With her back to the imperial physician, Su Yiyao listened to the steadily approaching footsteps. Panicking, she felt utterly lost, but gritted her teeth and desperately told herself to stay calm.
She had dealt with Su Luoluo countless times and beaten her every time. This time would be no different.
Watching Su Yiyao teetering on the brink of collapse, Prince Rui could no longer suppress his fury and shouted coldly,
“Su Luoluo, I’d like to see how you plan to prove your innocence. I absolutely believe Yiyao.”
He was with Su Yiyao almost every day. Even when bathing and changing clothes, Su Yiyao would pull him in to wash with her. Although her belly had grown larger and larger, she had never neglected him; she continued to serve him comfortably, even more passionately than before. When he was in a good mood, he would gently stroke Su Yiyao’s belly and watch the child grow little by little.
Seeing how Prince Rui shielded Su Yiyao, Su Luoluo no longer felt the slightest trace of sorrow. She grabbed Imperial Physician Chen, who was dragging his medicine chest, and pointed anxiously at her own belly.
“Imperial Physician Chen, quickly—I have another one in my belly!”
…
Those words exploded through the hall, leaving everyone inside staring in stunned silence.
Su Yiyao, however, nearly laughed aloud when she heard them. This wretch really was digging her own grave. Could she possibly produce another child from her belly?
She hurriedly filled her eyes with tears and stepped forward, pleading bitterly with Su Luoluo.
“Fourth Sister, how can you lie to everyone about something like this? Giving birth isn’t something you can do just because you say you will!”
When Su Luoluo had gone into labor, Su Yiyao had stationed people outside. She and the Wet Nurse had rushed into the room, opening the windows to let the freezing wind chill her while viciously pressing on her belly, trying to force her to give birth as quickly as possible.
Su Luoluo had been in excruciating pain, and blood had flowed endlessly from beneath her.
Su Yiyao had been delighted by the sight and pressed even harder. She had not seen any sign of a second bastard child before Su Luoluo breathed her last.
How could there possibly be another one in her belly now?
His Majesty’s eyes were filled with scrutiny, as deep as an abyss. Then he looked toward Imperial Physician Chen and said coldly,
“Go!”
Imperial Physician Chen could no longer concern himself with protocol. He seized Su Luoluo’s wrist and felt her pulse, whereupon his expression changed drastically.
“This is bad, Your Majesty. The situation is critical. I need to use your side hall.”
Immediately afterward, Eunuch Yunhai and Eunuch Xiaosheng began making preparations. Palace maids came in, helped Su Luoluo to her feet, and escorted her toward the side hall.
For a time, figures moved constantly through the palace, everyone looking flustered.
Su Luoluo’s long skirt was already soaked through with blood, and her body was covered in wounds. When the palace maids helped her remove her clothing, they were so shocked that they nearly screamed. Then, as they undressed her, they rapidly informed Imperial Physician Chen of Su Luoluo’s condition.
Imperial Physician Chen was a man, after all, so he could only remain behind the screen. As he opened his medicine chest, he quickly prepared everything he needed.
“Minister Chen, how is she?”
His Majesty paced back and forth with a frown. Imperial Physician Chen bowed toward the doorway while preparing the medicines and hurriedly replied,
“Your Majesty, Princess Consort Rui is covered in wounds and appears to have suffered abuse. Given how much time has passed and how much blood she has lost, I fear… I fear that even if she gives birth, the child will be stillborn.”
—There really was another one!
Su Yiyao was so shocked that she could not speak. After all this time, there really was another child in Su Luoluo’s belly.
However…
Even if the child was born, it would be stillborn—there would still be no evidence to prove anything!
Su Luoluo’s claim that she would prove her innocence would be futile. Or perhaps… the child would have the exact same birthmark?
Su Yiyao panicked and hurriedly reached out to untie the baby’s swaddling clothes. But Su Luoluo’s anguished cry rang out from the side hall.
“Eunuch Yunhai, have someone hold the child. Don’t let them tamper with anything.”
Eunuch Yunhai looked toward His Majesty. Seeing him nod, he waved his hand, and someone immediately took the child from Su Yiyao’s arms.
Su Yiyao was certain in her panic that the child must have a birthmark. Damn it—she had failed to inspect it carefully beforehand. Her vision went black, and she collapsed limply into Prince Rui’s arms.
“Imperial Father, Yiyao has just given birth and is extremely weak. Why not have Imperial Physician Chen examine Yiyao’s pulse first?”
At that, even His Majesty could not stop anger from rising in his expression. Imperial Physician Chen had already described the situation, and it seemed that Prince Rui truly had not treated Su Luoluo well!
Regardless of whether Su Luoluo had given birth to Prince Rui’s child or to the child of some adulterer, it was still a life.
Even if she was to be killed or punished, they had to wait until she had given birth and been convicted.
Yet Prince Rui’s coldhearted words just now could completely destroy Su Luoluo’s will to survive. They could cause her and both children to die together.
“No.” Seeing His Majesty’s displeasure, Su Yiyao hurriedly tugged at Prince Rui’s robe and begged sensibly, “Save Sister first. Even if… even if the child belongs to that man, even if she has been unfaithful and wronged Prince Rui, we can discuss it after she safely gives birth.”
Figures surged through the hall as every necessary instrument and supply was quickly sent into the side hall.
The entire room reeked heavily of blood!
Su Luoluo was already drenched in sweat from the pain. Clutching Fuling’s hand, she cried out in anguish, her voice echoing through the entire palace.
The sound made everyone’s heart tremble and filled them with unease.
Imperial Physician Chen had said the child was stillborn, but Su Luoluo still had to endure the pain of labor and force the child out.
“Imperial Physician Chen.”
Su Luoluo’s hair was soaked through strand by strand. Knowing how weak she was and that she had no strength left, she adjusted her breathing, then looked toward the screen and choked out,
“Do as I say. Give me the medicine first. Once I’ve given birth, immediately give me the silver needles. Then prepare the decoction. I will bear responsibility for life or death myself.”
Hearing her give orders between exertions as she fought with all her strength to deliver the child, Imperial Physician Chen’s hands trembled slightly. He understood the greatness of a Mother, but even if the child was stillborn, how could it possibly be saved?
“Imperial Physician Chen, listen to me. I have a way to ensure that your wife won’t have a difficult labor.”
Imperial Physician Chen turned sharply, his gaze colliding with the screen. How did she know that his wife was pregnant and about to give birth?
Furthermore, his wife’s baby was in the wrong position, and he was so anxious that sores had broken out at the corners of his mouth!
Perhaps…
He no longer hesitated. Following Su Luoluo’s instructions, he quickly took out a pill and had Fuling give it to Su Luoluo. Then he prepared the silver needles.
Su Luoluo knew that she was in grave danger. One wrong move, and she could die here. Blood had already flowed freely beneath her, yet there was still no sign of the child emerging. But she had no way back. After finally being given a second chance at life, she could not die—and she could not let her daughter die.
She had to live!
She absolutely had to live!
Until her great vengeance was repaid, she would never rest in peace!
“Ahhhhhh…”
The horrific, agonized cries of pain shook everyone in Cloud Joy Palace until their bodies tensed. His Majesty paced back and forth through the main hall, his face dark.
Su Yiyao trembled violently. Thinking she was frightened, Prince Rui held her tightly in his arms.
He did not know that Su Yiyao was straining to listen to the sounds from the side hall. Her fear grew with every passing moment. Then, when she heard the words “She’s given birth,” Su Yiyao fell backward and fainted.
“Imperial Father, Yiyao has fainted. Su Luoluo has already given birth to a stillborn child, so please let Imperial Physician Chen come examine Yiyao. Yiyao has just given birth to my child!”
Hearing Prince Rui repeat “Yiyao” again and again, showing her such concern and affection, Su Luoluo truly hated him… Panting, she said to Imperial Physician Chen,
“Imperial Physician Chen, go take her pulse. Leave the rest to me.”
Imperial Physician Chen looked at the basins of bloody water the palace maids carried out and sighed helplessly. He nodded through the screen, picked up his medicine chest, and walked out.
Then Su Luoluo, paying no heed to her disheveled and pained state, crawled over to the child and picked up the silver needles…