Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 595 - 593

Chapter 595: 593

Just as Xiao’er was about to finish writing the gift list for the servants of the mansion, Zijing rushed in: "Miss, the Madam is about to give birth."

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er quickly dropped her pen and stood up: "Did you call the midwife?"

"Yes! I summoned the midwife first and then came to you."

"I’ll go and see!" Xiao’er hurriedly ran out.

Mrs. Liu was an older expectant mother, but she had done a lot of farm work when she was young, and she had been eating well for the past few years. Xiao’er thought she would have a smooth delivery.

Xiao’er was right. Zijing had called for the midwife first and then came to get Xiao’er. By the time Xiao’er got to Mrs. Liu’s yard, the cry of a baby was just coming from inside.

Jingrui and Jinghao had also just arrived. The three siblings looked at one another, each seeing the same words in the others’ eyes: "Was the baby born already? That was quick!"

Hearing the baby’s cry from inside the room, Shen Chengyao was delighted: "The baby is born! The baby is born!"

Xiao’er thought to herself: I heard that the second birth is faster than the first, but does each birth get faster? It’s puzzling.

At this moment, the midwife came out holding a baby. She smiled at Shen Chengyao and said: "Congratulations, Marquis, the Madam has given you a big, fat boy. Both mother and child are safe."

Hearing that both mother and child were safe, Shen Chengyao breathed a sigh of relief: "The Madam’s health is all right, right?"

"She’s fine. The Madam is in very good spirits!" The midwife had delivered countless babies, but she had never seen a woman of Mrs. Liu’s age with such good vitality after giving birth.

Shen Chengyao was totally relieved. He had no preference for boys over girls and deftly took the baby in his arms, laughing foolishly: "This boy is sturdier than his older brothers and sisters! His plumpness is really endearing!"

Xiao’er to herself: Is it true that an emperor loves his eldest son and common people love their youngest child?

Shen Chengyao, what an explosion of paternal love!

After hearing this, Jinghao couldn’t help but say: "Father, when mother gave birth to us, she didn’t even have enough food, how could we be plump?"

Thinking of how skinny Jingrui and his other siblings were when they were just born, seeming as tiny as kittens, Shen Chengyao felt a sudden twinge of sadness. Fortunately, everything has passed, and the future days will only be better!

"Your mother did have a harder time back then."

It was not pleasant to look back on the past, so it was better not to mention it!

Xiao’er glanced at her little brother: "Father, ’Little Six’ does look a lot like you!"

"Really? I think he looks very much like me too! He’s like a mirror image of me!" Shen Chengyao, holding his "old" son, was all smiles.

Xiao’er to herself: Could you be more modest?

"Let’s go. I’ll take you in to see your mother," Shen Chengyao suddenly remembered that Mrs. Liu was still in the delivery room.

The midwife stopped him at the door: "Wait a little longer, Marquis. We will have everything cleaned up very soon."

Shen Chengyao had no choice but to wait outside.

Xiao’er glanced at Yang Liu, who quickly understood and handed a purse to the midwife as a reward.

The midwife held the purse in her hand and her smile immediately became even brighter. A series of compliments poured from her mouth as if she weren’t spending money on them.

However, the midwife truly believed that Marquis Shengping was blessed. Although there were no concubines in the mansion, the family had many children.

Three sons and three daughters all from the first wife, hardly any other mansion in the Imperial Capital could boast of such a thing.

Marquis Shengping’s wife is really good at raising children!

After the midwife and the female doctor tidied everything up and received their rewards, they left.

The family went in and warmly inquired after Mrs. Liu’s health.

Mrs. Liu was in good spirits. After Doctor Luo had checked her and the little sixth child’s pulse, he announced that Mrs. Liu had no major concerns and merely needed to observe good postpartum care. He also remarked that the little sixth was one of the healthier newborns he had ever seen.

The family was extremely pleased to hear this.

After checking Mrs. Liu’s pulse, Doctor Luo gestured to Xiao’er. They left the room together and went out to the courtyard to talk.

Yang Liu and Yang Mei were stationed not too far off at two intersections to avoid anyone overhearing their conversation.

"Doctor Luo, how is the emperor’s condition now?" Xiao’er guessed that Shangguan Xuanyi might have a message for her, since Doctor Luo had signaled her to come out.

"He’s been diagnosed with Hemiplegia. His movements are not very agile now," Doctor Luo began.

Hemiplegia? Was that not a stroke? Even if it were a stroke, the emperor should not be facing mobility issues, given that Shangguan Xuanyi had pills for the condition!

Xiao’er gave Doctor Luo a puzzled look, but then she noticed him wink at her.

She now understood - the emperor was feigning illness.

Being an Emperor really was troublesome!

"The Emperor plans to let the several princes take turns dealing with state affairs until he recovers from his illness."

Xiao’er nodded. The Emperor must have his reasons for this decision. She had heard that General Li was already on his way back to the Imperial Capital. He initially set out in secrecy, but after receiving the imperial edict demanding the surrender of part of his military power, General Li turned around and returned to his northwest stronghold.

He justified the delay in the submission of his military powers by arguing that the remnants of the Xiyue Country continuously caused trouble and harassed the people in the northwest and the original territories of the Xiyue Country. Therefore, he could not leave the northwest for now.

This situation suggested a deviation from military orders.

The postponement of yielding military power inherently demanded deeper contemplation and increased caution!

Even Shangguan Xuanjun and Di Shaowei had been unusually busy recently. They had both received secret assignments to manage military affairs.

It was indeed easier to conquer new territories for the empire than to oversee them. Just as they were accustomed to peaceful days, someone began to disturb their stability again.

Presumably, the emperor wanted to use this opportunity to discern who was loyal and who was treacherous. Moreover, this situation might encourage those who wanted to rebel but had concerns to finally make their move! After all, one can be a thief for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against a thief for a thousand days!

All these things were told to her by Shangguan Xuanyi. He did not think women could not discuss politics. On the contrary, he quite enjoyed discussing politics with Xiao’er. Apart from politics, Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t have much to talk about, but he enjoyed speaking with Xiao’er, so he talked about his daily affairs with her.

"The Sixth Prince asked me to tell you that he might be very busy these next few days as he is attending to the sick emperor, and he didn’t want you to worry," explained Luo.

Xiao’er nodded, hearing this.

"Well, I must go. I still have to wait for commands at the palace," Doctor Luo said, after delivering Shangguan Xuanyi’s message, and then he left.

His presence at the Marquis Shengping’s mansion tonight was a special grace granted by the emperor. All the imperial doctors of the Imperial Hospital were waiting for instructions in the palace!

Anticipating the bait would not work unless the situation was dramatically escalated, unbeknownst to a number of insiders, deciphering the actual condition of the emperor was only reserved for a select few.

The rest of the imperial doctors were examining a stand-in for the emperor, not the emperor himself.

Xiao’er nodded, then personally escorted Doctor Luo out through the second gate.

Upon returning to the room, Shen Chengyao asked about the Emperor’s condition. She repeated what Doctor Luo had said.

"This hemiplegia disease could be major or minor. Some people are never able to fully recuperate," Shen Chengyao frowned in concern.

"All of the imperial doctors in the Imperial Hospital have superior medical skills. They will certainly be able to manage the condition," Xiao’er assured, holding back the true situation.

It was preferable that fewer people were aware of the secret. Safety lied in obscurity.

Shen Chengyao wanted to say something, but then Jinghao and Jingrui both shook their heads at him.

After all, it was unnecessary to manage anything beyond their current situation; staying in one’s place, focusing on their respective roles, and achieving their objectives were what mattered. Shen Chengyao turned his attention back to his youngest child.

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