Chun Fang's lips lift into a faint grin. She could imagine Yuan trudging outside of the room while having anxious facial expressions. Oh, how I wish he could be with me at this moment. But I am concerned about his health.
"Ah! ooh." Chun Fang yells out.
The lower part of her body kept spasming continuously. She knows it would take some time before the baby is ready to come out. One of the midwives step near the bed and salute to Chun Fang.
"Your Majesty, please permit me to examine you.'
Chun Fang nods without uttering anything. The old midwife pulls up the blanket uncovering her legs.
"Your Majesty, please bend and spread your legs." Midwife request.
Chun Fang obeys quietly. Concubine Wu stands close by watching silently. It took the midwife a little bit of time to check her. She stood up and faced the ladies.
"Your Majesty, it seems like you are ready to give birth. We will need to prepare somethings."
"What things do you need?" Concubine Wu inquired
"I will need clean water, towels, and silk cloth." Midwife answer.
Concubine Wu turns to the maidservant behind her. Behind her stood a young girl. The girl's appearance did not match the standard of the typical servant. She had inkling black hair tied up into two buns.
Her skin seems smooth like a porcelain doll. The deep dark color of her eyes could make anyone lost in them. An everyday dress covers the body of the girl. Young girl's looks could get her a high rank if she enters into the imperial harem.
"Mei Ling, do go and gather those things." order Concubine Wu.
Mei Ling carries out her order. While waiting for the maid to come back, no one spoke a word. Time seems to move gradually. Sometime later, Mei-Ling arrived back with the necessary items in her arms.
"Mei Ling, what took you so long to get back?" question Concubine Wu, tone a bit displeased.
Mei Ling hastily responds, "My lady, apologies, I-."
Her words got cut off. Concubine Wu shook her head and said, " I don't want to hear your excuses."
Mei Ling closes her mouth, then stood there silently. Truth told, it not like Mei Ling could say that she did not feel well.
Frown lines appear on Chun Fang's forehead, who lay on the bed. Pang sensation distracts her from paying attention to the conversation in the room. She felt very uncomfortable in her current posture. Midwife check on her once again.
"Ah!" yell Chun Fang.
"Your Majesty, I think you are ready." state Midwife.
"Em.. okay.." Chun Fang responds.
One of the old ladies stood at the end of the bed. While the other walk to the left side with a towel on hand. Mei Ling walks to the right side. Concubine Wu left the room, seeing that there is nothing for her to do.
"Alright, Your Majesty. I want you to push as much you can," said Midwife.
Chun Fang inhale then began to push. Her lower body aches so much.
"Ah!" Chun Fang bawl.
After a few strong pushes, Chum Fang stops. Doing such activity made her feel quite exhausted - droplets of sweat roll down the side of her face.
"Your Majesty, I need you to keep pushing," said Midwife.
Chum Fang inhales while grasping the bedsheets. She begins to push with all her might. Screams echo in the room.
"You are almost there," said Midwife as she encourages her to keep going.
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Unbeknown to the ladies, Emperor Yuan has been waiting and anxiously pacing outside of the room.
Hearing his beloved wife scream makes him want to run in and hold her. Standing next to him is the head eunuch.
"Your Majesty, I think you should stop pacing, it's not good for your health."
"I'm worried about my Love!" says Emperor Yuan.
"She will be alright," assured Head Eunuch.
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Blaring shrieks continue for the next few hours into the late night. Sometime later, all the noise in the room quieted down. Relief came over Chum Fang, and all of her strength done. The midwife wrapped the baby with a towel to clean him up. She taps him a couple of times.
Waaaa! Waaa!
Hearing the baby's loud cry was a good sign. It meant that the Tang Dynasty had acquired another royalty. Smiles appear on everyone's faces.
"Your Majesty, congratulation, the child is a boy." Midwife announce after examining the baby.
Midwife lay the wailing baby on the chest of his mother. Chun Fang beam even though she wants to sleep. Her son looks cute also a precious treasure.
He has a beautiful size body with round cheeks that bulge out. On top of his little head, one could notice silver stubbles. His tiny hands clasped into fists like he is ready for a fight.
"Please inform my husband of the great news.' Chun Fang weakly order.
One of Chun Fang's maidservant went out of the room. Emperor Yuan saw the maid coming over to him.
"Your Majesty, the baby is born." informs the young maid.
Emperor Yuan nod in response. He turns to Concubine Wu and says, "Let's go see my newborn offspring."
Both of them went to the bed-chamber. After arriving, Emperor Yuan hurriedly walk to his wife's side.
"Your Majesty, look, this is your son." Chun Fang said, beaming brightly.
The grin on Emperor Yuan's face grows wide. Seeing the woman he loves dearly holding a newborn brought joy in his heart.
"My love, you look beguiling even after giving birth." laudation her husband.
Hearing such sweet words made Chun Fang glad that she agreed to an arranged marriage. She gives a peck on his lips. Witnessing the display of affection between the two cause bitterness whelms up in Concubine Wu's heart.
In the arms of Concubine Wu is her one, your old son name Li Chun Mu. Compare to the newborn baby Emperor Yuan did not pay attention to her son.
"Your Majesty, I present to you, our son." Chun Fang spoke weakly.
"My love, you did well. I thank you for giving me a wonderful gift." Emperor Yuan express.
Emperor Yuan leans over, pressing his lips onto her lips. Chun Fang felt happy to receive the kiss. Concubine Wu turns away, not liking the scene. Stream of tears flows down her cheeks, which drip onto her son.
Emperor Yuan fails to notice his second wife's sadness. Concubine Wu wipe away the flowing tears with the back of her hand.
"Your Majesty, pardon me speaking out of line, but I think we should let Empress Chun Fang rest." Concubine Wu suggests facing them again.
"You have a good point." Emperor Yuan respond.
He moved away from his wife and stood up. While stroking her hand, Emperor Yuan says, "My love, please get some sleep. I will see you in the morning."
"Okay, Your Majesty, you should get rest as well." Chun Fang spoke.
Emperor Yuan exit the room, only leaving the ladies behind. The two did not utter any words for a moment.
Concubine Wu finally spoke, "Sister Fang, shall I order my maid Mei Ling to take Xiao Shimin to his bed?"
Chun Fang nods her head in response. She felt exhausted and want to be sleep.
Wu Loa order, "Mei Ling takes the two young ones than put them to sleep."
Mei Ling hurriedly picks up the infant from Chun Fang's bosom and place him in her left arm. She went over to her Lady then took the one year baby with her right arm. Mei Ling walks out of the room quietly, follow by Concubine Wu. But before leaving, she said, "Sister Fang, rest well."
"You too." Chun Fang responds as she closes her eyes.
Concubine Wu left Chun Fang's bedroom quietly. She walks towards her husband's sleeping quarter, passing by a couple of buildings. About halfway there, Mei-Ling caught up with her.
"My lady, I put the young ones in their beds."
"Excellent now come along. I need to speak with you." Wu Loa said, continue walking.
Mei Ling follows after her only in staying a bit behind.
"In a few days, I will prepare a cup of tea for Sister Fang. I want you to deliver the cup for me." Wu Loa stated concealing her actual plan.
"I will do as you say." Mei Ling responds without any hint of suspension.
"Good now, go and rest." Wu Loa order.
Mei Ling happy went on her way. Wu Loa saunter to the Emperor's room. She found him laying down with his eyes closed. Silk blanket covers his body. She sat down a sideway on the bed, then lean down to kiss him on the lips. Wu Loa move away from the bed. She went to her room and lay down to sleep.
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