There was no point in going herself. Besides crying over the child, which would only distress the little one further or upset those around, it would serve no other purpose.
But, after all, this was the child she had borne; how could she truly not care at all?
Her heart still clenched with anxiety, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Noble Consort Shih eventually gave up on trying to sleep altogether.
She had someone hastily set up a Buddha statue for her, and she knelt before it in devout prayer throughout the night.
By the next day, her legs and feet were completely numb.
Zhaoer couldn't lift her alone, so two Little Eunuchs were called to help her back to the inner chamber.
「In Jiaofang Hall.」
The Empress received word early in the morning and immediately excused everyone from paying their respects, hurrying over with her attendants.
In truth, she had known since midnight.
But who would visit in the middle of the night? Only someone utterly bored, perhaps.
