The messenger soon returned, stating that the Empress had declared the matter under the jurisdiction of the Crown Princess. Liu Nanny was somewhat surprised.
Although Xu Qing’er wouldn’t seek Xu Qiu’er’s help, after being rebuffed at the Empress’s palace, she wondered if the old witch sought to discard her child, believing it was a girl. With the Crown Prince absent, Xu Qing’er sent someone to inform Xu Qiu’er. After hearing Bing’er’s description, Xu Qing’er felt an urgency to reach Xu Qiu’er but was in pain, sweating and gripping her belly:
“Go… go… go inform the Crown Prince.”
She hoped to locate the Crown Prince to ensure the child’s safety. If not, she reasoned, Xu Qiu’er would have to bear the blame.
Liu Nanny relayed the Empress’s response verbatim to Xu Qiu’er.
Xu Qiu’er laughed, thinking the Empress must know she was carrying a boy, indicating a reconciliation. It seemed the Empress quickly forgot things not in her favor.
Xu Qiu’er asked, “What’s the situation over there?”
The nanny replied, “The water has broken.”
Xu Qiu’er touched her belly and said, “Go summon the royal physician.”
The nanny shouted at a motionless servant, “Damn servant, what are you standing there for? Didn’t you hear the mistress? Go summon the royal physician.”
The young eunuch hurriedly ran out.
Xu Qiu’er asked about his name.
The nanny thought for a moment and said, “Xiao Lengzi.”
“Xiao Lengzi?” Xu Qiu’er paused.
Liu Nanny laughed, saying he was like a wooden block, brainless, and rarely used his real name.
Xu Qiu’er nodded.
Meanwhile, Xu Qing’er began to have labor pains and her cries spread.
Frantically, she grabbed Bing’er’s hand and asked, “Where is the Crown Prince?”
Bing’er comforted her, “Don’t worry, young mistress. The Crown Prince will return as soon as he receives the news.”
Xu Qing’er relaxed momentarily, but another wave of pain hit, prompting her to instruct Bing’er, “This matter… will depend… on you…”
“Bing’er nodded, ‘What does the young mistress want?’
Xu Qing’er, covered in sweat and enduring pain, gritted her teeth and said, ‘Find a way to make the Crown Prince bring Qiu’er here. By any means necessary, make sure Qiu’er comes. Do you understand?’
