Birth

"Big brother, you're pacing so much I'm getting dizzy. His Majesty has already sent the chief physicians to keep watch for you—what more could you be worried about?" A slender boy with an honest face tried to reassure him. This was Zhangsun Ren, the second son of the General of Heavenly Strategy, Zhangsun Zhi.

Zhangsun Qian, who had been whispering anxiously as he paced, looked up at his brother and replied, "I just can't help but worry." He then turned to the two elderly men nearby, cupping his hands in salute. "Thank you for your trouble, Chief Physician Sun, Judge Liu." Zhangsun Qian looked every bit the refined scholar.

The two imperial physicians, clad in green official robes, quickly returned the salute. "General Zhangsun, you flatter us."

But Zhangsun Qian was, in fact, a fourth-rank military official, the Loyal and Brave General.

"Don't worry, Dalang," a kindly old woman smiled from the shadowed end of the corridor. "This midwife is the best in Chang'an. When I was expecting you, I only had the help of our neighbors—nothing like today's grand occasion." A maid stood by, fanning her gently. This was Gao Qingyun, wife of General Zhangsun Zhi and mistress of the household.

"Yes, Mother," Zhangsun Qian replied.

Zhangsun Ren was about to continue when three figures appeared around the corridor's bend, cutting him off. Zhangsun Qian, Zhangsun Ren, Gao Qingyun, and the two physicians all went to greet the newcomers.

Of the trio, one walked ahead, the other two trailing a step behind on either side. The leader, about forty, moved with the poise of a dragon or tiger—a true general's bearing. On his right was a man whose face did not betray his age, though his hair was half white and he seemed to favor his left foot. Yet his back was straight, and his presence distinguished. To the left was a stockier man, rough of face, heavy-browed, sporting a thick mustache.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," the group bowed together as the leader approached. He was none other than the present Emperor, Li Ji'an.

"No need for formality," Li Ji'an said. "Today is a joyous occasion. The Duke of E and I have only come to join the festivities." As he finished, he glanced back at the man on his right, then turned to the others with a smile. "See? We're both in plain clothes," he said, lifting the sleeve of his blue robe.

"Father, Father-in-law," Zhangsun Qian saluted again.

The man on the right was the General of Heavenly Strategy, Zhangsun Zhi; the one on the left was Duke E, Yuchi Gong.

"How is it going?" Zhangsun Zhi asked.

"The midwife has been inside for some time. It should be soon," Zhangsun Qian replied.

Today was the day Zhangsun Qian's wife—and Yuchi Gong's eldest daughter—Yuchi Yiyi, was to give birth.

"Zhangsun, good thing you won't miss holding your grandchild, or you'd be complaining again," Li Ji'an teased, looking at Zhangsun Zhi.

"You jest, Your Majesty," Zhangsun Zhi replied somewhat awkwardly. He had been urging the two of them to hurry the entire way, though in truth, they hadn't been slow.

"Jesting? I doubt it. I've never seen you take the slope so fast—rushing home straight after court," Yuchi Gong joked.

Zhangsun Zhi, accused of hurrying, took no offense. "I won't lower myself to argue with you," he replied dryly.

As they spoke, a piercing scream burst from inside.

"Ahh..."

Zhangsun Qian hurried to the door, knocking frantically. "Yiyi... Yiyi..."

Everyone crowded to the door, peering anxiously though nothing could be seen.

"Ah... hus...band... ah..." came a woman's voice from within.

"My lady, push—push! The head is out!" another woman's voice urged.

"Ahh..."

"..."

"It's born! It's born—a boy! Congratulations, my lady!"

Inside, the midwife cradled the newborn in puzzlement—not because something was wrong, but because the baby was so quiet, neither crying nor fussing.

As for our protagonist, Song Hongfei, he was even more bewildered. He had only gone to sleep in his rented room, and upon waking found himself a baby. Shocked, he stared at the midwife, then realized this wasn't how a baby was supposed to behave and quickly began to cry.

The midwife's doubts vanished, a smile spreading across her face as she handed the child to the woman on the bed. "My lady, it's a little master."

The young woman in bed was barely past twenty; though her face was pale, happiness overflowed as she struggled up to receive her child.

The maids moved in orderly fashion, one opening the door while another carried out a basin of bloody water.

As the door opened, the others entered. Li Ji'an was the first to step in, declaring, "No need for ceremony. Today I'm just a guest—carry on as you were."

The maids and midwife, realizing the Emperor himself had come, bowed quickly and returned to their work. Clearly, Li Ji'an was a frequent visitor to the Zhangsun household, and the servants were used to it.

"Let me see the child," Zhangsun Zhi said with delight as he entered.

The midwife handed the baby to him.

Zhangsun Qian sat at the bedside, gazing tenderly at Yuchi Yiyi and gently supporting her as she leaned against his shoulder—she was so weak that sitting up had drained her strength.

"Husband, it's a boy."

"You've worked hard, my dear," Zhangsun Qian replied softly.

Yuchi Yiyi smiled, closed her eyes, and rested quietly on his shoulder.

Gao Qingyun softly instructed her maid to have the kitchen prepare some ginseng soup to nourish Yuchi Yiyi.

"Yuchi, those two are truly a devoted couple," Li Ji'an remarked with a smile.

"Naturally—unlike this old fool who doesn't care for my daughter at all," Yuchi Gong replied, a little enviously.

"Ah, yes, yes, my apologies. I got too excited and forgot," Zhangsun Zhi finally noticed Yuchi Yiyi's pallor and quickly handed the baby to Li Ji'an. "Your Majesty."

Li Ji'an took the child, playing with him. The baby had stopped crying, his bright eyes fixed on Li Ji'an with startling intelligence. Yuchi Gong watched anxiously.

Song Hongfei thought to himself, "Yuchi Gong? The Emperor? Could this be the Tang Dynasty?" He glanced at the man holding him. "Is this the Emperor? Then that must be Li Er. But this emperor seems nothing like the stern figure I imagined—just an ordinary man."

"Yiyi, rest well at home in the coming days. You've endured much," Zhangsun Zhi said, walking over to her.

He stopped a maid. "Have the kitchen make something nourishing for Yiyi." Then, as if remembering something, he took a brocade box from his sleeve and handed it to the maid. "Give this to the kitchen—it's a precious old ginseng root from Changbai Mountain, just bestowed by His Majesty. Have it simmered at once."

"I've already sent Xiu'er. Just give this to her," Gao Qingyun added.

"Yes, madam," the maid replied, hurrying off with the box.

"Madam always thinks of everything," Zhangsun Zhi said with a sheepish grin.

"Dalang, you are to do nothing for now but stay by Yiyi's side while she recovers," he instructed Zhangsun Qian.

"Yes, Father."

The more Li Ji'an looked at the baby, the more he liked him. "Zhangsun, has the child been named yet?"

At this, Zhangsun Zhi's face darkened. He understood the Emperor's intention—clearly, he wished to name the child himself. "He has not yet been named," he replied.

Li Ji'an didn't believe him, but didn't mind. After a moment's thought, he said, "'The wild goose soars, its wings resplendent.' Let him be called Hongfei—Zhangsun Hongfei. What do you think?"

Zhangsun Zhi repeated the name to himself and found it pleasing. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for bestowing the name."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for bestowing the name," the others echoed.

Song Hongfei thought, "What are the odds? Still Hongfei?" In his former life, he had been an orphan, later adopted by the Song family and named Song Hongfei.

Li Ji'an laughed heartily, then handed the baby to Yuchi Gong, who took him eagerly. At that moment, Song Hongfei felt the urge to urinate. He wondered if speaking now would be too shocking—would they think him a monster and get rid of him? So, without further hesitation, he simply relieved himself.

Yuchi Gong, just having taken the baby, felt something warm and wet on his sleeve. Looking down, he saw the child had peed on him and burst out laughing. "This child is truly fond of me—his very first act is to honor me so!"

The others laughed as well. Zhangsun Zhi teased, "Clearly, he doesn't like you—stop flattering yourself."

Just then, a servant announced that Magistrate Liu of Jingzhao had arrived to offer his congratulations.

"Dalang, stay and rest with Yiyi. I will see to our guests," Zhangsun Zhi said.

"We've seen the child, and no doubt more officials will come to offer congratulations. I should return to the palace before the censors start complaining," Li Ji'an added.

"Your Majesty, allow me to see you out," Zhangsun Zhi offered.

"No need. Yuchi and I will slip out the back. You should greet your guests," Li Ji'an replied casually.

Reluctantly, Yuchi Gong handed the baby to Zhangsun Qian. Only now could the poor man truly gaze upon his own child.

The group departed, the servants quickly tidied the room, and peace returned. Yet, from that moment until evening, the general's residence was filled with lively celebration, and Zhangsun Zhi awarded every household member a hundred coins.