Page 1156

Moments later, upon seeing Miss Du disheveled and leaning against the wall at the doorway,

Cuiya had been slapped by Nanny Li and her face swelled, claiming that she was afraid of tainting the holy visage, they took her away and locked her up, so Miss Du had to get out of bed on her own, slowly moving to the door with the support of the walls.

Neither the Emperor nor the Empress recognized Miss Du, but someone among the Imperial Physicians did. Imperial Physician Li exclaimed in surprise, "Miss Du, how come you’re here?"

Miss Du?

That name was well-known in Beijing, the affairs of Lord Jie’s household were notorious, and even if no one had seen Miss Du herself, her name was known to all.

"What Miss Du? Which Miss Du? Is it..."

"Ah, it’s that lady from the Manxiu Building, Lord Jie’s household."

The physicians conversed among themselves, and everyone quickly realized who she was.

Gu Youyou remained silent, just looking at Miss Du,

Her appearance made her choices very clear now.

Gu Youyou had been protecting her for so long, but in the end, she couldn’t keep her safe, and she felt extremely guilty.

Gu Youyou said, "I’m so sorry, I failed to help you in the end."

Miss Du smiled at Gu Youyou, saying, "No, you’ve already been a great help to me.

Without you, my child might not have been born safely.

Youyou, thank you! For helping me deliver the baby through such an exhausting night, you must have been so tired that you went into labor early yourself.

The royal grandchild wasn’t full-term, right?

I remember you said there were still a few days left before the due date? "

Gu Youyou smiled and responded, "It’s still considered full-term, it was just a matter of a few days."

The situation couldn’t be clearer, Gu Youyou and Miss Du gave birth on the same day because Gu Youyou was exhausted from helping Miss Du with her delivery. A pregnant woman about to give birth herself, having toiled all through the night, leading to an early delivery of her child.

The focus was on the royal grandchild.

The Emperor couldn’t sit still anymore, he stood up excitedly.

"Go, bring my grandchild for me to see."

The Empress turned pale, barely able to stand.

Nanny Li supported her, gently shaking her head.

They’d look at the child first, it was not the time to speak any further.

Besides, Miss Du had given birth to her child hidden here with Gu Youyou, they shouldn’t rush, there were plenty of their weaknesses to exploit.

Xiang Chun brought out one of the infants, distinguishing between the two newborns was quite easy.

Miss Du’s child was born full-term, plump and fair-skinned.

The one born to Gu Youyou was wrinkled and hadn’t opened its eyes yet.

Xiang Chun held the baby with hesitation, knowing that most newborns looked like this, but still afraid the Emperor might find it displeasing.

"Quickly, let me have a look!"

The Emperor couldn’t wait any longer and approached the inner chamber doorway to take the child.

The infant, who had been sleeping, was unsettled by being passed around. When handed to the Emperor, the baby puckered its lips a few times and then fell back asleep.

The Emperor, with tears streaming down his face, looked at the wrinkled child, so tiny that it barely felt like it had any weight in his hands.

He wondered if Crown Prince Zijin had looked like this at birth, knowing the hardships Qinqin had faced when she fled alone.

She had hidden in the mountains to give birth, with no one to help her.

No one knew how she had managed to escape.

In those days, he was suppressed by the third and fifth princes, with the former Empress whispering in the late Emperor’s ear, nearly causing him to lose his position as the Crown Prince.