After hours of labor. Cheng mei finally birth a child. Chang was called into Cheng's bedroom to see his heir. He entered to see a disgruntled Cheng, who refuses to hold her child, and why? Because it was a girl.
Chang Hao entered the birthing chamber to find Empress Mei sulking on her bed, arms crossed defiantly. Beside her lay a small bassinet containing a crying infant wrapped in soft linen.
"A daughter," he stated flatly, his voice devoid of emotion as he approached the cradle. "Congratulations, my Empress."
Mei scoffed loudly. "A useless girl! Of what use is she? You needed a son to solidify your legacy!"
The midwife attending to her shifted nervously. "Your Majesty, it's a healthy baby girl. Strong lungs on her."
Chang Hao ignored Mei's tantrum, lifting the tiny bundle carefully. His expression softened slightly as he gazed at the newborn's face. "She has my features," he observed quietly.
"Of course she does!" Mei snapped back immediately. " Did you ever doubt that it was your's ." She asked annoyed with a raised brow
The Child was given to him to hold, by the midwife. Chang Hao's brow furrowed as he cradled the infant, noticing her surprisingly robust weight and developed features. The child's eyes seemed too alert, her limbs already appearing strong rather than delicate.
"Mei, explain this," he demanded, his tone losing its celebratory edge. "Newborns are typically much smaller than this."
Empress Mei sighed dramatically, leaning back against her pillows. "Your Majesty is questioning your own bloodline now? How insulting! Perhaps you've spent too much time listening to poisonous gossip from your favorite concubine."
Her maids gasped at the bold accusation while the midwife looked increasingly concerned by the infant's unusual development.
"She's simply a healthy baby," Mei insisted weakly, though her eyes darted nervously toward the bassinet. "Maybe she takes after *your* side of the family - strong and stubborn from birth."
She glared at him. He looks back at the baby and his annoyance melted but with caution. The girl was a replica of him , same features but tanned in complexion but she somehow looked vaguely like Bella. He didn't even realize when he whispered Bella's name out. Cheng snotted. You still think of that murderer, while holding our baby? How pathetic.
Chang Hao's head snapped up at the sound of his own whispered name escaping his lips. His face flushed with embarrassment and anger at being caught thinking of Bella while holding his newborn daughter.
"I was merely observing similarities," he retorted defensively, adjusting the infant's swaddling.
The midwife interjected nervously, sensing the rising tension. "Your Majesties, perhaps we should focus on the baby's health? She appears quite vigorous."
Mei sneered at Chang Hao's discomfort. "Oh yes, let's talk about health. Our daughter is strong thanks to pure imperial blood, not whatever questionable genetics your concubine might possess."
She sat up straighter in bed, pulling the blankets tighter around herself. "I'm exhausted from delivering this perfect heir while you're worried about some commoner who belongs in a prison cell."
Chang ignored her and handed the baby back to the midwife. He turned to leave, afraid to say or do something he might regret. He was at the door when Cheng scoff. "Running like a coward, are we?"
Empress Mei watched Chang Hao's retreating back with a satisfied smirk, her earlier exhaustion completely forgotten.
"That's right, run away like the coward you are!" she called after him. "Go back to your little prison pet while I raise our daughter to be a true empress!" Chang breathed in to calm his rising anger. "Rest well" he said with a strained voice.
Once the door clicked shut, she turned her attention back to the midwife. "Himari, prepare my recovery bath. I want every herbal tonic and massage oil ready. And make sure my daughter is presented to the court in a few days' time."
The midwife bowed low. "Of course, Your Majesty. But about the baby's unusual size... it's quite unusual for a newborn to be so developed."
"She's simply perfect," Mei snapped, waving a dismissive hand. "Now leave me to rest before that traitorous murderer tries to poison my mind with her bad omen."
Cheng had refused to throw a celebration for the birth of her child and kept insisting that Bella must be punished for a crime . She kept pestering him at every giving moment.
Questioning his sense of justice and kingship. She riled up some concubines to regularly comment on how his favor to Bella is going to be the downfall of them all. And how his unwillingness to punish her is going to bring bad luck to the empire.
Days turned into a week as Empress Mei's campaign against Bella intensified. During breakfast one morning, she complained loudly about her lack of sleep due to nightmares featuring bloody scenes.
"It's that monster you keep locked away!" she declared to Chang Hao across the dining table. "Every night I dream of her attacking innocent women. Soon it will be me next!"
Later that afternoon, Concubine Sakura approached Chang Hao during his leisure walk through the gardens. "Your Majesty, I've been praying to the spirits for guidance regarding Lady Bella," she said tearfully.
"They warn me that her presence threatens this entire dynasty. A murderer lives among us!"
The following evening at dinner, several concubines began discussing recent misfortunes - a stable fire, spoiled wine at a banquet, even minor illnesses among court officials.
"All since that creature was imprisoned," Concubine Yumi commented casually to her neighbor.
Concubine Yumi leaned closer to her companion, lowering her voice conspiratorially.
"I heard from one of the kitchen maids that Lady Bella used to practice dark arts in her quarters. That's why she always had those strange herbs burning."
Across the dining hall, Empress Mei watched the conversation unfold with a satisfied smile. She raised her wine goblet slightly as if acknowledging their efforts.
The next day brought more subtle attacks. While practicing archery in the courtyard, Concubine Hana intentionally fired an arrow near where Chang Hao stood.
"My apologies, Your Majesty," she called out sweetly. "My aim is off today. Perhaps my nerves are unsettled knowing a killer walks free."
Even General Kenji began expressing concerns during military briefings. "Sir, forgive my candor, but morale among the palace guards has dropped significantly. They fear for their lives serving under these conditions." Meanwhile in Ishimuro prison, Bella's isolation deepened.
Cheng's tricks became more and more insistent and troublesome. He couldn't take it anymore and agreed to calling the court.
Chang Hao slammed his fist on the imperial desk, scattering scrolls across polished wood. "Enough! Call for the Royal Court assembly immediately!"
His voice carried throughout the palace, summoning ministers, advisors, and senior officials to gather in the grand throne room. Within minutes, courtiers rushed to prepare for an unscheduled session.
Empress Mei received news of the sudden summons while lounging in her chambers. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation - this was exactly what she'd been working toward.
"Excellent," she muttered to her chief maid. "It seems my husband has finally realized he cannot ignore public opinion forever."
In Ishimuro prison, guards whispered excitedly about the unexpected court convocation. Could this mean judgment for Lady Bella at last?
As officials filed into their designated seats below the ornate throne platform, nervous energy crackled through the vast chamber. Everyone knew Empress Mei's relentless campaign against Bella had reached critical mass.