Chapter 215

Chapter 215 The midwife also said, "The baby's head has only just emerged. If it's delayed too long... I fear the child's life will be in danger!" Wan Linlang's body went limp, and she nearly collapsed to the ground. She quickly said, "Go find the Prince and Princess Consort at once..." The birthing chamber fell into chaos. Someone had already come to report the news to Prince Jing and the Princess Consort: "Concubine Lian has stopped breathing. The baby's head still hasn't emerged, and the midwife says if it's delayed too long, the child's life will be in danger. Concubine Wan sent me to seek the Prince and Princess Consort's instructions." Prince Jing said with displeasure, "Seek my instructions? I know nothing of childbirth. What could I possibly say?" "Naturally, have the household physicians treat what needs treating and administer medicine where medicine is needed!" The newly arrived household physician who had come along to report said fearfully, "With Mistress Lian's condition, only one of mother and child can be saved." "We can apply acupuncture to deliver the child first, then tend to Concubine Lian. But forced induction of labor will inevitably harm both the fetus and the mother. The young master may not come out whole and unscathed..." "There is also another method—to preserve the young master's life, but Mistress Lian... I fear she will not survive." At a time like this, even the Princess Consort dared not speak. Only Prince Jing could make the decision. Prince Jing asked, "If acupuncture is used to induce labor, will it also harm the mother?" "To answer the Prince, yes. But choosing the lesser of two evils, compared to the latter method, at least a life can be saved..." Prince Jing thought for only a moment, then said without hesitation, "Save the child!" With the Prince's word, the household physicians sprang into action at once. Xie Run had gathered much information during her own childbirth, so of course she knew that the so-called "saving the child" actually meant a caesarean section. Under the medical conditions of ancient times, the child might be delivered, but the mother had almost no chance of survival. Concubine Lian had suffered no illness or misfortune throughout her pregnancy. And during this labor, there had been no word of the baby being transverse or presenting a foot first... yet the birth was so difficult. Xie Run found it hard not to suspect that Wan Linlang had done something. But then she thought of how Wan Linlang had cared for Concubine Lian with such devotion over these past eight or nine months, and then thought of Concubine Lian's fate. Outside, snow was falling heavily, yet Xie Run broke out in a cold sweat down her back. As for the lilies that had already been found in the search... Xie Run was certain that nothing would be traced back to Wan Linlang. At the crowing of the rooster, a loud, piercing cry suddenly shattered the stillness of the courtyard. The Princess Consort and Xie Run rose from their quiet waiting. "Has she given birth?" A matron immediately came to report the good news, "She's given birth! She's given birth! It's a young master!" "Five catties and seven taels!" Prince Jing's expression was indifferent, with little visible joy. He only said in a low voice, "Rewards!" "This servant thanks the Prince for his reward!" "This servant thanks the Prince for his reward." One after another, voices of gratitude rang out across the courtyard. The Princess Consort said, "Judging by the sound, the child seems quite sturdy?" The matron replied, "Though the Sixth Young Master was born early, he's well-formed. The household physician says he can certainly be raised!" Those words finally brought a bit of joy into the room. "And Concubine Lian?" The matron's face showed difficulty. "Mistress Lian... I fear she won't make it." The joy in the room was dispersed, replaced once more by an eerie silence. After a long moment, Prince Jing finally said, "Bury her with the rites of a Concubine Consort." The Princess Consort asked, "And what of Concubine Wan?" Prince Jing had vaguely heard rumors of Wan Linlang scheming for Concubine Lian's child. But as long as the matter hadn't been brought before him or substantiated, Prince Jing would not pay it any heed. Moreover, when judging a person, one looks at deeds, not intentions. In protecting Concubine Lian's pregnancy, Wan Linlang had rendered great service. Until she made a mistake, Prince Jing had to acknowledge that merit. "Let her stay at Cloud Jade Pavilion to look after things for now..." Prince Jing paused, then added, "And Princess Consort, keep two capable people there as well." Those words showed that he did not fully trust Wan Linlang. Prince Jing also had Eunuch Shian arrange for two personal young eunuchs to remain there to attend to matters. "Nothing in this courtyard may be moved. If even one thing goes missing, the heads on your shoulders won't be needed anymore." The two young eunuchs hurriedly acknowledged the order. Quite a few guards were also stationed outside the courtyard. The Princess Consort was also methodically assigning maids and matrons to their respective duties. After a moment, she said to Prince Jing and Xie Run, "It's getting late now. Why don't the Prince and Consort Xie go rest first?" Prince Jing said courteously, "The Princess Consort should not overexert herself. If anything arises, simply have the servants handle it." The Princess Consort replied, "This consort thanks the Prince for his consideration." Prince Jing turned to Xie Run and said, "Taotao has already been carried to the front courtyard. Spring Mountain Courtyard is not fit for habitation tonight. Come with me to the front courtyard to rest." Xie Run lowered her head. "This consort will follow the Prince's wishes." The moment they stepped outside, maids and servants immediately held up umbrellas. Xie Run held a warm hand warmer in her hands. Just as she and Prince Jing walked out of the room, she heard low sobbing coming from the side chamber. The young maid standing at the door was also weeping, sob after sob. A faint smell of blood drifted through the air. Xie Run stood still, gazing at that candlelit, flickering room for a long, dazed moment. Prince Jing took her hand. "Let's go." "If you care for the bond between sisters, come see her early tomorrow morning." Prince Jing's words sounded cold and callous. Cold and callous in that his words carried not a trace of emotional fluctuation for the woman who had died giving birth to his child. The irony was that Xie Run and Concubine Lian were barely acquainted—what sisterly bond could there possibly be between them? A bond forged from serving the same man? If she came tomorrow, it would likely be to pay her respects at the funeral. She had barely taken two steps when suddenly, a chorus of wailing erupted from the house. Someone rushed out, crying, "Mistress Lian is gone!" Another voice cried out, "May Mistress Lian rest in peace!" The maids and matrons standing in the corridor or by the courtyard gate all wore mournful expressions. A young maid dashed out and knelt about three feet away from Prince Jing. "Your servant Yuyan requests an audience with the Prince!" Eunuch Shian blocked her path, barking angrily, "Rushing out like this in the dead of night—are you not afraid of startling the master?!" The Prince said, "What is it?" "Your servant is Yuyan, Mistress Lian's personal maid!" Yuyan sobbed softly. "My mistress left a final message she wished to convey to the Prince. I beg the Prince to grant your servant a chance to speak." The Prince said flatly, "Speak." Yuyan wiped her tears, her face stinging from the cold. "Before she passed, my mistress clutched my hand and bade me come beg the Prince to entrust the young master to Mistress Wan's care." "She said it was only through Mistress Wan's watchful care that she was able to carry the child safely to full term and give birth. She trusted only Mistress Wan in this life—no one else..." These words were somewhat audacious. Concubine Lian was but a lowly concubine, with no authority to decide where the Prince's son should be raised. Yet with her death, the lamp extinguished, and she had perished giving birth to Sixth Young Master. With such a final request on her deathbed, the Prince could hardly rebuke her for it. Of course, neither did the Prince readily agree: "I have heard your mistress's words. But the offspring of this household are precious—not just anyone may raise them." "See to your young master's care for now. We shall discuss other matters later." Yuyan kowtowed. "Your servant thanks the Prince on behalf of my mistress and the young master." Xie Run raised a hand. "No need to kneel. Go back and tend to your young master—be careful not to kneel too long and hurt your legs." In the dead of winter, kneeling straight into the snow like that—this girl was ruthless enough toward herself. One misstep, and those legs of hers would be permanently damaged.