Her hands were not idle, rhythmically pressing on her belly. After who knows how many times, the midwife exclaimed with joy. "I see the child’s hair, I see the child’s hair, Your Highness, push!" Lin Wanyi was somewhat exhausted at the moment, not due to a lack of strength, but because the contractions came so suddenly and intensely. Just as she was holding her breath, the pain struck again. Seeing this, Mrs. Yun inserted a Golden Needle into the point between her nose and lips. Feeling a sharp pain, she pushed hard. Her whole body seemed to have been relieved of a heavy burden, instantly feeling much lighter. "It’s born, it’s born, it’s a little prince, a little prince!" He naturally looked less developed than those born at full term, but aside from being smaller, his cry was exceptionally loud. Lin Wanyi barely had time to say anything before the pain struck again. Having no choice, she continued to push. She randomly grabbed a handkerchief from the side and stuffed it into her mouth, remembering clearly what Nanny Du had said, not to utter any sound. Seeing her in this state, Mrs. Dong was also greatly pained. But there was nothing she could do, so everyone deliberately focused their attention on the newborn prince. Meanwhile, at Lin Wanyi’s side, even the midwives kept their mouths tightly shut, assisting in the delivery. After exerting herself for an unknown duration, she was finally met with another cry. Nanny Du was just about to announce that the cry came from the little prince when the midwife, overcome with emotion, exclaimed. "Your Highness, it’s a little princess, a little princess!" Upon hearing those words, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief. At last, all the precautions they had prepared earlier were unnecessary. Lin Wanyi’s twins could now grow up openly in the palace. Moreover, this was the first pair of dragon-phoenix twins born during this dynasty, symbolizing the auspicious omen of harmony between dragon and phoenix. Everyone was moved to tears with joy. Standing at the doorway, Dong Yuzhong, who had been listening all along, was grinning from ear to ear. He immediately ran to kneel before the Emperor, offering his congratulations. "Your servant congratulates Your Majesty, congratulations to Your Majesty, as Your Highness has given birth to a dragon-phoenix pair!" Upon hearing this, everyone in the courtyard knelt down as well. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations to Your Majesty!" Feeling the resounding chorus of congratulations, the Emperor finally came to his senses. His smile stretched to his back teeth, eyes narrowing in joy. "Rewards! Rewards! A three-year’s stipend reward to everyone inside Yihua Palace." "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Highness!" Originally expecting that the noble concubine’s confinement would bring them neglect, who knew that aside from the inability to leave, nothing was lacking within the palace. Now, receiving a three-year stipend reward meant that no maid or servant in the entire palace enjoyed such comfort and ease as they did. Therefore, everyone felt grateful for Lin Wanyi’s grace. They were also immensely thankful for the newborn dragon-phoenix masters. Lin Wanyi was extremely exhausted, unable to perceive any other sound. And so she fell into a deep sleep. The midwives carefully washed the babies, wrapped them in soft brocade quilts, and then carried them into the inner hall. Even though it was August, the weather was at its hottest. But now the sun had yet to rise, leaving a slight chill in the air. Nanny Zou held the little princess, and Nanny Wang held the little prince. Both children were very small due to being premature. When the Emperor looked at the red, wrinkled babies, he felt a tinge of distaste. "I and the noble concubine are both good-looking, why do the prince and princess look ?" Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, everyone was stunned. However, Nanny Du managed to suppress a smile and stepped forward to explain. "The babies are small, so they need time to grow. Don’t worry, Your Majesty, I have seen many newborns, but ones as graceful and clean as our Fifth Prince and Third Princess are rare." With Nanny Du’s explanation, the Emperor felt reassured. "How is the noble concubine?" "Rest assured, Your Majesty, Her Highness is doing well. The Second Madam was skillful, and despite it being twins, there was no sign of danger; Her Highness merely fell asleep from exhaustion." "That’s good, I wish to go in and see her." "Your Majesty, please wait a moment. The inner room still holds a hint of blood; let it dissipate first. You can go in once Miss Xia An comes out to invite you." The Emperor was always extremely cautious regarding Lin Wanyi. Rules could not be broken, so he waited outside patiently. Having not slept all night, he didn’t feel tired. Only when the sun rose high did Lin Wanyi gradually awaken. The first sight she saw was the Emperor beside her bed. Seeing her eyes open, he was full of joy. "Qianqian, you finally woke up, you’ve slept for several hours now." After giving birth, her belly deflated significantly. And below, there was still some aching pain. But none of it could surpass the joy of having children. "Your Majesty, where are our children?" "The wet nurses took them to be fed. If you wish to see them, I will have them brought in." Once the Emperor spoke, Xia An, who was waiting outside, went to call them. In no time, the wet nurses appeared before Lin Wanyi with the children. "Which one is the princess? Which one is the prince?" "Replying to Your Highness, the one in yellow brocade is the prince, and the one in pink brocade is the princess." Xia An guided from the side, quickly helping to distinguish them. Lin Wanyi wanted to sit up and take a look, but moving disturbed her wound, causing intense pain. Her sharp intake of breath caught the Emperor’s attention, and he swiftly asked with concern. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝕟𝕖𝕥 "Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?" Lin Wanyi shook her head and reassured him. "Nothing, I’m just a bit anxious." The Emperor pressed her shoulder to keep her down and said, "Don’t exert yourself, the Second Madam advised to take good care, or your back will ache later." Then he instructed the wet nurses, "Step forward, show them to the noble concubine." When Lin Wanyi first laid eyes on the children, tears filled her eyes. This was a mother’s instinct, a natural bond between mother and child. From that first glance, Lin Wanyi understood. No matter the storms ahead, she would protect them with her life. She reached out to touch their delicate, slightly red cheeks and smiled. Her smile was serene, gentle. Seeing this, the Emperor also tightly held her hand and said, "Qianqian, you’ve worked hard." Lin Wanyi looked back at the Emperor, her eyes full of tenderness. Soon, an imperial decree was issued from Yihua Palace. In recognition of Noble Princess Consort Yi Ning’s effort in bearing royal descendants, and for the rare auspicious dragon-phoenix twins, she was elevated to concubine status. In future historical records, she was known as Princess Consort Yi Ning. Her Investiture Ceremony would be held when the prince and princess reached a month old, and as for the previously mentioned confinement, it naturally dissipated without further mention. When the news reached the traveling palace, the Empress Dowager’s illness worsened again.