Long Hanxie looked at the tiny lifeless child in his arms, feeling the weight of fatherhood. Frightened, his hand went limp, almost dropping the child. Nurse Liu quickly caught the child, wrapped him in a blanket, and said with teary eyes, “Your Highness, please return.”
Binger rushed in, joyfully exclaiming, “Congratulations to the Crown Prince, the young lady has given birth to a princess.”
Xu Qiu’er awoke in the room, her long hair damp and her lips pale. Trembling, she asked Xiaoju, “Where is my son?”
Xiaoju looked away, tears falling.
Xu Qiu’er grasped Xiaoju’s hand, tears streaming down her face, and asked seriously, “Xiaoju, I gave birth to a little prince, right?”
Xiaoju trembled, trying to hold back her crying. Xu Qiu’er looked at her, smiling through her tears, “Xiaoju, did I give birth to a son? Where is he?”
Xiaoju fought to compose herself, but new tears came. “Young Mistress, please rest.”
Xu Qiu’er stared at Xiaoju. “My son is dead, isn’t he?”
Xiaoju could no longer hold back and burst into tears.
Xu Qiu’er struggled to get up, but Xiaoju blocked her. She fell to the ground, her white clothes staining with blood.
Pushing Xiaoju’s hand away, Xu Qiu’er staggered towards the outer hall, ignoring the crying servants.
“My Lady, please take care of yourself…”
Xu Qiu’er continued walking out of the outer hall. She saw Nurse Liu holding the child before Long Hanxie and walked towards her, nearly falling several times as the attentive maids supported her. Nurse Liu wiped her tears and said, “My Lady, you cannot be exposed to the wind in your condition.”
Xu Qiu’er’s long hair was blown by the wind, her blood-stained inner garment visible. She held the child like a goddess, taking him from Liu Nanny’s hands. Tears rolled down her face as she looked at the child’s tiny face. This was the lifeline she had longed for.
Xu Qiu’er slid down slowly, and Liu Nanny and the palace maids rushed to support her. Trembling, Xu Qiu’er closed her eyes and shouted to the sky, her tears falling onto her son’s face. Many saw the deceased little prince seemingly crying for his mother.
