The Job of an Imperial Concubine Chapter 115

Everyone in the imperial harem knew the empress had fallen ill. Many were waiting for her to be deposed. It was to the point that even the court started to present memorials advocating for the empress’ deposing. For a while, both the court and the rear palace were overrun by chaos.

Sitting on his throne, Feng Jin watched the civil and military officials below, who were arguing because of the women of his harem, with a cold eye. Once those people were almost finished, he said, “You ministers truly hold such interest in Our harem, so cautious over it. How about letting you all decide on the matters of the state?”

Everyone could tell something amiss about the emperor’s words. They were so afraid that they dared not speak anymore, the intention to send their own people into the palace diminishing.

“We ministers do not dare. However, the empress lacks a prince, and her father and elder brother are villains. She truly is unsuitable as the Mother of the World,” said an imperial censor. “The Mother of the World is the model for all women in China. The empress’ morality and conduct are lacking. This official believes she should be deposed.”

Feng Jin cast a glance at that imperial censor. He seemed to have some relation to Noble Consort Xian’s paternal family. A smile graced Feng Jin’s lips. “We are more clear than you on whether the empress’ morality and conduct are lacking. Since having no sons is cause for being deposed, We remember that your younger sister has been married for eighteen years without giving birth to a son. Her husband’s family should cast her away.”

Never had this imperial censor imagined that the emperor would be aware of the personal matters of his family. His expression changed. He did not speak again, too afraid.

“Simply outrageous!” Feng Jin rose to his feet, throwing his sleeve in fury. “You are all pillars of the court. Who would have thought that you are only concerned about the harem’s matters? We are truly pained by your actions!” Following that, he left the main hall in a rage, leaving behind a crowd of high-ranking ministers who looked to each other in dismay.

The idea of deposing the empress dissipated in such a silent way. Every imperial concubine gradually understood that the empress would not be removed. Noble Consort Xian, who had made a few small actions recently, felt embarrassed. Sometimes, when she stepped foot outside her residence, she would faintly hear people mocking her. But when she turned around, she only saw their respectful appearances. Bit by bit, she no longer liked going outside.

Without the eldest prince by her side or the emperor’s favor, Noble Consort Xian knew that once the empress’ situation improved, the empress would definitely hold grudges against what she had done recently. The empress had a gentle temperament, but she was absolutely not a woman who returned evil with good.

Fidgety and restless as she fanned herself, Noble Consort Xian picked up a teacup of Chinese herbal tea to her side. Took a sip. Then she blurted to the palace maid who had rushed into the room, “What did you hear? How is the empress’ condition?”

With a poor expression, the little palace maid knelt before her. Not a word left her lips.

“Noble Consort Xian indeed cares about this palace’s health.” At that moment, the empress brought a throng of palace maids and court eunuchs into the room, a sliver of an unspeakable smile on her lips. “Now that Noble Consort Xian sees that this palace is doing well, are you very disappointed?”

Dry laughter spilling from her lips, Noble Consort Xian performed a salute. “This concubine pays respects to Your Majesty the empress.”

“If the people of the palace all know their place, then this palace will be at ease.” The empress laughed coldly toward her. Sat down in the seat of honor. Taking her time, she fanned herself with her fan, an image of a beautiful woman on it. The slightly ill look on her features did not hold one bit of haggardness. “Noble Consort Xian, do you agree?”

The Noble Consort Xian in question dared not sit down. In a well-behaved fashion, she stood in front of the empress. Forced a smile on her face. “Your Majesty the empress is correct.”

“It’s good that you understand this. Then this palace did not come here in vain.” The empress proceeded to slowly fan herself. She cast a discontent glance Noble Consort Xian’s way. “Nevermind. This palace simply passed through here by chance. With such warm weather, this palace will head for Xihe Palace.” Then she got up to leave. Before she could, however, a court eunuch hurried into the hall.

“Reporting to Your Majesty the empress, Your Highness the noble consort, Her Highness Consort Zhao is probably about to give birth. At this moment, she has already entered the birthing chamber.”

“What?!” The empress’ complexion changed. She was no longer in the mood to make things difficult for Noble Consort Xian. In a hurry, she said, “Make for Xihe Palace at once. Are the imperial physicians and midwives prepared and ready? And have people watch over Xihe Palace well. Lock up anyone suspicious.”

“Yes,” said the eunuch who had given the report. He rushed to withdraw.

The empress made for Xihe Palace in an urgent fashion. She was rather clear that the emperor was not in a good mood. If something happened to Consort Zhao or her child, life in the harem would definitely get rough. And the one to bear the brunt of it would be her, this empress whose position was in imminent danger.

At this moment, no one felt hot. The empress sat in her personal sedan, grabbing the handle to her fan as she sweated, yet instead of the heat, she sensed cold sweat springing from her back. Once her sedan reached and stopped at Xihe Palace, she paid no heed to the crowd of saluting imperial concubines before her. She used Heyu’s hand for support as they entered the palace. The remaining imperial concubines looked at each other, before following behind the empress without a word.

When the crowd of women arrived at the labor chamber, their ears did not catch any screams whatsoever. Rather, they only heard the faint voices of the midwives within the room, along with palace maids bringing food inside.

There were palace maids and court eunuchs who brought them seats, but at this moment no one dared to sit down. With solemn expressions, every imperial concubine along with the empress stared at the labor chamber.

Lying in bed within said labor chamber, Zhuang Laoyan endured  painful labor contractions as she strived her best to eat. It was clear she wanted to accumulate the energy needed to give birth later.

“Your Highness, later, do not scream. Doing so will waste your energy,” said a midwife after inspecting Zhuang Laoyan. “You are currently in great condition. There will definitely be no issues in this birth. Once this old slave gives you the ready signal, your honored self should push along with the uterine contractions. If the contractions stop, you can rest and breathe. Remember, do not scream.”

Zhuang Laoyan nodded. The contractions felt like they were moving her organs. With much difficulty, she finished her food. Sucked in a breath. “You all do not need to be so polite to this palace. During labor, if this palace does not do something that is necessary, remind me in a loud voice. This palace will not blame you for sure. After the birth, this palace will for certain reward you greatly.”

The midwives let out sighs of relief. Giving birth was an extremely painful affair. Sometimes, they had no choice but to use a stern voice when reminding women what to do during childbirth. So that said women could remain clear-headed. Since Consort Zhao had said these words, the midwives did not need to mind manners when instructing her on what to do.

At this moment, Zhuang Laoyan’s brow was already beaded with sweat. In her whole life, she had never felt such pain before. It was to the extent that she felt the fetus kicking with all his might, as if he were itching to come out.

At this moment, she still had the energy to think, It’s no wonder most women love their children more than men do. They have to be pregnant for ten months and suffer the most painful pain in the world to give birth. How could they not love their children more than themselves?

It was at this time that warm liquid flowed out from beneath her. The complexion of one of the midwives changed a shade. “Your Highness, your water has broken. Follow this old slave’s instructions in pushing.”

Zhuang Laoyan felt muddle-headed. Without the amniotic fluid, each movement of the fetus hurt even more. Following the midwives’ command, she bit her teeth and pushed. As if all the pain had disappeared, she only thought of how to push out the child the quickest she could. Because the water had broken, if the baby stayed in the birth canal for too long, he could suffocate. Under grave circumstances, he could even become mentally-deficient.

Outside the labor chamber, the empress was so anxious that her head was full of sweat. Hearing the low groans of Consort Zhao inside, she said in a restless manner to Heyu, “You and Tingzhu should go to the imperial kitchens and bring back some ginseng soup. If Consort Zhao runs out of strength, have her drink it.” Following that, the empress started to chant Buddhist scriptures.

“His Majesty has arrived!”

Once the empress had heard this announcement, she let out a breath of relief, half her worries gone. She turned and saw the emperor approaching with large strides. Before she could finish her salute, he stopped her.

“How is Consort Zhao?” asked Feng Jin, his typically calm face revealing an anxious flavor. He looked at the empress with a solemn gaze. “What did the midwives say? Is the fetus in a proper position?”