Wang Qingyao was pushed to the ground heavily by the Fifth Princess. A sharp pain shot through her abdomen. Before long, she felt a warmth flow from beneath her, and a pool of blood spread out.
Her heart sank. She tried to call for help, but the pain in her abdomen was relentless. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead as she shivered, her lips trembling, the sound she managed to utter utterly weak and devoid of strength.
The Fifth Princess was also terrified, staring blankly at Wang Qingyao.
"Hurry and call for help," Wang Qingyao glared at her, her voice fierce.
As if waking from a dream, the Fifth Princess cried out in panic, "Help! Something terrible has happened!" and hurried out.
However, she was so flustered that her legs tangled, and after a few steps, she fell. It was a hard fall, her forehead hitting the ground directly, and it immediately began to swell.
Wang Qingyao feared she might have been knocked unconscious, but the Fifth Princess only cried out, "Ouch!" and, ignoring her own injury, scrambled back up, shouting for help as she ran.
After what felt like an eternity, as Wang Qingyao's consciousness began to fade from the pain, she finally heard hurried, chaotic footsteps.
"Yaoyao!" Xiao Yun scooped her into his arms, lifting her up.
"Quick, call the imperial physician!"
Xiao Yun's voice trembled, laced with a sob. The strong man was pale with fear.
Consort Wei made a swift decision, designating the room as a delivery room. She ordered hot water to be boiled and preparations for childbirth to be made.
It had been a long time since a prince or princess was born in the palace, and there were no midwives on hand. It was too late to go searching for one now. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager had an experienced attendant, Granny Zhi, who, while not a professional midwife, had assisted in several births and could serve the purpose.
Wang Qingyao was carried to the bed, blood still pooling beneath her.
Her face was as white as paper. Gritting her teeth, she clutched Xiao Yun's arm and said fiercely, word by word, "Remember this, it was the Fifth Princess who deliberately pushed me. If I die, remember to avenge me!"
Old Consort Tai shed tears. "You foolish child, what are you saying? You'll be fine. You and the baby will be fine."
Xiao Yun nodded fiercely. "I remember."
Imperial Physician Lu arrived quickly. Feng Jiangduo and the maids of Consort Chen had gone to fetch him. Upon reaching the Imperial Hospital, Feng Jiangduo had practically dragged him here.
There was no time for protocol. He was brought directly into the room.
The moment Imperial Physician Lu's feet touched the ground, before he could even catch his breath, Xiao Yun had already pulled him to the bedside.
"Imperial Physician Lu, quickly examine the Princess Consort! She looks like she's about to faint!"
Besides the few maids assisting, only Old Consort Tai and Xiao Yun remained in the delivery room.
Feng Jiangduo, being unmarried, was also sent out by Old Consort Tai.
"You can't help much by coming in. Why don't you see if there's anything you can assist with outside?"
Traditionally, men did not enter delivery rooms. However, with Wang Qingyao's life hanging by a thread, Old Consort Tai knew Xiao Yun would not leave, so she didn't bother to object.
Their family didn't care about such customs.
Consort Fang might have some reservations, but at this critical juncture, no one had the capacity to consider her feelings.
Imperial Physician Lu was startled to see Xiao Yun.
But it was none of his concern. Despite his surprise, he didn't delay in attending to the patient.
He first took Wang Qingyao's pulse, then, while administering acupuncture, instructed Xiao Yun to find a century-old ginseng root.
Ginseng was used to sustain life, only brought out in dire emergencies.
Xiao Yun's blood ran cold at the mention of it.
Seeing his reaction, Imperial Physician Lu explained, "Have it ready, just in case it's needed."
Xiao Yun's spirit slowly returned. He left to give the order, and soon, a century-old ginseng root was delivered.
After the acupuncture, Wang Qingyao regained a bit of consciousness. Then, a labor-inducing medicine was brought.
Imperial Physician Lu stated, "The Princess Consort is bleeding heavily. The baby needs to be born immediately!"
This was stating the obvious!
Wang Qingyao was due next month. Twins were normally born a month early, but now, after being pushed by the Fifth Princess, they were coming more than half a month ahead of schedule. It was uncertain if they would survive.
Wang Qingyao's mind was filled with news she had seen in her modern life, about twins being placed in incubators for a month after birth.
Tears streamed down her face, her heart filled with fear. She regretted falling into the Fifth Princess's trap.
She had clairvoyant eyes!
She had been so careful, how could she have made such a critical mistake at a moment so vital to life?
"Your Highness, push!"
"Yaoyao, don't be afraid, I'm here. I'm with you!"
"Good child, good child..."
Several voices mingled in Wang Qingyao's ears. She could no longer discern who was speaking. All she knew was to push, to push with all her might!
Inside the delivery room, Wang Qingyao's childbirth was a scene of intense, heart-stopping action.
Outside the delivery room, in the main hall of Kangshou Palace, the Fifth Princess knelt on the ground, disheveled.
The wound on her head had not yet been treated, making her pale face appear even more pitiful.
The Empress Dowager looked at her with disgust. "What exactly happened? Why did the Princess of Ding'an fall ill so suddenly?"
The Empress Dowager was truly furious. Who wanted such a thing to happen on their birthday?
The Fifth Princess shouldn't have been there in the first place. Wei Yu had mentioned her, and out of pity for the Fifth Princess, and considering the Crown Prince, she had allowed her to attend.
Who knew such a disaster would occur!
If Wang Qingyao and her child were to suffer any harm, how would she explain it to the Ding'an Royal Estate?