The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 399 - Stillbirth

"Your Highness," Siqi said as she entered, bypassing the kneeling maid. "Why take out your anger on that girl? It's not good for your health."

"I'm irritated. Call Yun Qian," Yang Fei ordered, her brows furrowed, a persistent expression these past few days.

Feeling unwell, Yang Fei wanted Yun Qian, who had served her the longest and knew her best, to attend her.

Siqi dared not refuse. "Yes, Your Highness, I'll fetch her."

At the door, Siqi saw the weeping maid, her face marked with red, swollen from slaps.

"Stop crying. If Her Highness hears you, you'll be punished again," Siqi said sternly.

"I just made a little noise moving the plants, and she made me slap myself fifty times and kneel for half a day," the maid sobbed.

"No complaints!" Siqi reprimanded. "Do you want more punishment? Go kneel under the eaves, at least you won't be in the sun."

The maid, tearfully, moved as instructed.

Siqi sighed.

Yang Fei hadn't always been this way. Since this pregnancy, she'd been irritable, intolerant of any noise, making Siqi's role as the close attendant particularly challenging.

"Who knows how many scoldings she's endured."

So when Yang Fei asked for Yun Qian to serve her, Siqi was more than willing.

At least she wouldn't be the one getting scolded.

These events quickly reached Yuzhang Palace.

Hearing the news from Siqi, Fang Yun sneered.

"Self-inflicted, no sympathy."

In the following days, Yang Fei embodied this phrase.

Her irritability made everyone in Zhongcui Palace tense, fearing any mistake that might anger her and result in punishment.

After the initial maid, another serving tea was punished with fifty strikes for the tea being too hot.

The maid, skilled in tea preparation, had her hands ruined by the punishment.

Yang Fei forbade her from using medicine, saying she needed to learn her lesson.

A young eunuch was punished with twenty strikes for making a noise while moving a chair.

Others serving food, preparing bathwater, or combing hair were also punished.

Even Siqi, frequently kneeling in emergencies, had bruised knees.

Yun Qian was slapped for a few careless words.

Yang Fei thought these incidents were confined to Zhongcui Palace, unaware that Siqi had informed Fang Yun.

Yanwei cursed, saying Yang Fei still had the energy to torment others, proving the saying "evil people live long."

Despite knowing, Fang Yun pretended ignorance, continuing her routine.

Pei Yao hadn't visited the harem in days, likely preoccupied with tense negotiations.

National interests outweighed harem disputes.

But Pei Yao hadn't forgotten to find a good match for Yang Chengyu.

Originally planning to marry him to Princess Shuhui, he was now more determined.

He planned to announce the engagement after negotiations with Shangyang concluded.

Pei Yao also investigated the Marquess of Nanning's household, discovering they intended to marry Yang Chengyu to General Zhang's daughter.

General Zhang, a new noble with military power, had gained favor after the Northern Xinjiang battle.

An alliance between the Yang and Zhang families would consolidate their military power.

Fortunately, General Zhang wasn't as ambitious as the Yang family and hadn't responded to their proposal, likely wary of royal authority and offending other nobles.

Despite Yang Fei's high status, with a prince and another child on the way, outsiders didn't know she was struggling to protect her pregnancy.

Physician Wu, each visit, paled more, repeatedly urging Yang Fei to stay calm and rest, warning her of the baby's deteriorating condition.

But Yang Fei's anxiety only worsened.

Caught in a vicious cycle, Physician Wu decided to inform Pei Yao of the baby's condition before it was too late.

"Your Majesty, if Yang Fei doesn't calm down and rest, the baby won't survive. I've done all I can!"

"Is it that serious? Last time you said the baby was safe with a month's rest."

Pei Yao's face darkened at the news.

Physician Wu, distressed, explained, "I did say that, but Yang Fei's anxiety prevents her from resting, worsening the situation."

Pei Yao sighed deeply, frowning.

After a moment, he asked, "Is there no better solution?"

"None," Physician Wu shook his head. "A troubled mind needs a soothing remedy. Perhaps a visit from Your Majesty would ease her worries."

Pei Yao, contemplating, dismissed him. "I understand. Continue your care."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Physician Wu, wiping his brow, left.

Hong Zheng cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, you were scheduled to visit the Empress tonight. Should we change the plan?"

The Empress, pregnant, couldn't share Pei Yao's bed, so he usually stayed at Yuzhang Palace after visiting her.

Considering Physician Wu's advice, Pei Yao decided, "Go to Zhongcui Palace. I'll see Yang Fei."

Hong Zheng nodded, ordering preparations.

Arriving at Zhongcui Palace, Pei Yao heard Yang Fei's scolding and a maid's pleas.

Frowning, he stopped the servant from announcing his arrival and entered.

He saw Yang Fei stabbing a young maid's face with a hairpin.

The maid, about fourteen or fifteen, was bleeding and crying for mercy.

"Stop!" Pei Yao shouted.

Startled, Yang Fei dropped the hairpin upon seeing Pei Yao.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I..."

"Physician Wu said you were unwell and needed my visit. You seem quite spirited! What did she do to deserve this?" Pei Yao demanded angrily.

Yang Fei, flustered by the reprimand, grew agitated and was about to defend herself when her face suddenly turned pale. She clutched her abdomen in pain and let out a groan before collapsing in Siqi's alarmed cries.

Pei Yao, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, suppressed his anger and quickly ordered Hong Zheng to fetch the physician.

When Physician Wu arrived and examined Yang Fei, he knelt and, with a trembling voice, uttered two words: fetal demise.

Fetal demise is not the same as a miscarriage. It means the baby has died in the womb but has not been expelled. A medicinal concoction would be needed to induce the expulsion of the deceased fetus.