The residence was in chaos. Physicians huddled around a table behind the screen, trembling. Midwives hovered by the bed, not daring to take a step away.
Murong Jin lay pale on the sheets, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. Her eyes were wide, staring blankly at the canopy above. Wave after wave of pain tore through her, but she gritted her teeth, refusing to cry out.
"Murong Jin." Xue Liulan ignored the Emperor standing behind him. He rushed to her side, taking her hand. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."
She turned her head slowly, staring at him as if he were a stranger. Then, tears spilled from her eyes, and a sob broke from her throat.
"Don't leave me, Xue Liulan. I… I'm scared." Her grip on his sleeve tightened, her voice broken.
"I won't. I won't leave. I'll stay right here." He had never seen her so helpless. He held her hand, murmuring words of comfort, his own heart pounding.
The Emperor stopped at the screen. The voices from within reached him clearly. Once, I too sat by a woman's bed, waiting for our child, filled with hope and terror.
But he had forgotten that warmth. Before he could learn to cherish it again, he had lost her forever.
He sighed, smoothing his brow, and turned to the physicians. "How is she?"
"Your Majesty, the Princess Consort was strong, but her recent injury…" the old physician stammered.
"I don't want to hear excuses," the Emperor cut him off. "If she and the child do not survive, you will all be buried with them."
Every person in the room dropped to their knees. "We will do our utmost, Your Majesty!"
Behind the screen, Murong Jin heard. Her eyes dimmed, then focused intently on Xue Liulan.
He was sweating. His hands, usually so steady, were trembling. He stared at her, unblinking, as if afraid she would disappear if he looked away.
She reached out, her fingers brushing his cheek. "Xue Liulan," she whispered. "If it comes to a choice… save the child."
"No. Murong Jin, you will both be fine."
"Promise me." Her grip tightened. She knew her own body. The injury had taken too much. She was afraid she wouldn't survive this.
"I will not promise you that." His voice rose, startling the midwives.
She frowned as another contraction ripped through her, tearing at her consciousness. The room blurred.
"Promise me… save the child…" she mumbled.
He leaned close to her ear. "Murong Jin, I will not give you up. We can have other children. But I only have one you."
She nodded fiercely, the fear of pain making her cling to his warmth as it began to slip away.
"Your Highness, please leave," a midwife begged.
He stood reluctantly, walking to the screen. He turned back one last time to look at her, her groans filling the room.
"Go," the Emperor said, putting a hand on his son's shoulder. "She will be fine."
Xue Liulan nodded numbly and followed his father out. As the door closed, his fists clenched at his sides.
Her cries grew louder, each one tearing at his heart. Time lost its meaning.
Then, a sharp, clear wail broke the silence.
"The child is born!" The Emperor shot to his feet.
Xue Liulan froze. The door opened, and a physician rushed out, kneeling. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Highness! It is a prince!"
"Hahaha! Heaven blesses the Xue family!" The Emperor laughed.
Xue Liulan grabbed the physician by the collar. "Murong Jin? How is she? Is she safe?"
"This…" The physician hesitated.
"Speak!"
"The labor was difficult. The Princess Consort has fainted."
"Murong Jin!" He shoved the man aside and strode toward the door.
"Liulan!" The Emperor grabbed his arm, pulling him back. "You'll only get in the way. Wait here."
"Father, she is in there! How can I wait?" He looked at his father, frantic. "Father, when Mother was giving birth, could you wait calmly?"
The Emperor released him as if burned. He watched his son burst into the room. Just like I was, back then.
Time drifted. In the haze, Murong Jin opened her eyes. The warm glow of candlelight revealed Xue Liulan, slumped by her side. He was holding her hand tightly, his face peaceful, as if in a happy dream.
She moved her fingers. His eyes snapped open. He sat up, gently stroking her haggard face. "You're awake?"
"Mm. How long was I asleep?"
"Almost twelve hours. The baby is with the wet nurse. Wait." He smiled, went to the door to give an order, and returned, closing it tight. "He's next door. He's healthy."
She stared at him, then smiled. "Who does he look like?"
"Me, of course." He grinned like a boy. "If a boy had your beauty, the women of the world would die of jealousy."
"Hah. You're a father now. Still so improper?" She covered her mouth, laughing.
"From now on, I'll keep a straight face. Be a strict father. That way, you can be the loving mother." He pulled a stern face, mimicking an old scholar.
She laughed, then coughed. "I'm thirsty."
"Here, sit up." He helped her lean against the headboard, then fetched a bowl of soup from the stove.
"Smells good." She reached for it.
He moved it away. "You are the hero of the Xue family. How can I let you lift a finger? I must feed you."
"Alright."
The soup was perfectly warm, just like his tenderness, wrapping around her.
The door opened and closed quickly. Two wet nurses entered, carrying a bundled infant.
"Greetings, Your Highnesses."
He set the soup aside and took the child. "Leave us."
"Yes."
Murong Jin looked at the small life in his arms. Tiny features, a look of peaceful wonder on his face.
"Have you named him?" she whispered.
"Qi. Like the qilin."
"Qi? The auspicious beast. Good. Xue Qi." She beamed.
He looked at her, then placed the baby beside her. He took her hand in both of his. "Thank you."
"Hm?" She looked from the baby to him. "For what?"
"For giving me a complete family. A person to love, children at my knees, a few good friends. I have it all now. What more could I ask for?"
She stared at him. "The Fifth Prince of the dynasty, suddenly without ambition? You haven't won the throne yet, and you're satisfied?"
"When I stood outside listening to your screams, I could do nothing. In that helplessness, I realized… I would trade my life to ease your pain. What is a throne compared to that?"
"Xue Liulan." Her voice trembled.
"Why are you crying?" He leaned in, tapping her nose. "You're a mother now. The baby will laugh at you."
"He wouldn't dare." She looked down at the sleeping infant, raising an eyebrow playfully.
"Oh, Qi'er, is your mother fierce?" He stroked the baby. "Don't worry. Daddy loves you. If Mommy scolds you…"
"Then what?" She glared at him, eyes narrowing, but unable to hide her smile.
He pretended to think. "Then I'll just have to be scolded with you."