"Consort Li, hear the decree: On the nine days of the nine months in the prosperous year under Emperor Caohan, the ninth princess is born. She shall be named Ouyang Yuanjiu and gifted a jade pendant…"
Yuanjiu—no, now she was Ouyang Yuanjiu—didn't bother listening to the rest.
She idly mused, How ironic.
Could they not think of a better name?
That name sounds bad.
From nearby, he heard Aunt Yue's incessant muttering as she lamented on behalf of his mother: "Miss, my poor Miss…"
It turned out that this Aunt Yue was a servant who had entered the palace together with Consort Li.
After the consort's elevation, she had begun addressing her as "Your Highness," but in her emotional state, she reverted to her old habit.
Yuanjiu turned her head to the side, releasing the nipple, subtly signaling that she was full.
Xue'er let out a soft "Oh," while chuckled lightly, and then she gently placed her back on the bed, and said, "Your Highness, the ninth princess is so well-behaved."
Out of instinct, Yuanjiu wanted to open her eyes to see who was speaking, but the exhaustion of infancy washed over her.
She relaxed and let her consciousness drift away.
It was unclear how much time had passed when she was awakened by the sound of hurried footsteps.
When she opened her eyes, she saw people rushing in and out, their movements chaotic.
Aunt Yue's anxious cries filled the air: "Imperial Physician Huang, please hurry up! Her Highness is about to pass away!"
Yuanjiu was momentarily stunned. Struggling to turn her head, she caught sight of a beautiful yet deathly pale face.
Her mother's breath was faint—her strength clearly depleted, likely from giving birth.
A strange feeling rose in Yuanjiu's chest, leaving her breathless.
In her previous life, she had grown up in an orphanage until she reached 12 years old.
She was a detached person, knowledgeable about many things that others weren't, yet utterly ignorant when it came to emotions.
Those who adopted her only treated her as a tool for killing.
Affection, love, friendship—such concepts were completely foreign to her.
But now, was this person her mother?
According to books, this feeling should be called familial love.
Did this make her a relative?
The imperial physician sighed heavily and shook his head.
At his expression, both Aunt Yue and Xue'er burst into tears.
Yuanjiu glanced at them briefly before turning her gaze back to her mother.
Summoning her strength, she tried to activate her energy.
She could feel its abundance but found herself unable to channel it.
This infant's body was too weak.
She reached out with her tiny hand, tugging at her mother's sleeve, and stared intently at her tightly shut eyes.
After what felt like an eternity, her mother's lashes fluttered faintly before she finally opened her deep black eyes.
She gave Yuanjiu a weak smile.
"Jiu'er, Mother cannot stay with you much longer…"
With trembling hands, her mother clasped Yuanjiu's small fingers.
Suddenly, she widened her eyes and her face turned into contorting pain, as if enduring something unbearable.