amaotonovel Chapter 166 Concubine Zhuang's Difficult Childbirth
Chapter 166 Concubine Zhuang's Difficult Childbirth
Shen Zhiyao just smiled after hearing this and didn't take it to heart at all. She didn't want to explain any more to Qiuyue.
She had no intention of relying on anyone, let alone climbing up the social ladder by having children.
In other words, Shen Zhiyao believes that as long as she wants, she can get it with her own ability. Although she looks like she is good at "female competition", she has the heart of "male competition".
She won the Grand Slam Best Actress award in modern times by relying on her own strength and has never slept with any big shot.
All I can say is that everyone's pursuits are different. She will ultimately take a different path from ordinary concubines. It may be more difficult, but it will definitely be worth it.
In the blink of an eye, Shen Zhiyao spent her first New Year in the palace in busyness.
During this period, she had to go to Fengyi Palace almost every day to accompany the Queen to entertain various female guests, including those from the concubines' families and members of the royal family.
This is the responsibility she must bear as she is one of the Nine Concubines and has a good relationship with the Queen. It is also a special honor only available to the Nine Concubines.
On the fifteenth day of March, Concubine Zhuang's belly showed signs of movement. Counting the days, it was exactly ten months.
In the morning, Shen Zhiyao paid her respects at Fengyi Palace. After everyone left, she stayed behind to talk to the Queen.
"Empress! Master!" Shijin walked quickly into the back hall, panting, "The servants from Yongfu Palace came to report that Concubine Zhuang had severe stomach pain and was about to give birth!"
"Tell someone to inform the emperor, the queen mother, and everyone in the harem." After giving all the instructions, the queen turned to Shen Zhiyao and said, "It's just right. You can go to Yongfu Palace with me."
At this time, the emperor was still meeting in front of the palace and could not come earlier.
As soon as Shen Zhiyao entered Yongfu Palace with the Queen, they heard Concubine Zhuang's tragic screams.
The birth of this child was obviously very painful. Shen Zhiyao felt that she might even die from the pain at any time.
Fortunately, the Queen had already made all the necessary preparations. At the beginning of March, two imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau took turns waiting in Yongfu Palace. Everything was ready, just waiting for Concubine Zhuang to give birth.
When Imperial Physician Qiu learned that the Queen had arrived, he ran to the front hall and bowed to report: "Your Majesty, the child will be born at full term, so there will be no problem. However, it may be that Imperial Concubine Zhuang ate too well during her pregnancy, and the child has grown a little, so it is more difficult to give birth. Imperial Concubine Zhuang is afraid that she will suffer a lot..."
"Have you used up enough labor-inducing drugs in advance?" the queen asked with a frown, obviously not satisfied.
"To answer your Majesty, we have used all the necessary equipment and have determined the position of the fetus in advance." Imperial Doctor Qiu wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Okay, I understand. You may go in." The queen waved her hand.
The imperial physician bowed and quickly walked into the delivery room to take care of the baby.
Shen Zhiyao understood what was said. Ancient people lacked medical knowledge and were overly superstitious about methods of preserving the fetus. They overprotected pregnant women, did not exercise much during the fetal period, and excessive nutrition made it easy for them to have a difficult delivery.
Because they were all on the Queen's team, Shen Zhiyao had kindly reminded them, but Concubine Zhuang refused to listen.
After a while, the concubines arrived one after another.
During this time, Concubine Zhuang's cries were sometimes louder and sometimes weaker, which frightened everyone.
But in ancient times, the delivery room was an unclean place, and blood was considered an ominous thing. No matter how anxious the Queen and Shen Zhiyao were, they could not go in directly to take a look.
Another hour passed before Bo Muxi finally arrived.
Everyone knelt down and paid their respects. Bo Muxi was obviously also in agony. After all, there were few children in the palace. He casually waved his hand, signaling everyone to stand up.
"Queen, how is Concubine Zhuang doing?" Bo Muxi frowned.
The Queen did not hesitate and reported to Bo Muxi what Imperial Doctor Qiu had said truthfully.
"Well, let's wait..." Upon hearing this, Bo Muxi just nodded. He felt that childbirth was a matter of personal luck and no one else could help.
Both Bo Muxi and the Queen were very concerned about Concubine Zhuang's pregnancy. They had worked together and put in a lot of effort until now. If she still couldn't give birth smoothly, it would only mean that Concubine Zhuang was not destined to have this baby.
In a blink of an eye, the situation was deadlocked until noon, and the child still could not be born successfully.
"Empress... Empress! I'm afraid I can't make it... I'm sorry... Your Majesty..." In the delivery room, Concubine Zhuang cried out heart-wrenchingly as if she was having a last burst of light.
When the queen heard this, tears welled up in her eyes.
She paused for a moment, then stepped forward without hesitation, wanting to go to the delivery room to check it out herself.
"Master! You can't do that!" Shijin was quick to grab the queen's sleeve.
"Let go!" The queen turned her head and glared at him, her eyes were terrifying.
Shijin had never been treated so fiercely by the queen before, and he was so scared that he let go immediately.
The queen was about to turn around but was stopped by Bo Muxi.
"Queen, there are many taboos in the delivery room. People who don't care are not allowed to enter." Bo Muxi advised softly.
"Your Majesty, the one giving birth in the delivery room right now is your concubine, and the child in her belly is the emperor's child. I am the mistress of the harem, and all the concubines' children are my children..." The queen turned and looked at Bo Muxi, saying in a hoarse voice.
"Now that Concubine Zhuang has said this, how can I bear to turn a blind eye?"
Every word the Queen spoke was full of pearls, leaving Bo Muxi speechless.
After hearing these words, Shen Zhiyao felt even more that she had followed the right person. The queen's mind and bearing were something that no man could easily match.
She only felt a surge of blood in her chest. Not to mention that the queen only wanted to go to the delivery room, even if it meant climbing a mountain of swords, what would it matter if she went with her?
"Your Majesty, the Empress is not an ordinary person. She is the mother of our Great Zhao Kingdom. If the Empress can go in, Concubine Zhuang will surely be more motivated. Maybe our child can be born safely. The Great Zhao Kingdom needs this child. I am willing to go in with the Empress to support Concubine Zhuang!"
Shen Zhiyao looked at Bo Muxi sincerely and spoke with great pride, not afraid of being blamed at all.
Bo Muxi hesitated for a long time, then looked up at the two stubborn women in front of him, and suddenly felt relieved.
Well, the Queen and Jin Shuyi were truly two "extraordinary women" in the harem, and the palace rules did not explicitly state that the Queen or other concubines could not enter when a concubine was giving birth.
If they don't mind the bad luck in there, they can go in if they want to. But if they go in and something happens, they won't be able to explain it.
"I agree, you can go...but this is a serious matter, you have to think it over before you do anything." Bo Muxi frowned.
"I will obey your Majesty's orders." The Queen bowed and responded, then turned and walked quickly towards the delivery room.
Shen Zhiyao also bowed to the emperor, and without even having time to say a word, she followed the queen into the delivery room.
"Master, what's going on with the Queen and Jin Shuyi..." Yinlian, who was standing in the back row, whispered in Hu Cairen's ear.
"Let's wait and see. If mother and child are safe, it will be fine. But if something goes wrong, it will be even more difficult to explain..." Hu Cairen whispered.
As Hu Cairen was thinking about it, he suddenly felt a surge of evil thoughts involuntarily in his heart.
She sincerely hoped that Concubine Zhuang in the delivery room would have "one body and two lives", so that the scene would be "extremely exciting"!