roccoschili Chapter 222 Dawn in the Dark Night: The Arrival of New Life
Chapter 222 Dawn in the Dark Night: The Arrival of New Life
Under the cover of night, the imperial palace of Xijing Kingdom was eerily quiet, almost oppressively so. All was silent except for the occasional sound of the night watchman's gong, breaking the thick darkness. Jia Xiaoyan lay quietly on the carved bed in her chambers, the bed curtains drawn low, a faint scent of medicine filling the room. Jiang Liushen lay asleep fully clothed on the soft couch beside the bed, his brow slightly furrowed; even in his sleep, he could not hide his worry for Jia Xiaoyan and the child.
Suddenly, a low, painful groan echoed through the once tranquil palace. It came from Jia Xiaoyan. Her eyes were tightly closed, her brows furrowed, as if she were enduring immense pain. Her hands instinctively protected her protruding belly, and her body involuntarily curled up.
Jiang Liushen, who was fast asleep, was instantly awakened by the sudden noise. Without even putting on his shoes, he rushed to the bedside like an arrow. Reaching Jia Xiaoyan's side, he unhesitatingly reached out and grasped her small hand, which trembled slightly from the pain. His eyes were filled with anxiety and concern as he asked urgently, "Xiaoyan, what's wrong? Is your stomach hurting badly?"
At this moment, Jia Xiaoyan bit her lower lip tightly, seemingly trying to endure the excruciating pain, but in the end, she still nodded with difficulty. Her originally fair forehead was now covered with a layer of fine beads of sweat, the crystal-clear beads of sweat rolling down like broken pearls, sliding down her pale, paper-white cheeks, one drop after another wetting the exquisitely embroidered handkerchief beside her pillow.
"Your Majesty, my... my stomach hurts so much... it feels like a giant hand is tearing it apart inside... I'm afraid... the baby is coming out early." Jia Xiaoyan's voice trembled, filled with fear and helplessness. In the still of the night, her weak and terrified words seemed so insignificant yet heartbreaking.
Jiang Liushen's heart sank. His hands trembled slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm and comforted her, "Xiaoyan, don't be afraid, I'll call the imperial physician right away." With that, he quickly stood up, rushed to the door, and shouted, "Someone, quickly summon the imperial physician!"
Hearing the shouts, the eunuchs and maids outside the palace immediately busied themselves. A moment later, the imperial physician rushed over, carrying his medicine chest. With a grave expression, he walked to the bedside and took Jia Xiaoyan's pulse. Jiang Liushen stood to the side, his eyes fixed on the physician's every move, barely daring to breathe. His palms were sweaty, which he constantly wiped on his dragon robe.
The imperial physician's brows furrowed tightly, as if an invisible force had twisted them into a tangled mess. As time passed, the furrow deepened, becoming like a deep chasm across his forehead. Jiang Liushen, watching the physician's changing expression, felt his already anxious heart sink into an abyss, gripped tighter and tighter.
"Imperial Physician..." Jiang Liushen finally couldn't help but ask, his voice unconsciously trembling slightly, a subtle change he himself hadn't even noticed. "How are the Empress and the child?" He stared wide-eyed at the Imperial Physician, his eyes filled with anxiety and concern.
The imperial physician slightly raised his head, his gaze meeting Jiang Liushen's. He gently shook his head, then let out a long sigh and slowly said, "Your Majesty, the Empress has suffered a miscarriage, and the baby in her womb may be born prematurely. The situation is extremely critical... I will do my utmost, but the outcome is unpredictable. Therefore, I hope Your Majesty will prepare yourself mentally." After saying this, the imperial physician lowered his head again, not daring to look Jiang Liushen in the eye.
Upon hearing the imperial physician's reply, Jiang Liushen felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if a sharp sword had pierced it. However, he knew that as the ruler of a nation, he could not show the slightest weakness in front of others. Therefore, he suppressed his grief, gritted his teeth, and ordered the imperial physician in an unusually firm tone: "Imperial Physician, no matter the cost, even if it means sacrificing everything, you must protect the Empress and the child for me! This is my decree, and you must not disobey!" As he spoke, his eyes radiated a unique imperial majesty, making it impossible to disobey easily. However, his slightly trembling shoulders inadvertently revealed the fear and unease deep within him.
The imperial physician nodded hurriedly, "Your Majesty, I obey!" With that, he quickly took out various medicinal herbs and tools from his medicine box, preparing to deliver Jia Xiaoyan's baby.
Jia Xiaoyan's pain intensified, her body trembling uncontrollably as she groaned in agony, "Ah...it hurts so much...Your Majesty, I'm so scared..." She gripped Jiang Liushen's hand tightly, her nails digging into his palm, but Jiang Liushen seemed oblivious to the pain, only looking at Jia Xiaoyan with heartache, constantly comforting her, "Xiaoyan, don't be afraid, I'm here, I'll always be with you. You must be strong, our child will definitely be born safely."
The palace maids busied themselves, bringing hot water, towels, and clean sheets, and under the imperial physician's direction, they carried out the preparations methodically. A tense atmosphere filled the bedchamber, and worry was etched on everyone's face.
Time ticked by, but Jia Xiaoyan's pain showed no signs of abating. Her face grew increasingly pale, almost devoid of color, and her clothes were soaked with sweat. Jiang Liushen, seeing Jia Xiaoyan's suffering, felt his heart breaking. He prayed incessantly, hoping that heaven would protect Jia Xiaoyan and her child.
"Your Majesty, the Empress needs to push harder, otherwise the baby will have a hard time being born," the imperial physician said anxiously.
Jiang Liushen quickly grasped Jia Xiaoyan's hand and encouraged her, "Xiaoyan, can you hear me? You have to try harder, our child is waiting for you. You are the strongest, you can definitely do it."
Jia Xiaoyan gritted her teeth and strained with all her might, but each effort brought her excruciating pain, as if countless needles were piercing her body. Her consciousness gradually faded, and she felt herself struggling in darkness, unable to find her way.
"Xiaoyan, don't sleep, hold on!" Jiang Liushen was extremely anxious when he saw Jia Xiaoyan's eyes gradually closing. He shook Jia Xiaoyan's shoulders hard and shouted loudly.
Jia Xiaoyan struggled to open her eyes, looking at Jiang Liushen with tears welling up in them: "Your Majesty, I'm so tired... I can't hold on much longer..."
"Xiaoyan, you must hold on, our baby is coming out soon. Think of our baby, he's waiting for you to hold him." Jiang Liushen's voice was choked with sobs. He had never been so afraid, afraid of losing Jia Xiaoyan, afraid of losing their baby.
Just when Jia Xiaoyan was about to give up, a clear baby's cry suddenly pierced the night sky.
"It's born! It's born! Your Majesty, it's a prince!" the imperial physician exclaimed excitedly.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Liushen felt a huge weight lifted from his heart. Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked at Jia Xiaoyan and exclaimed excitedly, "Xiaoyan, our child has been born! Can you hear me? Our child is safe and sound!"
Jia Xiaoyan smiled wearily, her eyes filled with happiness and relief: "Your Majesty, our child..." Before she could finish speaking, she fainted.
"Xiao Yan! Xiao Yan!" Jiang Liushen cried out in alarm, holding Jia Xiaoyan tightly, his voice trembling. "Imperial Physician, quickly check on the Empress, what's wrong with her?"
The imperial physician quickly examined Jia Xiaoyan. After a while, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress was simply too exhausted and fainted. She is fine. With some rest, she will recover."
Jiang Liushen was relieved to hear this. He gently stroked Jia Xiaoyan's face, his eyes filled with heartache: "Xiaoyan, you've worked so hard."
Just then, a palace maid carefully carried a baby prince tightly wrapped in soft swaddling clothes and slowly walked over. Her steps were light yet steady, and when she approached, she respectfully bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, the little prince is here."
Jiang Liushen quickly reached out and gently took his adorable little prince from the palace maid's arms. As he gazed at the prince's rosy, chubby face, his heart was instantly filled with an indescribable joy and emotion. The little boy's eyes were tightly closed, like two crescent moons; his pink lips were slightly pouting, as if he were having a sweet dream, peacefully immersed in slumber.
"Xiaoyan, look, this is the fruit of our love!" Jiang Liushen gently carried the little prince to Jia Xiaoyan's side with deep affection, speaking softly in an extremely gentle and deep voice, seemingly convinced that even though Jia Xiaoyan was still unconscious, she could feel this strong fatherly love and the deep emotional bond between them.
The tense atmosphere that had filled the palace gradually dissipated with the arrival of the little prince, replaced by a room filled with joy and happiness. Everyone wore relieved smiles, their eyes focused on the new life, sharing in the joy and warmth of becoming parents for the first time.