"An Ning..."
A man's voice filled with urgency sounded in her ears. Just before being pushed into the delivery room, An Ning had one last thought:
Oh no, am I really going to give birth to a "Brother Lin"?
"System, it's ti for you to shine! Keep an eye on everyone in this delivery room for !" Biting her lip against the tearing pain in her lower body, An Ning ntally called out to a certain dog-like system in her consciousness.
The usually lazy system, suddenly receiving orders after so long, instinctively activated its monitoring function before belatedly realizing: "Ah, haven't we already thoroughly investigated all these people?"
"So you're willing to stake both our lives entirely on others' goodwill?" An Ning deliberately emphasized "both our lives" to make the silly system understand they were now bound by shared interests.
When lives were at stake, no amount of caution was excessive.
The system, which had been about to say the birthing pill guaranteed a smooth delivery, silently closed its taphorical mouth.
Fortunately, Prince Zhuang had indeed prepared well. After repeated checks, the system found nothing suspicious about the attendants. Seizing the mont when a maid brought ginseng soup, An Ning secretly swallowed a large mouthful of Spirit Spring Water from her space, feeling the pain noticeably lessen. Then she began rhythmic breathing under the matrons' guidance.
The mid-grade birthing pill proved remarkably effective. In less than two hours, An Ning felt sudden relief below.
Imdiately followed the matrons' ecstatic voices:
"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Concubine! It's a healthy, lively little prince!"
The attending matrons couldn't help feeling imnsely relieved. This was the first prince born in the princely mansion in decades—the undisputed future heir apparent. Given the prince's obvious importance placed on this birth, any mishap would have ended their careers and their families' prospects.
Luckily, this concubine was truly blessed.
What a smooth delivery! The little prince must be considerate too. And truly befitting a noble prince—so handso already!
Couldn't His Highness see how the prince couldn't tear his eyes away from the swaddled bundle?
"How is An Ning?"
"Your Highness needn't worry. The delivery went extrely smoothly. The concubine is rely resting from exhaustion and will awaken naturally in ti." The matrons' faces wrinkled like chrysanthemums in smiles. Sure enough, the next mont brought a grand gesture:
"All mansion staff shall receive a year's extra wages! And double that for Hengwu Courtyard!"
"Thank you for Your Highness's generosity!"
The courtyard imdiately erupted in waves of gratitude.
"See? Products from this system are guaranteed premium quality—promised a safe delivery and delivered exactly that!" In her consciousness, the system's dog-face wore smug pride. For once, An Ning didn't argue back. The useless system had proven sowhat helpful—though she'd remain cautious regardless. With only one life to lose, no precaution was excessive.
"By the way, what exactly were you up to recently?" Having safely navigated childbirth with the system's help, An Ning leisurely got to her real question:
"Don't tell your recent absent-mindedness, needing multiple calls to respond, was just coincidence?"
Caught red-handed from indulging in gossip, the system coughed guiltily under its host's suspicious gaze and quickly offered fresh scandal:
"Host, rember that... no, I an Consort Zhangjia from the palace?"
"What about her?" Not missing the system's odd pause, An Ning feigned appropriate curiosity, perfectly mimicking gossip-hungry expression.
The simple-minded system continued enthusiastically:
"Wow host, you wouldn't believe the drama in the palace recently—especially at Yonghe Palace where Consort Zhangjia stays. Such back-and-forth scheming they're practically tearing each other apart!"
"Just days before your delivery, Consort De actually pushed Zhangjia into early labor in public! Host, you should've seen it!" Recalling the scene, the system vibrated with excitent. Now this was real harem intrigue! That Zhangjia was truly ruthless—even willing to harm herself.
And Consort De's performance! That eloquence! Those acting skills! Those instantly summoned tears! That frail-yet-bravely-enduring deanor!
Modern white lotus characters were nothing in comparison!
Outwardly apologizing while retreating, yet every gesture scread victimhood.
Had there not been nurous witnesses and irrefutable evidence, she might have successfully frad it as a setup against her.
Even so, she'd gained considerable sympathy points from Kangxi.
"Host, aren't you curious about the outco?" The system asked, puzzled by An Ning's calm expression.
"What's there to wonder? The result's obvious." Unfazed by the system's astonishnt, An Ning lazily stretched:
"Just considering Consort De's two nearly-grown princes alone, the worst she'd get is light punishnt—nothing truly damaging."
First, any sensible person like Zhangjia wouldn't truly risk her prince—her future security.
Second, as a long-ti consort with nearly a decade of history with Kangxi, Consort De's standing far surpassed a new concubine's. As one of the Four Consorts, and with Kangxi valuing his reputation, he'd never truly punish her without serious consequences—lest he be accused of favoring the new over the old.
Not to ntion considerations for Fourth and Sixth Princes' dignity.
How could a newborn—uncertain to survive—compare to nearly-grown sons already invested in?
As for why An Ning assud it was a prince—had it been a princess, the incident wouldn't have escalated so.
System: "......"
"Well, host, you guessed right." The system sounded deflated without eliciting desired surprise: "Consort De got two months' confinent—officially to pray for newborn Twelfth Prince's health."
"But Zhangjia's sche succeeded—she's now promoted to Noble Lady, moved out of Yonghe Palace's rear chambers to side halls!"
"Host, this proves harem struggles work, right?"
An Ning: "......"
Whatever makes you happy, system.
Timing it perfectly, An Ning soon "woke up naturally," imdiately finding a soft, warm bundle placed in her arms.
The new parents amused themselves with their little bun briefly before the bun's father spoke:
"Oh, I've already submitted the petition earlier. By Yuanbao's full moon, your promotion to Side Consort should be confird."
Yuanbao—the nickna they'd previously agreed upon. Initially, the artistic Prince Zhuang had disliked its commonness, deeming it unworthy for his exceptional son.
Only after An Ning's repeated insistence that humble nicknas helped children thrive did Boguoduo reluctantly agree—now using it affectionately.
Cradling his precious bundles, the prince's gentle features softened further:
"I've arranged all attendants for Yuanbao. But these quarters are rather small—you'll need more space after recovery. Move to West Courtyard after your confinent—it's closer to the front quarters too..."
"Then this concubine thanks Your Highness on behalf of our Yuanbao..." An Ning kissed the soft little one, her smile equally radiant.
System: "......"
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