Chapter 7 — Five Lives of Changing Mothers

Concubine Hoa heard the broken sound coming from her stomach, her eyes were not soft at all, she coldly told the guard.
"Press back to the cold palace, increase the guard, reinforce the windows, and lock the palace door. Tham Canh will never take a single step out of the cold palace, cutting off all her thoughts."
The guard received the order and pulled Tham Nhuoc Vi, who was crying and screaming, out of Duc Khon palace. The palace finally restored silence. As the night deepened, small pains suddenly appeared in my stomach, a sign of impending birth. Hoa Phi didn't sleep all night, sitting cross-legged on the soft bed. In her hand, she tightly held a piece of jade egg that had been nurtured for many years, constantly rubbing her belly gently, whispering detailed reassurances. She guarded the bedside and never took a step away, not even the least bit tired. The outside of the palace had been properly arranged in advance, with an experienced midwife and several top physicians waiting for orders. Medicines and tools necessary for childbirth are neatly displayed, and lights are on all night. Concubine Hoa placed one hand firmly on her constantly undulating lower abdomen, her eyes were gentle and steadfast, quietly waiting for me to be born. Having overcome five lifetimes of wandering and suffering, we are finally about to welcome a new life that belongs to us.
11
The pain of childbirth swept through her whole body, Hoa Phi's forehead was constantly dripping with cold sweat, and her back shirt was soaked. She bit her lower lip, trying to endure the tearing pain. She was determined not to let go of the hands that were protecting herself. Even though the pain made her whole body tremble, she still firmly protected me in her belly. She refused to cry out any more in pain, only determined to protect me as I safely fell to the ground. I don't know how much time passed, a clear cry suddenly echoed throughout Duc Khon palace. I was born smoothly. In diapers, her small face was delicate and gentle, her eyebrows surrounded by a layer of pale warm golden light. The merit accumulated from ten lifetimes of good deeds turns into an auspicious halo of light that seems to exist and disappear around people, making everyone in the palace amazed and exclaiming. The old physician stepped forward to check his pulse, then knelt down to tell the emperor the good news. He frankly said that the little princess had great blessings, a precious destiny, no misfortunes in this life, and a long life. The Emperor stood outside the delivery room, hearing this, he was overjoyed. He immediately issued an order granting me the title Chieu Hoa, continuously rewarding me with gold, silver, jewels, and thousands of acres of land, all in my name. The news spread out of the palace, and the whole Nien family immediately went to the palace to congratulate. General Nien Canh Nghieu of the Vien Palace personally presented a thousand-year-old jade egg and rare treasures from the border of the Western Regions, promising in front of everyone that in this life he would definitely use all the strength and power of the Nien family to forever protect Princess Chieu Hoa's safety. The courtiers and mandarins also prepared precious gifts one by one to the door to please them. In front of the gate of Duc Khon Palace, carriages and carriages followed endlessly. Concubine Hoa took the diaper and hugged him tightly, refusing to let go for even a moment. Her eyes were filled with softness as if she had found a lost treasure. She bowed her head again and again and softly called me Chieu Hoa. She did not have the slightest intention of fighting the court, only pure motherhood to the extreme. Her fingertips gently touched my cheek, moving gentle enough to be careful of every inch. The harem concubines came to congratulate one after another, standing in the palace with different expressions. Some people hide deep jealousy in their eyes, some people pretend to flatter and please. Concubine Hoa was completely lazy to respond, and leisurely chased everyone away. All her thoughts, all her tenderness are placed on me in her heart, it is difficult for others to divide half of her attention. I lay in a warm, soft embrace, from the perspective of a newborn, quietly leaning against Concubine Hoa. The unique partiality that does not hold back at all surrounds us. Five lifetimes of wandering, the bone-deep suffering of the scattered soul all vanishing into thin air. In the past, I wasted all my merits in ten lifetimes, longing for the glory and honor of my eldest daughter and queen, and in the end, all that was left was endless torment. Now I proactively give up the shackles of false bloodlines, in exchange for peace, not worry, and being loved wholeheartedly. Glory truly belongs to me, finally firmly in my hands. Not long after, a holy edict spread throughout the six palaces. The saint said that Princess Chieu Hoa's treatment was equal to that of the queen's eldest daughter. The clothes, food, staff, and decorations all surpass those of all the princes and princesses in the palace. All the blessings in the world are reserved for us.
12
Concubine Hua treated me with utmost tolerance, never teaching me to please everyone in the palace, much less letting me suffer self-pity to fulfill others. She often held my hand to go to Ngu Hoa Garden, telling me not to be afraid of the power of the king, not to be afraid of the concubines in the harem. Behind me are hundreds of thousands of border generals from the Nien family, as well as my loving father, so I can freely live my life as I please.