Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 573: The Unexpected Person Appears Again

After the baby’s position was reversed, the childbirth went much faster than expected for Sikong Wan.

Everything went smoothly.

But Murong Jiu did not dare to be careless.

Only when everything was properly handled and her master had finished checking the newborn, did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Ah Wan, how do you feel? Are you tired? Hungry? Does it hurt?"

Lou Zixi only glanced at the child before gripping Sikong Wan’s hand tightly, his deep eyes filled with intense care and compassion.

Sikong Wan shook her head, the pain was unbearable only when the child was being turned back to the correct position, but everything else was manageable.

Compared to that moment, even the pain of childbirth seemed less severe.

Having experienced severe pain, all other pains seemed negligible.

The child was born prematurely by over half a month, weighing only five pounds six ounces, but thankfully, everything was healthy and well-developed. Due to the small size of the baby, the delivery was not so laborious, and there were even no tearing injuries.

"Look, how loudly the child cries."

Murong Jiu said with a smile as she brought the child over.

Newborns are all wrinkled, with their bodies and faces a reddish hue, but you can already see their facial features, and the baby resembles Lou Zixi quite a bit.

"My husband, I want to see our child, can you bring him here for me to see?"

This was the child she had risked her life to deliver; moreover, from the moment she conceived, she had poured all her love into him.

She cherished this hard-won child dearly.

Lou Zixi carefully took the baby from Murong Jiu’s arms, holding him quite professionally.

Murong Jiu teased him, "Have you learned how to hold a baby before? You even know to support the neck and back."

Sikong Wan covered her mouth and laughed, "We practiced every day with a cloth doll, got a bit of experience."

Not only Murong Jiu, but Divine Doctor Zhai beside them also laughed.

In the room filled with emotions, Madam Sikong wanted to come in to see her daughter and grandson and came in with tears in her eyes, distressed at the sight of her daughter.

"Today really scared me and your father. How did you suddenly fall and have a difficult labor? Thank God, thanks to Her Majesty the Empress, thanks to Divine Doctor Zhai, if not for you, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Murong Jiu helped Madam Sikong, who was about to bow in respect, to stand up.

"This was a man-made disaster, someone deliberately aimed to harm Wanwan. The chicken soup previously delivered had saffron added to it, someone wanted Wanwan to bleed to death during childbirth."

"What!"

Lou Zixi apologized to Madam Sikong, "Mother-in-law, it is my fault for not managing our household strictly, allowing someone to exploit the situation."

Madam Sikong did not blame him, "I know your capabilities. Wanwan also told me about it. The servants in your house are all well-vetted, and the maids assigned to Wanwan know martial arts. Those two maids are still kneeling outside in the courtyard."

Sikong Wan fell while near the maids, and even if it was a case of the intentional pitted against the unprepared, it was also due to the lack of protection from these two maids.

Moreover, these two people have yet to be absolved of suspicion.

Now, everyone is a suspect.

Lou Zixi said, "Now that Wanwan has successfully given birth to our child, I am in the mood to deal with this matter, and I will certainly find out who is responsible."

Naturally, Madam Sikong believed in him.

The whole Imperial Court knew his capabilities, and both the Emperor and Empress held him in high regard. Even her own husband was full of praise for this son-in-law.

"It’s good that nothing happened, as long as Wanwan and the child are fine, that’s the best. Go ahead and do whatever you need to do," he said.

Lou Zixi had already sealed off the entire Lou Mansion; not even a fly could escape.

Murong Jiu planned to send his mentors back first. Both were elderly, especially Uncle Master Miao. Though he had recovered from a severe injury, it had taken a toll on his foundation, and his vitality was clearly not what it used to be; he needed more rest.

"Take me to the medical office, my old bones probably won’t last many more days. While I can still move, I should save more ordinary people and atone for my past sins," he stated.

Divine Doctor Miao had come to terms with his fate and no longer harbored his initial resentment.

Having once walked through death’s doors, he realized that a lifetime of constant struggle amounted to little. It was only at the end that he found time was of the essence.

"I will send someone to take you," said Jun Yuyan.

At that moment, a tall and handsome figure entered from outside the courtyard. Hearing the voice, Murong Jiu’s lips curled into a smile, and he turned his head to look—surely, it could only be Jun Yuyan.

"Your Majesty!"

Everyone prepared to salute, but Jun Yuyan raised his hand to stop them. "No need for such formalities; I came specially to the Lou Mansion to offer my congratulations," he announced.

He also came to fetch the Empress back to the palace.

"Weren’t you visiting the military camp? How come you are back so soon?"

Jun Yuyan responded seriously, "There was nothing pressing at the military camp, and on the way back I heard that Beloved Minister Lou was blessed with a son, so I came to offer my congratulations."

Actually, he had heard that Lady Lou had given premature birth and that Lou Zixi had gone beyond the palace to request the Empress’s help. Worried about the complexities of the situation, he had hurriedly ridden over to check.

"Just now, Beloved Minister Lou was in the outer courtyard investigating the matter of Lady Lou’s fall and early delivery. Endangering the family of an Imperial Court official is an unforgivable crime. Empress, accompany me back to the outer courtyard and wait to see who was bold enough to do this."

Upon hearing this, Murong Jiu knew that this matter was probably not simple.

Moreover, this courtyard belonged to the inner residence, and though Jun Yuyan was the Emperor, he was also an outsider men, making it inappropriate for him to stay.

He definitely wouldn’t have entered if it weren’t to see Murong Jiu.

"That’s fine."

Murong Jiu nodded.

Jun Yuyan immediately arranged for someone to send both Divine Doctor Miao and Divine Doctor Zhai back.

Senior Brother Cheng stayed behind and also proceeded to the outer courtyard. Specializing in gynecology and with experience in delivering babies, he had taken two female disciples for the convenience brought by their assistance during childbirth.

Though Sikong Wan was now stable, care still had to be taken. She was kept under close watch by her maid, nanny, and a medical woman so that a physician could be summoned immediately if needed.

Lou Zixi acted swiftly and decisively. With the support of Sikong Fu, the Father-in-law and Minister of Dali Temple, the culprit who attacked secretly was quickly found.

It turned out to be a dark-skinned maid who looked frail and honest, appearing to be only about thirteen or fourteen years old.

Upon seeing her eyes, Murong Jiu felt a strange premonition, even though she was bowing her head, her eyes showed tension and fear.

Jun Yuyan felt the same; as their eyes met, both grew solemn.

He said, "Beloved Minister Sikong and Beloved Minister Lou stay, everyone else leave."

After everyone left, Jun Yuyan asked Lou Zixi to explain the maid’s identity and background.

"Her name is Ai Lian, fifteen this year. Her parents were servants of a convicted noble, born in service. After the noble’s family was raided two years ago, the butler of my estate purchased all three. They have always been diligent and meticulous, usually working on the cleaning of the outer courtyard," he explained.

"How did Beloved Minister Lou determine she was responsible?"

"Everything leaves a trail. Indeed, no one saw her visit the garden nor the kitchen, but she was seen peeking at Wanwan and me multiple times these days. This was notably unusual."

"I only admired the officer! I swear I did nothing against heaven or reason! I am wronged!" the maid exclaimed.