[1]The Consort is Both Charming and Scheming, Rising Through Palace Intrigue

Chapter 149 - Xue Baolin Gives Birth

The eunuch nodded and hurried off again.

Cheng Yin clutched her chest and swallowed hard. "Should we go check on her?"

"The Emperor and Empress will surely go. All the consorts will likely head there too. Let's go," Ning Shuyan replied.

Cheng Yin nodded, her heart pounding—not out of fear, but because the situation reminded her of when she lost her baby at four months.

In a daze, she murmured, "Do you think Lady Xue's child will..."

Ning Shuyan thought for a moment. "The baby is already eight months along. It'll probably survive, but the birth will be difficult."

As they walked toward Qingying Pavilion, most of the concubines had already arrived.

Inside, Xue Baolin's screams grew more agonizing, as if she were being torn apart. Her pain echoed heartbreakingly.

In the main hall, the Emperor and Empress looked tense.

Xiao Yu sat with his head bowed, absently turning the jade ring on his thumb—a habitual motion. Ning Shuyan noticed he was spinning it faster than usual, suggesting his nerves.

After all, the one inside wasn't just Xue Baolin—it was his child too.

The hall was silent. No one spoke a word.

Palace staff rushed in and out carrying clean water and towels. What they brought out were basins of bloodied, pungent water.

The Empress stood up in anxiety and asked a maid, "What's happening inside?"

The maid bowed. "Your Majesty, Lady Xue has taken labor-inducing medicine, but the Imperial Physician fears it will be a difficult birth."

Hearing the words difficult birth, Xiao Yu's hand froze mid-spin, his face tensing with worry. He said coldly, "Tell the Imperial Physician that the imperial heir must be saved at all costs. If Xue Baolin gives birth safely, there will be rewards for all."

Yang An quickly bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."

He turned and entered the inner hall. Being a eunuch, he was allowed, and the room was partitioned by a screen, so he only needed to speak from outside.

After about an hour, Xiao Yu could no longer sit still and began pacing slowly.

The Empress stood too, saying softly, "Please don't worry, Your Majesty. Childbirth can take time. I believe Lady Xue will safely deliver a healthy child."

Xiao Yu's brow remained tense, and he gave only a stiff "Mm."

Inside, the screams grew louder and more piercing—like a knife cutting through the air. Everyone winced at the gut-wrenching sounds.

Ning Shuyan felt the screams hit her like blows to the chest, one after another.

Was this the pain her own mother endured during childbirth? She must've felt helpless and terrified beyond the physical pain.

Ning Shuyan remembered how she, as a little girl, had sat outside the delivery room, hearing her mother's cries. When the bleeding became severe, they rushed her into surgery—but she was never saved.

A wave of unbearable sorrow swept through her. It was the memory she avoided most. Even in this dynasty, she rarely thought of it.

But today, the painful screams pulled her back to that moment over a decade ago.

Her chest ached as if something were gripping her heart. Her face paled, and she leaned weakly against her chair.

Cheng Yin noticed something was wrong and quickly sat upright. "What's wrong?"

Her words broke the silence, and everyone turned to look. Xiao Yu's gaze followed, only to see Ning Shuyan pale, eyes red-rimmed, clutching her handkerchief tightly.

She forced herself to stay calm and shook her head. "I'm fine."

Xiao Yu hurried to her side, took her hand—and found it cold and clammy with sweat. He pressed his hand to her forehead and asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell? I'll call the physician to check on you."

All the concubines turned to look, their expressions varied—jealousy, disbelief, even hatred.

Ning Shuyan slowly calmed down and gently gripped his hand. "I'm fine... just a little scared."

Xiao Yu let out a small breath of relief. With his child inside that room, her nervousness made sense. It must be her affection for him extending to concern for his child.

His stiff expression eased slightly. "You're more worried than I am."

He gently rubbed her sweat-slicked hand. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

Ning Shuyan nodded.

Consort Zhuang glared at Ning Shuyan. The woman inside didn't cry out in fear, yet she's acting all delicate here just to draw the emperor's pity?

If just watching someone else give birth makes her scared, what will happen when it's her turn? Will the emperor rush in to save her?

Her anger simmered. It's fine, she thought coldly. That woman won't be around much longer anyway.

Even the usually composed Empress clenched her fists tightly inside her sleeves—the knuckles cracking faintly.