Huang Yarou had no idea what the Emperor was thinking. After successfully sending him off, she prepared to rest.
As for the comprehensive cleaning of Vermilion Bird Palace, it was entirely entrusted to Dong Yao.
She was very familiar with this, as she had to clean it at least once a year, and sometimes even once a month when things were serious.
As the Emperor left, the cleaning of Vermilion Bird Palace gradually came to an end.
After Dong Yao led people in a meticulous investigation, several suspicious individuals were directly apprehended.
"People's hearts are truly insatiable, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. How can we catch several every year?"
"It's a pity we can't confirm they were truly bribed, otherwise we could have dealt with them directly."
In situations where loyalty was uncertain, and the individuals were unrelated to the current incident, the most that could be done was to expel them all from Vermilion Bird Palace, allowing them to seek a livelihood elsewhere.
At the same time, outside informants would secretly monitor them to see if there were truly any issues.
If used well later, it might yield unexpected results.
"After these people are cleared out this time, we will need to replenish some staff, otherwise their work will be left undone."
"I just don't know how many ill-intentioned individuals among the newcomers will try to sneak into Vermilion Bird Palace!"
Just thinking about investigating each of them individually gave Dong Yao a headache.
"It seems I'll be busy for a while again, and I don't know when it will end!"
With this sigh, Dong Yao arrived at a corner near Vermilion Bird Hall.
Then, looking at the deceased Palace maid, her expression turned grim.
"She was silenced so quickly? How cautious!"
"We had just invited an Imperial Doctor over, and before we could even determine anything, she was gone!"
"It shows how ruthless the mastermind is, not wanting to take any risks."
"Now that the clue is directly broken, finding the mastermind won't be so simple."
After confirming that the person was completely dead, and even feigned death wouldn't allow her to survive, Dong Yao returned to report the situation.
Huang Yarou was not surprised by this, so the matter was left unresolved.
Anyway, only a few had the capability to act, and there would always be an Opportunity to deal with them later... In the following period, Vermilion Bird Palace was targeted several more times.
Some schemes came from other palaces, and some from low-ranking Imperial Concubines within Vermilion Bird Palace itself.
"Other palaces are fine; with high-ranking Imperial Concubines blocking the way, This Concubine won't interfere in their palace affairs."
"However, those within This Concubine's own palace are much easier to handle. This Concubine refuses to believe I can't deal with them!"
Whenever Huang Yarou learned who was scheming against her, she never showed them any mercy.
"Chun Jin, it's time to mobilize all the people we have placed throughout Vermilion Bird Palace."
"Those for whom we can find evidence will be dealt with according to the law; those we can't, we'll find a way to send away, so they don't remain an eyesore!"
"Yes, Noble Consort, Chun Jin will go and do it now!"
Under Chun Jin's mobilization, the entire Vermilion Bird Palace began to stir with undercurrents.
Those who hadn't gone too far were punished as they should be, and those who should be expelled were expelled, directly making them move to another residence.
Then, people were sent to monitor them, watching who they would contact to determine who the mastermind was.
After all, without backing, they wouldn't dare to scheme against Shu Consort.
Unless they wanted to die, or had confidence in themselves, they would act on their own.
As for those who went too far, evidence could be directly handed over to the Emperor and Empress, and without exception, they would all be sent to the Cold Palace.
No evidence was fine too; it would just be considered adding to the underworld's achievements.
Therefore, after a series of actions, the remaining low-ranking Imperial Concubines all began to behave themselves.
At least for a short time, there was no need to worry about them causing trouble again, allowing Huang Yarou to rest assured during her pregnancy.
"My mother is truly amazing. Without me even reminding her, she has already handled everything."
"With her protection, I can expect to be born smoothly."
Through the fragments of conversation he heard, Du Yun felt a surge of emotion and was even more at ease.
From then on, with no more worries, he began to develop peacefully... Time flowed by amidst various schemes, and soon it was the day of Du Yun's birth.
On the seventeenth day of the third month of the sixteenth year of Taikang, in Vermilion Bird Hall, the main hall of Vermilion Bird Palace.
As Shu Consort went into labor, the prepared attendants quickly became busy, preparing for the birth of the newborn.
"I will be responsible for attending to Noble Consort, ensuring she can give birth peacefully."
"Xia Lan will monitor the midwife, and Qiu Zhi and Dong Yao will monitor everyone else."
"If anyone is found to be making small moves, even if they are our own people, do not be soft-hearted. Do you understand?"
"Don't worry, Chun Jin, even if you don't say it, we know what to do."
"You just focus on taking good care of Noble Consort; leave the other matters to us!"
"Yes, that's right. I trust the three of you. I'll leave it to you!"
The four, having discussed, immediately sprang into action, with clear divisions of labor.
With people monitoring every corner, naturally, no one dared to make small moves.
Additionally, Du Yun had also made corresponding preparations for a smooth birth, so the entire process went quite smoothly.
He was born successfully with almost no pain for Huang Yarou.
With the sound of a cry, Du Yun officially arrived in this world.
"Congratulations, Noble Consort, congratulations! It's a Little Imperial Son."
Huang Yarou had not expended much energy, and at this, she smiled with relief.
"That's good. You all must carefully attend to Huang'er (Imperial Son) and ensure he doesn't suffer even the slightest harm, or This Concubine will not spare you!"
Although she would love a child regardless of gender, giving birth to an Imperial Son would further solidify her status, so she was quite pleased.
"Yes, Noble Consort, This Servant will attend to him carefully. Please rest assured!"
The midwife responsible for the delivery, under Xia Lan's gaze, which was ready to stab her with a sword at any moment, dared not make any small movements.
Furthermore, she was a loyal person, so she didn't mind the murderous gaze.
Not to mention Xia Lan, even the midwife herself was ready to sacrifice herself for the Little Mistress, to block any potential assassination attempts from the shadows.
Fortunately, everyone here was trustworthy, and no accidents occurred; everything went smoothly.
Under the midwife's careful handling, the newborn Du Yun was first brought before Huang Yarou for her to see, so she could rest assured.
Then, he was carried out by Chun Jin, to be handed over to the waiting Emperor Du Qian, so he could get a good look at his newborn Imperial Son.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations! Noble Consort Shu has given birth to a Dragon son, blessed by the heavens for Dongxing Country."
Chun Jin steadily held the newborn Du Yun and slowly knelt before the Emperor.
She then carefully lifted him, allowing Du Qian to clearly see the Little Mistress's appearance and making it convenient for him to pick him up and examine him.
Seeing this, the Imperial Concubines waiting nearby also offered their congratulations.
However, they did not press forward, so as not to disturb the Emperor's mood.
Even the Empress and the Noble Consort merely stood on Du Qian's left and right, quietly observing the scene.
As for what they were thinking in their hearts, that was unknown; only they themselves would know.
Du Qian, who had been waiting outside for a long time, heard this and first glanced at the infant in the swaddling clothes.
Then, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up, his eyes filled with relief.
"Shu Consort has worked hard, giving birth to a Dragon heir for This Emperor."
"Issue This Emperor's decree: the entire Vermilion Bird Hall shall be heavily rewarded!"
"Other Imperial Concubines in each palace shall also receive favors, so they too can share in the joy and give birth to more Dragon heirs for This Emperor."
After speaking, he carefully picked up Du Yun, and amidst the other Imperial Concubines' thanks, held him close to his eyes for a careful examination.
To determine if his child possessed the Aptitude for martial arts, Du Qian carefully probed Du Yun's body with his Innate True Qi.
Upon discovering that his entire Meridians were not very smooth, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.
"What a pity. With such Aptitude, to practice martial arts, without a great Opportunity, he will never achieve anything in his life."
"Fortunately, it's not a big problem. As a royal descendant, one doesn't necessarily have to be powerful oneself."
"As long as there are enough martial Dao experts loyal to him, he can still achieve something."
"Even if he doesn't have that ability, he can still live a life of idleness, without worries, which is guaranteed."
From this, it could be seen that Du Qian was quite lenient towards his children.
As long as they didn't cause trouble, they were good children.
After learning what he wanted to know, Du Qian did not hold him for too long.
He quickly handed Du Yun back to Chun Jin, asking her to take the Little Imperial Son back to Shu Consort.
It wasn't that Du Qian didn't want to hold him longer; he was worried that if he showed too much concern, it would bring danger to the child, even if he was a good-for-nothing.
There had been a precedent before: he had accidentally shown affection for a certain Imperial Son.
Despite his mother Imperial Concubine's careful protection, he ultimately suffered a mishap and was tragically ambushed by others.
Although he was eventually rescued, he became frail and sickly, and has not fully recovered even now.
Since then, whenever an Imperial Son was born, regardless of whether he was outstanding or not, Du Qian no longer easily revealed his affection, lest he bring danger to the child again.