kvmb Chapter 125 Calmly Awaiting Childbirth
Chapter 125 Calmly Awaiting Childbirth
Outside the palace, a bustling and lively scene unfolded, while inside, Consort Li and Ye Qingchen peacefully nurtured their pregnancies. Thanks to the Emperor's scheme, the Empress's quarters were in chaos, allowing Consort Li to rest and prepare for her pregnancy, and incidentally, even the lower-ranking concubines were spared any harm. Some of the eager babies had already been born, much to the Emperor's delight! In just a few days, several princes and princesses had been born. Although the mothers of these children were not high-ranking concubines, the arrival of new life meant the Emperor felt as if he had regained his youth; how could such joy not fill him with elation? At this moment, the Emperor eagerly awaited Consort Li's successful delivery of a son or daughter.
On this bright and sunny day, a gentle breeze caressed the palace's many halls. The emperor, having just finished his morning court session, was in high spirits, a smile on his face, and strode briskly toward Consort Li's palace to spend some quality time with her. However, just then, hurried footsteps approached, and the crown prince, looking rushed, walked toward the emperor.
In the imperial court, there was a rule: no family matters were to be discussed. Even the emperor and the crown prince, of such high status, could not easily break this rule. Therefore, despite his great anxiety, the crown prince forced himself to wait until after the court session ended before rushing to find the emperor.
This is precisely why the Crown Prince is so eager to pursue power and status. Within the royal family, even between biological father and son, there exists an extremely strict hierarchy. One is the supreme monarch, possessing the power of life and death; the other is merely a subject, who must always be cautious and prudent, for the slightest mistake could lead to a tragic end, with his head severed from his body.
The Crown Prince knelt before the Emperor and said, "Father, I was overjoyed to have a son yesterday. I hope you will visit the Empress Dowager today to celebrate." The Emperor had not expected that Ye Qingchen would be so fortunate as to give birth to the Crown Prince's eldest son. However, it was indeed a joyous occasion, so the Emperor accompanied the Crown Prince to the Empress's residence. The Empress was overjoyed to learn that Ye Qingchen had given birth to the Crown Prince's eldest son. She said, "It's true that the Crown Prince's eldest son was born to that girl Ye Qingchen, but he's still a son born out of wedlock. If the Crown Princess's next child is a princess, then Yun'er, you must leave the eldest son and several other clever sons born out of wedlock with the Crown Princess. If the Crown Princess can give birth to a legitimate son, the Crown Prince's grandson, then those concubines won't have to lose their children!" The Crown Prince agreed with the Empress. After all, the Crown Princess's father was a Grand General, while the Left and Right Chancellors were merely civil officials who couldn't cause much trouble. Therefore, he nodded and said, "Your subject will obey Your Majesty's decree." He then looked at the Crown Princess. At this moment, the Crown Princess's complexion had improved somewhat while she was with the Empress. He was also worried that something might have happened to the Crown Princess while she was with him, after all... Ye Shiqing was no pushover, and Consort Gao was probably no better. Therefore, he took the Crown Princess's hand and said, "Jia'er, now that we have another child, I'm truly sorry to trouble you. You should stay here with your mother and rest well during your pregnancy. After the birth of our son, I will take you back to manage the household." Then he knelt before the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you name our eldest son! This time, I will certainly be careful in raising him and strictly manage the servants. The incident with the Crown Prince will not happen again!" The Emperor, thinking of the Crown Prince, also felt a pang of regret and said, "Yes, that child was pitiful. Now General Wei has trampled him with his iron cavalry to avenge him, but the dead cannot be brought back to life. Alas! We must not raise children so recklessly in the future. Let the child born to Consort Ye be named Wenhan." He then drank a cup of wine in remembrance of his first grandson. The Crown Prince and Empress also drank a cup of wine with the Emperor, also missing that child dearly. Although they had raised him somewhat wildly, he was, after all, their precious child!
Meanwhile, Consort Li sat leisurely in her room, watching as the time for the Emperor to return from court arrived, yet he still hadn't appeared. She pondered to herself that something must have delayed his arrival. However, Consort Li remained calm and composed, showing no signs of anxiety.
She reclined gracefully on the couch, her figure elegant and poised, like a beautiful painting. Beside her lay a plate of crystal-clear, chilled fruit, radiating an enticing coolness. These fruits had been carefully selected, each one plump and juicy, as if containing the essence of nature.
At this moment, she was leisurely savoring the sweet taste. Taking a gentle bite, the tender flesh burst open in her mouth, the juice overflowing, the sweet flavor intoxicating. At the same time, a cool breeze filled the room, as if dispelling the summer heat and bringing unparalleled comfort and ease.
All of this was thanks to Ye Qingchen's ingenious efforts over the past two days. The palace always maintained a supply of ice, usually collected in winter and stored in deep ice cellars for use in the summer. However, the supply of ice in the palace was limited, with priority given to the Emperor and Empress. Even someone like her, a Noble Consort, could receive some, but the amount was truly meager. Furthermore, Ye Qingchen was a person with severe mysophobia; the thought of those ice blocks, intended for everyone, having been touched by countless unfamiliar hands and then used to chill fruit and make shaved ice was unbearable for her.
Fortunately, saltpeter, needed to make ice, was readily available and in considerable quantities throughout the mountain stronghold. Therefore, Ye Qingchen had no need to worry about attracting attention or suspicion for making ice herself. With ample saltpeter resources and her own ingenuity, she successfully created her own cool and refreshing world. The pregnant Consort Li could then enjoy it as well.
On the other side, Ye Qingchen was bustling about happily. She was enthusiastically arranging the various small, exquisite items she had recently commissioned the craftsmen to create. Among them were a uniquely shaped crib, a cleverly designed little cart, and many other adorable trinkets. Not only that, but a pile of brightly colored baby clothes was also laid out beside her—reds as vibrant as fire, pinks as delicate as the sunset, and blues as clear as water. These colorful garments dazzled Consort Li; she truly couldn't understand how an infant still in swaddling clothes could need so many different colors. However, watching Ye Qingchen happily organizing these things, Consort Li's lips couldn't help but curl into a slight smile, a hint of doting affection in her eyes.