The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 80: The Brothel

Chapter 80: The Brothel

“Raiding brothels that accept women of unknown origins.”

Xu Ying was forcibly grabbed. Seeing Madam Zheng pestering her, Xu Lang stepped forward to pull Madam Zheng away, allowing Xu Ying to break free. Xu Ying then commanded the imperial physicians and midwives: “The child doesn’t matter. Use any means necessary to ensure the mother’s safety. First, discuss your strategies.”

After speaking, she strode decisively into the delivery room.

The room was stifling. Several bronze basins were arranged in a row, steaming with hot water. Some of them were already stained crimson, a shocking sight.

Xu Zhen lay weakly on the bed, sweat continuously beading on her skin, her hair soaked. The midwives called out to Her Majesty in panic. Xu Zhen’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she struggled to open her eyes.

Xu Ying stopped Xu Zhen from making any further movements. Xu Zhen whispered: “Please have everyone withdraw…”Amidst the sound of chaotic footsteps, the midwives and maidservants all retreated, leaving only Xu Ying and Xu Zhen in the room.”

Xu Zhen’s face was as pale as paper, her features contorted with pain as she forced out: “Your Majesty, beware of the Zheng family… The third branch gave birth to twin siblings. The elder sister is actually the son of Consort Lin from the Crown Prince’s palace disguised as a girl. The Zheng family plans to deceive everyone, secretly raising the imperial grandsoncoughthey’ve also been secretly supplying iron ore to the former faction of the Crown Prince to forge weapons…”

Xu Ying frowned. “Are you saying the late Crown Prince still has descendants alive?”

Xu Gong’s children never lived long, dying by two or three years old. Without an heir and lacking both talent and virtue, Xu Gong’s position as Crown Prince had never been secure.

If Xu Zhen’s words were true, then shortly after Xu Gong’s death, Consort Lin discovered she was pregnant and concealed it. She left the palace as a childless consort and, under arrangements by the former Crown Prince’s faction, secretly gave birth to the child.

Afraid the truth would be exposed and Xu Ying would hunt them down, they disguised the young imperial grandson as a girl and raised him in the Zheng family, hiding in plain sight. Even if Xu Ying knew of the young imperial grandson’s existence, she would never suspect he was a young lady in the Zheng family.

“How did you discover this?” Xu Ying feared that since Xu Zhen knew so much, the Zheng family wouldn’t let her off easily.

Xu Zhen’s brow furrowed tightly, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “I found out myself. Zheng Xia rarely visited my princess manor, but Madam Zheng repeatedly came urging me to bear children. So I went to the Zheng residence looking for Zheng Xia and noticed something unusual.”

“Madam Zheng clearly doesn’t value daughters, preferring sons, yet she showed exceptional concern for that daughter from the third branch. I investigated discreetly and uncovered their connection to the former Crown Prince’s faction.”

No wonder the former Crown Prince’s faction had been so quiet with little resistancethey had all gone underground.

Xu Ying nodded in understanding, pressing Xu Zhen’s wrist. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Exiting the room, Xu Ying immediately asked the imperial physician: “Well? Is there a solution?”

The physician bowed, cupping his hands. “This humble official will do his utmost to try.”

As the physicians and midwives entered, Xu Ying could only wait anxiously. Witnessing this, Gao Yun felt myriad emotionschildbirth was truly difficult, something even Her Majesty felt powerless against.

Many women in this world died from difficult labor. Suddenly, an idea arose in Gao Yun: to devote herself to medicine, specializing in women’s childbirth complications.

But doing so would distance her from power. Gao Yun felt somewhat unwilling, the choice abruptly looming before her.

Gao Yun hesitated until dawn the next day when a baby’s cry pierced the sky. The golden sun leaped out, dispersing the gloom and illuminating all things.

Madam Zheng indirectly inquired what Xu Zhen had told Xu Ying. Xu Ying skillfully deflected with a few words, not mentioning the Zheng third branch’s “daughter.” Madam Zheng felt uneasy but gradually relaxed when she saw Xu Ying showed no particular reaction.

The imperial physician emerged exhausted, barely standing as he reported to Xu Ying: “Congratulations, Your Majesty. Both mother and daughter are safe. The Princess has safely given birth to the young mistress and is out of mortal danger. Please set your mind at ease.”

Xu Ying’s suspended heart finally settled. “Thank you for your hard work. Please return and rest well. Rewards will be sent to the Imperial Hospital.”

“Truly disappointing…” Madam Zheng muttered quietly, pursing her lips displeased as if seeing something unlucky before turning to leave.

Xu Ying’s face darkened. “Guards, take this bold woman impersonating Madam Zheng who offended the Princessgive her twenty strokes and throw her in prison.”

Two broad-shouldered guards stepped forward and seized Madam Zheng. She hurriedly protested: “I’m the real one, not an imposter!”

No matter how Madam Zheng struggled, the guards’ iron grips didn’t relent. They dragged her to the government office, tied her to a wooden bench, and began beating her with clubs. Madam Zheng wailed pitifully, her cries gradually weakening from vigorous to hoarse. She hoped Zheng Song would send someone to rescue her, but no one came to stop it until the beating finished. Madam Zheng fainted in despair.

The Zheng family’s child was too youngunlikely to gain much support. If he died at two or three years old, there would be no other legitimate challenger to Xu Ying.

He needed more time to grow, at least to break the curse of imperial grandsons dying young and reassure everyone.

While Xu Ying pondered, Zheng Song finally arrived belatedly, apologizing for his lax household management that allowed Zheng Wangshi to make grave mistakes. Xu Ying refused to see him, making him kneel outside waiting.

Then Gao Yun approached: “Your Majesty, through Princess An Yang’s ordeal, I’ve come to understand women’s hardships. From the midwives, I learned many come from medical families but, constrained by taboos against public exposure, are limited to inner chamberstreating young ladies and delivering babiesunable to achieve greater accomplishments.”

“I wonder if Great Jin could establish specialized studies for women, meticulously researchedcould this solve difficult childbirth?”

Xu Ying said: “You mean gynecology?”

Gao Yun’s eyes instantly lit up. “Exactly! Gynecology!”

Xu Ying approved: “Your idea is excellent. If you want to do it, then do it. I support you. Isn’t there the Female Medical Academy? You could start trials there first.”

Gao Yun was overjoyed, repeatedly thanking her, a happy smile blooming on her face.

Considering Gao Yun’s original historical trajectorythe harem bearing no children, champion of abortionsnow she wanted to become an obstetrician. Xu Ying found this wonderfully ironic.

After several days, Xu Zhen had recovered somewhat and sent for them. Xu Ying and Xu Lang went to visit, seeing the child Xu Zhen had painstakingly delivered. Only a few days old, rather uglyXu Ying lost interest after one glance, focusing more on Xu Zhen’s health.

Xu Zhen expressed gratitude, then said: “Your Majesty, the Zheng family dislikes this child… I want her to have the Xu surname. Could Your Majesty bestow a name?”

Xu Ying lacked literary talent and didn’t want the child cursing her later, so she awkwardly declined: “You’re her motheryou should name her.”

Xu Zhen nodded slightly, turning to gaze at the baby with closed eyes, slowly saying: “Eldest Sister’s name was bestowed by the late Emperor. Since Your Majesty grants me naming rights, I cannot forget Your Majesty’s lifesaving grace. Let her be called Ai Jun (Loving the Ruler).”

Xu Lang said: “In my opinion, ‘Ai Min’ (Loving the People) would be better. Your Majesty possesses love for the people. If this child grows up with even a fraction of that, it wouldn’t be in vain.”

Xu Ying choked, bending over coughing. What kind of names were these? She was about to tell Xu Zhen not to listen, but Xu Zhen’s eyes suddenly brightened, raising her voice: “This name is excellentXu Aimin!”

Even worse than Xu Aijun.

“An Yang, perhaps reconsider?” Xu Ying urged caution.

Xu Zhen was very satisfied with “Xu Aimin,” opening her mouth to thank Xu Lang. But when she saw Xu Lang’s face, past unpleasantness resurfaced. She awkwardly turned away toward Xu Ying: “Thank you, Your Majesty. This name is perfect.”

Xu Ying gave a dry laugh, silently apologizing to the swaddled Xu Aiminthis name wasn’t her idea, so please don’t come complaining later.

“I’ve already brought Yingniang to Youzhou, settled in Fragrant Garden. You can move there after your postpartum month. Huaiyang has arranged everything.” Mentioning Xu Zhen’s eldest daughter Zheng Ying, Xu Ying proactively shared to ease her worries.

Xu Zhen stiffly turned her neck, quickly and quietly thanking Xu Lang. Xu Lang secretly rolled her eyes, maintaining a false smile during pleasantries.

The Zheng matter remained unresolved. Xu Ying whipping Zheng Xia’s corpse drew much criticism, plus imprisoning Madam Zheng. Xu Lang had received numerous petitions from noblewomen asking her to persuade Xu Ying to avoid an ugly confrontation. Xu Ying ordered all those petitions burned.

Finding Xu Lang ineffective, they turned to Xu Zhen, conveying the Zheng family’s proposal: they’d allow Zheng Xia’s younger half-brother Zheng Mao to marry the Princess.

Though a concubine-born son, Zheng Mao’s beauty was unmatched, merely sixteen years oldoriginally intended for Xu Ying, but Xu Ying showed no interest in male charms. Now offered to Xu Zhen to fulfill the late Emperor’s promise of bearing the Zheng family a son.

Furious, Xu Zhen had them driven out. After daily enduring pressure for heirs, she’d had enough of that life. Now they shamelessly proposed marriage between sister-in-law and brother-in-lawutterly brazen.

Hearing this, Xu Ying exploded: “Since the Zheng family holds face so lightly, we needn’t give them any covering cloth. Zheng Xia married the Princess yet frolicked in brothels, damaging the imperial family’s dignitydeserving exposure in the wilderness. Henceforth, officials are forbidden to summon prostitutes. Drinking in entertainment houses is also prohibitedotherwise, indulging in pleasure leaves no time or energy for serving the people! Deemed morally deficient, unfit for office!”

“Additionally, many traffickers sell women into prostitution. We must crack down severely, raiding brothels that accept women of unknown origins. Prostitutes will be escorted to Youzhou as palace maids; any surplus will become laborers for construction projectsno delays permitted.”

How to define “unknown origins”?

No definition needed.

Effectively shutting down all brothels large and small. Those surrendering voluntarily could retain some silver. Those resistingthe arresting troops had authority for immediate execution, all property confiscated.

Zhang Yu felt both happy and worriedhappy the national treasury suddenly swelled, worried since brothels paid heavy taxes. Abolishing them all at once would infringe on interestscertainly causing resistance and unrest. Her Majesty’s decree might not proceed smoothly.

Xu Ying showed no fear, instead revealing a pleased smile. “Let them cause troublethe bigger, the better.”

Perhaps she could reveal the young imperial grandson’s existence to bolster their confidence, giving them legitimate pretext to raise righteous banners against her.

Originally planning to reveal the young imperial grandson years later, Xu Ying suddenly changed her mind.