28In such a vast country as Hun, is there not a single skilled midwife?
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
Chapter 28 In the vast Kingdom of Hun, is there not a single skilled midwife?
The Empress pondered for a moment, "Let Wanrou come over!"
Soon, Wanrou arrived at the Empress's bedchamber.
"Your Majesty, Empress."
"Wanrou, there is a plan now to kill Shen Yulou, and I need your help. Are you willing?"
Wanrou said, "I am willing! This servant and Shen Yulou are irreconcilable, I am willing to help!"
"Good, then we will proceed with the plan tonight!"
...Shen Yulou had originally intended to go to the Noble Consort today to ask for a reward, so that the Noble Consort would release his family.
However, on second thought, the news that the Noble Consort had milk had already spread throughout the Imperial Harem, so a reward was certain.
It would be better to wait for Emperor Ren to come and bestow a reward; Emperor Ren's reward should be more generous than the Noble Consort's.
Moreover, the Noble Consort should be breastfeeding the Imperial Prince now, so she wouldn't have time to reward him.
Not long after, Shen Yulou saw Qin Guiru return to the Wet Nurse Department. Her eyes were red, as if she had been crying.
"Lord Qin, what's wrong? Who bullied you?"
Qin Guiru wished she could skin Shen Yulou alive. She wanted to curse him a few times, but then she remembered that this fellow had too many tricks up his sleeve.
If he got agitated and went to Emperor Ren again to request a marriage, then it would be over for her.
So Qin Guiru could only glare at him fiercely, and then leave indignantly.
People with no bottom line are really difficult to deal with... Inside the Golden Throne Hall, civil and military officials were holding a meeting.
Emperor Ren's face was ashen, and he spoke.
"My beloved ministers, do you have any brilliant ideas?"
The officials present looked at each other, all remaining silent.
Emperor Ren had encountered a very troublesome matter: a Princess of Yan State, nine months pregnant, was about to arrive in Da Hun.
This Princess of Yan State was no ordinary person.
When the late emperor was in power, a three-country alliance was formed on the Da Hun side.
Da Hun, Yan State, and Wulin Kingdom.
However, five years ago, the Emperor of Yan passed away, and having no sons, only a Princess of Yan State remained to hold great power.
And the Yan State's internal corruption was extreme, now it was just an empty shell.
The Yan State had a total of fifteen cities. Two years ago, three cities were borrowed by the Wulin Kingdom.
Last year, Da Hun borrowed three cities.
Now, the once grand Yan State has only nine cities left, and the vast country is on the verge of collapse.
And the Princess of Yan State has been pregnant for over nine months, on the verge of giving birth.
At this time, she was sent over by an Envoy from the Wulin Kingdom.
Minister of Military Affairs Zhang Fucheng said, "Your Majesty, your subject has already sent people to inquire. The Princess of Yan State is carrying a stillborn child, and even after seeking out famous doctors throughout the Wulin Kingdom, nothing could be done.
The Princess of Yan State refused to leave the Wulin Kingdom.
She said either they deliver the baby for her, or return the three cities.
The Envoy from the Wulin Kingdom bringing the Princess of Yan State here this time certainly has no good intentions!"
Emperor Ren's brows were tightly furrowed.
The Wulin Kingdom didn't dare deliver the baby, so they sent her here?
Returning the cities that had been acquired was impossible. In this past year, those three cities had been managed quite well by Emperor Ren.
So, even if it meant death, they could not be returned.
But the Princess of Yan State also could not be kept.
The Princess of Yan State was a hot potato. Knowing she was carrying a stillborn child, if the child died at birth, the Princess of Yan State would definitely extort them.
The Yan State was now like a barefoot person, not afraid of those who wear shoes.
With the Yan State now in decline, the relationship between Da Hun and the Wulin Kingdom naturally became delicate.
Perhaps one day there would be war. Once war broke out, the remaining nine cities of the Yan State still had many elite soldiers and strong generals, and at that time, the ownership of these cities would be hard to say.
Moreover, the Yan State was located in a strategic area, occupying a geographical advantage, so unless absolutely necessary, they could not go to war with these two countries.
Everyone discussed intensely, but ultimately, no conclusion was reached.
Minister of Military Affairs Zhang Fucheng said, "To put it bluntly, it's just delivering a baby for a woman. If we are confident, we deliver; if not, we return the cities. That's the only way."
Everyone nodded, "Lord Zhang makes sense, but the Princess of Yan State is carrying a stillborn child. This news has already spread. Who dares to deliver for her? Why don't we try to find a way to send her away?"
"Will it be that easy to send her away? The Envoy from the Wulin Kingdom who came this time is Gongsun Changlin, and he is a difficult person to deal with. In my opinion, it's better to return the cities."
"Does our great Da Hun not have anyone skilled in obstetrics?"
After this sentence was spoken, Emperor Ren suddenly looked up.
Emperor Ren was originally in a state of anxiety, annoyed by their bickering.
But upon hearing this sentence, he suddenly remembered, wasn't that Shen Yulou a master of childcare? Perhaps he was also proficient in obstetrics.
"Someone, go ask if the Noble Consort has milk yet?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, it has already spread throughout the Imperial Harem, the Noble Consort has milk."
Emperor Ren was overjoyed, slapped his thigh and said.
"Good! Summon Shen Yulou to the Hall, I have an important matter that I need his help with!"
After the eunuch left, Emperor Ren stood up, seemingly more confident than before, and said.
"Let the Envoy from the Wulin Kingdom and the Princess of Yan State have an audience!"
After sending people to notify them, the ministers in the Hall all looked at each other.
"Your Majesty, who is this Shen Yulou?"
Emperor Ren said, "A master of childcare, the director of the Wet Nurse Department personally promoted by me, and he is a man."
Instantly, the Hall erupted in a clamor.
A man serving as the director of the Wet Nurse Department, this was truly somewhat inconceivable.
"Your Majesty, are you perhaps thinking of having this Director Shen deliver the baby for the Princess of Yan State?"
Emperor Ren said, "That's right, I have witnessed Director Shen's methods. In terms of childcare, even the imperial physicians cannot compare to him. Perhaps he has a miraculous trick!"
Zhang Fucheng said, "Your Majesty, this absolutely cannot be! If anything untoward happens to the Princess of Yan State, the Wulin Kingdom will certainly make a big fuss, and perhaps use this to annex the nine cities and elite soldiers and generals of the Yan State.
At that time, we will be in a passive position!
The Wulin Kingdom has strong men and horses, and a just cause. If they say we killed their Imperial Prince and want to avenge him, wouldn't we be in a passive position?"
Zhang Fucheng's words drew agreement from everyone.
How could Shen Yulou, a mere director of the Wet Nurse Department, interfere with court affairs?
If it affected the overall situation, could he, an internal affairs official, bear the responsibility?
Emperor Ren frowned and said.
"First, let Shen Yulou take a look. If he is confident, then we will discuss it further."
Seeing Emperor Ren's insistence, everyone found it difficult to say anything.
Soon, the Envoy from the Wulin Kingdom and the Princess of Yan State arrived at the grand hall.
The Princess of Yan State was young and beautiful, but she was heavily pregnant and had to be carried in.
She sat in a wicker chair, her face pale. After entering the grand hall, the Princess of Yan State spoke first.
"Na Xing greets Emperor Ren. I am unable to rise, and I hope Emperor Ren will not blame me."
Emperor Ren said, "Princess Na Xing, there is no need to be so formal. If you feel any discomfort, please say so."
Next to Na Xing stood a middle-aged man in embroidered brocade robes, who was none other than the Envoy from the Wulin Kingdom, Gongsun Changlin.
Gongsun Changlin bowed to Emperor Ren, then said.
"Your Majesty Emperor Ren, the Princess of Yan State is due to give birth soon. I heard that Da Hun's imperial physicians are highly skilled, and the National Preceptor's methods are unparalleled in the world.
Therefore, I specifically offer this opportunity to your esteemed country. Being able to deliver for the Princess of Yan State is an excellent opportunity to foster good relations with the Yan State.
I hope your esteemed country will not refuse. The Princess of Yan State is weary from her journey and probably cannot walk any further