Chapter 147: Born… Stillborn?

Crown Prince’s Residence.

On the ninth day of the second lunar month.

Xie Yao had just finished breakfast and was sitting in the study with Xiao Ji, reading a book.

Suddenly, she felt something was wrong.

A warm liquid seemed to flow uncontrollably down her thighs…

She jerked her head up, clutching tightly at Xiao Ji’s sleeve, her face paling. “Your Highness.”

“I think… I’m about to give birth.”

“What?”

Xiao Ji froze in place, his mind going completely blank.

Give birth?

Xie Yao bit her lip lightly, her face turning even paler. Xiao Ji finally reacted, immediately scooping her up in his arms. His steps were steady but fast as he carried her toward the main courtyard.

The moment he stepped out, he barked to the people waiting outside, “Someone come! The Crown Princess is going into labor!”

Only those most familiar with him could hear the panic and tremor hidden in his voice.

Held in his arms, Xie Yao actually didn’t feel much pain.

But her eyes still reddened, her small hand clutching his sleeve, and she whispered, “Your Highness…”

Sweat rolled down Xiao Ji’s forehead in big beads. His anxiety was obvious to the naked eye, but he still forced himself to speak soothingly.

“Don’t be afraid. I am here.”

“I will always be here.”

As he spoke, he carried her straight into the main hall. His movements were gentle as he placed her on the bed and held her hand.

“Yao-yao, be good. Don’t be afraid.”

Tears brimmed in Xie Yao’s eyes as she sniffled softly, looking like a porcelain doll that could shatter at any moment.

The main courtyard was already in chaos, with countless servants rushing about.

Old Madam Zhao personally came to the main hall to oversee matters, and immediately noticed something unusual. “Where is His Highness?”

The servants inside the room looked uneasy and hesitated before saying, “His Highness… is inside with the Crown Princess.”

Since ancient times, no man had ever been allowed in the birthing chamber.

But the Crown Prince’s will was absolute. No one dared to stop him.

They all turned to Old Madam Zhao, hoping she would speak up.

The old lady merely froze for a moment, and then laughed softly, her eyes filled with relief.

Yao-yao could be cherished by the Crown Prince to this degree…

So be it.

With her holding the line outside, nothing would go amiss.

She gave her orders calmly, “Very well. Then everyone, do your part. Follow the preparations we agreed on before. Be ready.”

“When the Crown Princess delivers safely, His Highness and the Princess will reward you handsomely.”

Her steady voice immediately calmed the crowd.

In recent days, both Old Madam Zhao and Madam Xu had instructed everyone in the residence countless times on what they should do when the Crown Princess went into labor.

Thus, the entire Crown Prince’s Residence quickly began operating with high efficiency.

The Zhao family arrived swiftly, and not long after, the Xie family also came. Though Madam Zhang still looked haggard, she hurried in with several maids trailing behind her.

Her maids carried large baskets.

Meeting the Zhao family’s gaze, Madam Zhang explained, “These are items prepared for the Crown Princess and the babies.”

Madam Zhang, having such kindness?

The Zhao family felt suspicious but did not question further in such a critical moment.

Madam Zhang gave her maids a glance. “Set everything down.”

Inside the birthing chamber, the midwives and female physicians stood ready, each occupied with their tasks.

Xie Yao lay on the soft, fragrant bed.

One of Xiao Ji’s hands was entwined with hers, while his other hand held a wrung-hot towel, gently wiping away the sweat from her forehead.

Xie Yao… had also given birth in her past life.

With her special constitution, she felt pain less intensely and her labor progressed quickly. Even under poor conditions back then, she hadn’t suffered much before safely delivering a pair of twins.

All the more so in this life.

She had been pampered with care, had controlled the babies’ weight, and had trained under Xiao Ji’s supervision.

Her body was much stronger than it had been in her previous life.

But now…

She still felt this time was more painful, more exhausting, more aggrieving.

“Your Highness.”

She whimpered softly, “It hurts.”

Xiao Ji’s heart ached terribly. His eyes reddened, and he kissed her forehead. “It’s all my fault.”

If not for him, Yao-yao wouldn’t have to suffer such torment.

If he had known about her constitution earlier… he would have taken precautions, so she wouldn’t endure this pain.

“Next time, no more.” Xiao Ji said firmly. “We won’t have another.”

The more he spoke this way, the more Xie Yao felt wronged for no reason at all.

Though she knew clearly that everything had been her own planning and choice, in this moment, she only felt pitiful.

Which made her seem all the more delicate.

In truth, she didn’t suffer much. She went into labor in the morning, and by noon her cervix had fully dilated.

“The head….the baby’s head is coming out!”

The midwife cried out in delight.

Everyone gathered close, eager to welcome the little one. But Xiao Ji didn’t spare a glance that way.

He held tightly to Xie Yao’s hand, his eyes fixed only on hers, brimming with pain and fear.

The fear in his heart was known only to himself.

Although his mother had died from poisoning, she had indeed passed away not long after giving birth to him.

Ever since learning Xie Yao was pregnant, he had treated her like a precious jewel; afraid, and anxious.

All he wanted was for his Crown Princess to survive safely.

“Waaah…”

Soon, the baby’s cry rang out, echoing through the room. Everyone’s faces lit with joy.

“It’s a little prince! A little prince!”

“Congratulations, Your Highness, congratulations, Crown Princess, it’s a son!”

In the midst of joyous cries, no one relaxed their vigilance.

The court physician had already said that the Crown Princess was carrying twins!

Now that one had been born safely, the second would surely follow smoothly…

Sure enough, another cry soon sounded.

This cry was even louder than the first. The midwife beamed. “It’s a princess. Congratulations to Your Highness and the Crown Princess, its dragon-phoenix twins!”

The words set off another round of joyous greetings.

“Congratulations, Your Highness, congratulations, Crown Princess.”

“A dragon-phoenix pair!”

Xiao Ji never let go of Xie Yao’s hand, but finally lifted his gaze to the others. “Reward them.”

“Everyone shall be rewarded!”

The servants bustled happily. The midwives brought the two newborns over to show the Crown Prince and Crown Princess before taking them to be cleaned.

Because they were twins, though healthy, both babies were small in size and weight.

Any larger, and Xie Yao’s body wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

Xiao Ji didn’t leave.

He stayed at Xie Yao’s side, never moving a step.

“Your Highness.”

Xie Yao no longer felt pain, though her body was still weak after delivery.

Timidly, she asked, “Just now… did I look very unsightly?”

After all, childbirth required all her strength, and her expression must have twisted horribly.

“Nonsense.”

Xiao Ji interrupted her, his gaze unwaveringly sincere. “In my eyes, Yao-yao is always the most beautiful.”

Xie Yao believed him.

Warmth filled her heart. With Xiao Ji’s help, she slowly drank a tonic ginseng soup.

He kissed the back of her hand lovingly. “Sleep. I will be here with you.”

In the side chamber, the midwives were busy cleaning and swaddling the two little ones.

Just then, a figure appeared by the side door. “His Highness has sent you to collect your rewards.”

“I’ll watch the babies. Go ahead.”

Delighted, the midwives hurried out.

As they left, another figure carrying a basket slipped in from the corner.

This person wore a thick veiled hat, their figure slightly bulky. They strode quickly to the small cradles where the two swaddled babies lay.

Looking at the pink, jade-like infants, the figure reached into her sleeve for a handkerchief laced with soporific powder.

But just then, the little ones didn’t cry, instead, they grinned at her.

As though smiling…

She froze for a moment, a flash of bitter envy crossing her eyes. Then she set down her basket.

She lifted the brocade cloth covering it, revealing inside… another swaddling bundle of the same color.

…

Xie Yao felt tired, but not sleepy. Even after drinking the ginseng soup, she didn’t doze off.

The maids bustled around her, cleaning her body, changing her into fresh clothes, replacing the bedding, and airing out the bloody smell…

“Crown Princess.”

Zhuqing hurried in, whispering something in Xie Yao’s ear.

Xie Yao’s eyes flashed cold. She gave Zhuqing a small nod.

Before she could give further instructions, Yuyan’s voice came from outside.

“Your Highness, Crown Princess—”

“Princess Yongle, the Eldest Princess, the Third Prince, and Chief Eunuch Li have all come…”

No matter what the imperial family speculated about Xie Yao’s children, such thoughts were private.

On the surface, propriety had to be observed.

Besides…

After hearing Zhuqing’s words, Xie Yao didn’t believe for a moment that such a coincidental gathering was mere chance.

She said calmly, “Invite them in.”

The Third Prince and Chief Eunuch Li, of course, couldn’t enter the inner chamber, but Princess Yongle and the Eldest Princess did come in to see Xie Yao.

“I hear you’ve had twins,” Princess Yongle said. “You’ve worked hard.”

Xiao Ning said nothing. Her eyes roved up and down Xie Yao, making Xie Yao extremely uncomfortable.

That gaze…

As if she were some piece of merchandise being weighed for value.

In truth, Xiao Ning did think that way. She had seen many women after childbirth, most of them gaunt and disheveled.

But Xie Yao…

Despite just delivering twins, showed no signs of haggardness. Instead, she appeared more full-bodied, radiant, her brows and eyes brimming with allure.

Truly extraordinary.

Xie Yao ignored Xiao Ning’s unpleasant gaze, only softly replying to Princess Yongle, “Thank you, Aunt. The birth went fairly smoothly.”

Princess Yongle naturally understood. She patted Xie Yao’s hand, then glanced at Xiao Ji…

She sighed inwardly, but did not show too much warmth.

For she knew about Xiao Ji’s condition.

Regarding Xie Yao and the twins, she could only feel pity. Still, it was clear that the Crown Prince himself was content.

Inside, they came to see Xie Yao. Outside, the Third Prince and Chief Eunuch Li came to see the newborns.

Chief Eunuch Li stared at one of the swaddled infants in a daze.

So… so alike!

Just then, a sharp voice pierced the air.

“Heavens! Is it… is this one not breathing?”

“Could it be that Elder Sister gave birth to a stillborn child?”