Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

“My dear, have a rib.”

Inside the Princess's manor, Fang Zheng Yi sat by the bed, next to a specially made crib. A large tray was placed across it, laden with seven or eight exquisite dishes.

Plenty of meat, fish, fruits, and fresh vegetables.

Poor Fang Chen Yu was right under the tray, fast asleep.

The freshly made braised pork ribs were a rich red color, stewed until tender, quivering on the chopsticks and still steaming.

Li Miao Han, who had been resting on her side, turned her head and propped herself up when she heard Fang Zheng Yi speak.

She glanced at the ribs and shook her head slightly, saying, "I won't eat it. The imperial physician said I should eat lightly."

"The imperial physician doesn't know anything about medicine. Eating something fatty is more nourishing."

Fang Zheng Yi persisted, holding the ribs to Li Miao Han's mouth.

Li Miao Han glared at him good-naturedly, obediently ate it, squinted her eyes, and a look of happiness appeared on her face.

"Delicious, right?"

"Delicious."

"That's right, only rabbits eat bland food."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng Yi picked up a piece of abalone. Li Miao Han couldn't resist and took another bite, asking, "I heard that Consort Wei is also about to give birth. Has there been any news from the palace?"

Fang Zheng Yi said, "Yes, it should be in the next couple of days as well. I've already had people go ahead to help them set up the delivery room. There should be news soon. The Crown Prince has been acting strangely with me lately."

Li Miao Han sighed, "I've seen Consort Wei; she's even thinner than I am. This time, I felt like I walked through the gates of hell. I hope she has a smooth delivery."

Fang Zheng Yi nodded.

"Maybe in a few years, childbirth won't be so tiring. I'll have the Taoyuan Medical Center recruit more female doctors to practice surgery."

"Then, just drink a bowl of medicinal soup to pass out, and then directly cut open the belly and take the child out."

Li Miao Han's face turned pale: "Wouldn't the person die?"

"They won't die, it's the same as removing a tumor." Fang Zheng Yi said carelessly, "Isn't a newborn baby just a piece of meat?"

"Don't talk nonsense!"

The couple began to joke around. Just then, a report suddenly came from outside the door.

Fang Chen Yu under the tray burst into tears.

Li Miao Han immediately panicked, looking around and exclaiming, "Where's the baby?"

"He's here." Fang Zheng Yi lifted the tray, revealing Fang Chen Yu.

Li Miao Han said angrily, "I thought you had someone take the baby away. Why did you cover him up? You don't act like a father at all!"

"Uh... someone called outside, I'll go take a look." Fang Zheng Yi coughed twice, picked up the tray, and hurried out the door.

Having a child has made my wife feistier...

Fang Zheng Yi was sighing inwardly when he ran into a familiar face.

The person who came was Liu Jin from the East Palace.

He saw him covered in sweat, saying, "Lord Fang, over at the East Palace... Consort Wei has gone into labor. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asked you to come over."

"She's in labor! Already given birth?" Fang Zheng Yi asked quickly.

"She's in the process of giving birth."

"Then why are you in such a hurry?"

Liu Jin swallowed, sweating profusely, and said, "The midwife said the situation seems a bit abnormal. Actually, she started labor last night at midnight. His Highness is very anxious, so he asked me to notify you."

Fang Zheng Yi looked up; it was almost noon.

If she still hasn't given birth after so long, could it be the worst-case scenario?

Instantly, Fang Zheng Yi's face turned somewhat unsightly, and he threw down the tray in his hand.

"Go! Follow me into the palace!"

The two of them rode their horses frantically and hurried into the palace.

At this moment, the delivery room in the back courtyard of the East Palace was already in a state of chaos.

Emperor Jing sat silently on the stool. Although his expression was calm, his breathing was already a few notches faster than usual.

Li Yuan Zhao's face was somewhat pale, and as he listened to the cries from inside the room, his fists clenched tighter and tighter.

A group of imperial physicians, led by Physician Hu, were still comforting him by his side.

Although many of them did not specialize in gynecology, it was always good to be able to help a little.

"Your Highness, don't worry. It's normal for a woman to give birth for ten hours or even a dozen hours."

"Normal? The midwives inside are shouting that the situation is not good, and you're telling me it's normal? Can you think of a solution! What's the point of just standing here? What's the use of telling me those useless words? Quickly prescribe a prescription!"

"A... a prescription?" Physician Hu looked embarrassed.

What kind of prescription was he supposed to prescribe at this critical juncture? Besides, he couldn't even go in to check himself.

In the midst of his anxiety, Emperor Jing got up, waved his hand at Physician Hu, and walked to the corner.

Emperor Jing said in a low voice; "Just now, they said in the room that the fetal position is incorrect and the head is too large. What are the chances of success?"

Physician Hu's eyes twitched twice, and he gritted his teeth and said: "Your Majesty, this old minister is incompetent... I'm afraid I can't judge. An incorrect fetal position is already a one-in-ten chance of survival, but there is still a way to solve it. The midwives in the palace have excellent skills and may be able to adjust it externally, but the head is too large... it can only depend on Consort Wei's fate."

Emperor Jing closed his eyes and sighed deeply, with a bit more trembling in his sigh.

What kind of sins did I commit in my previous life? Why is it so difficult to just want a grandson?

"Understood, you stay here and watch."

Outside the East Palace, Fang Zheng Yi and the others had already arrived at full speed.

There were many officials outside, their faces also full of anxiety as they waited.

Among them was Wang Meng, carrying a large medicine box, with two midwives beside him.

Fang Zheng Yi quickly dismounted, ignoring anyone who greeted him, and ran straight to Wang Meng.

"Why are you outside? Where is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

Wang Meng said: "In the back courtyard, they won't let us in. We can't help much, but Physician Hu is inside."

"Go, come in with me!"

The back courtyard was still in a state of depression when suddenly a voice rang out.

"Your Majesty, Lord Fang is requesting an audience."

"Let him in!"

Li Yuan Zhao's whole body relaxed, as if he had found a pillar of support.

Although he was a very opinionated person, he had been with Fang Zheng Yi for so many years that he had some dependence in his heart.

As long as Lao Fang was there, it seemed that there was always a crooked way to solve the problem.

Fang Zheng Yi quickly entered the room and said bluntly; "Your Majesty, what is the situation?"

"Difficult labor." Emperor Jing began to sigh again.

He felt somewhat resentful towards Li Yuan Zhao. What good would it do to call him here at this time? It would only add another anxious and irritable person.

As soon as the words "difficult labor" came out, Fang Zheng Yi's forehead was slightly sweaty.

He was most afraid of this kind of situation, and he had been worried about it all along these days.

Although Li Miao Han had a smooth delivery, he didn't expect it to happen to the royal family.

"Your Majesty, don't worry, difficult labor... is a common occurrence, maybe she'll give birth in a little while."

Li Yuan Zhao quietly approached Fang Zheng Yi and said in a low voice: "Lao Fang... I'm very scared, it started last night at midnight... she's been screaming all night, and I feel excruciating pain... what should I do now?"

"I have done so many good deeds on weekdays, I must have accumulated virtue... why is this happening?"

"If I had known... if I had known, I would rather not have this child!"

Fang Zheng Yi forced a smile, this was really a big trouble.

"Your Highness, you wait here, I'll go ask Wang Meng."

Li Yuan Zhao nodded weakly and sat back in his place, his eyes staring straight at the door of the delivery room.