Chapter 450

The Strategy of a Concubine’s Daughter Chapter 457: Testing the Waters (Part 2)

As dawn approached, Lady Eleven awoke suddenly, feeling sharp, rhythmic pains in her abdomen.

She nudged Lord Xu beside her: "My lord..."

The moment she moved, Lord Xu stirred. Before he could speak, she said urgently, "What's wrong?"

"The pains have started."

By her calculations, it was time. Under normal circumstances, there would be no hurry, but if labor had begun, the first birth often took hours. Besides, the midwives and Auntie Peng were already waiting in the front courtyard.

Lord Xu slipped into his robe and rose: "I’ll summon the midwives!" His tone was steady, his movements composed.

Reassured, Lady Eleven instructed a young maid to fetch Amber, now a married woman: "You’ll accompany me to the birthing room later."

Amber tensed but replied promptly, "Yes."

As they spoke, the contractions subsided. Lady Eleven freshened up and dressed.

Two palace midwives entered first, followed by Auntie Peng, two midwives invited by the elder madam, and Madams Tian and Wan, all streaming into the inner chamber.

The pains returned.

One midwife palpated her belly and said, "To the birthing room. The baby’s coming."

Auntie Peng stepped forward to check her pulse and nodded. "Labor has begun."

Lady Eleven acknowledged this and rested briefly on the heated bed (kang) until the contractions passed. Then, escorted by Madams Tian and Wan, she went to the birthing room.

By then, the elder madam had been informed. Leaning on Madam Du, she entered the main courtyard surrounded by maids and matrons. Spotting Lord Xu under the eaves, she asked anxiously, "Any news?"

"They say labor has started."

The elder madam sighed in relief. "Don’t fret—first births take time." After a pause, she added, "Let’s wait inside."

"You should rest," Lord Xu said. "I’ll keep watch here."

The elder madam shook her head. "I’d be uneasy indoors. Better to remain." She turned to Madam Du. "Go see how things progress."

Madam Du smiled. "Yes," and hurried off.

Lord Xu guided the elder madam to the eastern chamber, where maids served tea and snacks.

Soon Madam Du returned. "It’s only just begun."

The elder madam pressed her palms together and bowed westward. "May the Bodhisattva bless us with peace and smoothness," she prayed.

Lady Second and Lady Fifth also heard. As a widow, Lady Second sent a maid, while Lady Fifth came personally with Nanny Shi.

"Shall Nanny Shi assist?"

"No need yet," the elder madam said gently. "Even if swift, it won’t conclude before tonight or tomorrow dawn. If slow, it may last until tomorrow evening—or even the following morning."

Recalling her own confinement, Lady Fifth smiled. "Then I’ll have Nanny Shi return after supper. An experienced hand at night will steady her nerves."

The elder madam nodded. "Nanny Shi and Madam Du shall attend tonight."

Nanny Shi obliged brightly, then withdrew to rest. By lamplight, she returned to find the elder madam reclining in the heated side chamber and Lord Xu writing in his study. After greeting them, she made for the birthing room.

Here is the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The delivery chamber was hushed. The two midwives summoned by the Dowager sat on low stools by the bed, while Amber perched at the bedside, dabbing Lady Eleven's forehead and neck with a handkerchief. Nurse Tian waited nearby with a copper basin. Song Mama, Wan Mama, the two palace midwives, and Auntie Peng were nowhere to be seen.

Hearing movement, Nurse Tian gave Nanny Shi a slight nod.

Nanny Shi crept closer and saw Lady Eleven with closed eyes, seemingly asleep.

She whispered into Nurse Tian's ear, "How is it progressing?"

"The birth will most likely come tomorrow," Nurse Tian murmured.

As Nanny Shi opened her mouth to inquire further, Amber glanced up and signaled for silence. Both women immediately stilled their tongues. Only after Amber finished tending to Lady Eleven did Nanny Shi follow Nurse Tian to dispose of the water, finally gaining opportunity to speak.

"How fares our mistress?"

"The mistress shows remarkable courage," Nurse Tian said, eyes shining with admiration. "Calmer even than us seasoned hands. She insisted that since the birth wouldn't occur until tomorrow, I and the palace midwives should rest—saying we mustn't exhaust ourselves now and lack strength when needed most. Though in pain all day, she's been snatching sleep whenever possible. I prepared six brown sugar-poached eggs for her, and she consumed every last morsel, broth included."

Nanny Shi exhaled in relieved surprise.

Lady Eleven's composure made their tasks easier.

Just then, a young maid scurried in.

Before the girl could speak, Nurse Tian smiled and said, "Come back tomorrow morning."

The maid bobbed a cheerful assent and scampered off.

Noticing Nanny Shi's puzzled look, Nurse Tian explained, "That maid serves Lady Wen—she's been sending messengers since dawn, and the marquis saw but didn't intervene."

Nanny Shi gave a low chuckle. "She's quite a shrewd one, that Lady Wen."

Nurse Tian merely smiled in response.

Lady Wen retired undisturbed.

Meanwhile, Qiao Lianfang recalled the special treatment she'd received during her own pregnancy—should Lady Eleven bear a son this time, she would reign over the inner courtyard for years to come.

At this thought, a self-deprecating smile touched her lips.

"So the mistress won't deliver until tomorrow?" Yang Shi murmured absently, eyes fixed on the mutton-fat jade lantern.

"First labors often take time," Nurse Yang reassured. "Tomorrow would actually be swift progress."

Yang Shi pressed her lips together, her gaze distant.

Observing this, Nurse Yang brought warm water. "My lady, the hour grows late. You should prepare for bed. If the mistress delivers at dawn, you must go pay your respects."

Yang Shi gave a distracted murmur but remained motionless.

"My lady!" Nurse Yang urged softly.

Yang Shi snapped to attention. "And the marquis—where is he? What occupies him now?"

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

"Tian Ma was taken aback for a moment and replied, 'Lord Xu is in the study.' After a pause, she added, 'The maidservant who went to check earlier said the lamp in the study was still lit.'"

"Lord Xu's study was located in the eastern wing of the main house, while Lady Eleven's delivery room was set up in the western annex room."

"Yang Shi pondered for a while before asking again, 'Lady Wen, has Lady Wen retired for the night?'"

"'She should have retired by now,' Tian Ma answered. 'I noticed her door was closed early.'"

"Yang Shi allowed Tian Ma to assist her with washing up, then said, 'Have a maidservant bring a lantern. I'll go to the main house for a look.'"

"'My lady,' Tian Ma exclaimed in surprise. 'Lady Wen has already retired, and there's no sign of Qiao Lianfang either...' Suddenly realizing, she continued, 'Are you planning to visit Lord Xu?' Her expression turned disapproving. 'With Lady Eleven in childbirth, Lord Xu wouldn't be in the mood... And if Lady Eleven were to find out...'"

"'I know what I'm doing,' Yang Shi interrupted, removing her maroon silk jacket and changing into a silver-embroidered gauze top while keeping her original dark blue pleated silk skirt. Leaning on a maidservant's shoulder, she headed to the main house."

"Lord Xu heard the night watchman's drum and asked the attendant maid, 'What time is it?'"

"The maid hurried to the warming room to check the clock. 'My lord, it's eight in the evening.'"

"'Go and see if Lady Eleven is asleep or awake.'"

"The maid obeyed and left."

"Lord Xu listened intently."

"He heard whispering in the courtyard."

"Had something happened?"

"Lord Xu's expression grew stern as he hurried out of the study. There, he saw a woman in white standing at the corridor where the main house and study met, speaking with two maidservants."

"'What's going on?' he asked, his brow slightly furrowed."

"His commanding voice made all three freeze."

"The woman in white reacted first, stepping forward and bowing deeply. 'I heard Lady Eleven has been in labor all day without delivering,' she said, pausing before adding with deep concern, 'Lord Xu, are you all right?'"

"Her voice was clear yet carried a hint of charm."

"It was Yang Shi!"

"Lord Xu's gaze turned colder."

"Yang Shi felt as if a piercing gaze had locked onto her, leaving her completely exposed."

"'There's no need to worry, Lord Xu. Lady Eleven is blessed and destined for a safe delivery,' she said, controlling her fear as she knelt with practiced grace. 'I was worried at first, but Xiu Lian explained that this is normal for a first childbirth. It seems I was ignorant.' Her voice wavered slightly. 'I was about to leave when I accidentally disturbed you...'"

"'There won't be news until tomorrow,' came the cold reply, though the chilling intensity of his gaze gradually softened."

"Yang Shi lowered her head, a faint, knowing smile playing at her lips. 'I'll visit Lady Eleven again tomorrow!'"

"She rose with practiced grace, her face now the image of deference."

"With an elegant bow, Yang Shi withdrew gracefully."

"Lord Xu's gaze shifted to the western annex room."

"A maidservant emerged from the room." "'Lord Xu, Tian Ma says Lady Eleven has just now fallen asleep!'"

Lord Xu felt some relief, his expression softening further.

Lady Eleven didn’t know how much longer she could endure.

The pain seemed endless, wave after wave, sapping her strength.

With a frown, she summoned Amber.

Her voice was hoarse.

Amber rushed to her bedside, "My lady, what do you need?"

"Later, remember to have the midwife wipe the scissors several times with spirits..."

Tian Mama had advised that the lady must rest well, lest she lack strength when the time came.

"Don’t worry, my lady," Amber interjected before Lady Eleven could finish, "I remember everything you said. The scissors must be wiped with spirits, all the cloths must be boiled in water, and the midwife must wash her hands with saltwater before examining you..."

Worried, Amber had kept vigil all night, watching over Lady Eleven, her face showing signs of weariness.

Lady Eleven nodded and fell silent, her lips pressed tightly together.

Amber knew the pain had returned and tried to distract her with conversation: "The elder madam has been waiting in the warm chamber of the main house, and the fifth lady came after breakfast. Qiuyu said the study lamp stayed lit all night. Last night, Lady Yang came specifically to see you. She met Lord Xu, but when she heard you were resting, she left... And Lady Wen sent a maid early this morning to ask after you..."

Lady Eleven tried to ignore her discomfort, listening as Amber shared these household updates.

"Madam Du took care of me last night, and the elder madam rested in my room. Who’s looking after Chun Ge and Jie Ge then?"

"Last night, the fifth lord took the fourth young master to his own quarters. The fifth young master has Nan Yong’s lady helping to watch over him."

Lady Eleven sighed to herself.

The midwife approached with a practiced smile, "Madam Guan, I’ve come to check on the lady."

Amber stood and made way for the midwife.

Then came the midwife’s startled cry: "Her waters have broken!"

Her voice trembled with panic.