Chapter 109 - 108: The Substitute Eldest Miss 24

Chapter 109: Chapter 108: The Substitute Eldest Miss 24

The other Imperial Physicians also took turns checking her pulse. Ji Xiaosong’s pulse was steady and strong; it was clear there were no issues.

Besides, given the previous rumors of her being a reincarnated Immortal, no one thought there would be any problems with the child Ji Xiaosong was carrying.

Chu Qingyun’s face was wreathed in smiles, his eyes filled with the joy and nervousness of a first-time father.

Once the other Imperial Physicians had finished, he immediately turned to Doctor Li and asked earnestly, "Doctor Li, now that the Crown Princess Consort is with child, what must I pay close attention to over these ten months of pregnancy? I hope you will enlighten me in detail."

Doctor Li quickly bowed with his hands clasped, his expression respectful and solemn. He cleared his throat and spoke methodically, "Crown Prince, the Princess Consort’s pregnancy is a joyous occasion for the Royal Family. Her diet requires special attention. Her Highness should eat light, nourishing foods, such as fresh seasonal vegetables, gentle congees, and nutrient-rich fish or chicken broths. These will provide the necessary nourishment without burdening her digestion. Spicy, cold, or greasy foods must be avoided, so as not to disturb the fetus’s stability."

Chu Qingyun listened with extreme focus, nodding frequently. He even ordered a little eunuch beside him to quickly fetch a brush and paper to take detailed notes.

Then he asked again, "What about her daily life? Are there any special requirements for Song’s routine?"

Doctor Li bowed slightly and patiently explained, "The Princess Consort must ensure she gets adequate rest. It is best to sleep and wake early each day, and she must not overexert herself. Her living quarters must be kept quiet, clean, and well-ventilated. Your Highness may place some calming incense in Her Highness’s bedroom to help her sleep. On a daily basis, you can also have Her Highness take moderate walks to stretch her limbs, but she must not engage in any strenuous activities."

Chu Qingyun furrowed his brow slightly, thought for a moment, and then asked, "And what about her emotional state? I’ve heard that pregnant women’s moods can be volatile. What should be done about that?"

A smile appeared on Doctor Li’s face as he slowly said, "The Princess Consort’s emotional state is indeed crucial. Your Highness must spend more time with her, keeping her happy and her spirits high. You must not let her become angry or worried, lest it affect the pregnancy. In your leisure time, Your Highness can accompany her in listening to elegant music, perusing scrolls, or admiring flowers and plants to soothe her emotions."

The other Imperial Physicians also nodded in agreement, chiming in one after another to lay out various prenatal precautions, covering every detail from dietary pairings and daily routines to emotional regulation.

Chu Qingyun committed all these precautions to memory. Turning to Ji Xiaosong, his gaze filled with tenderness and concern, he said, "Song, did you hear all that? From now on, I will take meticulous care of you. We will wait for our child’s safe arrival together."

Ji Xiaosong nodded lightly, her face beaming with a happy smile.

「Time flew by in a flash, and in the blink of an eye, ten months of pregnancy had passed.」

Ji Xiaosong felt a sudden, sharp pain in her abdomen. Beads of sweat the size of peas rolled down her forehead, soaking the hair at her temples.

Zixi rushed to the outside of Chu Qingyun’s study to report, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort is going into labor!"

The brush in Chu Qingyun’s hand fell with a SNAP. He shot to his feet, jostling the desk so hard that the rice paper on it fluttered to the floor.

His eyes instantly filled with panic and worry. He staggered toward the bedroom, shouting as he ran, "Quickly, summon all the Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Hospital! The Princess Consort and the child must be kept safe!"

Although he knew that with Ji Xiaosong’s abilities she wouldn’t let anything happen to herself, he couldn’t help but worry.

A woman walks through the gates of hell every time she gives birth.

Ji Xiaosong was a woman, too. He couldn’t imagine what he would do if anything happened to her.

By the time he reached the bedroom, he was pacing restlessly back and forth before the door. His brow was deeply furrowed, and fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead. His usual composure and calm were completely gone.

From time to time, he would lean close to the bedroom doors, trying to hear the commotion inside. He unconsciously clenched and unclenched his fists, as if that could alleviate his inner anxiety.

Before long, the Empress also hurried over. She looked anxious, the hem of her dress fluttering with her hasty steps.

Seeing Chu Qingyun in such a state, the Empress raised a hand to gently pat his shoulder, comforting him, "Qingyun, don’t be so panicked. Heaven protects the worthy. Xiaosong and the child will surely be fine."

But the slight tremor in her voice still betrayed her own worry.

Chu Qingyun looked at the Empress and forced a smile. "Mother, I know. I just can’t stop worrying about Song."

After speaking, he turned his gaze back to the closed doors, as if he could see through the wood panels to the situation inside.

The Empress waited with Chu Qingyun outside the room. Her eyes were fixed on the bedroom, and she mumbled under her breath as if in silent prayer.

The two of them waited anxiously outside, every second feeling like an eternity.

Muffled groans of pain came from Ji Xiaosong inside the bedroom from time to time. Each sound struck Chu Qingyun’s and the Empress’s hearts like a heavy hammer.

Chu Qingyun’s face grew paler and paler. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain.

Just as Chu Qingyun and the Empress were suffering through their torment outside, a much louder noise erupted from within the bedroom. It was immediately followed by the midwife’s excited voice, "The baby’s here! The baby’s here!"

Chu Qingyun’s and the Empress’s eyes widened instantly. They held their breath, staring intently at the closed doors.

A moment later, Zixi walked out, carefully holding a tightly bundled child. Her face was radiant with joy as she announced loudly, "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Majesty the Empress! The Princess Consort has given birth to a Prince!"

Chu Qingyun froze for a second, a flash of delight in his eyes. But his first reaction wasn’t to look at the child. Instead, he asked urgently, "How is Song? Is she all right?"

Zixi quickly replied, "The Princess Consort is fine. She just used up a lot of energy during labor and is resting now."

Only then did Chu Qingyun’s taut nerves relax slightly, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

The Empress, however, walked quickly to Zixi’s side, her gaze falling gently on the swaddled infant.

The little one’s brow was furrowed, and he was waving his little fists, crying "WAAH WAAH."

The Empress gently lifted a corner of the swaddling clothes to get a better look at the baby’s face, a gratified smile spreading across her own. "This child... he looks just like Qingyun did when he was little."

Only then did Chu Qingyun slowly walk to the Empress’s side to look at his child, his eyes filled with the tender love and joy of a new father.

He gently touched the baby’s tiny hand, and the soft sensation made his heart melt.

But soon, his gaze shifted back to the bedroom. He started to walk inside, saying, "Mother, I’m going to go see Song first."

The Empress smiled and nodded. "Go on. Go and be with Xiaosong. I’ll watch the baby out here."

At this point, after pretending for so long that she was having a difficult birth, Ji Xiaosong was actually tired.