"Emperor! The Noble Consort is about to give birth!! Please come quickly!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Qi's pupils dilated, and he immediately dropped the pen in his hand and dashed out, at that moment, disregarding any imperial demeanor.
When the Empress Dowager received the news, she also stood up at once, her expression anxious, even her palms were sweaty, "Hurry, all of you go quickly! Where's the midwife?! Has she gone yet, and someone fetch the Imperial Physician! I'm going there immediately! And the nourishing herbal soups! Send them over!"
At this moment, Su Zhiruan was lying on the bed, other than the initial burst of pain, the discomfort gradually disappeared, yet she could feel a sensation as if something was about to emerge.
The pain faded, likely a benefit from the system's Newbie Gift Package, she breathed a sigh of relief. The pain wasn't completely gone but had lessened significantly. She was very composed at that time and gestured for the nanny to bring some food.
The nanny too appeared tense, but seeing Su Zhiruan's composed face, she couldn't help but praise, "This servant has never seen a master so composed during childbirth, please eat more, conserve your strength."
"Ruanruan!!" Outside the door, Shen Qi had arrived, and he immediately wanted to rush in to see the situation, but was quickly stopped by the midwives at the door.
"Emperor, please don't worry, the Noble Consort is giving birth, please wait a moment." The nanny saw Shen Qi's forehead dripping with sweat, his eyes turning red, his hands were all veined, and his eyes filled with concern.
The Empress Dowager, who arrived shortly after, also wanted to rush in to see, but was stopped as well. The old nanny had not expected that both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, the two highest authorities in the entire Wang Dynasty, would be so protective of the Noble Consort and the unborn child.
"Can I not even go in to see?" The Empress Dowager couldn't believe she too was stopped, her eyes deeply worried, knowing she couldn't enter, she did something others wouldn't dare to consider.
The Empress Dowager, the most honored woman in the nation, lifted her robe and knelt directly on the stone slabs, hands pressed together, bowing deeply.
"Empress Dowager!!"
"Mother!!"
The servants and Shen Qi had not anticipated the Empress Dowager would kneel directly.
"Back then, when Mother gave birth to you, it was a difficult labor, barely escaping death, surviving from the brink of the Ghost Gate," the Empress Dowager looked towards Shen Qi, finishing her sentence, then knelt once more, "I am a woman, and I understand best what childbirth is for a woman, it is all agony, all torment, and could even result in death, but for the continuation of life, I am willing, kneeling is to pray for the safety of the mother and child!"
Shen Qi was extremely nervous, but upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, he became even more tremblingly nervous, then promptly and decisively, without another word, lifted his bright yellow dragon robe and knelt down.
Praying for the safety of the mother and child.
Praying for his Ruanruan, and the child, to be safe and sound, and stay by his side.
Shen Qi bowed three times.
*
On Su Zhiruan's side, she, with the system's Golden Finger, did not feel the pain, but rather, felt a sense of unburdening the moment the child was born.
It was a feeling of immense relief, she could feel her belly immediately deflate.
"It's born, it's born! Lady, a Prince is born!"
"Congratulations, Lady, congratulations!"
The child was patted a few times, then immediately started crying.
The old nanny and the midwife among others cheered jubilantly, immediately rushing out to spread the good news, while the remaining few attended to the subsequent necessities.
"The servant brings joyous news to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor! Noble Consort has given birth to a little Prince! Both mother and child are safe!"
"Good! Wonderful!"
"What about Ruanruan? How is she?!" Shen Qi craned his neck, eager to see how Su Zhiruan was doing.
"Lady is all well, Your Majesty. Please wait before entering, let this old servant first cleanse Lady."
"Come here!" Shen Qi, unable to contain his excitement, promptly summoned Little Fuzi, even his voice carried a tint of joy, "Announce that today, everyone involved in the birthing of the little Prince, reward each with twenty taels of silver, those who served directly beside Noble Consort, each twenty taels, everyone in the harem five taels! Declare amnesty across the land! Bring the decree, proclaim the Prince as Crown Prince!"
Shen Qi, giddy with happiness, was visibly overjoyed, his entire demeanor bursting with delight as he lavishly dispensed rewards, wanting the whole world to know the delight he felt upon gaining a son and a Crown Prince.
Su Zhiruan had fallen into a deep sleep, experiencing no discomfort, as the system had added some embellishments to make it appear more real, such as sweat beads all over her forehead and other noticeable changes.
In his happiness, Shen Qi penned several decrees, declaring amnesty and awarding his servants, and finally, he carefully wrote a passage on the decree.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Noble Consort Su Zhiruan, having given birth to the Crown Prince, is gentle, virtuous, and dignified, possessing profound grace, deeply cherished by Us. She is henceforth proclaimed Noble Consort, awarded the Golden Seal, included in the royal genealogy, and granted the authority of coordinating with the Six Palace."
This decree spread as quickly as snowflakes to the entire harem and was soon known by virtually everyone.
The one most infuriated was the Noble Consort.
She smashed everything within reach, her face darkened completely, even bearing a murderous aura, visibly unsettling.
Not just her servants, but even ladies who normally flattered her were now meek and did not dare speak to her.
Previously, Noble Consort might have been the highest rank in the Imperial Palace, but now Su Zhiruan, who was already Noble Consort and now upgraded to Noble Consort of the Moon, overshadowed her.
She had the title, a son, the Emperor's favor, and the protection of the Empress Dowager. How could she not be consumed by jealousy?
"Noble Consort... Your Highness, do not fret. Now that Su Zhiruan is confined for childbirth, it means there are no other women by His Majesty's side. If you seize this opportunity to bear his child, what difference would it make compared to Su Zhiruan!" Shen Qi brainstormed a reason.
"Get out! I've always despised that wretch! A lowly Palace Maid! I am a noble lady, born of a distinguished family! She, a wretch, how does she deserve to bear the Heir!" Noble Consort was nearly frenzied by now, even startling her lady-in-waiting with the madness in her expression.
If this were at night, she would resemble an Evil Ghost!
The Noble Consort simply could not accept the fact that Su Zhiruan had successfully given birth to a child who was now the Crown Prince.
She reflected on her life before, and the life to come, intermittently crying and laughing, appearing disturbingly unhinged.
Even her lady-in-waiting dared not say anything.
*
Upon hearing of their daughter's childbirth, Su Family's elderly couple were endlessly anxious and began praying at home, with Su's mother even taking up permanent residence in the temple months ago, hoping for Su Zhiruan's safe delivery. Now that she had delivered a Prince, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Mother and child are safe.
Four simple words, yet the best news of all.