Qi Xiao's face remained unchanged as he said in a deep voice, "Jiang Deqing, take my name card and go to the Imperial Physician Institute to request the Imperial Physician Bian to come immediately. Mao'er, escort me to the He Manor."

Everyone acknowledged the orders. Qi Xiao boarded the carriage and set off.

At the He Manor in the western part of the city, people were bustling about inside and out. Qi Xiao alighted from the carriage and took a deep breath as he saw the large red cloth tied to the cloud board on the main gate of the He Manor. The guards at the gate were so frightened upon seeing Qi Xiao that they couldn't even speak.

Their legs went soft and they knelt down, stammering, "Greetings... greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince. Long live the Crown Prince, long live, long live..."

Qi Xiao paid them no heed and strode inside. In the main hall, Princess Dunsu was sitting restlessly. She was also startled to see Qi Xiao and said repeatedly, "Why have you come? Didn't the palace send word for you to enter and attend to His Majesty's illness? How come you're here?"

Qi Xiao explained what had happened earlier. Princess Dunsu let out a cold laugh, "I thought it was something serious. He just coughed up some blood and is acting like it's a grave illness. Back in the day, when Emperor Wu went hunting and had his arm bitten by a black bear, leaving such a long gash, he didn't utter a word. He waited until it was fully healed before letting us know. Hmph... He's not that precious, yet he's making a fuss."

Qi Xiao had never told Princess Dunsu about the poisoning from start to finish. Hearing her words, he just shook his head with a smile and then asked, "How are things inside?"

Princess Dunsu frowned anxiously, "Not good. Her pregnancy was already difficult from the beginning. Right when she conceived, that... that incident happened. She nearly miscarried at the time. Afterwards, Zichen and his mother took great care of her, and she finally recovered.

"But after all, the fetus had been affected. It won't be easy for her to give birth. Now... her water broke in the middle of the night yesterday, and there's still no movement. She's just crying out in pain. Now even her cries are getting weaker. The midwife fears she can't handle it. Zichen was so anxious he nearly went mad. He has already gone to the Imperial Physician Institute to request an imperial physician."

Qi Xiao said in a deep voice, "No need to rush. I've already sent someone to request Imperial Physician Bian. He'll be here soon."

Princess Dunsu felt half relieved and sighed repeatedly, "These past six months, you have treated this household very well. The coal in winter, the ice in summer, you've taken care of matters big and small. My old sister-in-law is very grateful. She chants Buddha's name for you every day, almost setting up a longevity tablet for you."

Qi Xiao gave a self-deprecating smile, "No need. I'm not doing it for her."

Princess Dunsu felt a pang of distress in her heart upon hearing those words. After a pause, she said softly, "I heard that he... he's doing quite well now. Although he faced some difficulties when he first ascended the throne, he has overcome them. He's doing... quite well."

Qi Xiao nodded slightly, as if hearing news about a stranger, and said indifferently, "That's good then."

Princess Dunsu's heart ached even more. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "He executed Wenyu, but spared Kangtai's life. I heard Kangtai behaved for a few months, but then started making a fuss again, constantly demanding that the King of Lingnan find her a husband. She also complained to the members of the Dongling clan, saying that she had nothing to do with the incident that day, but the King of Lingnan deliberately delayed her because she was born of a concubine, causing her to miss her prime years."

When Qi Xiao heard the words "King of Lingnan", he paused for a moment before understanding and nodded. Princess Dunsu continued, "I think... this matter will be difficult for him to handle. Why don't I choose a suitable person and have Kangtai engaged to our family? That way, we can keep Kangtai under our control. He won't have to bear the bad reputation, and he can rest assured. What do you think?"

Recalling the past events, Princess Dunsu still felt disgusted. She lowered her voice and said, "Once I have her in my hands, she will suffer. I guarantee she won't be able to say anything. You can rest assured. Is that alright?"

Qi Xiao thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "If Aunt is willing, have someone ask for his opinion first. If he agrees, then let's proceed with it."

Princess Dunsu was taken aback and said in a hoarse voice, "It's been half a year. You and he... haven't exchanged any letters? Not even a single one? You still need me to ask?"

Qi Xiao gently shook his head. Princess Dunsu's heart instantly felt as if it were filled with stones. Rationally, she naturally understood that not communicating was for the best, but when she thought about Qi Xiao's feelings for Bairen, she couldn't help but feel distressed for him.

Seeing Princess Dunsu's eyes turning red, Qi Xiao comforted her with a smile, "Not communicating has its own benefits. Besides... what is there to say? If he truly has any matters, I will naturally be the first to know in the imperial court. As for other small matters, I can hear about them from Aunt, can't I?"

Qi Xiao gently caressed the command token at his waist and said slowly, "This Crown Prince will know if anything happens to the King of Lingnan."

Across a vast distance, the exchange of memorials was like the communication of geese.

Princess Dunsu turned her head away, unable to hold back her tears.

At that moment, it was announced that Imperial Physician Bian had arrived. He Zichen and Imperial Physician Bian had run into each other at the Imperial Physician Institute and had now returned together. Qi Xiao gave Imperial Physician Bian a warm smile, "Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Physician. Jiang Deqing... have you prepared the travel expenses for Imperial Physician Bian?"

Jiang Deqing hurriedly handed over a stack of banknotes. Imperial Physician Bian had never seen so much money and was instantly stunned. He quickly declined, "I dare not, I dare not."

Qi Xiao said, "Imperial Physician, there's no need to be polite. If both mother and child are safe, I have another gift of gratitude for you. If there is the slightest mishap..."

Qi Xiao smiled faintly, "I never take back my rewards. If either the mother or child has the slightest mishap, I will burn these banknotes for you, one by one, not a single one less."

Upon hearing these words, Imperial Physician Bian instantly became much more alert. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Rest assured, Your Highness. Rest assured, Your Highness."

Qi Xiao was a man of few words. After saying what was important, he didn't speak further. Jiang Deqing quickly led Imperial Physician Bian inside. He Zichen was so anxious that he couldn't even speak properly. He thanked Qi Xiao profusely and waited with him in the outer hall. However, he was very flustered, pacing back and forth, unable to sit still.

Imperial Physician Bian was inside for five hours. It was already dark, and there was still no movement. Princess Dunsu was elderly and couldn't endure the wait. She had a maidservant support her to Madam He's main hall to rest. He Zichen couldn't sit still any longer and rushed into the delivery room despite the servants' attempts to stop him. He never came back out.

In the outer hall, only Qi Xiao remained seated, unmoving.

Jiang Deqing couldn't bear to watch and gently persuaded, "Your Highness... please go back first. Or find a side room to rest for a while?"

Qi Xiao shook his head, "It's alright."

With Qi Xiao standing guard and the ten thousand taels of silver as a deterrent, naturally there was no problem. At dawn, a baby's cry rang out from the delivery room, and a midwife ran out, overjoyed, saying, "Great joy, great joy! Young Master, the Madam has given birth to a boy weighing over seven pounds! The Bodhisattva has blessed them, mother and child are safe!"

Qi Xiao closed his eyes, his heart at ease.

According to custom, a newborn child could not be carried out right away. However, Qi Xiao had provided much assistance during this pregnancy and had kept vigil for a day and night. Old Madam He felt truly indebted. She instructed He Zichen to wrap the child well and send him out for Qi Xiao to see. Firstly, to thank the Prince for his great kindness, and secondly, to let the child be blessed by His Highness the Prince, so that he would have a smooth and successful life in the future.

He Zichen, a new father, was laughing and crying, unable to speak properly. He repeatedly told the wet nurse, "Be careful, be careful..."

The wet nurse bowed to Qi Xiao and said with a smile, "The young master kowtows to Your Highness the Prince."

Old Madam He also came out, repeatedly wiping the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. She said to Qi Xiao cautiously, "If Your Highness does not mind, why not hold the child? It would be a great blessing for this child."

Qi Xiao nodded and gently took the child into his arms. The baby was all red, crying incessantly in the swaddling clothes, and could not be comforted no matter what. Qi Xiao lowered his head and, as he had done hundreds of times before, kissed him on the brow and coaxed softly, "Don't cry, don't cry..."

Miraculously, the baby gradually stopped crying. He nestled in Qi Xiao's arms, closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Qi Xiao smiled faintly. Still so easy to coax.

Nephew and uncle, at this moment the child's features already bore some resemblance to that person. Qi Xiao could not bear to look any longer and carefully handed the child to the wet nurse, saying in a low voice, "This child... will have great blessings in the future."

Without waiting for everyone to express their gratitude, Qi Xiao turned and left the He manor.

Qi Xiao's unusual words and actions made He Zichen uneasy. After handing the child to the wet nurse, he chased after him and stopped Jiang Deqing, saying with an apologetic smile, "Eunuch... Eunuch, you have worked hard accompanying us for this day and night. If you don't mind, please accept this purse."

Jiang Deqing hurriedly accepted it with both hands, smiling, "Lord He, what are you saying? The Princess giving birth is such a joyous occasion. Not to mention one day and night, even if it were three days and three nights, this servant would have to keep watch. This servant, ah, is truly happy at heart."

He Zichen glanced outside and lowered his voice, "His Highness, he..."

Jiang Deqing sighed and said softly, "Lord He, you need not worry. His Highness is not doing this for you, nor for the Princess, but for... for that person. The Princess has given birth smoothly, and His Highness is happy in his heart, but... but he can't help thinking of the King of Lingnan. You don't need to overthink it, just rest assured. His Highness said this child has great blessings, so this child will surely not go wrong in the future."

He Zichen thought of what he had heard people say before, about how Qi Xiao had let Bairen go in Southern Frontier last year. He sighed and nodded, "I understand."