Chapter 606 - Chapter 606: Chapter 606. Su Qing’s Birth
Chapter 606: Chapter 606. Su Qing’s Birth
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
These days, Xiao Zeyu has been dealing with fake medicine in court. The army was about to attack Nanman. Su Qing did not stay idle either. She went to Qin Tie and took out a blueprint for a pistol. She studied it with Qin Tie and made two pistols. This was to give one to Zhong Yong and Zhang Jinglin each.
“Master, what is this?”
Zhong Yong held the pistol and studied it repeatedly but still could not understand it.
“You two, come with me.”
Su Qing took them to the imperial garden and ordered someone to hang a bottle on a tree. Su Qing took them far away before stopping. She raised her gun and aimed, breaking the bottle with one shot.
“This hidden weapon is good!”
Zhong Yong grinned widely and touched the gun lovingly.
“Look at the crosshair here. Look here, aim, and pull the trigger.”
Su Qing taught Zhong Yong how to use a gun while Zhang Jinglin watched from the side. He was smart enough to know at a glance. He aimed his gun at the bottle and pulled the trigger.
He thought he could break the bottle but realized there was no sound.
What was going on?
“Jinglin, you have to load the bullets like this.”
“This is loading bullets,” Su Qing taught Zhang Jinglin as he held the gun.
Zhang Jinglin observed and did not fail this time. He shot the bottle with one shot.
“Keep it close to you. At the critical moment, you can defend yourself and shoot in the dark.”
Su Qing was delighted with Zhang Jinglin’s cleverness. He might not have died so miserably if he had been sent to fight the Nanmanerably.
“Alright, thank you, Empress.”
Zhang Jinglin cupped his fists and thanked the Empress. They were family, after all, and the Empress cared about them.
“Here’s a bottle of medicine. If you’re exhausted, take one.”
Su Qing handed them a small bottle of medicine. This medicine had the effect of refreshing and replenishing energy. When one was extremely tired, one pill would immediately restore one’s spirit. It would not harm anyone.
“Here is a packet of summer medicine and a prescription. It’s boiling in Nanman right now. It’s to prevent the soldiers from getting a heatstroke.”
Although Su Qing did not go to the front lines, she was concerned for the soldiers. Every soldier of the Great Tang was precious.
“Many thanks, Empress.”
Zhang Jinglin was very touched. The Empress was too thoughtful.
“Alright, I wish you all the best.”
“Yes.” Su Qing nodded.
“I ordered the kitchen to prepare a table of dishes for you.”
Su Qing thought of another vital problem and immediately asked Xiao Qi to make some anti-diarrhea medicine. The most feared thing in a military battle was a cold, fever, and diarrhea. Especially diarrhea, it would make people lose their fighting strength.
Xiao Qi was busy making medicine in the system. The medicine that was stored previously was almost used up. It reported the lack of medicine to its master, and Su Qing ordered people to go to the Imperial Medicine Room to get the medicine according to her list.
Zhong Yong was about to go to war, so Jiang Yuyan went to the kitchen early in the morning and steamed a bag of buns for Zhong Yong. She also made a bowl of meat with soy sauce. When she heard that the Empress had asked for food, she brought the steamed buns and soy sauce meat.
Zhong Yong was eating meat when he saw Jiang Yuyan.
“Yuyan.”
“I’ve steamed some steamed buns and meat in soy sauce for you. Take them with you to eat on the road.”
Jiang Yuyan’s eyes were red. She couldn’t bear to let Zhong Yong go and was worried about him. However, she knew a man couldn’t be tied to a woman’s belt. He still had to make contributions.
“Alright, alright.”
Zhong Yong was pleased. He would be able to marry Yuyan in two years.
When Xiao Zeyu returned from court, he heard that Su Qing was treating Zhong Yong and Zhang Jinglin to a meal. He came as well. After changing into casual clothes, he did not put on any airs. He was no different from when he was in Mo City.
“Yong’er, you must be careful. Don’t be careless.”
Xiao Zeyu was worried about Zhong Yong. He was brave but not cautious enough. The Nanman people were too cunning and feared he would be in danger.
“Big brother, I know. Don’t worry, I will destroy the Nanman people.”
Zhong Yong patted his chest and promised. Big Brother was good to him, so he had to help Big Brother solve his worries.
“Alright.”
Xiao Zeyu nodded and raised his glass to Zhang Jinglin.
“Jinglin, I wish you a great victory.”
“Many thanks, Your Majesty.”
Zhang Jinglin was different from Zhong Yong. He paid more attention to rank. The Emperor was the Emperor. Even if they were relatives, they had to pay attention to boundaries.
Moreover, he and Luan Hong have not been married yet!
“When you return triumphantly, I will personally officiate your marriage. It is time to marry Luan Hong.”
Xiao Zeyu smiled and gave Zhang Jinglin some hope. He had been looking forward to marrying Luan Hong for a long time. However, the country had just been established, and there were many things to do. He was swamped every day, and so was the Emperor. The marriage was delayed.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will return triumphantly as soon as possible.”
Zhang Jinglin knelt on the ground to thank Xiao Zeyu, but Xiao Zeyu helped him with both hands.
“Jinglin, you don’t have to be so polite. We’re brothers when we’re not in court. Just let’s get along with each other as usual. Don’t kneel for no reason.”
Su Qing glanced at the men engaged in deep conversation, seemingly oblivious to the meal before them. Her hunger was becoming more insistent, echoed by the stirrings of the child she carried.
Today’s menu featured cherry meat, a dish whose preparation she had personally instructed the imperial chefs in. Her culinary contributions weren’t limited to this dish alone; she also shared her recipe for steamed pork buns.
Pregnancy had shifted her tastes towards sweet and sour flavors, reducing her inclination for spicy foods.
After the meal she relished, the men dispersed to attend to their duties. Zhong Yong and Zhang Jinglin headed to the military field to rally the troops, while Xiao Zeyu left to bolster their morale.
Upon seeing their Emperor among them, the soldiers were filled with a vibrant spirit. Their oaths and vows resounded with extraordinary vigor, their voices echoing a fierce loyalty and readiness to defend their empire.
A month after the army left, there was news of victory. They had already recovered two cities. Xiao Zeyu ordered that the frontlines be fully protected. Food and medicine were continuously sent to the frontlines.
Su Qing was about to give birth. Her belly was so big that it was difficult for her to walk. Xiao Qi avoided Little Chen and stayed by Su Qing’s side every day, afraid that no one would be around when her master gave birth.
Xiao Zeyu was even more nervous. Not only did he let his mother-in-law accompany Su Qing, but he would return as soon as the court session ended. He ordered the imperial physician to be on duty 24/7 and even found a midwife.
Su Qing started moving on the day of the beginning of autumn. She felt a tight pain in her stomach. She hugged her stomach and paced around the room. The two palace maids who wanted to help her were shoved away.
Yang Ruxue was very anxious. She quickly ordered the eunuchs to find the Emperor and the palace maids to summon the imperial physicians and midwives to prepare hot water. The Palace of Earthly Tranquility was in chaos.
Xiao Zeyu had just received good news from the front lines. Zhang Jinglin and Zhong Yong had already taken back all the cities occupied by the Nanman people. The next step was to attack the Nanman people.
This was a joyous occasion. Xiao Zeyu was very happy and ordered full support. Just as they were discussing, a eunuch came to report,
“Reporting to the Emperor, the harem has reported that the Empress is about to give birth.”
When Xiao Zeyu heard that Su Qing was about to give birth, he became anxious. He immediately stood up and waved his sleeves.
Su Hanxuan did not leave. He looked at the Emperor. His daughter was about to give birth, and he wanted to enter the palace with her, but there was no precedent. The Empress only allowed the mother to enter the palace to accompany her when she gave birth. Xiao Zeyu saw that Su Hanxuan wanted to say something but hesitated.
“Father-in-law, come with me to the palace!”
“Alright, I will obey.”
Su Hanxuan didn’t wait for Xiao Zeyu to finish his sentence before thanking him and following Xiao Zeyu to the harem.
The imperial physician’s expression was solemn in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. The Empress’s fetal position was not correct, and she might have a difficult labor.
The fetal position was favorable two days ago, so why did it turn back? If the dragon fetus were facing down, this would be fatal..