yellowish water tinged with blood

Late at night, amidst fierce winds and snow, cries of agony echoed from inside the room. Two or three midwives pulled blankets, cheering on, while four or five maidservants rushed in and out with basins of yellowish water tinged with blood.

Lady's face was pale, her lips colorless, gripping the quilt tightly, breathing heavily like a fish out of water.

Xiao Qiu pushed through the crowd, rushing to the bedside, "Madam, hold on! Ginseng soup is here!"

Lady shivered uncontrollably from pain. Xiao Qiu carefully fed her the soup, but another wave of pain hit, causing her to scream and knock over the bowl.

Inside the room, chaos reigned. Outside, sitting anxiously on a couch, Cui Yi twisted a cloth tiger nervously, occasionally craning his neck to see inside, his brows furrowed deeply.

Zhong Lüping, awakened by the commotion, tried to comfort him despite her own anxiety, "Your Highness, don't worry too much. Sister has given birth before. Elders say the second time is easier. There shouldn't be any danger."

Cui Yi responded distractedly, several times wanting to rush in but hesitated, knowing he'd only add to the chaos. He sat, waiting anxiously.

Cui Xiang also rushed over, alarmed by Lady's screams. Standing at the door, he asked a maid, "Why is Second Sister-in-law screaming so loudly? Is something wrong?"

Xiao Qiu, carrying a basin, angrily retorted, "What are you saying? Madam is safe, how dare you speak like that?"

Cui Xiang argued, "I'm stating facts. Childbirth is dangerous, many women die..."

Xiao Qiu, enraged, splashed dirty water at him, "Stop talking nonsense! Get out!"

Cui Xiang, drenched, shouted, "How dare a servant insult me!"

Hearing the commotion outside, Cui Yi roared, "Huaiyou! Go back! This isn't your concern!"

Cui Xiang, dripping wet, complained, "Second Brother, your maid splashed me!"

Cui Yi coldly replied, "You deserved it for speaking rudely. Now go!"

Hearing more cries inside, Cui Yi ignored his brother, jumping up to peek through the bead curtain.

Zhong Lüping mediated, "Seventh Master, please leave. You can't help here. You're upsetting His Highness. Go change into dry clothes."

Cui Xiang, dejected, lamented, "Everyone bullies me in the palace, even servants disrespect me. Only you care about me."

Zhong Lüping clarified hastily, "We're siblings, it's natural to care for each other. Go back!"

Cui Xiang, clearly interested in more than sibling affection, ignored Lady's pain, noticing Zhong Lüping's thin attire, "You're underdressed. Here, take my black mink cloak."

Zhong Lüping refused, "I came in a hurry. It's warm inside with the charcoal brazier."

Cui Xiang persisted, offering the cloak. Zhong Lüping firmly declined, pushing him away. Finally, Cui Yi lost patience, "Enough! Get out!"

At that moment, a baby's cry echoed from inside. Cui Yi rejoiced, rushing in, colliding with a midwife, who bumped into a maid, causing a chain reaction of falls. Lady, exhausted, laughed despite the pain.

A midwife washing the baby smiled, "Congratulations, Your Highness, it's a little prince!"

Cui Yi ignored everything else, rushing to Lady's side, holding her hand, "How are you?"

Lady smiled weakly, "Fine, just tired."

A midwife suggested, "Your Highness, please wait outside while we tidy up. Then you can come back."

The room smelled of urine and blood, the bed messy. Reluctantly, Cui Yi left, waiting outside.

Outside, Zhong Lüping was pushing Cui Xiang away. He refused to leave. Happy about the new arrival, Cui Yi, annoyed by Cui Xiang, ordered, "Drag him away! Lady needs rest."

Servants dragged Cui Xiang away. Zhong Lüping sighed, "I can't handle him anymore. How is Sister? Boy or girl?"

Cui Yi replied, "She's fine. It's a boy."

Zhong Lüping congratulated, "Congratulations, Your Highness and Sister, on the new son!"

Cui Yi, beaming, entered the room. Inside, incense burned to dispel the smell. Lady lay in clean sheets, the red bundle beside her pillow. She gently stroked the baby's face.

Cui Yi sat beside her, taking her hand, "You've been through so much."

Lady smiled, "Better than last time. The pain lasted less than three hours, just very tiring. I can't hold him anymore."

Cui Yi carefully picked up the baby, showing him to Lady.

Zhong Lüping commented, "Look at those eyebrows and eyes, just like Your Highness. The nose and mouth resemble Sister."

The baby's eyes were squinted, skin wrinkled, but his hair was exceptionally black, unlike most newborns. His eyebrows glistened with moisture, indeed resembling Cui Yi.

Lady smiled weakly, "Like Your Highness is good, handsome, won't have trouble finding a wife."

Cui Yi, flattered, added, "Better like Sister, meticulous and thoughtful, suited for great deeds."

Zhong Lüping joked, "Looks like Your Highness, thoughts like Sister, perfect combination."

Xiao Qiu brought in a tray, "Yes, yes, Young Master will be talented and handsome. Madam, please drink this red date and black chicken soup. The doctor says it's best for replenishing blood."

Lady nodded. Zhong Lüping called for the nursemaid to feed the baby.

Cui Yi tasted the soup, ensuring it was neither too hot nor cold, feeding Lady himself. Zhong Lüping watched, envious, "Such a loving couple, enviable."

Lady laughed, coughing slightly. Cui Yi wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, "Unfortunately, there are no suitable generals for you under my command. You'll have to keep admiring us."

Zhong Lüping laughed, asking, "Did Huaiyou come earlier?"

Cui Yi replied, "I sent him away to avoid disturbing you."

Lady, slightly reproachful, asked, "He came to check on me, why send him away?"

Cui Yi grunted, "He was annoying. Drink your soup."

Lady sipped obediently, smiling at the sight of her newborn son and her husband's care.

The intestines are made of glass, and whatever is calculated in the heart can be seen by others at a glance. Do you really think he came to visit you? If it weren't for Green Ping being here, he might not have come at all."

Chi Ying sighed helplessly, "This child is too stubborn; we need to find a solution."

Zhong Green Ping hurriedly said, "Sister has just given birth and needs proper rest. These unnecessary worries should not trouble you. I will personally explain to him clearly, and I believe he will give up then."

Chi Ying thought this was also good and did not inquire further.

The prince's mansion welcomed a precious son, and the day coincided with the Dragon Head-Raising Festival on the second day of the second month, as if it were an auspicious sign sent by heaven. Plus, the continuous heavy snow finally cleared up that day, revealing a vast expanse of clear sky and snow-covered land. Cui Yi named his son Hao.

Hao means both white and vast, symbolizing profound meaning.

Everyone in Yan Prefecture, as well as those in Xuan Prefecture and Jiang Prefecture, sent gifts to celebrate. At the same time, the imperial court heard the news, and Emperor Cui Jie sent several carts of silk, brocade, wine, rice, oil, and salt to Yan Prefecture to congratulate his younger brother on having a son. He also attached a letter stating that the Empress Dowager was very pleased to hear that the King of Wu had a son and hoped they would return to the capital for some time, preferably bringing little Cui Hao along so the whole family could enjoy their time together.

Chi Ying, who had just finished her confinement period, laughed upon seeing the letter, waving the letter and saying, "The emperor is treating us like fools, sending such a transparent letter. Guo Ziyang is best known for luring people into traps. Is he running out of tricks or what? Why isn't he setting any traps this time?"

Nian Jiaojiao, who was peeling an orange for Xiao Cui Xian, rolled her eyes and said, "They say a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. The emperor is now only this big, so it seems he wasn't much before."

Everyone in the room laughed. Bai Li Zan stroked his beard and said, "Although this letter looks straightforward, there may still be deeper traps hidden within. Since Guo Ziyang has twice plotted our near-death escape, this time he must not be running out of tricks but rather playing dumb to make us let our guard down before striking."

"Mr. Bai's words do make sense," Zhong Green Ping said, biting off a thread and placing the tiger hat she had made aside, "But from what I see, there's nothing hidden in this letter. Perhaps this letter wasn't drafted by Guo Ziyang? The emperor has so many advisors; surely he's not the only one giving advice?"

Bai Li Zan felt uncertain and scratched his chin. Chi Ying said, "Let it be. We've already rebelled; who listens to him anymore? Accept the gifts and send the envoy packing. This matter is settled. It's estimated that the prince and the others will soon reach Xuan Prefecture. Send someone to inform them to be cautious and listen more to Mr. Shan and Second Uncle. We'll just defend Yan Prefecture well and prevent the Northern Di people from taking advantage."