Chapter 250: The Same Day is Taboo

Chapter 250

The interior of the palace was unusually quiet,

Except for the almost exhausted cries of Noble Consort Chen, hardly any other sound could be heard.

Song Zhao intended to ask Xiao Jingheng why the baby's crying was so strangely absent.

But seeing that Xiao Jingheng seemed completely unconcerned about this matter,

She understood in her heart.

As parents, they should naturally be more concerned about their own child,

Becoming nervous, they would inquire about every detail.

But Xiao Jingheng only paced anxiously in the hall, without mentioning a word about this obvious abnormality.

A terrible thought suddenly arose in Song Zhao's mind:

Perhaps...

This so-called abnormality was already expected by Xiao Jingheng?

Before long, the agonizing cries of Noble Consort Chen gradually weakened with a painful roar.

Having given birth herself, Song Zhao knew that the second child had been born.

Soon, the sound of a baby's loud crying came from the inner chamber.

Xiao Jingheng's furrowed brow slightly relaxed, and he hurriedly walked a few steps to the door of the inner chamber, eagerly anticipating the palace maid to come out with good news.

After a brief silence, the door of the inner chamber was slowly pushed open.

Song Zhao approached and saw the wet nurses holding two swaddled babies, but their faces lacked any sign of joy.

Someone reported the good news, but without congratulations, their expressions were solemn. "Reporting to Your Majesty, Noble Consort has given birth to another princess for you."

The wet nurse handed one of the swaddled babies to Xiao Jingheng,

Xiao Jingheng looked at the crying baby girl, moving her limbs with force, and a hint of joy appeared on his face.

"She resembles Noble Consort."

After praising her briefly, he quickly turned his gaze to the other swaddled baby. "Bring the little prince here for me to see."

The wet nurse hesitated upon hearing this, becoming even more tightly gripping the swaddled baby in her arms, and did not move forward an inch.

Xiao Jingheng's face suddenly darkened. "What's wrong?"

As soon as the words fell, the wet nurses and the royal physician seemed to be facing a great enemy.

"Empress Dowager, this..."

The Empress Dowager's face darkened as she hurriedly entered the main hall.

She saw Jiang Deshun holding a swaddled baby in the corner and immediately approached to check the situation.

Jiang Deshun suddenly knelt down and cried, "Empress Dowager, please mourn... the little prince has passed away..."

In the main hall, the sounds of consorts weeping, princesses crying, and maidservants pleading echoed, tangled and noisy, lingering in the rafters for a long time.

Song Zhao watched Xiao Jingheng's tearful eyes and trembling lips, and she knew that he was genuinely saddened by the death of the little prince.

But sadness did not mean that the person who had harmed the little prince could not be him.

Regardless of whether there were any suspicious circumstances, the appropriate course of action would have been to first apprehend Doctor Qi and thoroughly investigate whether there were any deliberate factors contributing to the premature death of the little prince.

However, Xiao Jingheng was busy trying to execute the doctor.

What was he afraid of, or rather, what was he trying to conceal?

The more Song Zhao looked at Xiao Jingheng's superficial display of deep affection, the more she felt a chill run down her spine.

That was their own son!

Song Zhao couldn't imagine what it would be like if one day Cheng Yu fell victim to her own biological father's machinations. How would she cope then...

Amidst the mournful voices of the crowd, the first to regain composure was the Empress Dowager, the oldest among them.

In a weary tone, she instructed Qingzhu, "Go and bring the little princess here."

Once Qingzhu took the swaddled baby from the nurse's hands, the Empress Dowager immediately spoke with solemnity:

"These midwives, just like Doctor Qi, are all incompetent! The young prince's life was at stake, yet none of you experienced and skilled individuals could save him? Guards, take the person responsible for assisting the Empress in giving birth today and execute them by beating with a stick!"

While the Empress Dowager was dealing with the midwives, the Empress and the other concubines gathered around Xiao Jingheng, consoling him with various words,

"Your Majesty, please take solace. The Imperial Noble Consort is young and healthy. In the future, she will surely give birth to an heir for you."

"This was an unfortunate incident indeed, but fortunately, the Imperial Noble Consort is carrying twins. There is still a little princess, which can be seen as a source of comfort for her. Your Majesty, just look at how adorable the little princess is."

Xiao Jingheng gazed at the bundle in which the little princess lay, hearing her cries, which only deepened his sorrow. He let out a heavy sigh and said,

"February 16th... Why did it have to be this day? Both of our princes, the Imperial Consort's and mine, met their premature end on this day."

Upon hearing his words, everyone fell silent, unsure of what to say.

After a while, Xiao Jingheng let out another long sigh and sadly spoke,

"For now, let's keep this matter a secret from the Imperial Noble Consort. I fear she won't be able to bear it at the moment and it might further harm her health. If she inquires, we shall tell her that the young prince is unwell and is temporarily being cared for in the prince's residence."

"We concubines shall obey the decree."