CHAPTER 598: CHAPTER 391 AMNIOTIC FLUID_2

Li Shimin, hearing no more noise from inside, slightly relieved, lifted the curtain and led two Imperial Physicians in.

Upon entering the room, the three saw a strange scene. Princess Jinyang leaned against thick bedding. Her body was not lying flat. Ran Yan sat at the edge of the bed, cradling a bottle in her arms. A tube extended from the bottle to Princess Jinyang’s nostrils. Liu Qingsong also held a bottle, somewhat smaller, without a tube, and without an opening.

But the three did not interfere and merely watched from a short distance away.

"Get ready to use the aerosol," Ran Yan listened to the sound and judged that the oxygen was about to run out again.

Liu Qingsong responded, fitted a fine mesh over the spray bottle’s opening, and as soon as the tube was pulled out, began to spray toward Princess Jinyang’s mouth and nose. Because their homemade spray was too crude and the liquid could not form a mist, spraying from above with a mesh solved some of the problems.

"She can breathe it in," Liu Qingsong said happily. This also meant that it would be easier to swallow the medicinal soup later on.

Just now, even breathing had been difficult, not to mention swallowing medicinal soup, there was no choice, just using massage techniques would have no significant effect.

Lying quietly for a while, Princess Jinyang seemed to recover some awareness and faintly called out, "Father Emperor."

Princess Jinyang’s voice from the bed was weak. Even Ran Yan, close to the bedside, could only hear a very faint sound, but Li Shimin, as if he had a sixth sense, immediately approached. The mighty emperor’s voice was choked, "My imperial son has suffered!"

Princess Jinyang slightly opened her eyes, as if to comfort, tugged at his sleeve but lacked the strength to speak again.

Li Shimin seemed to understand her intention, took out a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat on her face, "This time, Lady Xianliang saved my imperial son. You must recover quickly and properly thank Lady Xianliang."

"Hmm," Princess Jinyang said softly.

Ran Yan and Liu Qingsong stepped aside. Moments later, Su Fu’s medicinal soup was brought up.

After Princess Jinyang had taken the medicinal soup, several palace maids attended to her, wiping her body and changing her into clean clothes. She seemed to be in a much better spirit but, due to excessive loss of fluids and strength, she fell into a deep sleep.

Li Shimin called Ran Yan, Liu Qingsong, and Su Fu into the study of Ganlu Hall and inquired about the details of Princess Jinyang’s sudden illness.

Based on the timing, it didn’t seem like there was an issue with Princess Jinyang’s lunch. Liu Qingsong was eating at the Government Office at the same time lunch was being served within the palace, neither earlier nor later, except for some snacks. As long as they could find out where Princess Jinyang had been and what she had done between the hours of si and noon, the truth should come out quickly.

The usually silent Su Fu suddenly spoke up, "Before lunch, the Princess went to the Eastern Palace."

Ran Yan paused for a moment, then turned her head to look at him.

Su Fu belonged to Prince Wei, and whether he spoke the truth or had ulterior motives, it was hard not to be suspicious. Although Ran Yan felt he wasn’t the kind of person to do such a thing, she had to think rationally and not just go by feeling.

"Oh?" Li Shimin did not take the news well, his mood clearly soured. Recently, too many rumors had been circulating about Li Chengqian, and even though he knew clearly that someone was intentionally stirring trouble, those were still facts. If Li Chengqian really were a virtuous Crown Prince, there wouldn’t be so many gripes for others to take hold of.

Su Fu only said that much and did not continue.

Li Shimin was silent for a moment before finally saying, "You may go; I will deal with this matter later."

All three responded in unison and exited the study one after another.

Ran Yan went back to check on Princess Jinyang’s condition, ensuring there was no longer any serious issue, then left the palace exhausted.

Ran Yan had been especially prone to fatigue since becoming pregnant. She almost always fell asleep as soon as she got into the carriage, so she never saw Su Fu who stood at the palace gate, seeing her off as she left.

In this period, so many things had happened, yet Chang’an City maintained a strange calm. Events that seemed on the verge of causing turmoil were temporarily settled into tranquility due to the involvement of untouchable individuals.

Xiao Song, fearing too much thought and excessive fatigue on her part, chose not to discuss these matters with her.

The only change Ran Yan could see was her belly getting bigger and bigger.

As time slowly passed, more than five months had gone by. Everyone in the Xiao residence was growing anxious, with Xiao Song being the most nervous of all. Each night, even a simple turn from Ran Yan would cause him to open his eyes and check on her.

With the end of his days more arduous than those of an ascetic in sight and the anticipation of his first child, his excitement was indescribable. Yet, mixed in with that excitement, there was the anxiety over Ran Yan and the child’s safety. Xiao Song had not felt such complex and rich emotions in a long time.

Outside, the cold rain drizzled; it seemed this year would turn cold again.

While Xiao Song was at the Government Office attending to official matters, Ran Yan, wrapped in a fur robe, lay on a rocking chair—a gift from Liu Qingsong—reading from a storybook in a soft voice. The charcoal brazier by her side glowed warmly, steaming water wafting gentle wisps of white mist above it.

Her voice, though still lacking in inflection and not particularly lively, was low and soft, with an undeniable maternal warmth.

After she finished a story called "Little Dewdrop and the Green Leaf," Wan Lu chimed in, "Doctor Liu’s stories are really good. I love listening to them."

Ran Yan said with surprise, "Wan Lu, those are stories meant for children under three years old."

"My Lady need not be surprised, she is quite suited to listen to such stories," Ge Lan remarked as she poked at the coals in the stove.

With her cheeks puffed out, Wan Lu retorted, "You’re making fun of me again. My Lady, Mr. Li is truly besotted with Ge Lan, braving the cold to come and ask after her well-being. He would wait outside for half an hour. All the maids in the residence are envious."

"Is that so? That’s quite rare," Ran Yan said with a slight smile.

"But Ge Lan won’t even meet him. They say Mr. Li caught a chill yesterday, yet he still came today to bring Ge Lan treats," Wan Lu added.

Ran Yan glanced at her, "I suppose they ended up in your stomach, didn’t they?"

Wan Lu giggled, "My Lady knows all."

"What are your thoughts?" Ran Yan asked Ge Lan. It had been quite unexpected for Li Dejian to maintain his pursuit for so long.

Sitting up straight, Ge Lan responded, "I have already found someone in the residence. He’s loyal and honest. If my Lady agrees, I would like to marry him. That way, I can continue to serve my Lady. As for Mr. Li, I feel that I am not worthy of his status."

Ge Lan had already clearly rejected Li Dejian, so no matter what he did, she acted as if she didn’t see it, as if she was unaware.

"Very well, let me meet the man someday. Once I confirm that he is as you say, I will grant you your wish," Ran Yan replied. She knew she really didn’t need to check, as Ge Lan was a sensible person who wouldn’t gamble with her life. But Ran Yan considered Ge Lan a friend and felt obliged to ensure her well-being, fulfilling both the duty of friendship and the bonds between master and servant.

"Wan Lu, help me to—" Ran Yan had not finished her sentence when she heard Wan Lu cry out in alarm, "My Lady, water!"

"It seems the waters have broken," Ge Lan said as she quickly stood up, "I’ll go call the midwife."(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote with your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)