无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

When the due date arrived, she felt the pain in her belly, realized her water had broken, and then everything became frantic as they rushed to inform the Emperor and Empress.

The Emperor and Empress hurried to the scene.

The Empress was not actually anxious, but she knew the Emperor would be, so she had to put on an appearance of urgency.

As per tradition, the Emperor could not enter the birthing room.

After all, it was deemed unclean.

Even he himself was born in a birthing room—how could it be unclean?

The Empress sat in her chair, holding a string of delicate prayer beads, watching the Emperor standing anxiously at the door, and pondered this thought.

Through the door came the intermittent cries of Concubine Yu from the birthing room.

The midwife said that since Concubine Yu was giving birth for the first time, the process would be slow, but the baby was in the right position, so the delivery should go smoothly.

The Emperor, slightly relieved, also sat down.

Along the way, the Empress worried about his health and urged him to return to his quarters and rest, only returning when the baby was about to be born.

Alternatively, he could wait for news at the Crystal Frost Hall.

As Empress, she would stay here the entire time.

However, the Emperor did not want to leave.

Ever since the death of Concubine Jin, he had been depressed for a long time; it was not easy for him to have a happy occasion like this. He couldn’t bear to go back and be reminded of Concubine Jin’s belongings, which would just invite melancholy feelings.

Concubine Yu’s cries continued until midnight.

The Emperor could not hold up any longer.

After all, he was not as young as he used to be, and his body was very fatigued.

A few other concubines came over, saw the Emperor’s pale face, and insisted he go back and rest.

Unable to resist their persuasions, the Emperor went to lie down for a while.

Who would have known that there would be signs of difficult labor for Concubine Yu? Before he could even close his eyes, a palace maid from Concubine Yu’s side came running, crying and pleading that Concubine Yu was exhausted and needed ginseng to replenish her energy—preferably blood ginseng.

Yet, they couldn’t find a single blood ginseng in the vast Imperial Palace.

The Emperor sat up, rubbing his aching temples, and suddenly remembered that all the blood ginseng in the palace had been taken by Jiang Ning to gift to her mother, Lin Zizi.

In the middle of the night, should he, the Emperor, go to Jiang’s household and ask Lin Zizi for things?

That would be far too humiliating for him!

The Emperor called for the Eunuch: “Go find the Head of Internal Affairs and tell him to bring me blood ginseng within half an hour, or his head will roll!”

The Eunuch hurriedly left.

Upon hearing this, the Head of Internal Affairs burst into tears.

Blood ginseng, such a precious item, was tributed every year. Portions were distributed among their masters in the palace, while some were gifted to several high-ranking officials outside the palace.

How could there be any left over?

Blood ginseng was not like sweet potatoes that could be preserved for a long period of time.

Considering it was such a good item, they would want to use it for themselves, let alone give it away.

“Where can I find it in such a short time? Brother, you have to save me!” the Head of Internal Affairs begged the Eunuch, crying, “Give me some advice.”

The Eunuch chuckled, “Don’t you know? All the blood ginseng in the palace was taken by the Princess Consort. You should go ask her instead. You already know where you should go, right?”

“Oh, how could I have forgotten that?”

The blood ginseng had been sent to the storeroom but had not yet been distributed to the various masters in the palace. It was taken by the Princess Consort instead.

At that time, since the Emperor did not say anything, the Head of Internal Affairs did not ask further questions.

If he didn’t go to her now, to whom else could he go?

So, the Head of Internal Affairs huffed and puffed as he went to knock on the door of the East Palace, requesting to see the Princess Consort.

Jiang Ning, living in the palace, also heard about Concubine Yu giving birth.

However, she didn’t care much about it, nor had any interest in waiting for the news. She went to bed early with her two children.

When Huang Ying, after listening to the Head of Internal Affairs’ cry, came to inform Jiang Ning, Jiang Ning, yawning, said, “I don’t have any ginseng here. Let him look elsewhere. Close the door, let’s sleep.”