"Impossible."
She had personally overseen this pregnancy, the child had been well, how could it suddenly be declared difficult and complicated?
However, Li Man'er also suspected this was no ordinary premature birth, and that someone with ill intentions might have meddled, leaving Concubine Rong unsuspecting and falling prey.
Li Man'er moved to Concubine Rong's side and took her pulse. A subtle clue was indeed found.
She had consumed something to induce labor.
Li Man'er cast a meaningful glance at Concubine Rong, who, however, commanded her, "You must ensure the safety of my child and me!"
This woman's mind was consumed with wealth and status. The child, once born, would be a prince. Even without a mother, he wouldn't suffer much. If she died, she would only receive a posthumous title, which was not what she desired.
"Rest assured." Li Man'er didn't bother with further words. She was determined to save the child, and Concubine Rong, for now, could not die.
Li Man'er immediately wrote a prescription, had the medicine prepared, and then took out her silver needles to treat Concubine Rong.
Concubine Rong bit down on a towel, listening to the midwives, inhaling and exhaling, and at the appropriate moments, exerting all her strength to push the baby out.
She gradually grew weary and wanted to close her eyes, but a needle prick brought her back to alertness.
"If you don't want anything to go wrong, stay awake."
The herbal decoction was brought, and Concubine Rong drank more than half a bowl, but she lacked the strength to continue.
Whether it was Li Man'er's needles or the medicine that worked, Concubine Rong felt a surge of strength and her spirit revived. She gritted her teeth on the towel, letting out a pained cry, veins bulging on her forehead, and a warm flow emerged...
"Wah, wah..."
A loud cry echoed, and the midwife rejoiced, "She's given birth, she's given birth!"
Concubine Rong eagerly asked, "Is it a prince?"
"Congratulations, Noble Consort Rong, it is a young prince."
A faint smile finally appeared on Concubine Rong's sweat-drenched face, and then she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
She was exhausted.
The baby was more than a month premature, weighing only four catties and six ounces at birth. However, the child was healthy, and with proper care, would surely catch up.
Concubine Rong's condition was also better than expected. Despite having taken something to induce labor, she did not experience severe postpartum bleeding, which was unusual.
Emperor Chenghua, upon hearing the good news, clapped his hands and said, "The Seventh Prince is born! Prepare the imperial carriage to Qi Tai Palace."
The birthing room was unsanitary, and the Emperor would naturally not enter. The wet nurse brought the baby out for him to see for a few moments before taking him back.
By rights, Concubine Rong, having risked her life to give birth to the premature Seventh Prince and having gone through such a ordeal, should have been granted a promotion.
For reasons unknown, Emperor Chenghua did not issue a direct decree of promotion, but instead praised Li Man'er.
In the study, sandalwood incense curled, and silence reigned.
"Anning's medical skills are superb, and I am greatly pleased. You shall be richly rewarded. What is it you desire, Anning?"
Li Man'er's mind raced, but she replied, "It is the Seventh Prince's good fortune. Anning dares not claim credit."
"You possess the ability to turn decay into the miraculous, and you deserve it." Emperor Chenghua's face was ruddy, his joy overflowing.
For some reason, Li Man'er felt that his joy was not solely due to the birth of the Seventh Prince.
"What Anning desires, the Empress Dowager has already bestowed. Anning already possesses the greatest in this world and dares not be greedy."
A flicker of displeasure crossed Emperor Chenghua's eyes. "Is my Ninth Brother truly so good? In your heart, is he better than I?"
Li Man'er looked up, her gaze sharp. "Anning does not understand Your Majesty's words. The Ninth Prince is a pillar of the state, a support of the Great Jin. We share a deep understanding, and we have shared life and death in the Northern Desert, so of course, he is the very best."
"Anning, you are too modest. You can heal the sick with your knowledge and pacify the realm with your might. You deserve the finest man in the world."
The room was so quiet that not a needle could be heard.
The eunuchs had long since withdrawn, and there wasn't even a serving maid present. In the study, there were only the two of them.
Li Man'er's voice was clear and resonant. "Did Concubine Rong drink the induced labor potion bestowed by Your Majesty?"
"Clever!" Emperor Chenghua nodded with satisfaction. "Precisely so. Tell me, Anning, why did I do this?"
Emperors are indeed heartless.
Could Emperor Chenghua be heartless? The Seventh Prince was his own flesh and blood. If there had been an accident during induced labor, his life might have been lost, potentially resulting in the death of both mother and child.
Li Man'er stood there quietly, her tone calm. "Anning has some guesses. If I am mistaken, I beg Your Majesty's pardon."
"Speak freely."
Li Man'er took a deep breath before saying, "When the young eunuch came to fetch me, this humble subject was indeed very surprised. I had been attending Concubine Rong's pregnancy, and I knew her condition and when labor was expected. Yet, she went into premature labor."
Emperor Chenghua did not seem to notice the change in Li Man'er's self-address, and continued to smile at her.
"I questioned the young eunuch, who said Concubine Rong had fallen. However, when I took her pulse, her pulse was abnormal. The placenta was ready to descend; she must have consumed something to induce labor."
"Indeed, it was a nourishing soup I bestowed upon her. How could she refuse to drink it?"
So, Concubine Rong was aware of this.
"Your purpose in doing this was to test me," Li Man'er looked up, a hint of disdain in her eyes. "To see if I had the ability to save them, mother and child."
Emperor Chenghua stated, "You indeed have the capital for arrogance and presumptuousness."
"Your Majesty has done this because you learned of the Xuan Yi Sect, and wish for me to help you achieve immortality, is that correct?"
Emperor Chenghua nodded. "What is there to linger for in the mortal realm? Since consuming the Jiuxia you offered, my health has improved day by day. I feel like I've aged ten years, returning to my prime vigor. Your sect must have other treasures."
A hint of madness flickered in his eyes. "I must have you. No one can stop me."
"Is Your Majesty not afraid of the Ninth Prince's retaliation, nor of being reviled by the world?"
"I am the True Dragon Emperor!" Emperor Chenghua declared with wild abandon. "If you cultivate with me, I will bestow upon you the title of Imperial Noble Consort. When the Empress passes away, I will make you Empress."
"Anning begs to be excused." Li Man'er looked up, her eyes fixed on Emperor Chenghua. "If Your Majesty seeks to achieve the Dao, there is not only the path of cultivation. The elixirs of the Xuan Yi Sect were always meant to assist in cultivation. If everyone could achieve the Dao by consuming elixirs, what need would there be for cultivation methods?"
Cultivation methods?
The light in Emperor Chenghua's eyes intensified. "What cultivation method is it? Write it down."
"Your Majesty, this cultivation method is called the 'Wuliang Dacheng Jing' and has only been passed down orally through generations; it cannot be written down." Her face showed a haughty expression, yet she was like an immortal, pure and unblemished.
Emperor Chenghua waved his hand excitedly. "Speak quickly."
Li Man'er began to chant softly, and it was as if Sanskrit music filled the study. A dim, golden light seemed to flash in Emperor Chenghua's eyes, and auspicious clouds and divine birds appeared in the distance. His heart, too, began to calm.