Traveling back to ancient times to get rich

Chapter 122 Ye Shiqing's Sacrifice

Ye Shiqing stood quietly, watching the Crown Prince's figure gradually disappear into the distance. After the Crown Prince had completely disappeared from sight, she slightly raised her chin, her face revealing an expression that was a mixture of disdain and confidence.

"He actually thinks I can't have a son? That's utterly absurd!" Ye Shiqing thought to herself. "So what if those ordinary women can have children? I am a woman with an incomparably noble destiny! There is nothing I cannot do if I want to do it!" Thinking of this, she couldn't help but snort coldly, as if she could already see herself as the future empress, enjoying boundless glory.

However, she only dared to murmur these words in her heart, never daring to utter them aloud. After all, the palace was full of gossips, and a slight misstep could lead to her death. Nevertheless, her longing for the future grew stronger and stronger.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window into Ye Shiqing's boudoir. Today was the important day for her to go to the altar for the grand ceremony, and for this, she had risen early to carefully select her most magnificent attire and exquisite jewelry. The gown, embroidered with gold thread, shone with dazzling light and was inlaid with countless sparkling gemstones; while the phoenix crown, symbolizing her noble status, was even more exquisite, each feather lifelike, as if it were about to take flight at any moment.

Ye Shiqing carefully groomed herself in front of the bronze mirror, making herself look as beautiful and charming as a fairy descended from heaven. She eagerly anticipated the sacrificial ceremony the next day, believing that she would shine brightly at the grand ceremony and become the focus of everyone's attention.

The following morning, sunlight pierced through the clouds, bringing warmth and brightness to the capital. The magnificent altar was already surrounded by a large crowd of onlookers. Officials in their robes stood solemnly around the altar, intently watching the upcoming ceremony. Further away, a dense crowd of ordinary people, though unable to approach the altar, watched with reverence from afar.

Standing in the crowd, Ye Shiqing's eyes quickly swept over her surroundings, a secret delight creeping into her heart. She noticed that, apart from the lofty Emperor, the princes, and court officials, there wasn't a single woman present! Even Ye Qingchen, whom she usually disliked and constantly opposed, was nowhere to be seen. Thinking of this, Ye Shiqing couldn't help but smile smugly.

Just then, Master Jiechen slowly walked to the center of the altar, clasped his hands together, and chanted incantations. He then turned to Ye Shiqing and gestured for her to begin the ritual as instructed. Having received the instruction, Ye Shiqing took a deep breath, composed herself, and then cautiously began to walk step by step toward the altar…

However, just as she was devoutly burning incense, without warning, a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. The discomfort quickly intensified, causing her to bend over. Then, a warm liquid flowed down her thigh, dripping onto the ground—her water had broken!

She watched in horror as the puddle of water spread at her feet, her heart filled with fear and helplessness. Her body seemed to lose its support in an instant; she stumbled and fell heavily onto the cold, hard altar.

The scene was utterly horrifying; everyone around was stunned, no one had expected such a thing to happen. Ye Shiqing herself, in particular, was deathly pale and trembling uncontrollably. She knew all too well that such a situation at this crucial moment was a terrible omen!

At this moment, Ye Shiqing was filled with fear, and only one thought occupied her mind: "What should I do? Will someone come to save me?" She was truly terrified, fearing that in this life-or-death moment, no one would be willing to lend a helping hand, leaving her to face this desperate situation alone. Everyone present was a man, and no one could help her.

The Crown Prince was utterly enraged by the sight. His eyes widened as he stared intently at Ye Shiqing, who lay sprawled on the altar, his chest heaving with fury. He couldn't believe that Ye Shiqing would cause such a commotion at such an important occasion!

Enraged, the Crown Prince turned to Ye Zhao beside him and roared, "Take this ungrateful woman back to me right now! What bad luck!" With that, he angrily flung his sleeves and stormed off without looking back. Leaving behind a bewildered and panicked crowd, and Ye Shiqing lying helplessly on the altar…

With a heart full of anxiety, Ye Zhao scooped up his daughter and struggled through the dense crowd. The scene was packed with people, shoulder to shoulder, making the already narrow road even more difficult to navigate. He used all his strength, pushing and shoving left and right, and finally managed to squeeze through a passage, carrying his daughter home.

When they finally stepped into the house, they found the midwife already waiting, with all the necessary items for the delivery prepared. The midwife hurried forward, carefully examining Ye Shiqing and the baby. After a thorough check, she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thankfully, Madam and the baby seem to be fine." With that, she immediately began the delivery.

As the saying goes, nine out of ten women who give birth are nearly killed. Ye Shiqing was no exception; the pain of childbirth tormented her. It lasted from day to night, a long and arduous process. Each contraction was like a tidal wave, bringing her to the brink of fainting. However, with her indomitable will, Ye Shiqing gritted her teeth and persevered. Finally, after countless painful struggles, she successfully gave birth to a baby girl. A baby girl! It was a baby girl!

Meanwhile, Madam Ye was secretly plotting a scheme. It turned out she had planned this all along, secretly switching Ye Shiqing's daughter with the son of one of the women kept in the manor. After everything was arranged, she approached Ye Zhao with a beaming smile, feigning surprise and telling him, "Congratulations, Master! Your daughter has given birth to a healthy baby boy! Go and inform the Crown Prince immediately!"

The Crown Prince was still furious. Ye Zhao's men requested an audience, which he initially refused. However, the men announced that his concubine, Lady Ye, had given birth to a son, which pleased the Crown Prince somewhat. It was late at night, and he couldn't easily go to the palace to announce the good news, but he found himself drawn to the Ye residence to see his son. The chubby boy was the Crown Prince's eldest grandson! So he quickly arrived at the Ye residence!

He didn't even ask about Ye Shi's condition. He just looked at the child. The child was fair-skinned, with big eyes, and very cute. The Crown Prince thought his son looked like him and had an air of nobility. Little did he know that many newborns are not very good-looking. This child had already been born for several days!