Chapter 340: Yun Chu Gives Birth
The Emperor's expression changed.
He took out two assignments for comparison—completely different handwriting, entirely distinct viewpoints: one was a parallel prose, the other a policy essay.
These two equally outstanding compositions actually came from the same person?
"It's... it's... Meng Shen helped..." The Sixth Prince struggled to find the right words. "I didn't understand, so I consulted him. He guided me in writing it..."
The Sixth Prince's mother, Consort Yuan, quickly stepped forward: "Yes, yes, Shen Ge'er is a good child—clever, sensible, and always willing to help. Shen Ge'er was just assisting his Sixth Uncle with the essay. After Shen Ge'er guides him a few times, Lao Liu will learn to write on his own."
"Is that so?" Just as the matter was about to be brushed aside, Yun Chu spoke calmly, "No wonder Shen Ge'er is covered in bruises. It's hard not to suspect that Cheng Wang used force to compel Shen Ge'er to comply. I implore Father Emperor to investigate thoroughly."
"My poor Shen Ge'er!" Consort Yin wept as she stepped forward and embraced Meng Shen. "Earlier, I asked Shen Ge'er where the bruise on his lip came from, and he said he fell. Heaven have mercy—who could get injured like that from a fall? He must have been beaten by Cheng Wang until he looked like this..."
Meng Shen wanted to say something.
But Consort Yin held him tightly, weeping loudly, and his voice was drowned out.
The Emperor's anger could no longer be contained. If not for Master Wang's advice that there were benefits to the ghostwriting arrangement, he would have gladly kicked this useless son out the door.
"I made you study to enlighten your mind and understand principles, yet you use your status to oppress others," the Emperor said, enunciating each word clearly. "Since you're so unwilling to read and write, then don't. The seat will be given to a more deserving scholar. Starting tomorrow, Lao Liu, you need not come anymore."
The Sixth Prince froze in shock.
Although he disliked studying, he couldn't just stop—wouldn't that make him a complete good-for-nothing?
"Father Emperor, your son was wrong!" he hurriedly wailed in apology. "I beg Father Emperor to give me another chance. I will study diligently and live up to your expectations..."
"I have no expectations for you!" The Emperor kicked him away once more.
Keeping such a useless son in the capital would only make him a pawn in the other princes' power struggles.
"In three days, leave the capital for your fiefdom! Staying in the capital is nothing but an eyesore!The Emperor flicked his sleeves and left.
The Sixth Prince knelt and crawled after him on his knees, but Gao Gonggong stopped him: "Prince Yi, who is slightly younger than Cheng Wang, has already gone to his fiefdom. Taking a fief is not necessarily a bad thing. Your Highness Cheng Wang should prepare early."
The Sixth Prince wept bitterly.
Consort Yuan joined him, embracing him as they cried together.
"Shen Ge'er, you... you..." Consort Yin shook her head and sighed. "If not for today's incident, how long were you planning to keep this hidden?"
Meng Shen looked at Chu Yi and Yun Chu: "Thank you, Uncle and Aunt."
As soon as he finished speaking, Master Wang approached, stroking his beard: "Although Cheng Wang has left, you must not slack off. If you have spare capacity, you may still submit two essays each time."
Meng Shen bowed with clasped hands: "Yes, Master."
Writing two essays under coercion versus doing so voluntarily were entirely different matters.
At the very least, he would no longer feel so oppressed.
The Sixth Prince, Cheng Wang, soon left for his fiefdom. The number of princes remaining in the capital grew increasingly smaller.
The Fourth Prince was dead, the Fifth Prince had been deposed, and the Sixth and Eighth Princes had left the capital...Gong Xi Prince steadily held his position in the Ministry of Revenue, controlling the nation's population and finances, his influence rivaling that of the Eastern Palace. Many court officials had secretly switched allegiances...
The Empress was also maneuvering behind the scenes, and a conflict between the two sides was imminent.
Though the covert struggle was intense, overt memorials regarding the succession dispute had dwindled in court, with many sensing the calm before the storm.
Yun Chu's belly gradually swelled, increasingly taking on the appearance of an expectant mother.
"She moved! Sister moved!" Chu Hongyu exclaimed, his hand resting on Yun Chu's abdomen for nearly half an hour before finally catching the fetal movement. "Mother, feel this quickly—sister is moving!"
"Brother, could you keep your voice down?" Chu Changsheng shushed him. "You're frightening sister."
Chu Hongyu promptly covered his mouth.
"Alright, your mother needs to rest now," Chu Yi said, shooing them away.
After the children had left for their studies, he knelt before Yun Chu, pressing his ear against her belly.
Perhaps sensing her father's presence, the little one inside stirred restlessly.
"She's really moving!" Chu Yi's voice trembled with excitement. "This is an active child!"
Though he felt the fetal movements daily, each distinct sensation still thrilled him. He often wondered how different it would have been if he had been present during Yu Ge'er and Changsheng's pregnancies—but such thoughts were mere wistfulness.
The past was gone; one must learn to cherish the present.
His mornings were spent handling official duties at the Court of Judicial Review, while afternoons and evenings were reserved for home. He declined all trivial matters, spending his days managing household affairs with Yun Chu and sharing countless meals—breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon snacks, and various treats. Yun Chu even needed a late-night meal to sleep soundly, often waking suddenly hungry, so he would eat with her again.
Not only had Yun Chu gained weight, but he felt he had too. He could only practice with his sword in the courtyard while she slept...
Time flew, and soon it was June or July. Yun Chu's due date was in August.
Walking had become difficult for her; a single lap around the garden left her breathless, and she would lean on Chu Yi, refusing to move further.
Chu Yi said gently, "The imperial physician advised that walking more in the month before delivery eases labor. Chu'er, be good—let's take another lap."
Yun Chu knew he was right. If she walked alone, she could manage three laps effortlessly. But for some reason, with Chu Yi by her side, she became somewhat delicate.
The final month of pregnancy was particularly arduous. Sleeping was problematic—she could only doze sitting up, frequently waking for various reasons.
"Chu'er, after this child, let's not have any more," Chu Yi whispered, holding her close.
As the due date neared, his fears grew—fear of her hemorrhaging, fear of something happening to her or the child...
Yun Chu was also afraid. Having once experienced such despair, she was especially cautious this time.
Day by day, they endured. By mid-August, the heat intensified, and the court situation grew more unstable. Gong Xi Prince's influence surged while the Crown Prince's waned; rumors spread among the people that the Emperor intended to change the heir...
Yun Chu knew that Chu Yi had long obtained both witnesses and evidence of Gong Xi Prince's involvement in the imperial examination fraud.But because she was heavily pregnant and feared any mishap, she forcibly suppressed her anger and decided to wait until after giving birth to settle the matter.
On a moonlit night at the end of August, Yun Chu suddenly began experiencing regular contractions in her abdomen...
"Quick, fetch the midwife!"
"You there, boil some hot water!"
"Everyone stay calm and follow the midwife's instructions!"
"..."
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