Chapter 25 Childbirth: Of Course, Save the Younger One

Chapter 25: Childbirth – Of Course, Save the Child

Time passed in a flash, and because Qi Hao had recently passed away and his funeral had not yet taken place, the Chengping Baron’s mansion spent a very quiet and gloomy New Year.

On top of that, Qi Hao’s cause of death remained unclear, and Jiang Yueyi was still under house arrest. Though the family tried to put on a brave face as if nothing was wrong, an oppressive gloom hung over the household, and even the servants barely dared to breathe.

Feng Shi occasionally came to visit Jiang Yueyi. Qi Hao’s death had clearly begun to weigh heavily on her mind. In just a few months, she had rapidly withered and aged, her skin turning yellow.

Jiang Yueyi and Feng Shi tacitly avoided mentioning Qi Hao.

But every time Feng Shi came, seeing Jiang Yueyi’s ever-growing belly deepened the worry on her face.

“You must give birth to a son…” This was the phrase she repeated most often to Jiang Yueyi, and she didn’t know what to say.

Qi Hao was dead, and all of Feng Shi’s hopes rested on this child. Though it was not Qi Hao’s bloodline, who would know? As long as it was raised in the family, it would be considered his own.

Whenever Feng Shi left, Jiang Yueyi would sit alone in silence, not uttering a word—even though now she only had Qing Lan to talk to.

Though she had reached a stage where moving about was inconvenient, Jiang Yueyi grew increasingly haggard. Unlike Feng Shi, she seemed like a flower drained of its nutrients.

Zhou Congshen came every other day to check Jiang Yueyi’s pulse, so he naturally observed her condition. A depressed mood right now wasn’t a good sign, but as an outsider, his advice could only do so much—it was like scratching an itch through a shoe.

Qing Lan, being closer, said to Jiang Yueyi, “Madam, being confined is only temporary. Since the Second Master has yet to make a move, it means he still can’t figure out what’s going on. Just relax and take care of yourself—things will turn around.”

After a long pause, Jiang Yueyi shook her head. This was one of her worries, but what troubled her most was something else.

She valued her life dearly. But if something went wrong during childbirth, would Feng Shi really choose to save her?

The thought filled her with a fear that crept from the depths of her heart, spreading through every inch of her body.

Finally, New Year’s Eve arrived. The Chengping Baron’s mansion held no banquet this year. Feng Shi didn’t want to see Qi Yuan, so she claimed illness and told each branch to celebrate separately. Fortunately, the household had few members, so just going through the motions didn’t seem weird, and the night passed quietly.

Jiang Yueyi’s meals were always arranged and delivered by Feng Shi’s orders, and this day was no exception.

Since it was the New Year, the food was better than usual. Yet the better the food, the more desolate her situation seemed.

Jiang Yueyi couldn’t eat much. That night, she only drank some soup and had Qing Lan clear the rest. It was customary to stay up all night on New Year’s Eve, and since it was still early, she and Qing Lan tidied up some items.

Since she was due any day now, everything for the baby’s arrival needed to be ready. Jiang Yueyi’s mother died when she was young, and her natal family paid no attention to her—no one visited, no one prepared these things for her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been confined for so long without the Jiang family knowing.

But perhaps it was for the best that the Jiang family didn’t care; Jiang Yueyi was only worried that Concubine Gu would worry about her. She planned to send word after the child was born.

Recently, Feng Shi had sent many baby items, mostly clothes. They were fine pieces, all made of high-quality material with meticulous stitching, showing that Feng Shi really cared. But they were all for a boy—nothing for a girl.

Jiang Yueyi had prepared some things in pink and pastel colors herself, which could be used if she had a daughter.

Qing Lan had just cut a piece of cloth and was stitching it carefully to make a close-fitting garment for the baby. Jiang Yueyi occasionally helped, but Qing Lan was skilled, so Jiang Yueyi mostly folded the clothes.

These had been washed and dried in the sun during the day, soft and fluffy.

The room was quiet. After sewing for a while, Qing Lan paused, listened, and said, “It’s raining.”

“Yeah, good thing we already dried everything.” Jiang Yueyi smiled.

Qing Lan noticed the worry in her smile and couldn’t help asking, “Old Madam sent only boy’s items. You could just go along with her wishes. Why bother preparing girl’s things privately? What if you really have a daughter? Then what?”

“If it’s a daughter, then it’s a daughter,” Jiang Yueyi said, placing her hand on her swollen belly, looking down. “I like it myself.”

Qing Lan wanted to sigh but only shook her head.

Jiang Yueyi was silent for a while, lost in thought, then asked, “How’s the check on Su Hengniang going?”

She couldn’t leave, but Qing Lan could, and she had people she could use. Investigating Su Hengniang was not difficult. But Qing Lan had been keeping quiet about any news, and Jiang Yueyi knew it was because she feared making her angry.

“Still looking into it, Ma’am!” Qing Lan repeated.

Jiang Yueyi said, “Just say it. I need to know. The earlier I know, the earlier I can plan my next move.”

Hearing this, Qing Lan looked worriedly at Jiang Yueyi’s belly before hesitantly saying, “Su Hengniang has a concubine and a younger sister in the Su family. They were always close. The Su family still doesn’t know she’s missing, but her concubine and sister must know… They’ve been acting like nothing happened, not the least bit anxious or worried.”

Jiang Yueyi listened and let out a sarcastic laugh. Unless Su Hengniang’s family didn’t care at all, it meant her concubine and sister were also in the know.

How can a living person just disappear, and they act like it’s no big deal?

Jiang Yueyi thought for a moment and was about to tell Qing Lan to continue watching them discreetly when suddenly a sharp cramp struck her stomach. In an instant, cold sweat broke out across her forehead.

She instinctively bit her lower lip, and at the same time, a warm gush rushed between her legs, quickly soaking through her skirt.

Qing Lan gasped. Jiang Yueyi grabbed her hand, her face turning pale. She took a deep breath and said, “I think I’m going into labor. Go get help.”

The usually quiet Chengping Baron mansion was suddenly all in a flurry on New Year’s Eve. Feng Shi was the most anxious. As soon as she got the news, she hurried over to Jiang Yueyi’s place. When she arrived and saw the midwife and others already there, coming and going, she felt a little relieved.

Not long after, Zhou Congshen arrived.

Seeing Zhou Congshen, Feng Shi was a bit surprised. But she didn’t have the mind for it then and only asked, “Why are you here? She’s giving birth—it’s not convenient for you.”

Zhou Congshen replied, “I’m a doctor, these things don’t bother me. Don’t worry about superstitions, Aunt. I can keep an eye on things, or at least keep you company. My cousin left his wife and child behind—I’m sure he’d be worried about them.”

Feng Shi almost shed tears again. She tightly grasped her nephew’s hand and said, “That’s so thoughtful of you.”

“Don’t worry, Aunt. My cousin’s wife is full-term; nothing should go wrong.”

Feng Shi nodded and waited with Zhou Congshen in the hall. The bitter winter cold and rain outside did nothing to cool the fire in her heart. She frequently asked about the situation inside.

And so they waited from before midnight until dawn.

Feng Shi could no longer sit still. She got up and walked inside just as an old maid came out. Seeing Feng Shi, she said, “Old Madam, she’s been in labor all night and nothing’s happening…”

“You think I don’t know that?” Feng Shi interrupted impatiently. “What’s the situation?”

The maid replied, “It will still take some time, but Madam’s strength is wearing thin.”

She cast a meaningful glance at Feng Shi, whose expression darkened. Turning to her own maidservant, Feng Shi said, “Go get the ginseng I prepared.”

At this, Zhou Congshen also came over. Being a doctor, he understood the situation without explanation and whispered some words of comfort to Feng Shi.

Just as Feng Shi was about to be persuaded to sit down again, the midwife rushed out from inside and said, “Old Madam, it’s bad! Madam has fainted. We need your decision—save the mother or the baby? Otherwise we have no instructions and we’re afraid to do anything!”

Despite having anticipated this, Feng Shi still staggered back two steps and had to rely on Zhou Congshen for support.

But her mind was surprisingly clear. Before she had even steadied herself, she blurted out, “Of course, save the child.”