Chapter 179

Her stomach quickly deflated, and the uncomfortable feeling that had been pressing against her stomach disappeared. Her whole body relaxed, feeling incredibly light and comfortable.0

Only her lower body still had a slight ache, but compared to the relief of the child's birth, it was nothing.0

In the past, when she worked shifts at the hospital, their mental health therapy clinic was close to the obstetrics department. She had seen women giving birth in the obstetrics department before.0

They all said that the moment the child was born, the joy of becoming a mother for the first time was enough to make them forget the pain of childbirth, filling their hearts with happiness.0

Jiang Xinyue admitted that there was indeed a bit of happiness.0

Especially when Nanny Li brought the Sixth Prince for her to kiss, her heart softened like cotton candy.0

But truly, the moment the child was born, there was more of a sense of relief that he was finally out and she no longer had to endure the pain.0

Perhaps because Jiang Xinyue had eaten healthily and maintained a good mood throughout her pregnancy, the Sixth Prince didn't look like a red, wrinkled monkey.0

He was born with a fair face and red lips, his large eyes only opening for a moment before closing again.0

Newborn babies can't accept such intense external light, so they sleep with their eyes closed for at least ten out of twelve hours a day.0

The remaining few hours are spent drinking milk.0

Nanny Xiang efficiently wiped the sweat from Jiang Xinyue's face, then had Xi Que bring hot water to clean her body and change her sweat-soaked clothes. Only after ensuring she looked like a beautiful, weakened patient did she tell Nanny Li, "Go out and announce the good news!"0

Shuang Jiang took rouge from the dressing case and quickly dabbed a tiny bit at the corners of Jiang Xinyue's eyes, creating a striking effect of frailty and allure.0

It looked like redness seeping from within her skin, and also like the flush left on her face after her recent exertion.0

With the touch of rouge, her lips appeared even paler by contrast.0

The beauty on the bed was as delicate as Xi Shi in her illness, yet three times more enchanting. As Cao Xueqin described Lin Daiyu in "Dream of the Red Chamber," she embodied "sorrow born in the curves of her brow, illness pervading her delicate frame, tears glistening, and breath coming in gentle gasps."0

As soon as Nanny Li went out with the Sixth Prince to announce the news, the Xuanwu Emperor symbolically looked at the child, then handed him back to Nanny Li and the wet nurse before taking a few quick steps into the birthing room.0

Empress Zhu was preoccupied with looking at the Sixth Prince at that moment, and in the blink of an eye, the Xuanwu Emperor had disappeared.0

She could only lift her skirts and hurry in after him.0

Childbirth for women is like walking through the gates of hell and back. When she gave birth to the Eldest Prince years ago, she too was covered in sweat, her whole body reeking. Even the most beautiful woman looks disheveled during childbirth.0

Nanny Li had developed a bond with Jiang Xinyue, and this Sixth Prince was born under her careful care. Though outwardly she still served the emperor, in her heart she had already sided with Jiang Xinyue.0

After all, people's hearts aren't made of stone.0

So even though Empress Zhu's hands reached out quickly, Nanny Li bypassed her and gently placed the Sixth Prince in the emperor's arms.0

Seeing the Xuanwu Emperor's stiff posture, as if he were holding a bomb, Jiang Xinyue almost burst out laughing.0

Nanny Li adjusted his holding position, and after a moment it looked much more natural.0

This feeling... was amazing...0

This little milk dumpling in his arms, not even half the length of his forearm, was his and Concubine Zhen's child.0

He was so soft and small, looking as fragile as an egg that could easily break without careful protection.0

A warm feeling flowed through his heart, causing him to unconsciously start swaying, gently soothing the Sixth Prince in his arms.0

Jiang Xinyue's lips curled into a satisfied smile. Now that the emperor had held the child, he wouldn't want to put him down.0

She wanted the emperor to experience the hardships of a full-time mother from modern times.0

"Your Majesty is so capable," the beauty on the bed looked up at the emperor admiringly. "You've learned to hold a baby so quickly. I don't even know how yet. When I regain my strength, Your Majesty must teach me."0

Her coquettish tone and frail appearance all made the Xuanwu Emperor's heart fill with tenderness.0

He sat down next to Jiang Xinyue, holding the Sixth Prince, his face full of gentle smiles: "Look, doesn't the dumpling look like me?"0

A newborn baby, with features not yet fully formed, how could one tell who he resembled?0

But Jiang Xinyue still looked carefully for a few moments before answering sincerely: "This nose, this mouth, they're exactly like yours, Your Majesty. I think he looks so much like Little Man, don't you?"0

Saying the baby looked exactly like the emperor would obviously be flattery, and could easily make the Xuanwu Emperor feel she was trying to please him.0

Saying he looked like the Fourth Prince was different. The Fourth Prince was already a miniature version of the emperor as a child, and given when Jiang Xinyue had entered the palace, she absolutely wouldn't know what the emperor looked like as a child.0

So the Sixth Prince did indeed look like the emperor.0

Concubine Zhen couldn't possibly be lying – she didn't know that the Fourth Prince looked just like the emperor when he was young!0