Chapter 158: The Prince

Chapter 158: The Prince

Before Jiang Hui could ask, Autumn Kui continued, “Since I was there to visit, I naturally asked Physician Yan some questions. Lu Qin, standing by, seemed somewhat uneasy, though she quickly regained her composure. I trust my judgment was not mistaken.”

Physician Yan, Lu Jiyu, Lu Qin…

“Didn’t Qingfeng say that Physician Yan loves painting?” Jiang Hui inquired.

Autumn Kui paused, recalling the conversation, and confirmed, “Yes, I remember. Qingfeng said that Physician Yan spends his salary on buying paints due to his frugality.”

“Physician Yan, with his humble origins, was raised by a master in the mountains. He is refined in his manners, proficient in the art of Qihuang, and fond of painting. Presumably, all these were taught by his mountain master,” Jiang Hui mused as she stood up and walked to the painting "Fishing on the River" hanging in the hall. Her gaze lingered on the dark red seal on the painting, and she spoke softly, “Lu Jiyu’s grandfather, Master Yunting, was unrivaled in both calligraphy and painting. Disliking officialdom, he traveled across the country and finally retired to the deep mountains.”

“Are you suggesting that Physician Yan’s master is Master Yunting?” Autumn Kui asked, slightly surprised.

“It’s possible,” Jiang Hui nodded, speaking softly, “If so, it explains why Physician Yan came to the palace to serve as an imperial physician.”

A chill ran through Autumn Kui as she quietly continued her mistress's thought, “Perhaps he came for Lu Jiyu.”

Reflecting on Lu Jiyu's behavior, Autumn Kui suddenly realized, “Mistress, when Lu Jiyu was in Chuxiu Palace, she had an argument with Lady Sun and fell onto a broken porcelain cup, injuring her face. Normally, a lady-in-waiting with a facial injury wouldn’t be eligible for selection... Now it seems, it was intentional by Lu Jiyu.”

Jiang Hui remained silent, contemplating the delicately painted "Fishing on the River" for a long time before finally speaking, “Keep an eye on Shuyu Pavilion.”

Since the Lu family was co-authoring the book with her, for the sake of the book’s reputation, they couldn't be people of flawed character.

Lu Jiyu recovered quickly from her illness; after just three to five days of rest, she returned to Fengyi Palace. However, it was said she became wary of the newly-appointed Physician Yan in the Imperial Physician Court, and in the following days, she specifically requested other physicians for her treatment.

In July, Ningyuan Marquis' mansion sent happy news to Jiang Hui, announcing the safe birth of a young master in the marquis' household. This was Jiang Yun's legitimate eldest son. Ningyuan Marquis personally named the child Jiang Zhan, drawing from the generational character and symbolizing the hope for him to have far-reaching aspirations.

By September, Consort He, who had been confined to Yufu Palace for most of the year, was finally about to give birth after ten months of pregnancy.

Whether by coincidence or not, Consort He went into labor at the hour of Mao, when the Emperor had already gone to the Taiji Hall for court affairs. Naturally, only Jiang Hui, the Empress, and the other consorts were present in Yufu Palace.

A warm pavilion in Pichang Hall was prepared as a birthing room, while Jiang Hui and others waited in the guest hall, sipping tea and awaiting news. Lady Sun, who resided in Yufu Palace, temporarily took on the role of entertaining the guests for Consort He.

Sitting idly and waiting was quite boring, inevitably leading to small groups engaging in idle chatter.

Xue Deyi seized the opportunity to speak to Lady Sun, “Lady Sun, I hear your father was appointed by His Majesty as the Transport Commissioner of Youliang provinces for his effective service. Congratulations.”

Hearing this, Lady Sun's expression stiffened, and after a moment, she replied, “Serving His Majesty and alleviating his worries is my father’s honor.”

Her father, Sun Zheng, originally a Third-Rank official of the Ministry of Justice, was transferred to the Transport Commissioner of Youliang provinces. Though both were Third-Rank positions, the former was a prestigious court position overseeing judicial affairs, while the latter was a provincial post managing transport and surveillance, a clear demotion in disguise.

Xue Deyi's mention of this was not a genuine congratulations.

Lady Sun knew Xue Deyi had previous issues with Yishunyi and, having respectively nurtured the Second Princess and Fourth Prince, had grown closer to Yishunyi recently. Xue Deyi’s veiled mockery in her words was expected.

Although Lady Sun was outspoken, she knew this was not the time to retort and had to swallow her pride and vaguely gloss over it.

Yishunyi then remarked indifferently, “Indeed, who isn’t serving His Majesty and sharing his worries.”

Her words were bland but irrefutable. Xue Deyi slightly turned her head and sipped her tea, showing no intention to continue the conversation.

Below, Noble Consort Duan and Lady Tang exchanged glances and then silently lowered their heads.

Jiang Hui was not concerned with their subtle sparring. Her gaze swept towards the birthing room, recalling what the Emperor had revealed in Fengyi Palace the day before.

As for Consort He's pregnancy, the Emperor specifically assigned Xu Yuanpan to oversee it. As the pregnancy progressed, he sent both Physician Li and Cen Yuanzheng to Yufu Palace to determine the sex of the unborn child. The purpose was to ascertain whether the child would be a prince or a princess.

Both the Emperor and Consort He naturally hoped for a prince. However, the opinions of the three physicians differed: Xu Yuanpan predicted a prince, while Physician Li and Cen Yuanzheng believed it was likely a princess.

"By September, even Xu Yuanpan, who had always claimed that Consort He was carrying a prince, changed his statement, reporting to the Emperor that Consort He was likely bearing a princess."

"Despite the impeccable skills of the Imperial Medical Bureau, certainty in such matters was never absolute. Still, the Emperor knew that the likelihood of a princess was greater, and so he mentioned something specifically to Jiang Hui."

"The palace servants in Pichang Hall served the second round of tea, and some elaborately dressed concubines wore worried expressions, uncertain whether they were more concerned about Consort He in labor or whether the Emperor would visit Yufu Palace after the court session."

"Around the hour of Si, continuous cries of a newborn echoed from the delivery room, the strength of the wails indicating a healthy child."

"The door to the delivery room opened halfway, and the midwife emerged holding a swaddled baby, her face still glistening with sweat. She bowed to Jiang Hui and was about to offer auspicious words when Jiang Hui interrupted her."

"Jiang Hui stepped forward to take the swaddle, and with a sudden smile, announced, 'Consort He has given birth to the fifth prince for His Majesty. Reward all the servants in Pichang Hall with double salary for three months.'"

"The palace servants inside and outside the room hurriedly knelt to express their gratitude, including the midwife who smiled joyously without any hint of discrepancy."

"‘How is Consort He?’ Jiang Hui inquired."

"The midwife respectfully replied, 'To report to Her Majesty the Empress, Consort He is strong and still conscious.'"

"Jiang Hui nodded, cradling the fifth prince as she entered the birthing room. She sat beside Consort He's bed and handed over the swaddled baby."

"Consort He, with sweat dampening her temples and a pale face tinged with red, took the infant and asked weakly, 'The fifth prince?'"

"Jiang Hui nodded affirmatively, quietly confirming, 'The fifth prince.'"

"Consort He smiled, then winced in pain, barely restraining a laugh, and said hoarsely, 'You and His Majesty are truly bold.'"

"Jiang Hui remained silent, listening as Consort He continued, 'But this is even better. If I can return, Great Zhou will feel more at ease. After all, I am not one to lack courage!'"

"Jiang Hui smiled faintly and took the fifth prince from her arms, 'Rest well. I’ll take the fifth prince to the wet nurse.'"