Xiaoju, in tears, clung to Long Hanjie’s leg, but he kicked her into the corner, causing her forehead to bleed. Nanny Liu was thrown to the ground. Seeing Xiaoju’s injuries, Xu Qiuer tried to get up, but Long Hanjie pulled her down again, making her belly hit the ground.
“Help…” Nanny Liu called. Xiaoju crawled to Xu Qiuer, “Young lady, don’t scare Xiaoju.” Xu Qiuer felt severe cramping, biting her lip in pain, her face pale. She attempted to protect her belly but lacked the strength. Long Hanjie, thinking she was faking, kicked her stomach.
Xiaoju pushed Long Hanjie aside and held Xu Qiuer, who felt warmth and saw blood on her hand, trembling.
Seeing the blood, Xiaoju screamed, “Help! Help…”
Xu Qiuer felt intense pain, her lips trembling, “The child… my child…”
Nanny Liu ran out in a panic, while Long Hanjie stared at Xu Qiuer’s belly, stunned.
Xiaoju attempted to stop the bleeding, crying, “Young lady, it’s only seven months. What should we do?”
Her cries summoned the servants, who rushed to find the imperial physician. Xu Qiuer glanced at the sky and passed out, a tear at the corner of her eye.
“Quickly, quickly…” Nanny Liu urgently pulled the physician in.
He immediately sat down to diagnose Xu Qiuer. “It’s happening. She’s going into labor.”
Nanny Liu panicked, “Can she give birth at only seven months?”
The physician ordered water to be boiled. The Old Buddha received the news and came with the Empress, while maids carried bowls of bloody water. The Old Buddha nearly fainted at the sight and asked, “How did Qiuer go into premature labor?”
The Empress glanced at Long Hanxie, having received information from the palace maid. She said, “It might have been a collision, leading to premature birth.”
The Old Buddha raised her cane and struck the Empress’s face. The Empress touched her face in disbelief, already bleeding. Long Hanxie stepped forward, saying, “If punishment is to be given, punish Hanxie. It has nothing to do with my mother.”
The Old Buddha ordered, “Everyone kneel down.”
The Empress and Long Hanxie knelt as instructed.
The Old Buddha, trembling, said, “Crown Prince, the person inside is your wife and child. You dealt such a cruel blow to Qiu’er. If my great-grandson has any mishap, you’ll follow him.”
