Concubine Yu's childbirth was full-term without any complications.
When the due date arrived, she felt the pain in her belly, realized her water had broken, and then everything became frantic as they rushed to inform the Emperor and Empress.
The Emperor and Empress hurried to the scene.
The Empress was not actually anxious, but she knew the Emperor would be, so she had to put on an appearance of urgency.
As per tradition, the Emperor could not enter the birthing room.
After all, it was deemed unclean.
Even he himself was born in a birthing room—how could it be unclean?
The Empress sat in her chair, holding a string of delicate prayer beads, watching the Emperor standing anxiously at the door, and pondered this thought.
Through the door came the intermittent cries of Concubine Yu from the birthing room.
