Golden Branch

In the court, the saint sat high on the dragon throne.

He looked calmly at the quarreling group of civil and military officials.

The Ministry of Works quarreled over the Grand Canal.

The Ministry of War quarreled over the Western Expedition Army.

The Ministry of Justice was arguing about the upcoming autumn execution.

…The Ministry of Revenue, indiscriminately shouting at every government office: No money! No money! No money!

Even the "unrefined" practices of forceps and caesarean sections that had just been introduced in the Gyeonggi region were used by some censors to impeach.

The saint watched coldly without saying a word.

He was already accustomed to this kind of quarreling pattern.

The truly important matters will not be decided at the court meetings.

The meeting hall after the court meeting is the place where real problems can be solved.

Amidst the chaos that resembled a vegetable market, a young eunuch hurriedly slipped in.

He came close to the chief eunuch and whispered a few words.

The eunuch's expression changed slightly. He glanced at the court officials who were still fighting, took a few quick steps, and came to the throne to report: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine has launched an attack!"

The saint's expression finally showed some change.

He raised his eyes to the chief eunuch, "When will it start? What's the situation?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the movement started a quarter of an hour ago, and the imperial physician, female physician, midwife, and others have all arrived."

The chief eunuch did not specify what the situation was.

But, in this kind of situation, no news is good news.

Only then did the saint feel a little relieved.

Thinking of a certain pedantic imperial censor who had just raged against forceps and Caesarian sections, the sage's mind shifted slightly: "Is everything in the delivery room ready?"

The saint naturally did not want his beloved concubine to have any accidents, but it was better to be prepared.

Princess Langya made preparations several months in advance for this day.

The saint has already agreed and has promoted it among the people in advance, also for today.

As the eunuch most trusted by the sage, the chief eunuch naturally understood the sage and could understand the implicit meaning of his words.

He nodded quickly: "So that His Majesty knows, all the necessary items are ready!"

Everything is ready in Baifu Palace!

"Where's the queen?"

The sage looked up at the court officials who were still arguing, and roughly estimated the time. This court meeting would take at least half an hour.

He couldn't go there immediately, but someone had to be in charge of Baifu Palace, and that person had to be the queen.

First of all, this is the rule. The queen is the master of the harem and has the responsibility to look after and care for all the concubines.

Secondly, Empress Li and Concubine Jiang were good friends.

In Concubine Jiang's heart, Queen Li, the mistress, is even more important than the lord, the saint.

She also trusts Queen Li more.

From a moral, rational, public and private perspective, Queen Li is the best candidate to take charge of the delivery room.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress has already arrived at Baifu Palace!"

It has long been no secret that Empress Li and Concubine Jiang have a harmonious relationship.

The confidants around the saint all understand this very well.

After Concubine Jiang launched the rebellion, the first person she sought "help" from was Queen Li.

As for Queen Li, after hearing the report from the palace maid, she put down her bowl and hurried over.

There is no need for a saint to act as a link between the two of them; they have their own "tacit understanding"!

"……That's good!"

Upon hearing that Queen Li had passed away, the sage felt even more relieved.

He continued to watch the court officials arguing over issues such as whether to increase troops and negotiate peace.

Spit was flying everywhere, tablets were waving... It was so lively and annoying!

The saint's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair.

After a moment, he stopped and looked up at the chief eunuch.

The eunuch chief understood and shouted, "We'll discuss everything later! Court is dismissed!"

The courtiers, sleeves rolled up and spitting, asked: What's going on? Are they adjourning the court now?

Lou Yu, who was still hiding in the crowd, watching the show silently and occasionally taking sides, saw the saint hurriedly leaving, secretly estimated the time, and probably guessed the truth -

Concubine Jiang is about to give birth!

A dark light flashed in his deep eyes.

Lou Yu approached the prince without leaving any trace.

The prince caught a glimpse of him from the corner of his eye and saw that although he appeared bright and calm on the surface, there was actually a hint of emotion between his brows.

The prince also saw his father leaving. Being equally smart and knowing the harem very well, he had some guesses in his heart.

Seeing Lou Yu's appearance at this moment, the prince became more certain: "Why are you acting so strange? Baifu Palace has everything ready, just waiting for the Imperial Concubine Mother to give birth."

"My mother must have gone already. Now, my father has also gone. Everything will go smoothly with the Imperial Concubine Mother."

The prince whispered.

His tone sounded like a scolding, but it was actually very intimate.

He treated Lou Yu as his closest junior, disciplining him and caring about him.

Even after being "scolded", Lou Yu still had tension and concern in his eyes.

The prince sighed helplessly: "Alright, I will send someone to let the Crown Princess go over."

As a man who has already reached adulthood, there is no reason to pay too much attention to the birth of a concubine's mother.

But since his trusted and beloved general was paying attention to him, the prince had no choice but to use his wife.

Furthermore, when Concubine Jiang gave birth, as the future queen mother and the younger generation, the Crown Princess would also be in power.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Lou Yu smiled lightly, still as gentle as jade.

Only those who are familiar with him know that he is somewhat of a "rogue" at this moment.

For example, the prince, seeing him like this, his eyes flashed with helplessness and doting.

This guy only has his Ah Heng in his eyes and heart.

He cares so much about Concubine Jiang, and he loves her and her family too!

……

Concubine Jiang's delivery went very smoothly.

A woman who has just given birth in her thirties is definitely considered old in Dayu.

However, Concubine Jiang had lived a life of luxury for many years and had maintained an extremely good health.

After becoming pregnant, Concubine Jiang was extremely careful.

She paid attention to nutrition, but she did not eat too much and make the fetus too big.

She always manages to strike the right balance.

The fetus is neither too big nor too small, but she still insists on walking and exercising every day.

In the early months of pregnancy, Concubine Jiang would also do fitness activities such as throwing pots and dancing.

After a few months, when it comes time to produce, all these efforts will show results.

It only took two hours from the labor in the morning to being carried into the prepared delivery room and then to the birth of the baby.

During this period, there were no accidents such as difficult labor.

The forceps and catgut that had been prepared long ago had no chance to be used at all!

Concubine Jiang did not tear her body, and although she also suffered many pains of natural childbirth, she finally had a consummated pregnancy.

"...Congratulations, Your Majesty, it's a little prince!"

Concubine Jiang was sweating and exhausted, but she still held on to her breath, listened to the congratulations of the midwife, palace maids, etc., and saw the red, wrinkled little monkey with her own eyes.

Her son!

The first prince after the saint ascended the throne!

She has a real bond with the royal family, and she and her daughter have someone to rely on for the rest of their lives!

The heavy stone in my heart finally fell down.

Concubine Jiang fell asleep peacefully.

……

The Saint, the Crown Princess and others rushed to Baifu Palace one after another.

Queen Li glanced at the newborn prince and went to visit Concubine Jiang.

The imperial physician took Concubine Jiang's pulse and confirmed that she was just exhausted and drowsy, and there was no accident. Only then did Empress Li feel relieved.

Hearing the chaotic footsteps, Queen Li looked up and saw the saint.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Ajahn has successfully given birth to the ninth prince!"

Queen Li congratulated with a smile, she was truly happy for the emperor and Concubine Jiang.

"Sister! Are Ajiang and his mother okay?"

The saint greeted Queen Li as usual, and then asked with concern.

"Good! Everything is fine! Ajahn's delivery went smoothly, and the Ninth Prince is healthy."

"It's a full six pounds and two ounces! I never thought that with A Jiang's slender body, she could give birth to such a big, fat boy."

Queen Li smiled like an old grandmother seeing her fat grandson.

According to the scale of Dayu, one jin is sixteen liang, which is equivalent to 640 grams in kilograms.

Six pounds and two ounces, close to eight and a half pounds in later generations.

In later generations, they were all considered giant babies, not to mention in ancient times.

Queen Li's surprise and fear were absolutely real.

With Concubine Jiang's slender and graceful figure, her belly was not noticeable at all during her pregnancy.

Unexpectedly, the baby was born as a little ball of flesh.

Such a fat child, but there is not a trace of tearing... I can only say that Concubine Jiang is blessed with great fortune, and God loves this stunning beauty.

"..."

After hearing what Queen Li said, the sage was delighted but also felt a little scared.

The fetus is so big?

Fortunately, A Jiang was in good health and took good care of herself during her pregnancy. Otherwise, a baby of this size would have easily been difficult to deliver.

Although Princess Langya's previous preparations were not used, they were necessary.

After all, it’s really hard to say what an “accident” is.

You can't always rely on luck, but you have to be more prepared.

The saint thought to himself, but a smile appeared on his face.

The Ninth Prince!

The first son after he ascended the throne.

The child born to the woman he loved most.

"Haha, great! Great! Imperial Concubine Jiang deserves a reward for her contribution to childbirth!"

"Doctors, midwives, etc., if you serve properly, you will be rewarded!"

"Princess Langya and Lord Wang presented forceps to improve childbirth techniques. Reward!"

The Sage was delighted with the birth of the Ninth Prince and blurted out a series of rewards.

Wang Heng was still in mourning and had not left her home for over a month, but her princess mansion did not become silent because of her "disappearance".

At the Saint’s birthday banquet in July, the Saint gave her generous rewards.

Now, less than a month later, the saint has given many more rewards.

Gold ingots, silver cakes, pearls, gems, gold embroidery, and moon-shadow gauze were delivered to the princess's mansion in boxes and pieces like flowing water.

The neighbors nearby and the people of Pingkangfang all saw the commotion at Princess Langya's mansion.

"As expected of a favorite concubine's daughter, even though she has no blood relationship with the royal family, she is still favored!"

"That's right. I heard that Concubine Jiang gave birth to a prince!"

"Tsk, now that she has a younger brother who is a prince and is born from the same mother, Princess Wang Jiu has become even more noble."

As soon as the news spread that Concubine Jiang had successfully given birth to the ninth prince, everyone was talking about it and envious.

They not only envied Concubine Jiang for having a prince and her increasingly stable status, but also envied Wang Jiu, a woman from another family, for being able to receive such emperor's favor.

Wang Heng must be thankful that she had lost her father and was in mourning.

Otherwise, her princess mansion would become extremely noisy.

She doesn't like too much noise, and she doesn't like trouble even more.

pity--

……

On the official road, carriages were moving steadily and quickly.

When the Jiang family was still dozens of miles away from the capital, they received the happy news that Concubine Jiang had successfully given birth to the Ninth Prince...