Chapter 1476 - 1474: Safe Delivery of Mother and Son (2)
Chapter 1476: Chapter 1474: Safe Delivery of Mother and Son (2)
She hurriedly walked to the birthing room entrance and called for the Sister to inquire.
She learned that Yue Er had already dilated, with only the final stage remaining; currently, the fetal position was stable and the labor was proceeding smoothly.
Only then did she completely relax and quickly turned around to relay the results to Zhao Junyao.
"Rest assured!"
"Your daughter is doing well, and the grandchild is doing well too!"
"Your health has always been poor, quickly go to the chamber to rest!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Junyao nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alright!"
After saying this, he gave Shih Shaoling several sharp glances before following Xia Ruqing towards the chamber room.
Xia Ruqing was almost unable to contain her laughter, and asked curiously along the way.
"Husband, has the Prince Consort offended you? I see your expression isn’t good, why is that?"
Because Zhao Junyao was no longer the Emperor.
It wasn’t appropriate to call him ’Emperor’, and the term ’Taishang Huang’ felt too distant to her.
Therefore, she used ’husband’ instead.
Zhao Junyao walked slowly with his hands behind his back, and after a moment, he said softly.
"Our daughter has never suffered any pain since childhood!"
"Now, in order to bear children for the Shi family, she has to endure such hardship and suffering!"
"What harm is there in me glaring at him a few times?"
Xia Ruqing did not retort upon hearing this, but giggled.
"I think you’re right, our daughter indeed has never suffered such hardships!"
"But you don’t need to be too concerned, all women go through this!"
Zhao Junyao remained silent.
He took several large strides forward, departing arrogantly.
’Hmph! Reasons are reasons, facts are facts!! As Taishang Huang, I refuse to listen, what can be done about it? I’m angry, what can be done about it?’
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and the faster he moved his steps.
But he didn’t realize... the faster he moved, the more unsteady his steps became.
Xia Ruqing initially followed behind, still smiling, but later the corners of her mouth turned bitter, and eventually, tears almost spilled from her eyes.
Time surely flies!
He who once stood tall, now had a slightly hunched figure.
The man who once had a tall and straight figure and walked with the wind, also began to walk with some difficulty.
His once thick, lustrous hair was now thinning and turning white.
Although he was a martial artist, his physique hadn’t changed much, and his appearance had barely altered.
Still, in the end, it’s different now!
He’s no longer in the prime of youth.
And she is no longer the little woman who can freely act spoiled in his arms.
They are both aging.
His health is declining, with old training injuries gradually showing.
Her health has always been poor, and it’s worsened past middle age.
They both know each other’s condition, but neither wishes to speak of it.
Whenever Zhao Junyao asks her, have I aged? Am I ugly?
She would always smile and tell him that he hasn’t aged at all, he’s exactly the same as before, perhaps even more handsome.
In such moments, Zhao Junyao would smile contentedly.
And would drop a kiss on her cheek.
"Qingqing is also beautiful!"
"Look at this skin, so tender that one can pinch out water!"
At these moments, she would playfully pinch his arm hard, teasing.
"Let me see, can you pinch out water?"
Zhao Junyao would then embrace her, the two would playfully spar, exchanging laughter.
They seemed to defy time, as if it never marked them.
This time was no different.
Inside the chamber.
Exhausted, Zhao Junyao lay weakly on the bed.
But his face remained gentle and indulgent.
Xia Ruqing, having rested earlier, was still energetic, fanning him and holding tea.
"Qingqing!"
Zhao Junyao took a sip of tea, feeling much better.
"Hm?"
Xia Ruqing raised her eyes: "What is it?"
She was busy fanning him, fearing he might be hot, the fan fluttering loudly.
Zhao Junyao pulled her hand holding the fan closer, asking.
"Do you want a granddaughter or grandson?"
Xia Ruqing paused, thought for a moment, and replied.
"I think either is great; both are the precious offspring of our daughter!"
"I will love them equally!"
After speaking, she continued fanning.
Zhao Junyao was somewhat satisfied, yet somewhat unsatisfied, expressing wistfully.
"I wish for a granddaughter!"
"Why?" Xia Ruqing was puzzled.
Zhao Junyao laughed.
"Because the granddaughter will certainly resemble Yue Er!"
"If it’s a grandson, that’s uncertain!"
Most like, it will resemble Shih Shaoling, that rascal, which he would find hard to accept.
Xia Ruqing was speechless.
"You’re too narrow-minded!"
"He’s Yue Er’s husband, the one who’ll accompany her for life! Why are you still jealous?"
Ever since their daughter got married, Zhao Junyao’s attitude towards Shih Shaoling hasn’t been great.
He always had a ’you took away my daughter’ demeanor.
She literally couldn’t understand.
It’s no wonder people say daughters are fathers’ past-life lovers.
Looking at it this way, it seems true!
Sure enough, Zhao Junyao had already raised an eyebrow before she finished speaking.
"And what of it?"
"I’m still her father!"
Xia Ruqing quickly handed him another cup of tea.
"Alright alright, have some tea to calm your mood!"
Such trivial matters aren’t worth getting upset over.
Zhao Junyao silently placed the empty teacup aside and picked up a new cup to sip leisurely.
...
A cup of tea later.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded from outside.
Xia Ruqing hurriedly stood up.
"Is there news? Has Yue Er given birth?"
Just as she spoke, Zi Yue rushed inside.
"Congratulations, lady, congratulations Taishang Huang, the Fourth Princess has safely delivered a little prince, mother and child are safe!"
Upon hearing ’mother and child are safe’, Xia Ruqing was overjoyed.
Zhao Junyao’s face instantly darkened.
’It truly is a brat! Hmph!’
’Luckily the mother and child are safe, it didn’t torment his precious daughter much! Otherwise...’
Before he could finish his thoughts, he was already dragged out by Xia Ruqing.
"Let’s go, let’s quickly see the child!"
The summer warmth meant no worries about the baby catching cold.
After birth, the midwife briefly cleaned the mouth and nose before handing the child to the waiting Female Doctor and Palace Maid.
They would clean the child thoroughly and wrap him, handing him to the Wet Nurse and Supervising Sister.
Others were responsible for attending to the Fourth Princess.
Everyone remained organized and orderly amidst their busy tasks.
Thus, within the duration of half an incense stick, Yue Er’s birthing room was entirely cleaned.
And Shih Shaoling finally rushed in at the first chance.
He couldn’t spare a glance at the child, nor dared ask the Sisters to leave, simply knelt on one knee by the bed in front of everyone, clutching Yue Er’s hand tightly.
"You’ve worked hard!"
Yue Er looked pale, her hair soaked with sweat.
Shih Shaoling was about the same.
His body was drenched, both from exertion and cold sweat from Yue Er’s cries.
During this ordeal, while Yue Er suffered greatly, he didn’t fare much better.