Chapter Text
Eighteen Years ago..
“Lady Ah-Duo, you must not give up! The Royal Physician will be back soon!”
The woman giving birth was the Imperial Prince’s beloved Consort, Lady Ah-Duo. A childhood friend of his, given they grew up together. A strong-willed woman like herself didn’t need to be told twice to never give up on herself or her son as she held unto the promise the Royal Physician would be back to help her and deliver her son safely, like what her most trusted attendant and Head Lady-in-Waiting, Lady Fengming.
“Where is the Royal Physician! He must come back at once and help my Lady Ah-Duo give birth to her and the Imperial Prince’s son! We demand you bring him back, PLEASE!”
Lady Fengming pleaded with the other attendants, who could not in any power, help. The royal eunuchs and guards could not help either, only looking downcast and ashamed as Lady Ah-Duo’s pain-filled wails escaped into the night from the birthing chamber of the Garnet Pavilion.
“Unfortunate timing for you and the Imperial Prince’s consort... But we all know the Empress takes priority first. She is giving birth herself as we speak right now. The birth of this son will give our Empire a second prince! A prince who could be the Empire’s backup if something ever were to happen to the Imperial Prince in the future… We all know that would take priority, even if Lady Ah-Duo was giving birth to the Empress’ Grandson, and the Imperial Prince’s son.”
Was what one of the Royal Physician’s attendant said. Bold of him to speak about that in front of multiple people at once, and yet… They all know this was true. The mother of the Empire, the Empress, holds priority over any other woman in the Palace, therefore has the power to call on the Royal Physician and take his time from attending others if she so needs it.
“You dare speak of timing like that?! Even if we all know the Empress takes priority, your words alone are a danger to yourself and everyone present in this room! A second prince could lead to a growing faction against the current Imperial Prince and cause a coup on the Empire!”
One of Lady Ah-Duo’s attendants said while rushing to grab more cold and hot towels for the exhausted but still in pain Lady Ah-Duo, who seemed to have temporarily been incapacitated due to exhaustion and prolonged period of birth.
“If there is nothing that can be done, then let us all chant prayers to the gods that the Empress and the second Imperial Prince be safe during this delivery, and pray so too that Consort Lady Ah-Duo safely lives and delivers the Imperial Sons child.. That is all we can do now. Their fates now lie in the gods hands…”
Those were the words of another lady-in-waiting who was now kneeling down on the cold floors of the birthing chamber in prayer position. Her words cut everyone’s growing argument in short as they acknowledge the grave situation they are in. If both sons die in birth, this would spell trouble for not just the Royal Physician, but those attending Lady Ah-Duo as well.
As the lady-in-waiting knelt and stayed in prayer position on the cold floor, chanting prayers and mantras, others followed suit. Eunuchs, Attendants, even the Royal Guards posted outside knelt on the floor, hands linked together in prayer for the safe delivery of both babies. Lady Fengming held the unconscious Lady Ah-Duo’s hands, praying for the safety of her Lady and her Lady’s son, who has yet to be born…
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By the time of the next morning, the sun rose high over the empire and its palace. Two sons of different ranks had been born..
The son of the Empress, Lady Anshi, had been born healthy and perfectly by the Royal Physician. The second born Imperial prince was indeed deemed as “The Moon Prince”.
On the other hand, though Lady Ah-Duo had successfully given birth to her healthy son, she had lost her womb and uterus due to the prolonged period in which she did not receive any medical attention for hours.
Immediately after hearing his beloved consort had given birth to their son safely, The crown prince visited her chambers and held their son with such pride and joy he could not visibly contain.
However, the joys and peace of the Inner Palace would be short as their hopes fell when Lady Ah-Duo’s son… passed away.