Song Chaoyu pressed her forehead with a sigh, "He looks more like he's the one about to give birth. Mother, why don't you go out and persuade him? I'm perfectly fine."
Song Chaoyu lowered her head, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the child.
Unexpectedly, Concubine Liu let out a chuckle, "I'm not going! Looking at him, I doubt even I could persuade him."
With that, Concubine Liu took Song Chaoyu's hand and sighed, "Ayu, in this life, the happiest thing for me is to see you doing well. Look, how much the Prince dotes on you! When he was still a prince, he always protected you. Now, in the capital, he still cares for you so much. You must not fail the Prince in the future! There aren't many men like him in this world."
Song Chaoyu naturally knew this.
She squeezed Concubine Liu's hand back, "Mother, don't worry, we will be well!"
At this moment, someone from the Crown Prince's side hurried into the courtyard.
The man, with a solemn expression, said to Mu Changxi, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince requests your presence at the palace. He says many refugees from the surrounding areas have suddenly appeared near the capital, and the city's defenses may need to be re-evaluated. He wishes for you to enter the palace to discuss this matter with His Majesty and the Crown Prince."
This was a significant matter.
But Mu Changxi instinctively looked at Song Chaoyu, who was sitting in the room, and immediately frowned, shaking his head, "No. The Princess Consort is likely to go into labor any day now. I must stay by her side and cannot leave."
Everyone in the capital knew that Prince Chang was utterly devoted to his wife.
The man cleared his throat, looking somewhat embarrassed, "Your Highness, this matter is of great importance. The Crown Prince is aware that the Princess Consort is nearing her due date. If it were not absolutely necessary, he would not have summoned you to the palace."
With the matter put so plainly, any further refusal from Mu Changxi would be inappropriate.
Song Chaoyu had also heard the man's words and quickly went out, nodding to Mu Changxi, "You should go to the palace. Nothing will happen here; Mother is here, and so many people are watching. Go to the palace with peace of mind."
Only then did Mu Changxi nod and leave with the man.
Concubine Liu watched his retreating back and sighed, "I don't know why, but I only feel less pressure when your Prince Chang leaves. When we were at the estate, this child wasn't like this. Now that he's truly a Prince, it makes one feel differently."
Song Chaoyu smiled and then led Concubine Liu into the house.
Although the snow had stopped these past two days, it had grown even colder outside.
Song Chaoyu heard that the Song family had also prepared many supplies and sent them to the south, contributing their part.
Although the Emperor did not currently highly regard Song Yuan, he placed great importance on Song Jiayang.
Song Jiayang was one of the main individuals responsible for this disaster relief.
Even though the journey was long and arduous, if this matter was handled well, upon Song Jiayang's return to the capital, honors would be bestowed upon him, and a promotion would be within reach.
Naturally, Song Chaoyu knew that given Song Jiayang's character, he genuinely wanted to do something for the common people, which set him apart from Song Yuan.
She had originally intended to see Song Jiayang off, but Song Jiayang had specifically sent word asking Song Chaoyu to stay home and await childbirth. Traveling in such heavy snow was inconvenient, and it was a sign of his concern for his sister, Song Chaoyu.
—
Perhaps because Mu Changxi was not in the manor today, the entire residence seemed exceptionally quiet in the evening.
An envoy from the palace had arrived, stating that the Emperor had invited Mu Changxi to dine at the palace.
Song Chaoyu inquired about the situation. The eunuch merely said that as soon as Mu Changxi entered the palace, the Emperor had him and the Crown Prince go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Then, the three of them closed the doors of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, ordering that no one be disturbed.
Even dinner was delivered by palace servants. It was said that the Emperor was deeply worried about the snow disaster, and it was unlikely that either the Crown Prince or Prince Chang would return to their residences tonight.
Knowing the news, Song Chaoyu no longer worried about Mu Changxi.
However, what Song Chaoyu never expected was that in the middle of the night, her abdomen began to ache intermittently!
Oh no, it was starting!
As Song Chaoyu realized what was happening, she quickly called out to the outside, "Tiaohong, Qiouqing, Mother! Come in quickly!"
The door was flung open with a bang.
Qiouqing was the first to enter, holding a lantern.
But she didn't seem to have entered because she heard Song Chaoyu's voice. After rushing in, she called out to Song Chaoyu, "Princess Consort, wake up quickly! Just now, a report came from outside saying that some unknown thieves have entered the manor. Their methods are quite formidable; they've already bribed the servants in the outer courtyard. It seems we'll have to escape through the back door!"
Escape?!
Song Chaoyu's heart sank, and she turned to look out the window, "No... that won't do! My stomach is hurting terribly right now; I think I'm going into labor!"
"Ah?!"
Tiaohong was startled and quickly lit the lamp in the room, then lifted Song Chaoyu's quilt. Indeed, she saw that amniotic fluid had stained the bedding!
"This is bad!"
Tiaohong frowned and quickly said to Qiouqing outside and Concubine Liu, who had rushed over, "No, the Princess Consort seems to be in labor and will deliver the baby immediately."
"This is the end!"
Even Concubine Liu panicked, "It's started snowing again outside. Even if we leave now, it might be too late. We can't possibly let your Princess Consort give birth in the snow, can we?"
Among them, only Qiouqing calmly analyzed, "It appears that the thieves chose today to enter the manor, meaning it was planned beforehand. Even if the Princess Consort wasn't in labor today, being frightened like this would likely affect the fetus. Their target is likely the Princess Consort and the child!"
Concubine Liu stamped her foot outside and urged Tiaohong, "Didn't someone go to invite the Prince? Why is there still no news?"
Tiaohong's expression darkened, and she looked as if she was about to cry, "Madam, it's not that we didn't try. It's just that no one can get out! I just took a look. The servants and guards in the outer courtyard fought desperately, and so many have died. But those people are all masters. Although there aren't many of them, they are coming straight for us. People can't get out, and we can't notify the Prince!"
At this point, Tiaohong's tears truly began to fall, "We even released the carrier pigeons. But halfway through their flight, they were shot down. We are still thinking of other methods; I've already sent someone to find the signal flares in the manor, hoping to find them soon and set off a signal."
Hearing Tiaohong's words, Song Chaoyu was certain that those people were prepared.
"Mmm—"
The pain in her abdomen made her groan.
Then she reached out and grabbed Tiaohong's arm, "What about the situation in the back courtyard? Are the midwives and imperial physicians alright?"
Tiaohong shook her head, "They are fine!"
Song Chaoyu nodded, her tone becoming firm, "Then let's not talk about anything else, listen to me! Have everyone retreat to the back courtyard and make sure to defend this courtyard. I will give birth here. Everything is prepared; have the midwives, wet nurses, and imperial physicians come over. I can't hold on any longer, and even if I could, the child wouldn't make it!"
Another wave of pain struck, causing Song Chaoyu's voice to falter.
She took a deep breath and continued, "And bring Xiaotaozi over too. No one in the manor should be left behind. Staying outside is waiting for death! Those who remain in the manor are loyal individuals. Have them defend the back courtyard and protect the child!"