The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 79: Difficult Labor

Chapter 79: Difficult Labor

“The Princess seems to have an abnormal fetal position.”

“This Zheng family is quite troublesome. Their ancestors were founding meritorious officials. Although they are not as glorious as before, when the Zheng name is mentioned, no one would refuse to give them some face.”

“Moreover, Zheng Xia’s elder brother Zheng Yuan died saving the late emperor without leaving any heirs. Out of guilt, the late emperor married Xu Zhen to the Zheng family, promising that the first son born to Xu Zhen and Zheng Xia would be adopted by the eldest branch to continue the family line.”

“Xu Zhen’s first child was a daughter, so the Zheng family urged her to have another. Unfortunately, there was no progress. Over this matter, Xu Zhen once returned to complain to Zhao Lifei, but was reprimanded by the late emperor. After that, it was left unsettled.”

Xu Lang sighed, “I thought the matter was over. The Zheng family could simply adopt a child from a collateral branch, yet they insist on focusing on Xu Zhen.”

Xu Ying saw through their calculations clearly, “It’s not about continuing the eldest branch’s line at all! They clearly see Xu Zhen as easy prey and want to take a bite out of the imperial family along with her!”

“After all, Xu Zhen is a princess. Naturally, she can’t bear to give away a child she worked hard to carry and deliver. If that child doesn’t fare well, Xu Zhen would inevitably provide support and pave the way for them. Not only would the wealth and glory of the Zheng family’s main branch be secured, but with some effort, they could even restore the Zheng family’s former splendor. How could they be willing to let go?”

The fault lay with the late emperor from the beginning. If he wanted to repay a favor, why marry his own daughter to their family? To put it bluntly, this was an agreement between the late emperor and the Zheng clanusing a daughter to ensure the Zheng family’s prosperity as compensation for Zheng Yuan’s life.

The more Xu Ying thought about it, the angrier she became. “The adoption matter was proposed by the late emperor. Now that Zheng Xia is dead, it should be void. If the Zheng family wants this child, they should resurrect the late emperor and Zheng Xia first to discuss it properly. Otherwise, the child belongs to Xu Zhen. Go bring Xu Zhen to Youzhou.”

Xu Lang hesitated, “Offending the Zheng family for Xu Zhen’s sake might not be wise. Shortly after the dynasty’s founding, when the Mining Prohibition was implemented, the Zheng family voluntarily surrendered all their mines. To show imperial favor, Emperor Taizu granted them three mines in Qing and Jin regions, to be inherited perpetually. The Zheng family should be won over, not antagonized. Moreover, what if someone stirs trouble, accusing us of defying the late emperor’s will and mistreating the descendants of meritorious officials…”

So they’re acting arrogantly because they own mines.

“Let them talk! I’m not afraid they won’t speak up,” Xu Ying immediately became energized. “That Zheng Xia, right? Even after marrying a princess, he didn’t behave properly, fooling around in Entertainment Houses. What if he transmitted diseases to An Yang? He knew the risks but still went aheadthis is intentional harm!”

“The Zheng family saved the emperor, losing their eldest son. The late emperor showed favor by granting a princess in marriage. Yet this couldn’t fill their resentmentthey disrespect and mistreat the princess.”

Xu Ying slammed the table and summoned attendants, “Someone! Cut the salaries of all Zheng family members serving in court for three months and suspend them from duty! As for Zheng Xia’s coffinthis man schemed to harm the princess with malicious intent. He shall not be buried! Smash his coffin and whip his corpse three hundred times!”

Xu Lang was startled, not understanding why she suddenly became so angry. She spoke as if very close to Xu Zhen, yet issued such severe punishment. He found it somewhat strange.

Xu Ying turned and noticed Xu Lang’s grim expression. She spoke to him gravely, “This isn’t just about Xu Zhen alone. It concerns all princesses and female members of the imperial clan of the Xu family. Today they dare trample upon Xu Zhen because she has no backing. Tomorrow, the day after, other unprotected princesses and imperial clanswomen will suffer the same humiliation. If this continues, demands upon all princesses and imperial clanswomen will grow increasingly harsh. People will claim even the unfavored princesses remain gentle and virtuous, so the favored ones must set even better examples. This is absolutely unacceptable to me!”

Xu Lang regained his composure, clenched his fist and declared firmly, “Your Majesty speaks truth. An Yang is a princess of our Great Jin, representing the imperial family’s dignity. We cannot allow others to trample upon her lightly.”

Xu Ying dispatched a special unit of Imperial Guards to Chang’an to smash the coffin and rescue Xu Zhen, escorting her to Youzhou.

When the Zheng family suddenly found themselves suspended from duties under serious accusations, they erupted in chaos. They sought an audience with Xu Ying to reason with her, but couldn’t even gain entry. Attempting to enlist others to speak on their behalf, those privy to the situation knew of Xu Ying’s fury and didn’t dare approach her at such a time. They placated the Zhengs, suggesting they wait for a more opportune moment to plead their case.

However, shortly after the Zheng family had settled their nerves, Chang’an was abruptly visited by a contingent of Imperial Guards. Bearing the emperor’s handwritten decree, the guards entered the city and headed straight for the Zheng residence. Learning that Zheng Xia had already been buried, they remounted and hurried to the cemetery, excavated Zheng Xia’s grave, smashed his coffin to splinters, dragged out his corpse and subjected it to repeated flogging.

The arriving Zheng family members wailed in despair at the sight. The old matriarch fainted on the spot, and the Zhengs scrambled to carry her away, creating a scene of utter chaos.

Madam Zheng trembled with rage seeing her son’s body being dragged out and whipped. She tried to charge forward and stop them, but the armored Imperial Guards stood firm, grabbing her arms and pushing her back. Unable to break through, she could only lean on her maids and weep in despair, “You… you heartless beasts! You’ll pay for this!”

The Commander approached from the graveside and said coldly, “This is Her Majesty’s decree. Zheng Xia conspired against Princess An Yang. That the Zheng clan hasn’t been exterminated to the ninth degree already shows Her Majesty’s mercy. A few lashes are letting you off lightly!”

“Her Majesty…” Madam Zheng’s lips trembled. She couldn’t comprehend the accusation of conspiring against the princess, nor believe Xu Ying would help Xu Zhen. She shrieked, “Impossible! Xu Zhen isn’t close to Her Majesty! Why would she intervene?”

The Commander sneered, “Ridiculous! Princess An Yang is Her Majesty’s elder sister. How could Her Majesty not be enraged by the Zheng family’s humiliation of the Princess!”

Though he said this, everyone knew imperial families held little genuine affection. A princess out of imperial favor was worse off than an ordinary nobleman’s daughter. Xu Ying’s decision to send troops to Chang’an for corpse-whipping took everyone by surprise – even Xu Zhen herself hadn’t anticipated it.

Xu Zhen was utterly astonished. She hadn’t held much hope, only sending the desperate appeal as a last resort when all other options had failed. Never did she expect Xu Ying not only to respond instead of ignoring her, but to… vent such massive outrage on her behalf.

Tears welled in Xu Zhen’s eyes. All her previous resentment and confusion over Xu Ying’s ascension to the throne transformed into relief and gratitude. She immediately ordered her maids to pack their belongings and depart for Youzhou, having urgent matters of great importance to report to Her Majesty.

After a bumpy journey while pregnant, Xu Zhen hurriedly reached Youzhou. With Madam Zheng in pursuit, the moment Xu Zhen alighted from her carriage, the Zheng family members rushed forward and brawled with the Imperial Guards.

Amid the chaos, Xu Zhen suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, breaking out in a cold sweat on her forehead. She hastily grabbed her maid’s hand, mustering her strength to say with difficulty, “I think… I’m going into labor…”

Seeing this, everyone hurriedly helped Xu Zhen into the room and sent for a nearby midwife.

When Xu Ying heard that Xu Zhen had arrived in Youzhou and was in labor, with the Zheng family still lingering outside refusing to leave, she went with Xu Lang to see what was happening.

From a distance, Xu Ying heard agonized screams and saw a noblewoman pacing anxiously back and forth, muttering, “Gods above, please let it be a boy this time…”

Suddenly, her expression twisted, and her words took a vicious turn as she cursed, “You little girl daring to enter her wombif you jump into her belly, I’ll pierce your head with needles, sink your bones in the river, so you never reincarnate! Don’t you dare be reborn here!”

Furious, Xu Ying strode forward and delivered a sharp slap that sent Madam Zheng stumbling back, dizzy and seeing stars.

Clutching her face, Madam Zheng shrieked, “How dare you! Do you know who I am?”

Xu Ying replied coldly, “No, I don’t. Why don’t you enlighten me?”

Only when the crowd bowed and addressed Xu Ying as “Master” did Madam Zheng widen her eyes in shock, quickly falling silent. She hastily bowed and said, “This humble one, Zheng Wangshi, greets the Master. I did not know the Master had arrivedI beg forgiveness for my disrespect.”

Xu Ying scanned the area but did not see Zheng Xia’s father, Zheng Song. She said sharply, “Is there no one else in the Zheng family? Sending a woman to cause troublewhere is Zheng Song? Still at home, waiting to apologize for failing to control his household after the mess is over?”

“Master, these are mere women’s matters. My husband is occupied with official duties and should not be troubled…”

Xu Ying raised a hand to stop her. “First, An Yang is a princess of the nationher affairs are state affairs. Second, I have suspended all members of the Zheng family from their posts. What official duties, pray tell, is Zheng Song busy with?”

Madam Zheng’s face flushed with embarrassment. Fortunately, the midwife emerged just then to save her from further humiliation. The midwife cried urgently, “Master, it’s terriblethe Eldest Princess seems to have a malpositioned fetus!”

“Summon the imperial physicians and every midwife in Youzhou. The child can be sacrificed if necessarydo everything to save An Yang’s life,” Xu Ying commanded gravely.

Hearing this, Madam Zheng jumped in protest. “No! This is my son’s only bloodlineit must be preserved!”

The midwife hesitated, caught between them. “It might be possible to save both mother and child, but the Eldest Princess would suffer greatlyusing iron forceps to extract the baby…”

Xu Ying broke into a cold sweat at the thought. Sterilization was uncertain, and pulling the child out with forceps would cause unbearable agony. She immediately refused, “No, that’s too dangerous!”

“Master, I have a method that might be worth trying.”

At this critical moment, a clear, firm voice rang out.

Gao Yun stepped forward from the crowd, first bowing to Xu Ying, then saying, “Please pardon my boldness, Master. I once read in an ancient medical text about a Cesarean Sectionif the incision is sutured quickly and allowed to heal gradually, there should be no harm done.”

Xu Ying’s lips parted slightlya Cesarean section.

But the procedure was extremely risky; the slightest misstep could claim two lives. After Gao Yun spoke, not a single midwife dared to respond.

When the imperial physicians and other midwives arrived, Xu Ying raised her voice and asked, “Who dares to perform a Cesarean Section?”

The scene suddenly fell into silence. The imperial physicians even softened their breaths, fearing they might be singled out by Xu Ying to perform the surgery by force.

Another midwife rushed out from inside, drenched in sweat. “Your Majesty, the fetal position simply cannot be corrected. The Princess is experiencing difficult labor and wishes to see you one last time.”

Xu Ying’s face abruptly changed color. “Can her life not be saved?”

The midwife lacked confidence, her lips moving without producing any words. Xu Ying strode toward the inner chamber but was stopped by Madam Zheng, who grasped a corner of her sleeve. “Your Majesty carries the Dragon Aura. The inner chamber is filled with blood and should not be entered, lest you be adversely affected.”