Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 726: Labor

Upon receiving the news, Wang Jin rushed into the palace immediately.

Prime Minister Wang snorted in front of his confidant, Jiao’s advisor, "The Emperor’s child is with Elder Changning, yet he is anxious and restless. If people see this, it will be another laughing stock."

Jiao’s advisor knew very well the temperament of Prime Minister Wang. Don’t be fooled by his complaints about his own son; if others mock him, Prime Minister Wang would immediately note it in his heart.

"The Fourth Young Master is now Wang Zhongshu Ling. When there’s a significant event in the palace, it’s only natural for him to rush there quickly. In case of any unexpected situation, he can stabilize the situation in time." Jiao’s advisor said with a low chuckle, "Despite his young age, the young master conducts himself with thoroughness and steadiness. Who among the officials in the court doesn’t envy the prime minister for having such a promising son?"

Naturally, the corners of Prime Minister Wang’s mouth lifted slightly as he said indifferently, "He is still young and needs good training."

"Go monitor the happenings in the palace, and report back immediately if there is any news."

Jiao’s advisor nodded in agreement.

Prime Minister Wang has cultivated his influence in the court for decades and has eyes and ears everywhere in the palace, making the information flow extremely efficient. Major or minor events in the palace would be reported to him in the shortest time.

At midnight on the sixth day of the month, the Emperor experienced labor pains and was assisted into the long-prepared delivery room. One of the midwives was from the palace, and the other was from outside. Sun Zelan also entered the delivery room, ready for any unforeseen needs. Doctor Sun stood guard outside the delivery room.

Additionally, Chief Historian Chen Jinyu and his grandson stood vigilantly outside the delivery room. Hundreds of the Emperor’s personal guards heavily guarded Zhaohai Palace. No miscellaneous individuals could enter, not even a fly.

Imperial Concubine Fan, who had been released from confinement, came particularly to visit. No others were needed as Empress Dowager Li herself, who was personally overseeing Zhaohai Palace, dismissed her directly, "Once the child is born, I will send someone to each palace with the news. No need to come and cause trouble now; go back quietly."

Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had been sick from the end of the previous year until now, without being able to leave her quarters. With no one to manage the harem, Empress Dowager Li naturally took over the palace affairs temporarily.

Imperial Concubine Fan somewhat timidly said in front of Empress Dowager Li, "I wish to stay in Zhaohai Palace and await the Emperor’s safe delivery..."

"Childbirth is a matter one has to endure alone. Having too many people and complicated discussions easily creates trouble. No one should disrupt at the critical moment of childbirth. You’ve given birth before, haven’t you? Do you not understand this?" Empress Dowager Li, without any politeness, said, "Return immediately, or if you dare to persist, I will make you ill once more, and you will not be seen again."

With her face flushed red, Imperial Concubine Fan bowed her head and left under Empress Dowager Li’s sharp and unfriendly gaze.

Watching the unwilling departing figure of Imperial Concubine Fan, Empress Dowager Li let out a cold snort.

This Imperial Concubine Fan has always harbored resentment and defiance. She came at just the right time to cause trouble. Fortunately, she arrived early at Zhaohai Palace to oversee things and directly ordered her to leave.

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Grand Empress Dowager sent Mr. Zhao to inquire." Palace Attendant Lan Xiang reported respectfully.

Empress Dowager Li replied indifferently, "Go tell Mr. Zhao that it’s the Emperor’s first birth, and it will take several hours to deliver the child. It’s unnecessary to inquire continuously; once the child is born, I will send someone to Jingyang Palace with the news."

"Also, convey my verbal command that no one is allowed to visit Zhaohai Palace. Any news or noise from Zhaohai Palace should not be spread lightly. Anyone who secretly sends information out will be executed immediately."

With Empress Dowager Li overseeing, everything in Zhaohai Palace proceeded in an orderly and unruffled manner.

Wang Jin arrived first at the palace, followed closely by Minister Dong, Minister Ding, and then Vice Minister Yang, among others. All these important ministers were also stopped outside Zhaohai Palace and sent to a side hall to wait.

Empress Dowager Li rarely showed a domineering side, and whether the ministers were satisfied or not, they all had to obey orders and sit orderly in the side hall waiting.

Wang Jin sat the most properly, silently watching the direction of the delivery room.

Occasionally, the whispers of old officials reached his ears, "The Emperor is in good health; this birth will surely be safe and smooth."

"If an emperor is born, that would be ideal."

"Even if it’s a princess, it doesn’t matter. The Emperor is so young and can conceive and give birth again in the future."

"It’s easy to say. The Emperor isn’t a woman of leisure in the inner quarters, having endless time for pregnancy and childbirth. Daily governmental affairs are piled mountain-high, and there’s also the war over in the Yu State, all mentally and physically taxing matters."

"It’s best to have a prince; with a Crown Prince, everything inside and outside the palace will be completely stable."

Wang Jin could no longer listen and glanced over, "Regardless of a prince or a princess, everything inside and outside the palace is very stable."

The two talkative ministers, somewhat embarrassed, laughed, "Yes, yes, Wang Zhongshu Ling is right."

"We were just speaking casually."

Wang Jin then withdrew his gaze and continued watching the direction of the delivery room.

...

Inside the delivery room, Jiang Shaohua endured another wave of intense labor pains with her eyes closed.

One of the midwives wiped her sweat, whispering in her ear about how to breathe efficiently. Another massaged her swollen belly to alleviate the pain. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Sun Zelan stood by the narrow bed, holding her sweaty hand, her gaze fixed on her face.

Initially, Cui Du was also in the delivery room, but Jiang Shaohua personally sent him out. She didn’t want Cui Du to see her in pain and discomfort during labor.

Cui Du anxiously paced outside the delivery room, sweat streaming down his forehead more than Jiang Shaohua’s!

Jiang Shaohua opened her eyes and forced a smile, "I’m fine, I can endure."

Sun Zelan was also impressed by Jiang Shaohua’s endurance. At the moment of childbirth, it was common for women to cry out in pain, but Jiang Shaohua endured the pain silently, her palms full of cold sweat without a sound.

"There are only the three of us here," Sun Zelan spoke softly, "You can cry out in pain; there’s no need to endure."

Jiang Shaohua responded faintly.

A new wave of pain came again.

Jiang Shaohua closed her eyes again, silently thinking of her ruthless self when she killed rebels with a knife. It must be said, this method was quite effective, and the pain wasn’t as severe.

In the faint morning light, her water broke, and the cervix opened to three fingers.

The tearing pain forced Jiang Shaohua to furrow her brows, and she let out a low groan.

"Push a little harder, the baby’s head is visible now," the midwife exclaimed joyfully.

Jiang Shaohua took a deep breath and pushed with all her strength again. Amidst the intense pain, the child was finally born.

At this moment, Jiang Shaohua’s hair was soaked with sweat. She opened her eyes weakly and asked, "Is it a daughter?"

Sun Zelan’s eyes shone, and her voice was filled with joy, "It’s a princess."

A daughter was just fine.

Jiang Shaohua’s brow completely relaxed, and she softly said, "Bring her here; I want to see her."

Sun Zelan, holding the newly wrapped princess, carefully brought her to Jiang Shaohua’s eyes.