Chapter 1423 - 1332: Childbirth

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan knew the gender of their child ten days ago.

Skilled Chinese medicine practitioners can deduce the child’s gender from the pulse, something implicitly understood among the Imperial Physicians, though few doctors verbalize it, instead finding various reasons to avoid the topic.

Regardless of the reasons derived, the main reason they refrain from speaking is unified—avoiding causing harm.

Some don’t want to have girls, some don’t want to have boys, or, some don’t want the pregnant woman to have a girl, some don’t want her to have a boy.

Thus, for the safety of the mother and child, silence is the greatest kindness.

However, this wasn’t necessary for Zhao Hanzhang.

As an emperor, and an empress at that, whether she gave birth to a girl or a boy, she would nurture them well.

So, after she was six months pregnant, the Imperial Physician diagnosed the gender and immediately informed her.

Indeed, Zhao Hanzhang has been pregnant for six months; the outside world thinks she is only four months along. Apart from Fu Tinghan and the Imperial Physician, only Ting He knows the exact timeline; even Mrs. Wang is unaware.

It’s time to thank the current fashion trends; Zhao Hanzhang has many style options. Apart from loose-fitting clothes for martial arts and travel, her court attire and casual wear in the Imperial Palace are primarily wide, the former intricate, the latter airy and relaxed, both concealing her belly.

Moreover, her belly isn’t very large.

Previously, Zhao Hanzhang was worried, wondering why her belly wasn’t growing at all; at four months, her belly was only slightly protruded as if she had just eaten an extra barbecue, but entering the fifth month, it grew like a balloon, prompting Zhao Hanzhang to announce the news.

She treaded cautiously, trusting Ji Yuan and Ming Yu, as well as Zhao Ming, Zu Ti, and others, trusting Zhao Erlang and Beigong Chun, trusting the civil and military officials, but...

She was equally suspicious; no matter how much she trusted Fu Tinghan, she would entrust her back but never intentionally test people’s hearts.

Therefore, she prepared for unexpected situations, presenting trust while keeping a corner for herself.

After eight months of pregnancy, the outside world speculating six months, Zhao Hanzhang began to reduce the number of court meetings; grand meetings adjusted from once a ten-day period to once a month, small meetings from daily to once every five days, focusing reports.

Zhao Hanzhang temporarily established a Council Hall, comprised of the chief and deputy officials from the Central Secretariat, the Ministry of Supervision, along with the six heads of the Ministry of Personnel. They would discuss political matters and provide handling suggestions, with major matters reported to Zhao Hanzhang.

Nothing to say, council efficiency increased after its formation.

Zhao Hanzhang was very satisfied with this, and Fu Tinghan also reduced outings, spending most of his time handling Ministry of Personnel affairs within the palace while assisting with other state affairs.

Essentially, she disliked sitting for long periods, so he would read the documents submitted, provide processing opinions for her, and occasionally offer some advice.

Zhao Hanzhang recalculated small meeting dates around the expected delivery time; she was fortunate, as the ninth day of the ninth month was the Double Ninth Festival, with a holiday until the twelfth of September, thus small meetings were postponed to the fifteenth, and she began labor pains on the tenth.

The Imperial Physicians were already prepared, and Zhao Hanzhang walked into the delivery room herself.

Fu Tinghan also changed into clean clothes and followed her in; while circling in the delivery room, she instructed Zeng Yue, who was listening outside the window, "Keep things quiet, just ensure curfew observance."

Zeng Yue asked, "Should soldiers from the four camps be deployed into the palace for defense?"

Zhao Hanzhang declined, "With Southern Camp and East Camp nearby, reinforcements can arrive within an hour, no need to panic."

Fu Tinghan noticed her words comforting others, her hands relaxedly patting her belly, but he sensed her tension, so he reached out to hold her hand, "How about a deep breath?"

Zhao Hanzhang gave him a small smile, ordered Zeng Yue to handle things, and then swayed while holding Fu Tinghan’s hand.

Both of their palms were somewhat sweaty, but Fu Tinghan’s were sweatier; he was genuinely nervous.

Zhao Hanzhang was also nervous, but she told herself to treat it like a battle; there’s no battle she couldn’t win.

She told Fu Tinghan, "I will win this time too," seeking his affirmation to boost some confidence.

Fu Tinghan nodded, "The Imperial Hospital’s Physicians are all here; we have prepared many medicines and invited military surgeons skilled in external medicine. Even in the worst-case scenario, we can manage."

Zhao Hanzhang regained her confidence.

Mrs. Wang temporarily went to the ancestral hall to offer incense, praying to her father-in-law and husband to watch over her daughter for everything to go smoothly, then hurried over.

But as soon as she entered the courtyard, she was stopped. Fan Ying said softly, "Madam, Your Majesty needs to concentrate on childbirth. You better rest in the side hall and await good news."

Mrs. Wang replied, "No, I must be by Third Lady’s side."

Upon hearing her voice, Zhao Hanzhang pushed open the window and said, "Mother, please wait in the side hall. If you’re here, I’ll be distracted."

Fu Tinghan also said, "Don’t worry, I’m accompanying Hanzhang here."

Mrs. Wang widened her eyes upon seeing Fu Tinghan in the delivery room, wanting to say something but remembering her daughter was now the emperor. What’s wrong with Fu Tinghan accompanying her daughter during childbirth?

Childbirth is so painful; isn’t it only natural for the Imperial Consort to be by their daughter’s side?

Thus, Mrs. Wang swallowed her words, suppressing deep-rooted thoughts, gradually feeling justifiable, and nodded, "I’ll wait in the side hall then, Third Lady, if anything happens, call me. I’ve given birth to two children, very experienced."

Well, her experience offers nothing for Zhao Hanzhang to learn from; she was clueless during childbirth and raising them, utterly inexperienced.

However, Zhao Hanzhang still smiled and agreed.

The current labor pains were intermittent, and with her high pain tolerance, Zhao Hanzhang didn’t mind this level of pain.

She believed she only feared medical accidents during childbirth, not the pain.

Presently, her weight and abdominal measurements were both acceptable; the Imperial Physicians and midwives had checked her belly, fetal position was correct, the child’s size was suitable, her heart rate and pulse results were healthy. So what did she have to fear?

It’s just childbirth pain— she has been slashed by blades, pierced by swords, shot by arrows, endured many pains before.

Then, in the evening, Zhao Hanzhang was pale from pain, gripping Fu Tinghan’s hand so tightly she couldn’t utter a word, not even a shout.

Fu Tinghan knelt behind her to support her, an arm wrapped around her front to let her hold tightly.

Zhao Hanzhang’s nails had been trimmed, yet at that moment, gripping his arm, they still drew blood; Fu Tinghan felt the pain but was entirely mentally elsewhere, his gaze fixed on her face, matching her paleness, sweat pouring like rain as he anxiously looked towards the Imperial Physician and midwife.

The Imperial Physician was sweating profusely; it was his first time entering the delivery room for production at the outset, befitting for an emperor, and equally fitting for the Imperial Consort.