Chapter 255: Volume 1, Chapter 255 The Noble Consort Values Lives Even More

Rong Luoge sent someone to fetch a cloak; Grand Consort Zhong was not originally Grand Consort Zhong, but only Beauty Zhong. When the emperor first granted titles, she received no favor; only later was she elevated to Grand Consort together with Noble Consort Liu.

Beauty Zhong never sounded as proper as Grand Consort Zhong, especially since she carries the Late Emperor's posthumous child in her womb.

This child must not suffer any mishap; if she gave birth safely, Rong Luoge's absence would be no issue, but now there is an accident. Whether the accident is truly accidental or hides some intrigue is still unknown; for now, we must first ensure the child is delivered safely.

Rong Luoge left Yuzhao Gong; a soft sedan chair was already waiting outside, with a charcoal furnace inside for warmth, and cotton‑lined brocade curtains tightly wrapped the chair. When she stepped in, a wave of warmth spread over her, and she let out a slight sigh of relief.

Winter is bitterly cold; venturing out is a trial.

She hurried from Yuzhao Gong toward the East Ming Hall, passing through the entire Imperial Garden; the raging cold wind made the sedan curtains howl, weighing heavily on one's heart.

Upon arriving at the East Ming Hall, Rong Luoge slipped out of the soft sedan, pulling her great cloak tight, and saw Grand Consort Liu hurrying out to greet her.

"Your Highness, why did you come in person?" Grand Consort Liu asked, surprised.

Rong Luoge looked at her and asked, "I'm uneasy; I heard Grand Consort Zhong fell and went into labor early?"

Grand Consort Liu's still‑young, pretty face tightened, "Your Highness, watch your step; let's go inside first. It's too cold out, this weather is truly unpleasant."

Her words seemed to turn into white mist drifting before their eyes; Rong Luoge didn't want to endure the wind, so the two entered the Main Hall together.

Grand Consort Zhong's delivery room was set up in the Side Hall; Rong Luoge saw midwives coming and going, and could intermittently hear Grand Consort Zhong's painful wails, causing her heart to tighten slightly.

She knew that childbirth is a gateway of death; even with modern medical conditions, some pregnant women still cannot survive the delivery room, let alone in such an era—giving birth truly is a hurdle.

"What does the Imperial Physician say?" Rong Luoge asked.

"The Imperial Physician says Grand Consort Zhong's condition is good; the chance of a safe delivery is high, but the sudden fall and early labor inevitably bring some hardship," Grand Consort Liu sighed.

Rong Luoge understood this: a fruit cannot fall before it ripens; being forced to give birth before fully developed means neither the birth canal nor the mother is prepared, so hardship is inevitable.

"We'll wait." Rong Luoge said after sitting down.

"Indeed, we can only wait." Grand Consort Liu's complexion was also poor; she offered tea and said to the Noble Consort, "Your Highness, I sent people to inspect where Grand Consort Zhong fell. Because of the snow, there were many people, the footprints were chaotic, the ground was wet, making it impossible to tell whether it was an accident or… However, we reside in the East Ming Hall and never hold grudges; I think it was an accident. It suddenly snowed that day, the ground was slippery, so a fall was inevitable."

Rong Luoge knew Liu Yingying was a very diligent person; hearing this, she guessed the accident's likelihood was low, felt a slight relief, and as long as there was no malicious intent, "Don't worry, mother and child will be safe."

Liu Yingying appeared composed, yet she was young and had never given birth herself; although a Grand Consort, she was actually younger than Rong Luoge, and now her face had turned slightly pale.

She had long ago fallen into a mire; back then, her greatest hope in the palace was the child in Grand Consort Zhong's womb—having a child nearby was better than being alone.

She also hoped the Liu family would regret, to see her in a glorious light, which she had not yet achieved.

His Majesty has not yet formally entered mourning; as a Grand Consort, she must also observe mourning for the Late Emperor. Her glorious days are still ahead, so she must be patient.

But if Grand Consort Zhong and the child suffer any mishap, she will be left completely alone.

"Yes, they will be safe." Liu Yingying forced a pleasant smile.

Rong Luoge could see Liu Yingying's condition was not good, but she truly didn't know what else to say; before life and death, any words carry little weight.

Light and airy, like paper.

Soon, Xu Shuyuan and Qin Zhaohua, who had just received news, arrived; Rong Luoge invited them to sit and asked, "Why did you both come as well?"

"As a consort, I thought a crowd could always lend some help," Xu Shuyuan said with a smile, "but now it seems we truly can't do much."

Rong Luoge replied, "Then let's wait together."

Qin Zhaohua kept glancing outward; the cries of Grand Consort Zhong from the Side Hall were rather frightening—was childbirth really that terrifying?

Her complexion turned pale; looking at Noble Consort Rong's belly, she no longer felt envy, but a faint fear.

Soon a midwife came back, saying, "Noble Consort, Grand Consort Zhong lacks strength and needs ginseng."

Rong Luoge frowned, "Then use it."

The midwife replied reluctantly, "But the Imperial Hospital has no suitable ginseng, and the Inner Court has not delivered any yet."

Rong Luoge's expression changed; she immediately looked at Rong Xin and said, "Fetch it from Yuzhao Gong."

Rong Xin's demeanor shifted dramatically, "Your Highness, no—you must not; that is His Majesty's reserve for you."

"Lives hang in the balance, and I still have some days left; we can find suitable ginseng later. Saving lives comes first—go quickly." Rong Luoge, whose health was always robust and whose own delivery would be more favorable than Grand Consort Zhong's, knew the need for ginseng was unlikely, but with two lives before her, she could not turn a blind eye.

Rong Xin clenched her teeth, dashed into the wind and snow, and soon returned with the ginseng; in the Side Hall, Grand Consort Zhong's cries gradually faded.

Xu Shuyuan knew Noble Consort Rong was kind, but didn't expect the consort's heart to be so benevolent; that ginseng was a lifesaving item, and the Noble Consort said "take it" and it was given.

Although the Noble Consort's words sounded pleasant, finding a suitable one is not so easy; ginseng contributions each year are fixed—using one means one less remains.

At that moment, Xu Shuyuan was certain that she and Rong had done nothing wrong.

Grand Consort Zhong was merely a Grand Consort; the child in her womb, once born, would simply be raised well, with no real prospects. The Empress Dowager showed no sign of concern at all—no inquiries were made, clearly she hadn't taken it to heart.

Yet the Noble Consort, six months pregnant with a large belly, came herself to preside—was the consort not afraid?

Xu Shuyuan thought, the consort was also fearful, but she valued lives even more.

At that moment, a series of knocking and bowing sounds came from outside; Rong Luoge felt something and looked up toward the hall doors. In an instant, the palace gates opened, and Han Xinglan appeared in her view.

Rong Luoge instinctively stood; she knew today the Liuli Kiln would be opened—a matter of great importance. He had said he would personally preside, and last night had told her she need not wait for his dinner today.