The harem was so deserted that only a group of eunuchs remained, with very few palace maids.
Pingtang discovered that all those surrounding Zong Han were men. If it weren't for the inconvenience of eunuchs serving the Emperor, these palace maids might have no reason to exist.
This possessiveness was even more intense than her elder brother's. It made her feel that Zong Han was almost perverted.
Returning to Shou Kang Palace, the place where Zhao Jiaqi used to live, the house was unchanged, but everything inside had been replaced. Brand new furniture, bedding, and even fragrant incense had been lit, filling the air with a faint, sweet scent that was very comforting.
Zhao Jiaqi helped her sit down and looked at her pointed belly. Like those aunties, she began to speculate about whether the child in her belly was a boy or a girl.
She stroked her chin, thinking it bore a strong resemblance to when she had her own son. "I think it's a boy. What do you think, Pingtang!"
Pingtang burst out laughing upon hearing this, shaking her head. "Sister-in-law, I've given birth five times. When it comes to this, I dare say no one is more accurate than I am."
Good heavens, with such praise, she became a bit boastful.
Zhao Jiaqi directly asked her to speak. "Then tell me, for my daughter's pregnancy, is it a girl or a boy?"
"It's nine times out of ten a girl."
As soon as Pingtang finished speaking, Fan Xudong pinched her hard, signaling to her with his eyes.
Who wouldn't want a son when pregnant? This wife of his, not only couldn't speak well, but she specifically chose the unpleasant things to say. Even if she knew, she shouldn't voice it. How annoying!
Pingtang frowned. She looked at her sister-in-law, then at little Jun Jun, feeling a bit awkward. She chuckled, "I... I'm not always accurate with these things. Please don't take it to heart. No matter what it is, Zong Han will never dislike it. At worst, we can just raise her well and have another child."
Zong Han was indifferent to whether he had a son or a daughter. However, seeing Jun Jun nervously clenching her handkerchief, he knew that his wife cared.
He smiled and took her hand, saying, "Whether it's a girl or a boy, we'll only have this one child. If it's a girl, she will be the Crown Princess in the future."
His resonant words reached everyone's ears. While they were astonished, they were also happy for Jun Jun.
This was reassurance for her, allowing her to rest assured and await childbirth. No matter what the future held, the child she bore would be the future heir.
Zhao Jiaqi was quite pleased with Zong Han, her son-in-law. She glanced back at her own husband, and comparing them, they were still neck and neck.
Hearing this, Pingtang, who had been feeling awkward just moments ago, was no longer so reserved. She felt envious of Jun Jun, finding it truly rare to find someone who genuinely doted on her.
As they chatted, the special local products they had brought were being unpacked outside. Seeing the hawthorn jam jars, Jun Jun's eyes nearly fell out.
During dinner that evening, Zong Han was in high spirits and had a few drinks with his father-in-law and second uncle. As they were enjoying themselves, Jun Jun began to have contractions.
All thoughts of drinking and eating were abandoned, and she was rushed to the birthing room.
With no news from inside, everyone outside grew anxious. Especially in the dead of night, when the heart-wrenching screams from the birthing room could be heard, it tightened the hearts of those outside.
Zhao Jiaqi paced back and forth, occasionally craning her neck to peer inside. Pingtang quickly pulled her aside and sat her down. "Sister-in-law, you're making me dizzy with all this pacing."
"It's been two hours, why isn't she born yet?" Zhao Jiaqi couldn't sit still, always wanting to check.
But Pingtang on the side held her tightly, sighing in resignation. "It's Jun Jun's first child, and her belly is large. She must have been overnourished, making it difficult to give birth. You'll have to wait a bit longer. The first child is always slower."
Hearing his second aunt's words, Zong Han's heart grew even more anxious. If he had known that eating well would lead to suffering during childbirth, he would have rather let his wife eat more coarse grain and pickled vegetables.
But now it was too late. She was in the process of giving birth, and he could only pray that his wife would get through this safely.
As dawn gradually approached, the cries inside the room grew fainter. At this point, it wasn't just Zong Han who was anxious; even Pingtang realized that this birth was taking too long.
As the sunlight poured in, a bright cry echoed from the room. Zhao Jiaqi lost her footing and almost fell to the ground, but fortunately, Fan Zehao caught her.
"Wife, don't worry, we'll know the result soon," Fan Zehao supported her and comforted her.
He recalled how much more perilous it had been when his wife gave birth to their second child. That time, she had a difficult labor, and he had almost lost her. He remembered the disappointment, anxiety, and fear then...
Remembering the past, tears welled up in his eyes.
Everyone saw this and assumed he was crying out of concern for his daughter, not thinking of anything else.
The door to the birthing room opened, and the midwife emerged carrying the cleaned infant, immediately speaking auspicious words. "Congratulations to His Majesty, and congratulations to His Majesty. The Empress has given birth to a princess. Mother and daughter are safe."
Zong Han glanced at the child in the midwife's arms and shouted with a smile, "Reward!"
As he finished speaking, he rushed into the room to see Jun Jun, leaving the midwife standing outside, looking at everyone in a daze.
Zhao Jiaqi stepped forward, took the baby, and smiled. "Are the wet nurses ready?"
"Four have been prepared and are awaiting orders in the little prince's chamber."
Zhao Jiaqi gazed at the chubby, fair, and plump little niece, holding her with doting affection. She liked her even more than when she looked after Yumeng.
Perhaps this was the affection of grandparents.
Inside the room, Jun Jun was too exhausted to speak much, her eyes fixed on Zong Han, and she kept glancing towards the door.
Zong Han understood her unspoken meaning. He lifted her face and said gratefully, "It's a princess. I will immediately proclaim our little treasure the Crown Princess. My dear wife, you have worked hard."
A deep kiss fell upon her forehead, and he was reluctant to lift his lips.
Jun Jun felt a little disappointed, but seeing that he didn't show any disdain, the disappointment lessened considerably.
She shook her head and, with a hoarse voice, said, "My husband, after I recover, I'll have another child. If it's a girl again, we'll still proclaim her Crown Princess. There's no rush now!"
Zhao Jiaqi entered the room carrying the baby, hearing these exact words.
Fan Zehao, Fan Xudong, and Pingtang dared not speak, all waiting for Zong Han's response.
A moment later, Zong Han shook his head, firmly rejecting her proposal. "I said, we will only have this one child. I absolutely will not allow you to have another. Girls are also very good; they can still be the Emperor of Zong Sheng."
Zong Han's words completely sealed the fate of the girl in Zhao Jiaqi's arms.
An Empress!
Fan Zehao chuckled. He looked earnestly at Yumeng, contemplating whether he should let his daughter inherit the industries he would build in the future.
This way, it would be impossible for his daughter to marry far away.
With this thought, he grinned, a rather cunning smile on his face.