Chapter 79

Chapter 79

The Princess Consort arrived first with Nanny Chen, and when she came, none of the other ladies had arrived yet. From a distance, she could see the figure standing outside the delivery room.

Liang Yun was very tall, standing like a lone bamboo. His features were cold, and his expression was especially stern when he was silent, cold enough to be frightening.

When Liang Yun saw the Princess Consort arrive, he stayed composed and paid his respects to his aunt.

The Princess Consort asked him, "When did the pain start?"

Liang Yun replied, "At the first hour of the ox."

Hearing the suppressed moans of pain coming from the room and noticing the increasingly pale complexion of her nephew beside her, the Princess Consort advised him, "Childbirth is always like this; sometimes it lasts a day or two. You still have to attend the morning court, so why don’t you go to the side room and rest for a while? It’s possible that by the time you return from court, the baby still won’t be born..."

Since Ying Shi became pregnant, Liang Yun had often read medical books on childbirth. Although he was not an expert, he understood the basics. He knew what the Princess Consort said was common sense, but understanding it did not ease his anxiety.

How could he dare to go elsewhere to sleep now?

Liang Yun managed a bitter smile, "It’s almost dawn. I’ll just stand outside for a while and wait."

The Princess Consort did not try to stop him further. She vaguely sensed that her nephew felt differently about the woman inside.

She walked back and forth along the corridor a few times and then sat down in the main hall. Before she could even take a sip of hot tea, Madame Wei hurriedly arrived.

Madame Wei came with her maids, anxious but also with a hint of joy. As soon as she arrived, she asked, "How is it inside? Has it started?"

The Princess Consort said calmly, "It’s her first child. It has started, but it won’t be quick. Sister-in-law, don’t be too anxious. Let’s wait together outside."

How could Madame Wei remain as calm as the Princess Consort? She sent her maids inside to inquire and was told that the cervix had only opened a little, so it would still take some time.

Madame Wei was anxious and said, "I can hear the girl inside is in great pain. Send in some soup for her to drink."

The Princess Consort said, "Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I asked as soon as I arrived. The small kitchen has already prepared everything."

Only then did Madame Wei sit down, fingering her prayer beads and murmuring prayers, looking very devout.

Not long after, Lady Xiao arrived with Xiao Qiongyu, both looking anxious.

Liang Yun retreated to the side room closest to the delivery room.

Only a wall divided the two rooms, and he could hear every sound from the next room.

On the other side of the wall, her faint cries, sobs, and groans of pain could be heard from time to time. Her cries were weak, and her voice was hoarse.

The more he listened, the more agitated he grew. He couldn’t even sit still. His heart was overwhelmed by a mix of emotions.

Liang Yun decided to grind ink and started copying scriptures.

Time passed slowly. The sounds of pain coming from the room and the chatter of the women outside kept troubling him.

Outside, the sky started to brighten, and a gentle breeze drifted along the corridor.

On the other side of the wall, the maids who entered and exited the inner room were stopped by the ladies to inquire about the situation. The nannies all said the baby was coming fast and would likely be born soon.

The ladies were all delighted to hear this, "Good, we’ll soon see the little one."

Liang Yun gripped his brush, after finishing copying a volume of the "Protection of All Children Dharani Sutra," his forehead was already drenched in cold sweat.

...

Gui Niang seized the brief lull in Ying Shi's pain to feed her spoonfuls of ginseng soup.

"Drink up, you'll need the strength to keep going."

Ying Shi was soaked in sweat. She clutched at Gui Niang, her usually soft voice now rough and strained: "How much longer? How much longer? I really can't take it anymore..."

All she could do was hope that if she endured just a little longer, the baby would be born in the next moment.

Gui Niang's heart ached as if it were being sliced open, but there was nothing she could do to help except comfort her: "Good girl, every woman goes through this during childbirth. You're moving along quickly! Just hang in there, it'll be over soon."

Hang in there? Just hang in there.

Those were the only words she ever heard! Ying Shi no longer believed the comforting words they offered her.

Since her water broke, more than two hours had passed.

By the bedside, the midwife used the breaks between Ying Shi's contractions to show her how to save her strength and adjust her breathing.

The contractions were getting closer. Ying Shi hardly had time for a few sips of the ginseng soup before another familiar wave of pain surged from her waist and abdomen, leaving her face pale once more.

"Young mistress, you have to keep going. Losing strength will make it harder."

"Keep pushing for the young master!"

Everyone around her was coaching her, everyone was sweating and anxious. But childbirth was never fair—no one else could bear the pain for her. She suffered alone, gritting her teeth and fighting to endure.

Ying Shi tried to save her strength as the midwives had taught her, not to waste her energy. But she was only seventeen, a first-time mother who had never experienced such hardship before. How could she have such stamina?

She felt like her lips were chewed raw, and her throat felt like it was bleeding.

Chun Lan's eyes were filled with tears. She wiped them and rolled a damp cloth into a strip, stuffing it into Ying Shi's mouth.

"It's almost there, the head is showing! Keep pushing, mistress!" After what seemed like forever, the midwives finally exclaimed with joy.

Ying Shi felt her belly growing heavier and heavier. Earlier, she could still feel the pain, but now, drenched in sweat, her body was so numb she couldn't feel the pain. She could only bite down hard on the cloth stuffed into her mouth.

True relief came in an instant.

Suddenly, Ying Shi felt her body relax as something warm and soft slid out of her.

"It's born! It's born!"

The candlelight in the room flickered.

The baby was tiny, and as it emerged from its mother's body, it didn't even cry.

This startled the midwives, who quickly turned the baby upside down and gave its bottom a firm slap.

"Wah... wah wah wah—"

The baby, its face red from being held in, finally let out a loud cry.

Though small, the baby's cry was strong and full of vigor.

Hearing the baby's cry, Ying Shi knew the child was safe. It was as if she had completed a monumental task, and her entire body relaxed.

She was utterly exhausted, so much so that even breathing felt difficult.

She heard Gui Niang whisper the good news in her ear: "It's a young master! He weighs five pounds and nine ounces!"

Ying Shi smiled, and as she laughed, tears she had been holding back finally streamed down her face.

She thought, how amazing, he’s finally here, and it’s a boy...

Liang Ji, Liang Ji, do you know? Your title can now be passed down to our son and your brother’s son.

How amazing...

By the time the little baby was cleaned and brought to Ying Shi's bedside, she was too tired to open her eyes, but she forced herself to do so.

She turned to look at the swaddled baby, the one who had caused her so much pain. Seeing its still reddish skin and closed eyes, Ying Shi gently nuzzled its soft cheek.

Maybe it was the mother-child bond, but the baby seemed to sense its mother's closeness. Though it had been sleeping quietly with its eyes closed, it started to coo softly, not crying but as if trying to get its mother's attention.

"Oh, look at this sweet baby! In all my years as a midwife, I've never seen such a calm child!" the midwives all praised him, saying how strong the young master's cry was and how steady his temperament seemed, saying he’d surely grow up to be a great man.

Of course he will.

Born into such a family, even if he’s not the brightest, he’ll still do well!

Ying Shi cuddled her baby for a while, then asked Gui Niang to reward the midwives, saying weakly, "Take him out... let the others see him."

She knew he was waiting outside, even if she couldn’t hear him.

He always kept his promises; if he said he'd stay by her side, he would.

...

As the baby's cries echoed from the delivery room, Madame Wei was the first to jump up, eager to go in.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" she asked anxiously, pacing back and forth outside the door.

"It's a young master! Both mother and child are safe."

"Thank heavens, thank heavens..." Madame Wei's eyes instantly filled with tears, and she was so happy she cried in front of everyone.

In her excitement, she didn't even try to hide it, muttering repeatedly, "It’s a boy! Shun Gong, you have an heir, a son!"

Soon after, the baby was brought out, wrapped in a red brocade swaddle.

The ladies all gathered around to see the baby.

All babies look alike at this age, so it was hard to tell if he was handsome or whom he resembled.

As the group surrounded him, the princess examined him for a long time and couldn't help but say, "This baby is so calm."

Lady Xiao thought to herself, of course, he's truly the seed of the main branch! You can tell just by looking at him who he takes after!

But with Madame Wei already overjoyed, no one dared to say anything that might upset her.

Lady Xiao happily chimed in, "After half the night, he finally came out. This child is so considerate, knowing not to trouble his mother too much!"

Madame Wei was undoubtedly the happiest of all. With the birth of her grandson, she suddenly felt a renewed sense of hope. She no longer had to cry day and night, no longer had to sigh over her nephew's children from the other branch.

She had a grandson now, and her grandson was even more special than the Xiao family’s!

Madame Wei eagerly took the swaddled baby into her arms, holding him for a while before saying, "Why is he only five pounds and nine ounces? His mother must have been picky during pregnancy, starving the child in her womb."

The crowd: ...

"Oh my, this little rascal can even pout! Your grandma’s already made you a hefty gold lock, and it’s all yours someday!" Madame Wei, who’d just scolded his mother, was now doting on the child, holding him tight and refusing to let go.

The Princess finally managed to take the child from Madame Wei’s arms, saying she’d take him to see the old madam.

"The old madam’s probably still awake, waiting for us to bring the baby over for her to see. Let’s not waste time—let’s take the baby over together."

The Princess was about to leave with the baby when she spotted someone nearby. She couldn’t help but show the swaddled baby to him: "Take a good look, and once you’re done, hurry to the ancestral hall to burn incense and tell the ancestors."

Liang Yun gently picked up the baby. The swaddled bundle was so tiny and light, he wasn’t even sure how to hold him.

Soft, pink, and delicate, but already with a full head of dark baby hair.

Back in his mother’s womb, he was a lively little thing, swimming around daily and even kicking his father’s hand now and then. But now that he’s here, he’s surprisingly calm, eyes closed, not a peep, just looking sleepy.

Liang Yun looked down at the little bundle, examining him closely, though he was a bit annoyed at how much he’d put Ying Shi through.

The baby seemed to sense his irritation, wrinkling his tiny nose and letting out a few whimpers.

Madame Wei took the baby from Liang Yun, her tone a bit odd: "Yun Er, hurry and tell the ancestors—you’ve got a nephew, your brother’s got an heir!"

As she carried the baby to Rong Shou Hall, Madame Wei wondered why the eldest had been visiting Zhou Jin Garden so often—and why he’d arrived earlier than her today. At this hour, he should be going to the palace for court...

Previously, the old madam had spoken, and she was afraid that if the first child was a girl, the eldest would have to go through it again, so she had to turn a blind eye.

But now that she had her own grandson, warm and in her arms, Madame Wei's thoughts became more relaxed.

Thinking that this was not the way it should be, she decided to have a good talk.

After all, it's the elder brother and the sister-in-law, now that they have completed their task, the elder brother still goes to the sister-in-law's room, what kind of behavior is that?

They can’t cross the line anymore—they shouldn’t even see each other from now on.