The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

After Yinxiang and the others left, the Crown Princess often came to visit. Qingwan felt a little embarrassed about this. Although the Crown Princess had told Kangxi on New Year's Eve that she would take care of her, she felt that the Crown Princess probably just sent people to inquire about her.

Unexpectedly, the Crown Princess really did come often. Her awkwardness was quickly noticed by the Crown Princess, who comforted her.

"Sister-in-law, do you think what I said in front of the Emperor that day was just to please him?"

"How could that be? I just feel bad that Your Highness, the Crown Princess, is already so busy with your affairs and has gone to so much trouble for me."

The Crown Princess smiled and said, "Then you really don't need to feel bad, sister-in-law." She then pointed to the Third Princess, who was sitting to the side roasting chestnuts.

"Thirteenth Brother, you managed to win that girl over completely. To thank him, I must take good care of you. Besides, I'm just doing my duty to someone who entrusted me with this task."

Although Qingwan smiled after hearing this, she still had doubts but didn't dare to ask. Fortunately, the Crown Princess continued to explain: "This time, the Crown Prince took Hongxi away and didn't take her with him. She was sulking for a long time."

For some reason, this girl preferred things outside the palace, even though there were all sorts of exquisite gadgets in the palace. She especially loved going outside the palace. Every time the Crown Prince left the capital with His Majesty, she wanted to go with him.

But the Crown Prince thought that girls should be raised in luxury and that it was no good for them to be exposed to the elements.

The father and daughter wouldn't talk to each other properly, each more stubborn than the other, leaving me stuck in the middle, unable to persuade either of them.

It was the thirteenth brother who always managed to find good things outside the palace, making that girl very happy.

He specifically came to ask me to take care of your pregnancy; I'm sure my thirteenth brother will be a good father in the future.”

So that's how it is. She was wondering why the Crown Princess would suddenly offer to take care of her pregnancy.

"He didn't tell me about this, and it seems he wasn't planning to tell me."

The Crown Princess smiled mischievously: "Oh dear, I've let it slip. Sister-in-law, please don't tell Thirteenth Brother that I was the one who said it."

Qingwan simply nodded in agreement. The Crown Princess, seeing that Qingwan's thoughts seemed to be wandering off somewhere, smiled but remained silent.

As February arrived, the imperial physicians, midwives, and the Crown Princess came more and more frequently. Seeing the crowd, she became somewhat flustered, but she kept it to herself, not wanting anyone to notice.

Only Aunt Yan noticed her unease and talked to her every day to help her relax.

The Imperial Household Department sent over another list of wet nurses. She had no experience herself, so Aunt Yan helped her choose.

The Imperial Household Department had prepared everything very well, even including a cradle. Qingwan watched as Aunt Yan and the little maids washed the cradle again and again. Thinking of the eldest prince babbling in the cradle, she felt a mix of fear and anticipation for the child.

The day Qingwan gave birth was very coincidental.

Emperor Kangxi's birthday is March 18th. Although Kangxi was not in the capital, it did not prevent the noblewomen from entering the palace. Once they entered the palace in March, they could only ask for leave, even if Kangxi was in the capital.

Fortunately, after Aunt Yan entered the palace, she took over the few tasks that were already on her hands. Whenever someone came, she could handle them, which made her more reliable than the two maids.

That day, just as dawn was breaking, she suddenly went into labor. After touching her belly for a while, she called out to Aunt Yan in a hoarse voice. Her voice was not loud, but Aunt Yan heard her immediately and noticed that something was wrong with her: "It seems that the Princess Consort is about to give birth."

Qingwan gave a vague reply, and Aunt Yan started calling for help. Under her direction, everyone moved quickly. She only felt herself patting her belly and taking a few breaths before the midwives entered the room.

Qingwan felt her head was spinning. The panic that had been building up over the past few days suddenly found an outlet. She grabbed Aunt Yan and asked, "Where's my mom? Has my mom arrived yet?"

"I have already sent someone to fetch the lady. Listen to the midwife carefully, and the lady will be able to come and join you soon."

Qingwan didn't know where all her tears came from. After the initial confusion, she started having all sorts of wild thoughts, and her usual calm and composure completely collapsed: "Aunt Yan, it hurts so much. If something happens to me, please protect my child."

Aunt Yan gently wiped away her tears: "You silly child, this is not the time to talk nonsense. The best midwives and the most skilled physicians in the palace are here. You will be fine."

Her tears flowed faster and faster, so Aunt Yan had to sit by her bedside and gently coax her, and then coax her to eat something, otherwise she would not have the strength later.

Qingwan was coaxed into eating while she was crying.

The relentless pain plunged Qingwan into a state of confusion once more, and she became like a puppet, doing whatever others told her to do.

News of Qingwan's childbirth quickly spread to the inner palace. The Crown Princess and Yihuan rushed over after hearing the news, with the Fourth Prince's Consort following behind the Crown Princess.

When they arrived at the prince's residence, the Crown Princess was relieved to see that there was no chaos in the courtyard and everyone was doing their duties. Yi Huan was in a hurry to go to the main room, but the Crown Princess stopped her, not only preventing her from entering, but also ordering someone to pull her far away.

Unlike her casual demeanor with Qingwan, Yihuan was not as at ease with the Crown Princess. Biting her lip, she was pulled aside by Xunmei and the others, with Xunmei offering words of comfort beside her.

“How could an unmarried girl like the princess barge in? The Crown Princess is doing this for the princess’s own good. Otherwise, even if the Princess Consort and the Thirteenth Prince found out afterward, they would still scold the princess.”

Fuling and Yingyu were also waiting outside the door. With so many proper masters present, they didn't get a chance to speak. They could only listen to the imperial physician and others telling the Crown Princess that the Thirteenth Princess was doing well.

Fuling tugged at her handkerchief, unsure whether she hoped Qingwan would be alright or not. Yingyu clutched her lower abdomen, filled with envy and resentment.

She was waiting for a child of her own, and thought this southern tour would be the best opportunity, but she was still left in the palace.

When Qingwan was in unbearable pain in the delivery room, she would ask, "Has my period started?"

Aunt Yan never let go of Qingwan's hand, even when Qingwan pinched her hand in pain, she remained calm and kept comforting her in a gentle voice: "Soon, Madam will be here soon."

When Li Jia received the news to enter the palace, she only had time to change her clothes before rushing there. After getting off the carriage, she disregarded her manners and walked faster and faster. When she arrived at the prince's residence, she was panting heavily and could not stop. Her body was not as good as before.

Upon seeing her, Zhang Chun, who was waiting outside, hurriedly asked, "Are you the Minister's wife?"

"Yes." Li Jia was already speechless, and the maid behind her hurriedly replied.

"Quickly, go in and tell the lady that the madam has arrived."

Then a young palace maid ran in and shouted loudly outside the delivery room, "The lady has arrived."

Inside the delivery room, Aunt Yan said to Qingwan as if she were coaxing a child, "Did you hear that, Madam? The lady has arrived. Don't be afraid."

Feeling utterly exhausted, Qingwan heard a buzzing in her ears and vaguely heard someone say, "Almost there," someone say, "Push harder," and then everyone cheered, "It's out!"