The Empress hurriedly kowtowed, “Old Buddha, please calm your anger. This servant will severely punish Hanxie.”
The Old Buddha’s cane struck the ground heavily, “You’ll punish him? How will you punish him? This is the good son delivered by the Empress.”
Long Hanxie’s expression was complex as he looked inside.
The Emperor arrived after receiving the news.
“Long live the Emperor.”
The Emperor impatiently said, “Enough with the greetings.”
He looked at the Old Buddha and asked, “How is it?”
Before the Old Buddha could speak, a desperate scream came from inside, “My child…” and then silence.
The Old Buddha, supported by the Emperor, grabbed a person as they emerged, asking, “What happened?”
The young palace maid, tearful, could only manage a glance. The Old Buddha angrily released her. As the imperial physician and Nurse Liu exited, the Old Buddha approached joyfully upon seeing the child in Nurse Liu’s arms. “Boy or girl?” she asked.
Nurse Liu knelt with teary eyes, and the imperial physician followed suit.
“What exactly happened?” the Old Buddha and the Emperor inquired.
The imperial physician sobbed, “Reporting to the Old Buddha, the Empress lost too much blood. The child was premature and died immediately after birth.”
The Old Buddha fainted as her body went limp.
“Quickly send the Old Buddha back to the palace.”
The Emperor gazed at the child in Nurse Liu’s arms, recalling the Crown Prince’s wife’s scream. “Let me hold him,” he said. Nurse Liu carefully handed the child to the Emperor, who cradled him gently. The child still had warmth. The Empress remarked, “Your Majesty, this is not auspicious…”
The Emperor glared fiercely at her, and she fell silent.
Noticing the male symbol, the Emperor walked to Long Hanxie. “Stand up,” he instructed.
Long Hanxie complied. The Emperor placed the child in his hands, stating, “It seems I truly need to reevaluate you as Crown Prince…” He then turned and left with the Empress following, her words fading into the distance.
The servants of the Crown Prince’s wife’s palace mourned the Crown Prince’s wife and the infant who died immediately after birth.
