Chapter 176 - 152: Labor Begins

52,621 days until the exam.

17,520 days until their education begins.

These two timelines left Ms. Zhang dumbfounded.

Jiang Xian then produced two loose-leaf notebooks containing the study plans she had drafted for the two boys. "Ideally, they should stay on the same schedule, so they can keep an eye on each other and learn from each other’s strengths. I was thinking of having my nephew enter the palace to become a companion reader. He would learn so much more—just imagine, he could learn everything a Prince learns. If he applies himself, the benefits would be enormous. However, a companion reader’s other duty is to take punishments on the Prince’s behalf. The tutors in the Shangshufang can’t strike or scold a Prince directly, so the companion reader is the one who gets beaten and reprimanded. It’s a way of delivering an indirect warning. It wouldn’t be like at home, and you might find it hard to watch, Mother. If you’re against it, then I’ll just arrange for him to enter the Imperial College. I can just ask the Emperor for an admission waiver."

"At the Imperial College, everyone is an equal. But as a companion reader in the palace, there’s a clear hierarchy. It has its pros and cons for a child. The tutors in the Shangshufang are the ones who teach the princes; imagine their level of skill. The Imperial College simply can’t compare. I’m just afraid you would find it too painful."

Jiang Xian made sure to state the unpleasant possibilities upfront.

’If my own son really didn’t apply himself, I’d make sure to discipline him properly. I wouldn’t just stand by and watch his companion reader take the punishment for him.’

The Imperial College... Ms. Zhang had certainly heard of it.

Ordinary families couldn’t get in, and even the families of officials weren’t guaranteed a spot. It was the most prestigious academy in the nation... Jiang Ke had complained about it endlessly. He hadn’t been able to pass the exam, and their family lacked the influence to get him in. As the son of a minor local official, he never stood a chance.

She never imagined that, coming from her daughter, it would be presented as merely the backup option.

Ms. Zhang considered this, then said, "Daughter, you choose. I’ll listen to you."

"Of course I want him to come to the palace as a companion reader, but I’m afraid it would break your heart when he takes a beating for my son."

"My grandson taking punishment for my other grandson... that’s perfectly reasonable. It wouldn’t break my heart. How can an uncle just stand by and watch his nephew be beaten? It’s right for him to take a few blows in his place. I don’t know much; your father spent half his life as a petty official in Meize County. You’re the most worldly person in our family. I can’t be the one to decide. We’ll both listen to you," Ms. Zhang said with a sigh. "It’s normal for a naughty child to get a beating. Boys are tough; I don’t meddle. Whether he gets hit or scolded is up to his tutors. The one I’m most worried about is you. I heard that Lady Guo and Lady Lu have been bullying you terribly in the palace. I just wish Yanchuan were grown up already so he could be here to protect you."

Bullying her?

Who was bullying her?

Jiang Xian was a little confused. It took her a moment to realize her mother was talking about her.

Jiang Xian shook her head. "There have been some minor disagreements, but I wouldn’t call it bullying."

Ms. Zhang’s eyes filled with tears. "Now you’ve even learned to put on a brave face to keep your parents from worrying. You must have suffered terribly."

In the eyes of those who loved her, she would always be frail, pitiful, and helpless.

...

Ms. Zhang had come to the palace to care for Gu Wanyi, who was about to give birth.

But after two days, she discovered her daughter didn’t seem to need her care at all.

Any other pregnant woman with a belly that large would have needed two strong palace maids to help her stand up. But not Jiang Xian. If the servants weren’t paying close attention, their mistress would simply vanish.

In the late stages of pregnancy, not only could concubines not be left alone for a moment, but they also had to be attended by sharp-witted and quick-reacting palace attendants, ready to rush forward and act as a human cushion at the slightest sign of a mishap.

The palace maids and eunuchs of Bihua Palace were constantly on edge, terrified their mistress might shatter from the slightest bump.

As it turned out, the most energetic person in all of Bihua Palace was Jiang Xian herself.

Ms. Zhang thought she woke up very early, but Jiang Xian was always up before her.

First thing in the morning, she heard Zhenqiu pleading, "Your Ladyship, what if your water breaks at Jianzhang Palace? It would be a disaster! It’s best to stay put in Bihua Palace until the birth. Besides, the Empress has already excused you from paying respects."

But even so, Jiang Xian still rose in the main hall of Bihua Palace and bowed in the direction of Jianzhang Palace.

Ms. Zhang was secretly amazed—

’My daughter was never this particular about rules back home.’

Seeing her mother’s confusion, Jiang Xian explained to her late one night, "The nanny the Empress Dowager sent to care for and protect me is also her eyes and ears. She doesn’t want a favored concubine who grows arrogant and disrespects the Empress. My cautious and reverent conduct will surely reach the Empress Dowager’s ears."

Ms. Zhang was even more surprised.

’My daughter was never this calculating back home.’

Seeing was believing. All these little details added up, and Ms. Zhang could finally rest assured, convinced that her daughter was capable of protecting herself in the deep, treacherous sea that was the harem.

Since Jiang Xian didn’t need her to wait on her, Ms. Zhang resorted to making some of her daughter’s favorite childhood dishes. Jiang Xian ate them with great relish. However, according to the palace maids and eunuchs of Bihua Palace, aside from more frequent trips to the latrine, their mistress had no other pregnancy symptoms. She didn’t suffer from morning sickness or vomiting; there had never been a more low-maintenance pregnant woman.

She was so low-maintenance, in fact, that when she calmly called out after finishing her meal, "Mother, I’m going into labor," everyone froze for a moment. Then they heard her add, "Tell everyone to get ready. It’s a good thing I just ate; I have plenty of strength."

Her attitude was so calm, devoid of the panic typical of a first-time mother.

With the master of the palace unpanicked, the servants below her carried out their duties in an orderly fashion. In no time, all six midwives had assembled in the main hall, the Imperial Physician was in position, and the Emperor, Empress, and the Noble Consorts had arrived upon hearing the news.

One after another, other concubines also arrived to wait in the outer chamber as a show of concern.

Consort Guo was also far along in her pregnancy, so she could have been excused. However, her pregnancy had been unstable. The schemes that proved useless against Jiang Xian had been quite effective on her; one moment she suspected someone was trying to harm her, the next she was terrified she would give birth to a useless princess. Hearing that Gu Wanyi was now in labor, she wanted to witness a birth firsthand from the outer hall.

Lu Ronghua shot her a look. "Consort Guo is not usually so close with Gu Wanyi, yet here you are today with your big belly. Don’t blame me for being a busybody, but if something were to happen, the Imperial Physician here won’t have time to see to you."

There were too many high-ranking people present, so Consort Guo pressed her lips together and didn’t dare talk back.

Just as expected, Noble Princess Consort Rong spoke up coldly, "If the Imperial Physician has a free moment, I will have him first prepare a medicine that can shut someone up. I never realized Lu Ronghua was so noisy and irritating!"

Consort Guo shot Noble Princess Consort Rong a grateful look.

But her gratitude lasted less than a second before Noble Princess Consort Rong continued, "Lu Ronghua was right about one thing, though. You’re only going to cause trouble here. Qiu Yun, escort Consort Guo back to Zhongcui Palace."

The Empress nodded. "The Noble Consort handled that appropriately."

Soon after, the Empress Dowager arrived and inquired, "How is Gu Wanyi?"

Upon learning that Gu Wanyi had just gone into labor and the birth hadn’t truly begun, the Empress Dowager turned to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, childbirth isn’t over in a matter of minutes. It will likely take several hours. If you have state affairs to attend to, you shouldn’t waste your time here. You still have to hold court tomorrow morning."

It wasn’t that the Empress Dowager was cold and heartless.

Rather, the Emperor couldn’t be of any real help waiting outside, and his imperial presence would only make the servants anxious. It was better for him to return to handling state affairs, get some sleep, and attend morning court as usual.

Xie Che closed his eyes. "Even if I returned to Qiankun Palace now, I’m afraid my mind wouldn’t be on matters of state."

The Empress Dowager walked him to the main door.

"The Empress is here overseeing everything. Surely you trust the Empress, Your Majesty?"