Consort Zhuang doesn't want palace intrigue; she just wants to raise her child and live a caref

"Since Consort Zhuang has given birth safely, I shall go in and see her," the Emperor said with a joyful expression. He then slowly stood up, as if to step into the room.

Just then, Jinse rushed out of the house and bumped into the Emperor who was about to enter. Jinse glanced at the Emperor and was startled. She quickly knelt down and reported to the Emperor with trepidation, "Your Majesty, the Empress has gone through a whole day of hard labor and is now exhausted. She has already gone to sleep."

Seeing this, the Empress quickly stepped forward, bowed gracefully to the Emperor, and said softly, "Your Majesty, Consort Zhuang's childbirth has been truly difficult. She has been busy all day and must be exhausted. I hope Your Majesty will be considerate of Consort Zhuang and not disturb her rest."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor nodded slightly in agreement, his smile growing even brighter: "In that case, let her rest in peace. I will visit her another day." With that, he turned to look at the Fifth Prince in his swaddling clothes, his eyes filled with affection, clearly overjoyed at the arrival of this new life.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off." Upon seeing this, the Empress took the lead in bowing, and the others followed suit, shouting in unison.

Just as the Emperor was about to step out of the room, he seemed to suddenly remember something important, paused, and turned back to the Empress, saying, "Oh, right, Empress, please send someone to deliver a message to Mother, telling her that another prince has been added to the palace. So that Mother can share in the joy."

"I will obey Your Majesty's decree," the Empress replied respectfully.

After the Emperor stepped out of Cuiwei Palace, he turned to Li Desheng, who was following closely beside him, and instructed him: "Li Desheng, quickly send someone to the Zhenguo General's Mansion to inform them that Consort Zhuang has safely given birth to the Fifth Prince, and that the Zhenguo General's wife will come to the palace tomorrow to keep Consort Zhuang company."

"Yes! This servant will take care of it right away." Li Desheng responded, then turned around and instructed his apprentice Xiao Yuanzi, who was following behind him, to go to the Zhenguo General's Mansion to report the good news.

The Emperor had just stepped through the magnificent threshold of the Hall of Diligent Governance, and before he could even sit down and catch his breath, he saw Zhou Huai, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department, hurrying towards him with small, quick steps. He carefully carried an exquisite tray in both hands, his body slightly bowed, and his face full of fawning smiles.

When Zhou Huai reached the Emperor, he knelt down with a thud, raised the tray in his hands high, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please choose a concubine."

However, the emperor was engrossed in a mountain of memorials, not even lifting his eyelids, and simply said, "I will stay in the Hall of Diligent Governance tonight." After saying this, he remained silent and continued to concentrate on handling state affairs.

Hearing this, Zhou Huai felt a pang of disappointment, but dared not say anything. He then secretly glanced at Li Desheng, who was standing to the side serving him, and saw Li Desheng gently shake his head at him. Zhou Huai instantly understood; it seemed the Emperor was indeed determined not to visit any palace tonight.

Left with no other choice, Zhou Huai had to lower his head again and reply, "Yes! This servant obeys the decree." Then he slowly stood up, still carrying the tray, and slowly withdrew from the Hall of Diligent Governance.

After leaving the Hall of Diligent Governance, Zhou Huai handed the tray to the eunuch who had followed him. Instead of turning away as usual, he stopped at the doorway, seemingly waiting for something.

Sure enough, not long after, Li Desheng came out. Upon seeing this, Zhou Huai hurriedly went up to him, his face full of worry, and said in a low voice, "Chief Steward Li, what should we do? His Majesty hasn't entered the inner palace for half a month."

“Steward Zhou, you were really in the wrong today! His Majesty just had the joy of welcoming the Fifth Prince and is in a state of happiness. How could he possibly be looking at other concubines? So, we're afraid we still have a long way to go!” Li Desheng said quietly to Zhou Huai in a low voice.

Zhou Huai frowned, his face full of distress, and replied softly, "Sigh, Steward Li, when will this ever end? Waiting like this every day isn't a solution!"

Li Desheng lowered his head slightly, straightening his clothes as he slowly spoke, "In my opinion, as long as Consort Mei can give birth to the imperial heir safely, we might see a glimmer of hope. However, we'll have to wait at least another month."

After hearing this, Zhou Huai nodded helplessly, then cupped his hands in a fist and bowed to Li Desheng, saying, "In that case, I'll trouble you, Steward Li. You go ahead with your work, I'll take my leave now." As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and hurriedly left with the eunuch behind him.

Meanwhile, the scene was quite different at the General Zhenguo's mansion.

"Father-in-law, is what you just said true?" The wife of the General of the State stared wide-eyed, her face full of disbelief, and asked Xiao Yuanzi in front of her for confirmation again.

Xiao Yuanzi hurriedly and respectfully replied, "Reporting to Madam, this matter is absolutely true, without the slightest falsehood. Consort Zhuang has safely given birth to the Fifth Prince and has been promoted to Consort Zhuang. His Majesty specially instructed me to come and congratulate you and the General's Mansion, and also to invite you to the palace tomorrow to accompany Consort Zhuang!"

Upon hearing this, the General's wife finally believed the incredible good news. Overwhelmed with excitement, she repeatedly expressed her gratitude: "Oh, this is wonderful! Thank you so much for making this trip, sir. Lingxiang, please go and see this gentleman off properly for me."

"Yes, Madam," Ling Xiang replied, then led Xiao Yuanzi out the door.

At the same time, Lingxiang gently slipped a seemingly light but actually cleverly concealed purse into Xiaoyuanzi's hand. Don't underestimate this purse; although it wasn't heavy, it contained real silver notes, each with a face value of at least ten taels of silver.

Little Yuanzi accepted the generous gift without any hesitation or reservation. Her face was full of smiles, and her mouth was as sweet as if it had been coated with honey. A series of pleasant words flowed out of her mouth like a flood, even more melodious than the song of a lark.

After happily seeing Xiao Yuanzi off, the general's wife immediately turned to her husband, her eyes filled with worry. She said in a voice tinged with deep concern, "Husband, now that Nuan Nuan has successfully given birth to the fifth prince, the days ahead may not be easy." Her earlier joyful expression was now replaced by a face full of sorrow and endless worry.

The General frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then lowered his voice to instruct his wife beside him: "When you enter the palace tomorrow, find an opportunity to quietly inquire about Nuannuan's thoughts and see if she still harbors any desire for that incomparably prestigious position?"

After a pause, he added, "If she is interested in this, then we must make thorough preparations in advance; but if she is not interested, then we must know when to retreat and it is time to hand over the military power we hold in our hands."

Upon hearing this, the general's wife looked troubled and immediately asked, "Then what should we do with Heng'er? Should we send him back to the capital immediately?" The general thought for a moment and slowly replied, "As for Heng'er, it all depends on the emperor's decree. If he can be allowed to return to the capital, it would be a good thing. He can then find an official position in the capital and earn enough salary to support his family."

"This is the only way for now. In any case, Nuannuan has finally given birth safely, and now she has someone to rely on."