outside the room, each had their own thoughts; inside, Noble Princess Consort Ying had already skirted the Ghost Gate twice, yet still hadn’t given birth.

Watching the amniotic fluid occasionally drip out,

Nanny An and the midwife worried it might affect the baby.

So they promptly suggested,

"Madam, Her Grace’s labor is indeed progressing slowly, if she faints from the pain, the child might be in danger as well. Should I try gently pushing her belly?"