Chapter 122: Reunion (3)

Chapter 122: Reunion (3)

Jian He inquired about Fu Heng again, clearly intending to send a trusted aide to find her and inquire about the events of that year.

"Mother should arrive around this time if you calculate the days," Fu Jiaze said.

The birth of a child was a significant event. Previously, Fu Heng had written to say that she would come.

Jian He pressed further, "From where is she traveling?"

Fu Jiaze mentioned an address.

Upon learning that Fu Heng was coming, Jian He couldn't wait for a moment. If Fu Heng was coming this way, she would pass through Feng City. He could take the opportunity to ask where she had found the child.

"There's no need for you to worry," Jian He said before leaving, taking the broken arrow and diapers with him, addressing the couple.

"It will take some time to get to the bottom of this. The most important thing now is for your wife to give birth safely. Once she delivers the baby safely, I will come and offer my congratulations."

Jian He suppressed his tumultuous emotions and offered his greatest kindness to soothe the couple.

He stepped forward and gently hugged Fu Jiaze.

"Everything will be fine. Trust me. Doctor Cao is highly skilled. She is currently assisting another family with a twin birth. Once the twins are delivered, she will come to assess your wife's condition."

"Thank you, General," Fu Jiaze said, lowering his eyes respectfully.

Lifting his robe, Jian He resisted the urge to look at Fu Jiaze again and left quickly.

Even after leaving the residence, he sat on his horse, gazing at the thick walls, wishing he could see Fu Jiaze through them.

His sister's concern for Fu Jiaze and Concubine Chen's fondness for him came to mind. Jian He remembered his first meeting with Fu Jiaze, and how he had taken a liking to this younger man.

Even his parents had not shown such interest in a younger relative for a long time. His mother had specifically sought out Doctor Cao to assist.

If Fu Jiaze were his sister's son, with the bloodline of the Jian family and royalty, everything would make sense.

Fu Jiaze carried the blood of the Jian family, making him endearing to them. With royal blood, Concubine He Lanting saw in him the shadow of her lost child.

·

Since then, both Fu Jiaze and Lin Yingxue harbored concerns.

Fu Jiaze was occupied with official duties, and other matters filled his mind, allowing him to avoid thinking too much about the reunion. Lin Yingxue, on the other hand, had more free time.

When people have free time, they tend to overthink. Lin Yingxue, now with a large belly, didn't go out much and had plenty of time to let her thoughts wander.

Was this important person to Jian He of the same age?

Fu Jiaze, always accommodating to his wife, saw her racking her brain without a clue and decided to join her.

For several nights, they lay in bed together, trying to figure out who this "old acquaintance" was.

Jian He's acquaintances were indeed numerous.

He had lived in the capital for some time, and visitors to the Jian residence were constant during the time of his deceased elder brother, a man of great talent. From elderly scholars to young talents, many had connections with the Jian family.

Additionally, the current Empress, who was a talented young lady, had many associates.

Later, Jian He went to war, leading troops from east to west, and befriended many prefects and county magistrates.

Jian He's friendships spanned the world. If he hadn't remained unmarried and childless, with the Empress's only legitimate son passing away early and her virtuous reputation, along with the stable birth and growth of the palace's princesses and princes, the current Emperor would certainly not have tolerated him.

After counting everyone in the capital, Lin Yingxue gave up. There were simply too many.

"Forget it," she said, her brows furrowed, feeling the baby's movements.

Before dropping into the pelvis, the baby had a larger range of movement. Lin Yingxue could feel the undulations of her belly as the baby's small hands and feet moved inside. Now that the baby had dropped into the pelvis, only the legs were moving. She sometimes wondered if it was uncomfortable to come out upside down.

But Lin Yingxue also knew that if the baby came out the right way up, it would be a difficult birth.

"It's been three days since the baby dropped into the pelvis, and there's been no sign. I wonder how much longer we have to wait."

Before having a child, Lin Yingxue had always thought giving birth was just a woman's rite of passage. Everyone could do it, so she certainly could too.

Later, she realized that since the baby in her belly was invisible, she could only feel it through her skin. How the baby was doing could only be known after it was born.

Thinking this, Lin Yingxue wished she could know the baby's condition. Just then, Doctor Cao arrived.

·

Previously, the doctors, being men, couldn't directly touch her belly. Doctor Cao felt her pulse and then asked Lin Yingxue to wear only her undergarments, lifting her clothes to touch her belly.

After assessing the baby's position and size, Doctor Cao said, "The baby's size is good, and the time is near. I will prescribe a medicine to prepare for induction."

Hearing this, Lin Yingxue, feeling anxious, gripped her husband's arm.

Fu Jiaze had consciously delegated his duties to others to ensure he wouldn't be unavailable when Lin Yingxue gave birth.

When Doctor Cao visited, Fu Jiaze stayed at home to hear her diagnosis.

Upon hearing her words, Fu Jiaze said, "It's only been three days since the baby dropped into the pelvis. Previous doctors said it usually takes about seven to eight days. Is induction necessary?"

Lin Yingxue didn't speak, but emotions flickered in her eyes, conveying the same meaning.

Doctor Cao said, "There's a common saying that women with bigger hips are better at bearing children, which refers to the pelvic bone of a woman. The madam's pelvis is not large. If the baby continues to grow, childbirth might be difficult."

Lin Yingxue had a small frame, and although she had gained some weight during her pregnancy, she could tell by touching herself. But even in the summer, wearing layers of gauze, she didn't appear plump.

Doctor Cao took a charcoal pencil and drew the pelvis and a child curled up on rice paper.

"I just felt the baby's position, and it's good. The head size is appropriate. After taking labor-inducing medicine, the baby should be born within twelve hours. The baby might be a bit small, but it will be fine after a month of care."

"If we delay, the madam will suffer more during childbirth."

"I've delivered hundreds of babies, if not thousands. I recommend inducing labor and delivering the baby as soon as possible."

As Doctor Cao spoke, the couple listened attentively.

They originally thought it would be some time before they saw the baby, but after hearing Doctor Cao's advice, they decided to induce labor after lunch.

Doctor Cao raised an eyebrow and felt better about Jiaze Fu.

Many people are unwilling to induce labor if the time isn't up, fearing the baby might be too small if it stays in the womb a few days less. Doctor Cao often had to persuade them, and sometimes she couldn't convince them, leaving the woman to suffer during childbirth.

"I'll get the medicine," Doctor Cao said. She had a habit of judging the medicine's properties herself.

After deciding on the medicine, Doctor Cao went to the pharmacy to get the ingredients, decocted it herself, and by the time she returned, Lin Yingxue had finished her meal.

After taking the labor-inducing medicine, Lin Yingxue's belly began to tighten.

"Help your wife stand and walk to warm up her body, but don't let her get tired," Doctor Cao instructed. "When her water breaks, call me."

Jiaze Fu helped Lin Yingxue walk slowly and sit down. Whenever her belly tightened and caused pain, she would pause and take deep breaths until the pain subsided.

When the pain became more frequent, Doctor Cao prepared to deliver the baby. Initially, she wanted to send Jiaze Fu out, but he insisted on staying in the delivery room.

Doctor Cao hesitated but eventually nodded.

Before the childbirth, Doctor Cao spoke little, mostly about inducing labor.

As Lin Yingxue was about to give birth, the doctor spoke more.

"Breathe with me like this. Do you feel the pain lessen?"

"Sir Fu, continue talking to the madam. After checking, I see that the dilation is not enough yet."

"Are you scared? Other women might need to be afraid, but the madam doesn't have to be. Trust my skills. Even if you're half-stepped into the gates of hell, I'm confident I can pull you back."

Lin Yingxue chuckled softly. There was a slight sound, like something broke, and Doctor Cao had Jiaze Fu help Lin Yingxue onto a small couch.

The actual childbirth was chaotic and painful. Lin Yingxue was sometimes too hazy to see clearly. Finally, there was a release, and the baby was delivered.

"It's a boy," Doctor Cao announced, and the baby cried immediately.

Jiaze Fu held the soft, reddish baby and sat beside Lin Yingxue, placing their child between them.

The baby's eyes were closed, and its skin was wrinkled from being in the amniotic fluid, making it hard to see any resemblance to the couple.

But hearing the baby's cry stirred emotions. Countless voices in their hearts said: This is their child.

Lin Yingxue reached out, and the wrinkled little hand grasped her finger, and the baby stopped crying.

Jiaze Fu found it hard to contain his emotions. Even with an outsider present, he gently kissed his wife's forehead.