The Legend of Concubine Su

Chapter 118 Su Jingyue Gives Birth

Su Jingyue, the most beloved imperial concubine, lay on a bed in a palace adorned like a fairyland. Curtains embroidered with auspicious dragons and phoenixes swayed gently, framing her face in the agony of impending labor. Her features contorted with effort, as if locked in a silent struggle with the deepest mysteries of life. Sweat streamed down her brow like a flood, each drop carrying a mother's longing and perseverance for a new life. It eventually soaked the soft brocade quilt beneath her, leaving behind patches of dampness.

Inside the bedroom, the air was filled with an indescribable tension and unease. Shadows stretched long, casting vivid images on the walls. The midwife's voice pierced the stagnant air, her tone a mixture of anxiety and encouragement, as if the power in her hands was continuously being channeled into Su Jingyue's body. "My Queen, push harder! Just a little longer, the baby will be out soon!" She tightly grasped Su Jingyue's hands, trembling with pain, trying to give them strength with her faith and courage.

Outside the chambers, the Emperor waited anxiously. Moonlight streamed across the ground like water, stretching his figure outwardly, making him appear particularly lonely and anxious. His steps were heavy and hurried, each one seeming to betray his deepest worry and uneasiness. His face was terrifyingly gloomy, like a volcano about to erupt, and his eyes gleamed with an unquestionable determination and resolve that filled the air with awe.

"I have said that the Imperial Concubine and her child must be safe! Any negligence in the Imperial Hospital will be severely punished!" His voice was deep and commanding, like thunder, shocking the eunuchs and palace maids present. They lowered their heads, not daring to breathe, and could only pray silently for a safe birth.

At this moment, the entire palace was immersed in a tense atmosphere. Everyone knew that if anything happened to the Imperial Concubine and her unborn child, the consequences would be disastrous. Therefore, everyone was extremely alert and did their utmost to protect the Imperial Concubine's safety.

Inside the bedroom, Su Jingyue's cries grew fainter, as if muffled by something. Each cry was accompanied by intense pain, but she never gave up, insisting on giving birth. Her eyes were filled with determination, as if telling everyone that no matter how great the difficulties, she would fight tenaciously.

The midwives watched Su Jingyue's condition with growing anxiety. They knew this was a critical moment, and if they didn't help the imperial concubine give birth quickly, something dangerous might happen. So, the midwives sprang into action, some continuing to massage Su Jingyue's belly while others gently patted her back, trying to get her to relax.

"My queen, please hold on a little longer, the baby will be out soon!" a midwife encouraged.

"Yes, my lady, if you just try harder, you will be able to give birth smoothly!" another midwife echoed.

However, despite the midwives' efforts to comfort her, Su Jingyue still felt her strength was rapidly depleting. She felt that she was about to collapse, and even breathing became extremely difficult.

"I...I really can't take it anymore..." she murmured to herself, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"No, my queen! You must hold on! Think about the baby who is about to be born, he needs your strength!" The midwives said in unison, hoping to give Su Jingyue some courage.

At this moment, a midwife suddenly shouted loudly: "Go and get some ginseng soup! Help the queen to wake up!" She realized that Su Jingyue's body was extremely weak and she had to find a way to replenish her energy.

Upon hearing this suggestion, the other midwives immediately reacted and nodded in agreement. One of them quickly ran to the door of the bedroom and shouted to the palace maids outside, asking them to quickly prepare the ginseng soup and bring it over.

"Hurry up! The queen can't hold on any longer!" the midwife urged anxiously.

Upon hearing this, the palace maids did not dare to delay and rushed to the kitchen to prepare the ginseng soup. They frantically searched for ingredients, boiled water, and made the soup. The entire palace was instantly plunged into a bustle of activity.

In less than a moment, a bowl of steaming ginseng soup was brought to Su Jingyue. The midwife carefully lifted her head and fed the soup into her mouth.

"My queen, this is ginseng soup, which can help you recover some strength. Please drink some!" the midwife said gently.

Su Jingyue forced herself to open her mouth and gulped down a few sips of the ginseng soup. The warmth flowed into her body, making her feel a little better. Although the pain was still there, her spirits were obviously much better.

Outside the palace gates, the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital were already kneeling in a mass. Their heads bowed, their bodies trembling slightly, their hearts filled with reverence for life and a sense of responsibility. They knew they now shouldered a grave mission—to ensure the safety of the Imperial Concubine and the Prince. Any misstep would result in unimaginable consequences.

Time seemed to slow and weigh heavily on him. The Emperor's patience wore thin, and he roared, "Why hasn't the baby been born yet? What are you all doing?" His voice echoed through the night sky like thunder, shocking everyone present. But even so, they didn't slack off, throwing themselves wholeheartedly into this battle for their lives.

Finally, just as everyone was on the verge of despair, the clear, resonant cry of a baby pierced the tense and oppressive atmosphere. The sound, as sweet as the sounds of nature, brought a sigh of relief to everyone. The midwives, excitedly cradling the swaddled babies, hurried out of the palace to announce the good news to the Emperor: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! The Imperial Concubine has given birth to a prince!"

Upon hearing this, the emperor's face suddenly broke into a long-lost smile. He strode into the bedroom, came to Su Jingyue's bedside, held her hand tightly, and said affectionately, "My beloved, you have suffered." Although Su Jingyue was frail, her eyes shone with the radiance of motherhood. She smiled and said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, I have lived up to your expectations and given birth to a prince for you."

The Emperor gazed upon the swaddled infant, his heart filled with joy and pride. He knew the profound significance of this child's birth to the nation. He declared a general amnesty to celebrate. The news sent the entire palace, and indeed the nation, into a frenzy. Citizens flocked out of their homes to rejoice at the safe arrival of the Imperial Concubine and the Prince. Fireworks burst into a dazzling display of color in the night sky, enveloping the nation in joy and peace.

The Emperor gently stroked Su Jingyue's slightly tired yet still gentle face, his eyes filled with tenderness and love. He said affectionately, "My beloved, you have worked so hard to give birth to such a precious bloodline for my royal family. I am deeply grateful. Today, I will personally name this child to express my joy and hope."

When Su Jingyue heard this, a tear flashed in her eyes, which was then replaced by the happiness of being a mother for the first time. She bowed slightly, and her voice was soft but firm: "I thank Your Majesty for your concern. I have no regrets in my life to receive such love from Your Majesty." Although her face was a little pale due to childbirth, the maternal radiance radiating from her inside out made her look even more touching.

The Emperor gazed at the sleeping prince in his swaddling clothes, his heart filled with endless tenderness and anticipation. He pondered for a moment, as if conversing with the universe, before finally speaking slowly, "I have decided to name him 'Yuanchen.' Yuan means beginning, symbolizing his hope and starting point for the future of our dynasty. Chen means star. May he shine like the brightest star in the night sky, illuminating not only his own path but also leading our dynasty to an even more glorious future."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire palace erupted in excitement. From the palace maids and eunuchs to the ministers, everyone was discussing this name, full of profound meaning and hope. The birth of Prince Yuanchen not only injected new vitality into the imperial family but also further solidified Su Jingyue's already beloved position within the palace. As if overnight, she became the center of attention.

However, within the palace, the struggle for power never ceases. With the birth of Prince Yuanchen, the situation within the palace has quietly shifted. Various factions are secretly observing, attempting to exploit this new situation for greater advantage. Overtly and covertly, they employ their own tactics, attempting to influence the prince's trajectory and, ultimately, the future of the entire imperial family.

But Su Jingyue knew that no matter how turbulent the outside world was, she had to protect her child and let him grow up healthy and happy. She used her wisdom and courage to move forward in the whirlpool of the palace and hold up a sky that belonged to Prince Yuanchen.