Author's note:
*Jingren Palace (Jingren Gong) is the place of residence of Noble Consort Chun
24 December 1745
[Fuk'anggan's POV]
"Young master! Wake up! Consort Chun is in labour now!"
I awoke to the butler of the Fuca residence nudging me. I have been tasked to look out for the birth of the royal baby and report it as fast as I can to father about the situation via letters sent out to the buttler of the Fuca residence.
When I arrived, palacemaids rushed back and forth Jingren Palace* with some fetching buckets of hot water while the others, fresh pieces of white linen cloth, crisp and neatly folded. From a distance, piercing screams can be heard.
There were already many people crowding outside the palace waiting anxiously. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager, the Empress, the noble ladies, palace servants and some Court officials.
"Ahhh!!!"
"Push harder! Push harder!"
"Ahhh!!! I can't do it. I'm giving up!"
"Nearly there! Push!!!!!"
"Ahhh!!!!"
"Last push! I can see the head!!!"
"The body is out!"
"I can't do it! Ahhh!!!!"
An air of excitement veiled over the Imperial household as the Emperor paced back and forth in front of the closed doors of the palace chambers. Beads of sweat can be seen trickling down his forehead even in the harsh bitter cold of the winter morning.
I paced around trying to keep as warm as possible as my hands are already half frozen from the cold. Dawn has finally broken with a silver of orange. It has been 4 hours since I was rudely awakened in my bed chamber. I marvelled at the magnificent hue of the sky.
"So beautiful!" I breathed in the freshness of the morning air feeling the stinging cold of the air inside my nostrils. It carried a light tinge of sweetness of the morning dew. I thought to myself when was the last time I had appreciated the beautiful view of the morning sky.
"Creak!" a chamber side door opened.
"A royal princess!" a palace nanny carried a neatly wrapped baby out of the chamber side door and handed the baby to the Emperor. Everyone present at the scene knelt down to congratulate the Emperor.
The Empress Dowager leaned over to adjust the baby wrap. As she did that, she squeaked in surprise.
"My! The little Princess is born with a Buddha's hand!"
The Emperor took a closer look at the Princess. True indeed, the 5 fingers of the right hand are linked with a thin layer of membrane resembling the Buddha's hand. It is certainly taken as an auspicious sign of heavenly protection of the Qing dynasty.
"Ha ha ha!!!!" the Emperor laughed heartily.
"The heavens are protecting our Great Qing. I shall bestow upon my 4th Princess the title of Princess Hejia of First Rank."
"Congratulations Your Majesty, Dowager Empress, Noble Consort Chun." the crowd said in unison.
The crowd was stunned as heads can be seen turning while remaining in kneeling position and low whispers were exchanged.
First rank princesses are only conferred to princesses born of the Empress. This is almost a direct admission that Noble Consort Chun will soon be elevated to Imperial Noble Consort, which is only 2nd to the status of the Empress.
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