Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 279 Finale
Doing this kind of work is always thankless and arduous, but if there's a reward to be had, and it's so heavy, then the eunuch would naturally agree.

Lady Liang walked step by step toward the Empress, her face calm.

"What do you want to do?" The Queen felt a chill run down her spine.

She tried to back away warily, but Liang Meiren grabbed her hand.

“You are also a mother, how could you be so cruel as to harm such a young child? Aren’t you afraid of retribution on your child? I thought you were genuinely trying to help me, that you were a good person.”

Liang Meiren stared intently at her, his eyes filled with venomous resentment.

The Empress felt guilty and struggled a few times before forcefully shaking off her hand. "Good people? There are no good people in this palace, only smart people and stupid people. You are incompetent and cannot protect your child, so don't blame others for stepping on you and your child to climb up the ranks!"

After speaking, he chuckled coldly, raised his chin, and looked down at Liang Meiren as if looking down on her.

"If I can keep the Fifth Prince by your side for another six months, I can also separate you and your son forever. Don't blame me. If it weren't for Consort Jin forcing me into this predicament, I wouldn't have used your child as a way out."

"Is my child's life just a dispensable pawn in your eyes?!"

These words enraged Liang Meiren, who angrily shouted a question.

The Empress retorted, "So what if it is? Even if you don't die now, do you think Consort Jin will tolerate you in the future? She's about to give birth, and if it's a prince, she'll make sure the other princes die too. Your child will die sooner or later!"

"You bullshit!"

Liang Meiren's eyes turned bloodshot, and she suddenly took out a pair of scissors from her sleeve and stabbed the Empress in the chest.

Once, twice, three times.

When the palace servants realized what was happening and rushed forward to pull Consort Liang away, the Empress had already been stabbed multiple times and lay lifeless in a pool of blood.

Lady Liang, her hands covered in blood, looked at the lifeless Empress, staggered to her feet, and walked back while laughing.

She murmured, "My son, I've avenged you. Don't be afraid, I'll be back with you soon, so you won't be all alone."

The scene was in complete chaos, and no one dared to stop Consort Liang from leaving. They could only hurry to report to the Emperor.

Lady Liang walked back to the Summer Palace with blood all over her body.

Once inside, she closed the door, forbidding anyone from entering. She then cleaned herself up, changed her clothes, tidied her hair, and then took a dagger, slashed her wrist, and watched as blood gushed out before lying back down on the couch and closing her eyes.

This is a more dignified way to die. She was afraid that if she died an ugly death, she would go to the underworld and frighten her child.

By the time Yang Zhian arrived as ordered, Liang Meiren had already left.

So much happened so fast this morning.

The Empress was assassinated by Consort Liang, who then committed suicide. No one could be found to investigate.

Moreover, Zhao Xingjin really had no face to pursue the matter on behalf of the Empress. If the Empress hadn't killed the Fifth Prince, Consort Liang, who was always gentle, would never have acted this way.

In the end, they had no choice but to announce that Consort Liang had lost her son and died of illness due to excessive grief, while the Empress had instructed Consort Chen to murder the Fifth Prince. After the incident was exposed, Consort Chen committed suicide out of fear of punishment.

Concubines committing suicide is a serious crime, so another reason must be found for Consort Liang's death. As for the Empress, almost everyone in the palace knows what she has done, but they just don't say anything. She has harmed concubines, plotted against the imperial heirs, and disrupted the harem. Zhao Xingjin no longer wants to cover for her.

However, he did not depose the empress and stated publicly that Princess Zhaoqing and Princess Lingyi were still noble legitimate princesses, and that the children were innocent.

It was a month later that all these matters were dealt with and the palace returned to tranquility.

Xie Jiu was already seven months pregnant, her belly was high and she had become much plumper, looking quite round and radiant.

Ever since the Fifth Prince was murdered, Zhao Xingjin has been extra concerned about Xie Jiu, fearing that something might happen to her as well.

That would mean two lives lost, one unborn and one unborn.

After finishing his business for the day, Zhao Xingjin headed to Jingming Palace.

Upon entering the room, they saw Qingfang massaging Xie Jiu's legs.

"What's wrong?" Zhao Xingjin asked. "Are your legs sore? Did you get tired from your walk today?"

Xie Jiu was about to get up and bow when he pressed her down to sit. Then she said helplessly, "My legs and feet are swollen. I asked the imperial physician, and he said it's normal. Many women experience this as they get further into their pregnancy. My condition is relatively mild."

When she said that, Zhao Xingjin leaned over to take a look and found that it was indeed swollen.

The skin on my calves was stretched out, as if it had been filled with water, and looked shiny. When I pressed it with my finger, the skin left a shallow indentation, like pressing dough.

It's even more noticeable on the feet.

Xie Jiu's feet were originally on the thinner side, but now they are visibly much thicker.

Like a steamed bun.

It sounds cute, but it's not cute at all. It looks uncomfortable, and you have to wear bigger shoes to feel comfortable.

It's also not good to stand or walk for long periods of time, otherwise the swelling will worsen, your legs will feel tight and uncomfortable, and your legs will feel very stiff.

Zhao Xingjin said, "If you are feeling unwell, I will have someone invite a skilled nanny to take care of you."

"Your Majesty, please don't worry too much. The imperial physician has taught you the technique. I will massage Your Highness more often every day, and it will relieve the pain considerably," Qingfang immediately said.

Xie Jiu nodded, "Yes, and I prefer to be served by familiar people. Qingfang and Chunrong are very attentive, so there's no need to arrange for strangers to come over." It's also dangerous.

Zhao Xingjin understood the implication of those words and, upon reflection, realized they made sense, so he didn't say anything more.

However, after returning to Chengming Palace, she still summoned the imperial physician who was serving Xie Jiu and asked him questions. She repeatedly emphasized that Jin Pin should be made more comfortable. The imperial physician did not dare to be careless and agreed repeatedly. He also came up with a few ways to help Xie Jiu relieve her edema.

When this matter was heard throughout the palace, some people naturally felt envious, but no one dared to do anything about it.

The examples of the Empress and Consort Chen were still fresh in everyone's minds, so no one dared to cause trouble.

And so, Xie Jiu endured more than two months, and finally, on the night of May 27th, her belly began to move.

At first, she only felt a little uncomfortable, then gradually developed a slight abdominal pain, which then intensified and woke her up from her sleep.

They quickly called someone in, and upon inspection, discovered that there was bleeding.

"She's about to give birth!" Chunrong exclaimed immediately, remembering the imperial physician's instructions.

Xie Jiu was taken aback. "Huh?"

"Quickly, summon the imperial physician and the midwife!" Chunrong immediately ordered. "And go to Chengming Hall to report to the Emperor!"

Xie Jiu was about to say something when she felt a sharp pain in her stomach, causing her to frown and swallow her words.

The midwife lived in Jingming Palace and was always on standby. She arrived as quickly as possible. After examining Xie Jiu, she said that it would be a while before she gave birth, and that the labor had only just begun.

Before long, the imperial physician arrived, and after taking her pulse, he said something similar to what the midwife had said.

Zhao Xingjin arrived last, but not too late. When he arrived, Xie Jiu was in relatively good condition, being helped by Chunrong and the midwife, walking back and forth in the room.

Princess Wenxi stayed by her side, not sleeping either; the little girl was very nervous.

She had heard from the palace servants that childbirth was a life-or-death ordeal for women, and she was very worried that Consort Jin would end up like her mother, suddenly leaving her behind. So she refused to go to sleep no matter what.

Princess Wenxi only relaxed a little after Zhao Xingjin arrived.

"How are you feeling?" Zhao Xingjin stepped forward, took Xie Jiu's hand, and anxiously looked her up and down. "Does it hurt a lot?"

Xie Jiu nodded, her face not looking too good. "It comes in waves. When it doesn't hurt, it's fine, but every time it hurts, it gets worse. The nanny said that walking around a little will help me give birth faster."

No sooner had she finished speaking than the abdominal pain returned. Xie Jiu instinctively gripped Zhao Xingjin's hand tightly, frowned, gritted her teeth, and lowered her head.

Zhao Xingjin didn't know how to help her, so he could only let her hold one of his hands while he gently patted Xie Jiu's back with the other to soothe her.

After the pain subsided, Xie Jiu felt unwell and immediately went back to bed to lie down.

The midwife was experienced and had prepared some simple and easily digestible food in advance. As soon as Xie Jiu's contractions subsided, she immediately brought it over and served Xie Jiu some.

Giving birth is very strenuous.

She had barely eaten half of it when the pain returned. Even though Xie Jiu was very resilient, the pain still made her face contort. She really lost her appetite and after drinking a few sips of soup, she asked someone to take it away.

Zhao Xingjin stayed by her side silently, which made Xie Jiu feel a little better.

At least his attitude as emperor was good, which made others pay more attention to her and make her suffer less.

Even so, Xie Jiu was in pain all night, and it wasn't until dawn the next morning that she finally made it to the last step.

The midwife quickly asked Zhao Xingjin and other unrelated people to leave and began the delivery.

Fortunately, half an hour later, the sound of crying came from the room. Mother and child were safe and sound, and everything went smoothly.

Xie Jiu gave birth to the seventh prince of the Great Jing Dynasty.

This joyous news finally swept away the gloom that had shrouded the entire palace for many days. Even the Empress Dowager, who had never liked Xie Jiu, smiled upon hearing the news of the Seventh Prince's safe birth. She came to Jingming Palace to visit Xie Jiu and the child and bestowed many gifts upon them.

"Consort Jin has rendered meritorious service in giving birth to the imperial heir, and is hereby promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine!" Zhao Xingjin was even more delighted. "Rewards will be bestowed throughout the palace!"

Looking at the tiny, soft baby lying beside her, Xie Jiu felt a little dazed, and even the days of her pregnancy seemed distant and unreal.

She actually had a child, something she had never dared to imagine in either of her two lives, yet it had unexpectedly become a reality.

Pregnancy and childbirth are not easy things, and she is not obsessed with them, but when she actually saw her child by her side, Xie Jiu felt a wonderful feeling. Her heart was warm, and she felt that there was another person in the world who was connected to her by blood, and another person she wanted to protect.

It seems that life has gained another unique touch.

"Rest well. When the baby is a month old, I will hold a grand celebration for him." Zhao Xingjin entered the room and sat down on the couch.

She lovingly touched Xie Jiu's face, then looked at the child.

"You have worked hard."

"I'm at ease knowing the child is healthy." Xie Jiu smiled gently, pulling the child into her arms and whispering, "Grow up well."

There are so many wonderful things in this world that are worth seeing.

The days ahead are long, and Xie Jiu is looking forward to them, and also curious about how far she can go in this deep palace.

I'm so sorry for the abrupt ending. It's not like I'm the only one left to feed anymore; I really have to consider the financial aspect (sigh). Especially since there's been a little hiccup at home recently, I simply can't continue writing for love like before. I hope my readers understand (bows).