The Golden Hairpin

She asked in a low voice, "Is the lady perhaps about to..."

"Go back first," she replied, her voice already slightly breathless.

(4) The Changing Clouds Follow Your Will

As soon as she returned to her quarters, she sat on the bed, enduring the waves of pain. First, she instructed two eunuchs to inform the prince's tutor, then ordered several maids to summon the chief steward, fetch the midwife, notify the eunuch in charge for the day, and send someone to report to the palace immediately.

By the time everything was arranged, the pain in her abdomen had grown increasingly intense.

A maid rushed in to report, "The other ladies have come to visit and are waiting outside. Lady Guo has brought the young princess with her."

Wang Shao gritted her teeth, unable to speak, and simply waved her hand. The maid stood there uncertainly until Wang Shao finally managed to utter one word at a time, "Get out!"

The maid whispered, "Lady Guo is crying and says this must have been caused by the young princess. She wishes to apologize to you..."

"Go..." Wang Shao forced out the word with great effort.

Yong Ling quickly dismissed the maid. The pain was coming faster now, but the midwife had yet to arrive. Most of the maids had been sent out on errands, and the chief steward and eunuchs who had rushed over stood helplessly in the outer room. Yong Ling herself had never been married or given birth and was at a loss, pacing anxiously.

Just then, Fang Fei entered with a midwife in tow and announced, "The midwife is here. Quickly, boil some water."

Yong Ling asked, "Wasn't Yingluo sent to fetch one? How did you find her?"

"This is my aunt. She lives nearby. When I heard Lady Wang was in labor, I hurried to bring her here."

"Thank you so much," Yong Ling said gratefully.

Wang Shao propped herself up halfway but before she could speak, another wave of pain hit. She knew the baby was coming and no longer had the strength to send this midwife away. Clutching the headboard, she breathed heavily, unable to utter a word.

Fortunately, this child was not like Xue Se—perhaps the second birth was easier—and after not too much struggle, the baby arrived with a loud cry.

"Congratulations, my lady. It's a boy," the midwife said as she held the newborn. Once she caught her breath, Wang Shao grabbed Yong Ling's hand and squeezed out a few words with great effort, "Go... watch!"

Yong Ling hurried after the midwife to oversee the washing of the baby. Wang Shao relaxed slightly, vowing silently that next time, she would never allow herself to be surrounded by wolves again.

At that moment, the midwife Yingluo had gone to fetch finally arrived and began tending to Wang Shao.

Extra: Sunlight in Zhaoyang (3)

A commotion arose outside—Prince Yun had returned. Ignoring protests, he entered the chaotic room and sat by the bed, taking her hand. Concerned, he asked, "Are you... alright?"

The midwife beside them smiled and said, "Rest assured, Your Highness. Both mother and child are well."

Yong Ling soon entered with the baby in her arms. The midwife Fang Fei had found followed behind, offering hesitant congratulations.

Prince Yun, oblivious, beamed and dismissed them to receive their rewards.

Once outside, Fang Fei immediately questioned the midwife, who hesitated before saying, "The lady is blessed. This birth was quicker and less painful than most first births—even easier than some second births."

Catching the implication in her words, Fang Fei glanced at Guo Wan, who gave a slight nod. Fang Fei then pulled the midwife aside to a corner for further questioning.

Guo Wan watched them out of the corner of her eye, wrapping an arm around Ling Hui. Though she wore a smile, it was cold and distant.Prince Yun held the child with a beaming smile, while Wang Shao leaned against the headboard, sipping spoonfuls of ginseng chicken soup fed to her by Yong Ling. Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside, followed by the muffled sobs of a woman.

Frowning, Prince Yun gestured for an attendant to investigate. The servant returned with a grim expression and reported, "Lady Guo... has struck the midwife who just delivered the baby."

"Ah Wan? On such a joyous day, how could she act so rashly?" Prince Yun handed the child to Yong Ling and rose to leave when Guo Wan herself dragged the midwife inside. With a face full of fury, she shoved the woman to the floor and ordered Fang Fei to kneel as well. Turning to Prince Yun, she declared, "I could not contain my anger upon hearing these two slander my sister, so I brought them before you for judgment, my lord!"

"What happened? How have they offended you?" Prince Yun patted her shoulder soothingly.

"They... they spouted nonsense, implying that my sister..." Guo Wan choked on her words and pointed at the midwife, shouting, "You tell him yourself!"

Trembling, the midwife prostrated on the ground, stealing a glance at Wang Shao but not daring to speak.

Fang Fei, however, knelt upright and said, "My aunt claimed that judging by Lady Wang's labor, this was not her first childbirth!"

The words sent a shock through the room. Prince Yun gasped and turned to Wang Shao.

Wang Shao, still leaning against the headboard, fixed Fang Fei with a piercing stare before shifting her gaze to the midwife. Her lips quivered as she struggled to speak, but tears already streamed down her cheeks. Her face, already pale, turned ashen. After a long silence, she looked at Prince Yun with anguish, her voice hoarse and trembling, "My lord... I don’t know... how such words could be spoken?"

Seeing her distress, Prince Yun felt both doubt and anger rise within him. Standing by the bed, he demanded of the midwife, "Do you have proof for such claims?"

"My lord, during the delivery, this old woman saw with her own eyes that a first-time mother’s birth canal is narrow and flat, while one who has given birth before is round and wide. With years of midwifery experience, I cannot be mistaken!"

"You were the only one who saw it then, and now that my child is born, the birth canal has changed. Now... whatever you say, I cannot refute it, is that it?" Wang Shao’s breath came in ragged gasps, tears falling uncontrollably as her voice broke. "I am from the noble Langya Wang family, where propriety is strict beyond measure. How dare you... lowly commoners slander me so? I know... you must be plotting against me... determined to deny my lord an heir. But I never imagined... you would be so vicious, attacking me the very day I gave birth, leaving me no respite, driving me to my death!"

Her tearful accusations left Fang Fei and the midwife pale with fear. Guo Wan glanced down at them before turning her gaze to Prince Yun.

Seeing Wang Shao on the verge of collapse, Prince Yun’s heart softened, and he hurried to support her shoulders. But she clutched his hand desperately, her nails digging into his flesh like a drowning woman clinging to her last lifeline.