IDWBE -Chapter 426 A Real Heir

The gaunt eye sockets, though no longer able to see the light, were no longer troubled by the infection.

According to Lin Yi’s blunt understanding, the effect of “qi” was basically high-temperature sterilization.

But in the land of fireworks, what people were catching were viruses!

Viruses live inside living cells—no matter how strong the qi is, it shouldn’t work, right?

So even to this day, he still thought Chen Xilian was heading in the direction of a mystic healer.

Yet he didn’t expose it. In the feudal era, medicine inherently had a comforting aspect: bow at the temple, light incense at a shrine. Without a little folk medicine, shamanic rites, or exorcisms from mystics, one wouldn’t survive.

He had come to this era, believing firmly in science, even developing science in Sanhe.

But as a feudal prince of Sanhe, he had to attend annual ceremonies—prayers to heaven, blessings, and rituals.

What? Not attend?

If you skip it, clearly you don’t care for your people!

It would easily disgrace you!

No amount of good deeds could compensate for the “fragile” hearts of the people.

Being a prince wasn’t easy; he had always been cautious, extremely cautious.

Absolutely never violating the core principles regarding the people.

His attitude toward feudal superstition now was: neither promote, oppose, encourage, nor support.

“Thank you, Prince,” Hu Shilu finally exhaled in relief upon hearing Lin Yi, “Though Chen Xilian is a woman, her talent is remarkable—even surpassing me. I have long taught her the knowledge I learned from you about pathogens, gynecology, and pediatrics. I dare boldly say: the student has outdone the master!”

His voice grew louder with each word, all heartfelt.

If the princess had not encountered a difficult birth, this divine doctor would have had no chance to intervene.

In terms of natural childbirth, his apprentice was truly unmatched in the world!

“So she is a genuine gynecological master,” Lin Yi said with a smile. “In my domain, there’s no reason a woman cannot hold office. Once this matter is settled, assign your two apprentices positions in the Ministry of Health. I don’t care what ranks—they must at least be fourth rank or above.”

“Ah!”

Hu Shilu was startled. “That might not comply with regulations.”

The officialdom now was different from the past, strictly enforcing the “exam for every official appointment” policy!

Even Lord He could not promote anyone at will.

Such policies benefited entrenched interests!

Yesterday, Wang Xiaoshuan had boasted: luckily I became an official early.

In the past, someone like Wang Xiaoshuan couldn’t even be a stable keeper, let alone a ninth-rank official.

Now, if he promoted his two female apprentices directly, the Ministry of Personnel wouldn’t allow it, nor would Lord He approve!

Everything had rules—they couldn’t be broken.

Lin Yi waved his hand, “The rules are set by me. If I say it’s approved, it’s approved; if not, it’s not. Stop talking nonsense. It’s decided. I hope they can contribute to the obstetrics of Great Liang.”

“Thank you, Prince!”

Hu Shilu knelt again, banging his head three times.

The prince speaks the truth!

Rules depend on who sets them!

Inside, the screams continued through the tightly closed doors.

Lin Yi watched the maids rush in and out, their hands sweating with tension.

“Prince, the princess is physically strong; you need not worry too much,” Mingyue said cautiously. “Besides, good fortune protects the virtuous. You should sit and rest with some tea.”

“Very well,” Lin Yi glanced at a stone bench in the courtyard, sat in the shade, and took the tea cup Mingyue handed him, blowing on the tea leaves. “This time the princess is paying for old debts.”

He had once heard a friend say: painless is humanity’s light!

Unfortunately, in this era, it was impossible.

For both commoners and nobles, lifespans hardly differed.

For princes like him, surviving long enough to contend for the throne was nearly miraculous.

“Prince,” Hu Shilu carefully said, “Chen Xilian excels at using qi. The princess has her own protective qi, which should reduce some pain.”

“Qi isn’t omnipotent,” Lin Yi sighed. “Didn’t you hear her screams? In such a short time, it must hurt terribly.”

He faintly regretted it.

These past days, he had truly neglected Hu Miaoyi!

She was pregnant; a little moodiness was normal.

He, the regent, fussing over it was absurd.

If his mood affected her, and consequently the child, giving birth to a fool—he wouldn’t even know where to cry!

In that instant, he pondered deeply.

If there were a second child, he would show more patience and care toward Hu Miaoyi.

“You speak wisely, Prince.”

Hu Shilu hesitated, then did not argue.

In medicine, the prince was half his teacher; without him, he would not have achieved anything.

He didn’t believe the prince didn’t know—without qi protection, the princess’s screams would have been many times louder.

The prince knew everything, but was merely testing him.

If he dared speak back, he would regret it.

“The princess’s due date is perfect,” Lin Yi set the tea down, musing, “the fruit ripens naturally; it couldn’t be better.”

“Thank you, Miss Mingyue,” Hu Shilu accepted the tea with care, glancing once more at her face.

He inwardly groaned.

This young lady was clearly no longer a virgin.

Who could take her?

If an outsider, she wouldn’t still be at the prince’s side. Clearly, the prince had priority!

He pretended to glance casually at Mingyue’s belly, feeling uneasy.

Soon, he’d need to take her pulse.

He considered whether to inform He Jixiang and Chen Desheng—those most eager for the prince to have heirs.

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Mingyue and Zixia were still just young ladies.

Even if the prince doted on them, what could happen?

As for the prince ascending the throne later? Among three thousand beauties, they hardly mattered.

“Lord Hu, I don’t like hearing that,” Mingyue smiled, “When you were in the mansion, you weren’t so polite. You are a famed divine doctor; if I feel unwell, I’ll still need to seek your help.”

“You overstate, young lady, I don’t dare accept,” Hu Shilu lowered his head, replaying her words repeatedly.

What did she mean?

You are a ninth-rank pinnacle martial artist!

How could you get sick easily?

If she felt unwell, only one reason: pregnancy!

Ninth-rank pinnacle, the world’s martial artist—yet pregnant, she was like any other woman: nausea, vomiting, strange pains, needing midwives at birth.

Or maybe it was just a polite remark from Mingyue?

Was he overthinking?

Inside, Hu Miaoyi’s screams continued from noon until evening.

The sun neared the horizon.

As the sunset cast its glow over the mansion’s tiles, from the third courtyard came a loud cry.

“Congratulations, Prince! A congratulations—a princess!”

Chen Xilian, sweating profusely, knelt holding the swaddled infant.

Everyone fell silent.

A princess!

How disappointed would the court ministers be?

How disappointed would the people of Sanhe be?

How disappointed would the prince be?

Many dared not look at his face.

They could imagine how conflicted the prince must feel.

They feared his anger, though they had never seen him truly angry.

“Ha ha.”

Suddenly, they heard laughter.

It was the prince’s voice; no one could mistake it.

He murmured, “A daughter… how have I, Lin Yi, earned a daughter of my own?”

The words sounded strange.

Only Lin Yi understood.

In his previous life, he was a paralyzed cripple!

Now, reborn, he had a daughter—still felt unreal.

He didn’t deserve it!

Really didn’t deserve it!

His trembling hands, with Mingyue’s help, carefully accepted the swaddled child, looking at the wrinkled, rosy face, and laughed, “So ugly.”

Just as the internet says, newborns look like little monkeys.

“Prince,” Chen Xilian trembled like chaff, “the princess hasn’t grown yet; in a couple of days she’ll be fine.”

“Ha ha.”

Lin Yi laughed even louder, “She agrees to be my daughter—that’s honorable. I cannot let her down. From now on, whatever she says is right. If she goes east, I will not go west. She says catch a chicken, I will not chase the dog.”

Hearing this, everyone quickly said, “Congratulations, Prince! Long life to the prince! Long life to the princess!”

They didn’t understand.

Just a daughter!

Why was the prince so delighted?

Not the furious display they expected.

“Servants!”

“Yes!”

They answered in unison.

Lin Yi, holding the sleeping child, didn’t even look up, “I rejoice in my precious daughter, the emperor rejoices in a grandchild. Celebrate with the people. Issue a decree: amnesty across the realm! The princess has just arrived; I gather fortune for her.”

Though he found the child ugly, he couldn’t put her down.

“Prince!”

He Jixiang responded. When the prince first assumed office, he had already declared amnesty once.

Now, erratic as always, what use were the laws?

Lin Yi smiled at the child in his arms, “Don’t think I don’t know—how many wrongful imprisonments are there? Your abilities are limited; you cannot untangle them. Better not to detain anyone further. This gives your three offices a way to save face.”

He had thought himself a wise ruler, building a just officialdom.

Reality proved him wrong.

He Jixiang, Xie Zan, Chen Desheng—none were good people.

No matter how much they praised the people, it was for the Lin family’s feudal rule.

“People can carry boats and overturn them” is nonsense.

In essence, the commoners are just “tools.”

Thus, in the Ankang city prison, anyone who acted against the regent’s rule ended up imprisoned.

Lin Yi disliked this.

His newly revised “Liang Code” had become a mere ornament.

“Prince!” He Jixiang suddenly spoke, but seeing Lin Yi’s gaze, hurriedly said, “Prince is wise!”

The prince was easygoing—but only if not angered.

If truly angered, no different from a black donkey in the Wang mansion: kinless, stomping all the way.

Lin Yi asked, “Then what now?”

“I obey your order!”

Seeing He Jixiang submit, everyone chorused in agreement.

“Prince,” Chen Xilian, still kneeling, said, “The wind is strong outside. Please allow the princess indoors.”

“Take her in,” Though reluctant, Lin Yi handed the child to Chen Xilian, “Wash the princess properly—she smells.”

He guessed it was from being in the amniotic fluid too long.

“Yes.”

Chen Xilian dared not speak further.

The outer doors of the birthing room closed again.

Lin Yi looked at He Jixiang kneeling, smiling, “Rise, I didn’t even notice when you came.”

He then sat on the stone bench, drinking several sips of tea.

“I heard the princess consort was in labor today; we dared not slack,” He Jixiang stood, helping Chen Desheng, sitting across from Lin Yi, smiling, “Now both princess and consort are safe—truly joyous.”

Lin Yi rolled his eyes at them, “You know I don’t like riddles. Speak plainly, save everyone effort.”

He Jixiang said nothing.

Chen Desheng smiled, “Prince, you have no heir yet; we cannot help but worry. We hope you plan soon.”

“Heir?”

Lin Yi said lightly, “I just had a princess, and you say I have no heir? What do you mean?”

“This…”

Chen Desheng looked at He Jixiang; both saw confusion in each other’s eyes.

Since when does a daughter not count as an heir?

Even for ordinary families, without a male, it’s the end of the line!

Harshly, the family is doomed!

Among the people, the worst insult is: no descendants!

Compared to this, cursing eighteen generations is nothing.

Without heirs is the greatest insult to ancestors!

“I have repeatedly emphasized gender equality in Sanhe,” Lin Yi squinted at the two, “Did you ignore it? A daughter is not inferior to a son? You are learned men; think of the ancient queen of the former dynasty—how many men compare?”

He had the throne, mines to inherit, but did it have to be a son?

Couldn’t a daughter inherit?

He couldn’t understand their thinking.