Chapter 244: A Major Case During Pregnancy
If Miss Yan was the first to give birth at the Women and Children’s Hospital, then Jin Sui was the first to establish a prenatal file. To give everyone a deeper understanding of the Women and Children’s Hospital, she even refused to have medical staff come to the palace for her prenatal check-ups.
She personally went to the hospital for her monthly prenatal check-ups, and of course, Gu Changxiao accompanied her every time. She wanted to show everyone that giving birth is not just a woman’s business, but a matter for both husband and wife.
Don’t say you don’t have time to accompany your wife for prenatal check-ups. Can you be busier than the Emperor? Even the Emperor accompanies the Empress to the hospital!
Meanwhile, during Miss Yan’s confinement period, medical staff from the Women and Children’s Hospital visited her and the baby every seven days for check-ups. The baby had mild jaundice, so Han Xing held him to bask in the sun every morning and evening.
The hospital’s records were very detailed, documenting everything from the newborn’s length and development to their eating, drinking, and bowel movements, as well as head circumference and heart rate. Miss Yan’s confinement meals, medications, and postpartum recovery training were also meticulously recorded.
This information was spread by the maidservants and matrons below, making expectant mothers in the capital eager to experience it. Having a midwife at home for delivery did not offer such comprehensive care afterward!
Just then, an official’s wife, seven months pregnant, accidentally fell. She called for a midwife, but the midwife dared not proceed, stating the baby’s position was unfavorable and the pregnancy was too early, fearing for the baby’s survival.
The official looked at his wife in pain and remembered that his family had been childless for three generations and his wife had only conceived after several years of marriage. He gritted his teeth, deciding that ridicule afterward was less important than the lives of his wife and child.
He personally took his wife to the Women and Children’s Hospital. It was indeed a difficult labor; any later and the fetus would have suffocated due to lack of amniotic fluid.
Several physicians worked through the night to save them, without resorting to the peculiar folk methods for difficult births mentioned by the midwife, such as the ‘rolling pin method’ or the ‘pot-banging method’.
The rolling pin method involved using a rolling pin to press on the abdomen to push the fetus out.
The pot-banging method involved placing a copper pot over the pregnant woman’s abdomen and banging it to create vibrations that would shake the fetus out.
There were also methods like praying to the Goddess of Childbirth and drinking charmed water, or reaching into the birth canal to feel for the baby’s head and pull it out.
Hearing the midwife’s methods for difficult births sent shivers down the spines of the medical staff. It was no wonder that ten out of nine births were fatal for difficult labors among the common people; with such methods, survival was a matter of sheer luck.
The hospital’s doctors also used methods such as pressing on the abdomen to reposition the fetus, acupuncture to stimulate uterine contractions, episiotomy to widen the birth canal, and, as a last resort, a cesarean section.
Several physicians had already practiced on animals, but had not yet performed it on humans. Although they had learned from the Empress for a long time and practiced on dozens of animal births, the thought of making a large incision in a human abdomen to deliver a baby still made the physicians’ hands tremble with nervousness.
They aimed to use ordinary obstetric methods as much as possible and would not resort to cesarean sections unless absolutely necessary.
After a day of intense effort, the baby was successfully born at dusk. Although the infant was purplish-blue and not breathing at birth, after emergency resuscitation, a faint cry was heard. The baby had inhaled some amniotic fluid and required hospitalization.
However, both mother and child were safe and out of danger. This alone was superior to the most skilled midwife in the world.
The official’s family immediately knelt and kowtowed outside the delivery room. The official also wiped away tears with his sleeve. Hearing his wife’s pained cries and the doctors’ pronouncements of the baby not breathing, he felt his soul had flown away.
They had prepared themselves to take his wife’s body home, but unexpectedly, both wife and child were safe. This was truly worthy of the Empress’s hospital!
News of this quickly spread through upper-class circles. Some pregnant women visited the hospital out of curiosity, but were so impressed by the environment that they began to consider it. Giving birth here was far safer than having a midwife at home!
As the superiors set an example, the reality served as the best advertisement. First, the Yan Family’s Eldest Daughter gave birth at the hospital, followed by the official’s wife who was rescued from a difficult labor, resulting in the safety of both mother and child.
Then there was the Empress establishing her prenatal file at the hospital and having monthly check-ups. The Empress also stated that she would give birth at the hospital.
Suddenly, noble ladies, official’s wives, rich merchants, and gentry, all influential figures, began to establish prenatal files and undergo check-ups if they were pregnant. Although they were still hesitant about giving birth in a hospital, they could still have their babies at home after establishing their files and undergoing check-ups.
Even when pregnant, these ladies still had to manage household chores at home. However, on the day of their prenatal check-ups, they could enjoy a day in the hospital’s beautiful environment with delicious food. How wonderful!
In short, the obstetrics department of the Women and Children’s Hospital became bustling that winter.
At the full moon banquet for Miss Yan’s son, Jin Sui thanked her again for her support in being the first woman to give birth at the hospital.
She thanked her so many times that Miss Yan felt embarrassed. “Sui Sui… Your Majesty, please don’t thank me again. The baby and I should be thanking you for staying with us all night.
Don’t you remember our promise?”
Jin Sui’s heart trembled. Why did Miss Yan’s tone make it sound like she was a scumbag who forgot her promises? She quickly smiled and said:
“Of course, I haven’t forgotten!”
Meeting Miss Yan’s wide, blinking eyes, she felt guilty again. “Uh, I haven’t forgotten, I just couldn’t recall what promise we made?”
Miss Yan chuckled. Sui Sui was still the same as before, which was wonderful. She hadn’t changed even after becoming Empress.
She affectionately took Jin Sui’s arm and nuzzled her like a little cat. “When we were in the Northern Frontier, I promised you that no matter what you wanted to do, I would always support you.
I would never change!”
“So, Sui Sui, don’t say thank you and be so formal. My help is limited, but I will do my best for anything I can do. This is our promise.”
A wave of emotion surged through Jin Sui. The friendship between girls could sometimes be more touching than the chivalry between men.
She gently stroked Miss Yan’s hair, only for the latter to cover her head. “Don’t touch it, I haven’t washed my hair, it’s oily and dirty.”
They looked at each other and burst into laughter.
Miss Yan asked Jin Sui to name her son. Jin Sui smiled and said, “Let His Majesty give him his formal name! It carries a certain sentiment. I’ll give him a nickname. I hope the little fellow will be safe and sound his whole life. How about calling him An’an?”
Miss Yan clapped her hands. “An’an is perfect, thank you, Sui Sui! That’s great, he doesn’t have to be called Er Mao anymore.”
“Er, Er Mao?”
“Sui Sui, don’t you know? In our Yandi region, babies born in early October are all called Er Mao. It sounds so awful! My Second Brother has already started calling him that.”
Jin Sui really didn’t know. She imagined some noble young masters with elegant given names and courtesy names, but their nicknames were Er Mao, Gou Dan, or Chou Tou… Haha, it was quite amusing!
She originally wanted to ask about Yan Shiyi and Yan Jiu’s nicknames. She suddenly realized she hadn’t seen Yan Jiu in a long time. He had gone to the base and hadn’t even returned for his nephew’s full moon celebration.
Asking about other people’s nicknames seemed too intimate, so she decided against it.
After having a child, time became more tangible, no longer feeling like each month was the same as the last.
Now Jin Sui could clearly feel the changes in her belly. Although it wasn’t large in the first three months, her eating habits had changed, and she was prone to low blood sugar.
After fainting in the palace once, Gu Changxiao was so frightened that he forbade her from leaving the palace for inspections, and even more so from visiting the warship base.
Furthermore, another special examination was held to recruit female officials, and over a hundred female officials were recruited to assist Jin Sui. The female officials reported their activities in and out of the palace daily.
Gu Changxiao even knew that she would do mysterious things when she was alone, and she would be very tired afterward. To prevent Jin Sui from having the opportunity to do so, Gu Changxiao would finish his memorials early and return to accompany her.
Fearing she might find an opportunity to do so during the day, and that the palace servants wouldn’t dare to supervise her too strictly, Gu Changxiao specifically assigned two ‘little officials’ to guard Jin Sui.
They were Jin An and Yingniang.
Yingniang had come from Chang’an with Miss Yan and had since lived at the Han residence. However, she joined the youth camp to study and had a very good relationship with Jin An.
Gu Changxiao officially appointed Yingniang as a female official, making our ten-year-old Yingniang the youngest female official.
Her sole mission was to guard the Empress at all times.
Jin An also remained in the palace. Grandpa Ling had gone to the Central Plains to provide disaster relief and was still involved in post-disaster reconstruction, not expected to return until after Jin Sui’s birth next year.
Jin Sui was worried about Jin An being alone at the residence. She had wanted him to live in the palace, but he refused and moved directly into the military camp.
This time, the Emperor issued a special decree, and he had to come even if he didn’t want to. The harem gained two more teenagers, and it immediately became livelier.
From then on, Jin An became the errand runner and messenger, and Yingniang became the Empress’s personal scribe. Jin Sui was indeed much more relaxed.
Looking at Yingniang, Jin Sui thought of Wei Assistant Secretary. Previously, Wei Assistant Secretary was her, the Fake Li King’s, personal scribe. She never expected his daughter to take on the role now.
You father and daughter have worked hard, both unable to escape working for me.
One thing that surprised Jin Sui was that the seemingly demure little Yingniang was actually an avid gossip enthusiast, claiming to have been influenced by Miss Yan.
When in Chang’an, Miss Yan couldn’t go out to play, so she spent her days listening to the maidservants and matrons gossip about the powerful figures of Chang’an. She would drag Yingniang along to listen, and Yingniang became well-versed in the intricate relationships of Chang’an’s elite.
Jin Sui used to be so busy, she had no time for gossip. At most, she would listen to Yan Shiyi talk about which influential figure was marrying into the gentry.
Since Yingniang entered the palace, she would recount those old gossip stories to Jin Sui every day, which was quite entertaining.
However, there were also unhappy moments. Yingniang was small and could remain quiet, often being overlooked by the palace servants. She often overheard many secret conversations alone.
One day, she overheard something about the Empress. The little girl was very angry but dared not tell the Empress. She first asked Jin An, “Do you think we should tell the Empress?”
Jin An propped his chin on his hand and pondered. “Since His Majesty has already resolved it, let’s not let Sister worry.”
Unfortunately, they were both children who couldn’t keep secrets. At dinner, Jin Sui could tell at a glance that they were hiding something from her. Without much interrogation, Yingniang confessed.
“Since Your Majesty became pregnant, officials have been submitting memorials advising His Majesty to take concubines and hold a selection of concubines.”
Jin Sui raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? They can’t hold back again!”
Jin An quickly said, “Sister, don’t worry. His Majesty not only didn’t agree, but he also exiled several influential figures who offered beauties.”
Jin Sui suddenly thought of something. “This time His Majesty recruited female officials for me, and it seems many daughters of influential figures and gentry participated in the selection.”
Yingniang said softly, “Yes, last time Your Majesty recruited female officials, most of the participants were daughters of commoners.”
Jin Sui smiled. “It seems the harem will be lively soon. Tell the leader of the Imperial Guards to send more bodyguards to guard His Majesty’s study.”
Jin An and Yingniang exchanged glances. “Why? Are there assassins among them?”
Jin Sui smiled. “Children shouldn’t ask too many questions. Just wait and watch the show!”
Indeed, the show was quite dramatic. Jin Sui went for her four-month prenatal check-up, still accompanied by Gu Changxiao. The Emperor and Empress left the palace simultaneously, and the harem’s security was somewhat lax. A female official seized the opportunity and audaciously hid in the Emperor’s study.
Every afternoon, after discussing state affairs with important officials, Gu Changxiao would take a half-hour nap in the small hall behind the study.
Then, the female official, emboldened, lit an incense and, clad in light clothing, slipped into the tent.
Such situations were common in Chang’an, as the harem there had long been a sieve, with all sorts of beauties being smuggled into the palace.
But the border city was different. Since the Emperor’s arrival, there had been no incidents of information leaks.
This time, many people would die.
Jin Sui’s initial remark about watching a show was made in jest. In her understanding, at most, a female official would deliberately try to impress the Emperor, or play small games like dancing, playing the flute, or singing in the imperial garden, or perhaps “accidentally” falling in front of Gu Changxiao.
She never expected these noble ladies to play such a dangerous game! Daring to use aphrodisiac incense to climb into bed! What were they thinking? Did they consider Gu Changxiao a mere male animal? Did they think he couldn’t control his primal instincts? Did they truly believe they could become imperial consorts this way?
Gu Changxiao did lose control, but he rushed back to Jin Sui’s palace. It was the first time during her pregnancy that they made love during the day, thankfully after the first three months.
Even though Gu Changxiao was affected by the aphrodisiac incense, his reason remained intact. Jin Sui was not rigid or boring. In short, with the couple’s cooperation, they managed to counteract the effects of the aphrodisiac.
As for the noble lady who climbed the wall, she received the “family annihilation” treatment, directly igniting Gu Changxiao’s killer instinct. He had originally intended to keep this murderous intent confined to Chang’an.
The border city was a new capital, a city of hope. He did not want to create major incidents in the border city.
But these influential figures did not see it that way. They had forgotten the Emperor’s tyranny in Chang’an and insisted on taking risks. Not only was the noble lady’s entire clan punished, but the palace servants and guards she had bribed were also implicated.
No one dared to intervene, because the Emperor did not charge them with seducing the ruler, but with attempted assassination. Do you think you can just claim you intended to seduce the ruler?
I believe you intended to assassinate, that you administered poison, intending to assassinate the Emperor during his nap, and also intending to harm the pregnant Empress.
Jin Sui did not intervene either. She was not a saint. If such a thing happened and she advised Gu Changxiao not to use killing to deter, then in the future, more women would use this tactic. If Gu Changxiao were accidentally trapped and the harem gained another woman, she would have only herself to blame.
This incident escalated into the first major case since the capital relocation. Those punished, including beheadings and exiles, numbered in the thousands. The case was not fully concluded until Jin Sui was five months pregnant.
Although the leader of the Imperial Guards was not involved in the incident, he was demoted due to association. Gu Changxiao recalled Liu Yun and assigned a general from the Black Feather Camp to protect Grandpa Ling in the Central Plains.
Another consequence was that during the investigation of this case, several female officials resigned. Jin Sui approved their resignations immediately, as there was no doubt that these female officials had the same objective.
These women entered the palace as female officials not to serve the Empress or to earn honor in their official careers, but to get close to the Emperor.
