The Legend of Concubine Su

Chapter 162 Lin Yaqin's Premature Birth

Inside the Pingyang Palace, night fell, and flickering candlelight couldn't conceal the oppressive, tense atmosphere. Princess Lin Yaqin, clad in a gorgeous brocade robe and walking lightly, was enjoying the rare tranquility as she made her way back to her room. Then, a feral cat, darting from some obscure corner, passed through her sight like a ghost. She shuddered, nearly dropping her fan. At that moment, she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, like a knife stabbing her, and her face turned pale.

"Someone! Something's happened to the princess!" The maid Xia He's scream shattered the tranquility of the palace, like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, instantly causing ripples. Her eyes widened in fear, her hands tightly clutching the corners of her clothes, her voice shrill and piercing with fear.

In his study, Prince Yuanchen was discussing crucial matters concerning the future of the palace with his advisors. Upon hearing the news of the princess's mishap, his face instantly turned livid, a flicker of panic in his eyes. He abruptly stood up, the chair creaking with his movement, as if even the chair was shocked by the sudden change. Yuanchen strode towards the princess's quarters, each step urgent and weighted. His heartbeat was like a drum, beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his inner worry and anxiety surged like a tide.

When Yuan Chen arrived at the princess's quarters, he found Lin Yaqin carefully carried into the room by her maids and placed on a soft bed. Her face was as pale as paper, her brow furrowed, and her hands clutched the quilt tightly, as if she wanted to vent all her pain on the thin fabric. Her moans were weak and painful, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to go out at any moment.

"Yaqin!" Yuan Chen rushed to the bedside, his voice trembling. He held Lin Yaqin's hand tightly, as if to transfer all his strength to her. "You must hold on! I will not allow you to make any mistakes!"

Lin Yaqin struggled to open her eyes. Seeing Yuan Chen's anxious yet determined gaze, a warmth welled up in her heart. She tried to force a smile to comfort him, but the pain prevented her from expressing anything more. She could only speak haltingly, "Your Highness... I'm afraid I'm going into premature labor."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen's face turned even uglier. He turned his head abruptly and shouted angrily to the outside of the door: "Go and get the midwife! Quick! If anything happens to the princess, you will all be buried with her!" His voice echoed over the palace like thunder, frightening the servants so much that they trembled all over and took action.

The entire palace was plunged into chaos and tension. Some rushed out to fetch a midwife, others busied themselves preparing hot water and clean towels, and still others trotted back and forth in the courtyard, relaying the latest news. The air was thick with an oppressive, tense atmosphere, as if the very air itself had frozen.

Yuan Chen held Lin Yaqin's hand tightly, his eyes gentle yet firm. "Yaqin, don't be afraid. The midwife will be here soon. You and the baby will be safe." His words were like warm sunshine, shining into Lin Yaqin's heart, giving her a sense of comfort and strength.

A moment later, the midwife hurried in. Her face showed a hint of fatigue and tension, but more of a reverence and respect for life. Yuan Chen quickly stood up and made way, pacing anxiously outside the room. He would occasionally pause, listening intently; sometimes, he would bury his head in his hands, silently praying for the safety of the princess and the child.

"Your Highness, don't worry too much." The butler beside him whispered to comfort him, "The princess is a lucky person and will surely give birth to a little prince or princess smoothly." However, Yuan Chen seemed not to hear his words. He just glared at him fiercely, his eyes full of anger and worry.

At that moment, Lin Yaqin's heart-wrenching screams rang out from the room. Yuan Chen could no longer bear it. He flung open the door and rushed into the room, ignoring everyone's attempts to stop him. The midwife, upon seeing this, hurriedly called out, "Your Highness, the delivery room is bloody! You can't come in!" But Yuan Chen ignored her. He walked straight to the bedside and took Lin Yaqin's hand again. "Yaqin, I'm here. I'm with you." His voice was firm and gentle, as if it could dispel all the pain and fear.

Lin Yaqin was sweating profusely, her hair sticking to her face, but her eyes gleamed with determination. She looked at Yuanchen, as if she saw hope in life. "Your Highness, I... I will try my best." Her words were weak, but full of power.

After much struggle and effort, the tense and oppressive atmosphere was finally broken by the clear and loud cry of a baby. The midwife happily shouted, "It's born! It's born! It's a little princess!" Her voice was filled with excitement and joy.

Yuanchen's face instantly lit up with a delighted smile. He squeezed Lin Yaqin's hand tightly and whispered, "Yaqin, you've worked so hard. We have a daughter." His eyes were filled with tenderness and gratitude. Lin Yaqin smiled weakly, her eyes filled with happiness and satisfaction. She could almost see herself and Yuanchen walking hand in hand through the future, their daughter thriving under their care.

Afterward, the midwife and maids cleaned the baby, wrapped her up, and brought her to Yuanchen. Yuanchen carefully took his daughter in his arms, looking at her tiny face and bright eyes. He was filled with emotion and joy. "My daughter will be the center of all my love," he whispered, as if making a sincere promise.

At this moment, sunlight streamed into the room through the window, illuminating the warm and happy moment between the father and daughter. The Pingyang Palace was filled with hope and joy at the arrival of this new life.

Yuan Chen gently and lovingly placed his daughter back next to Lin Yaqin, carefully adjusting her position to ensure she would see her mother the moment she woke. Lin Yaqin gazed tenderly at her daughter's delicate face, every inch of her skin seeming to speak of the miracle of life. Her eyes shone with a unique maternal light, a tenderness that reached deep into her bones.

"Your Highness," Lin Yaqin's voice was soft but full of anticipation. She said gently, "Please give our daughter a name. This is our shared responsibility and it is also a symbol of her status."

Yuan Chen nodded slightly upon hearing this, lost in thought. He gazed at the mother and daughter, his heart filled with tenderness and determination. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "Let's call her Yuan Meng. May her life be as beautiful as a dream, filled with dreamlike sweetness and happiness, as well as the courage and determination to pursue her dreams."

Lin Yaqin smiled and nodded, her eyes sparkling with happiness. Her heart was filled with longing for the future, as if she could already see her daughter running freely in the sunshine, swimming in the ocean of knowledge, and blooming on the stage of life.