Chapter 1089: Chapter 1079: Childbirth (1)
The atmosphere in the Qin Mansion was tense, with maids and old women walking softly, holding their steps for a quarter of an hour before daring to put them down, fearing they might disturb the people in the backyard.
Xiqiu arrived with Nanny Cen at the grass cottage named "Old Residence" by Second Master Qin, stopping in front of the courtyard where maids and old women were scurrying around like headless flies. Despite the chaos, it was unusually quiet that even the rustling sound of leaves stirred by the breeze could be heard.
Xiqiu was about to enter, when suddenly the curtain of the side room was lifted, initially revealing a corner of a dark orchid robe, and then the person stepped out with a stride. The eyebrows were beautifully outlined, the face pale, lips red—it was indeed Qin Yuanfeng.
She entered the courtyard, just about to inquire about Ruan Jingliu’s condition, when she suddenly heard a low cry from the room behind him, a tearing sound of pain. She was taken aback as she saw Qin Yuanfeng, who had been walking briskly, suddenly stagger and lean on the door frame...
Xiqiu was astonished, watching the color slowly drain from his face. Despite his usual demeanor resembling that of a chivalrous hero, Second Master Qin’s legs were trembling, standing there unsteadily, nearly collapsing against the wall if not gripping the door frame.
Helpless indeed!
She chuckled, about to speak when Qin Yuanfeng noticed her, raising his eyebrows to look at her, and let out a long breath, appearing relieved to have someone to rely on. He awkwardly tried to display a welcoming smile, but instead managed an expression more woeful than crying: "Fo... Fourth Madam."
"Second Master Qin." Xiqiu nodded slightly, pretending not to notice his embarrassment: "How’s Sister Jingliu?"
Second Master Qin maintained his bow-legged posture, trembling uncontrollably: "Inside... inside." He simply couldn’t handle it; he wasn’t afraid of bloodshed or conspiracies, but when it came to childbirth, even hearing the sounds made his legs tremble.
Xiqiu held back her laughter, nodded and didn’t enter, instead turned to instruct Bihuai: "Bring a chair for Second Master Qin." Bihuai complied and found an old woman to fetch a chair from the main room.
Qin Yuanfeng couldn’t sit still, but now he couldn’t even stand, reluctantly sat down. Constantly worried about Ruan Jingliu, he frequently peeked inside through the curtain, nervously asking Xiqiu: "Why is there no sound now?"
"Don’t worry." Xiqiu consoled him: "The labor pains come in intervals; perhaps it’s calmed down now."
Second Master Qin nodded absentmindedly, unsure if he had heard her, longing desperately to stretch his neck into the room to take a look.
Just then, the curtain was lifted from inside, revealing the face of the midwife who had previously assisted Xiqiu. Familiar with each other, the midwife greeted Xiqiu and Xiqiu asked: "How is it? Is there anything wrong?"
"The cervix hasn’t opened yet." The midwife replied: "Let someone boil some water to send inside, and also prepare some food."
Xiqiu nodded, and Second Master Qin already called out: "Nanny Hua, the Madam needs to eat something, quickly!" A maid ran out from the main room, replied: "I’m on it." and hurried away.
The midwife nodded to Xiqiu and released the curtain to go inside. After a moment, she came out again to Xiqiu saying: "Fourth Madam, the Madam requests your presence inside."
"Okay." Xiqiu responded and greeted Second Master Qin before entering the room. The room was elegantly arranged, with a redwood four-poster bed depicting mandarin ducks frolicking in the water placed in the west. Two midwives and Nanny Rong were each busy around Ruan Jingliu; one was crouched at her feet, another wiping sweat from her with a handkerchief, and another preparing cotton cloths and other items.
Seeing Xiqiu come in, Nanny Rong happily greeted: "Madam." She came forward to support Xiqiu, who nodded while Nanny Rong continued: "It’s been two hours since labor started, but the cervix hasn’t opened yet. Looks like it might be until afternoon."
"Alright." Xiqiu addressed the three: "Thank you for your hard work." All three smiled and replied: "No trouble at all."
Xiqiu walked to the bedside, Ruan Jingliu was awake, looking at her, she gave a weak smile: "You’re here."
"Sister Jingliu." Xiqiu held her hand, the fingertips icy cold: "Try to close your eyes and rest for a while, accumulate some strength, so you won’t be lacking when the time comes."
Ruan Jingliu nodded, her forehead sticky with sweat and hair, she gripped Xiqiu’s hand, her gaze falling on the people behind Xiqiu: "Please leave for a moment, I want to talk with Fourth Madam."
The midwives froze, but Nanny Rong was already waving them: "Let’s take this chance to grab something to eat too." She led the two midwives out.
"Sister Jingliu." Xiqiu sat on the stool by the bedside, wiped Ruan Jingliu’s sweat with a handkerchief, and spoke with heartache: "Childbirth is like this, bear with it and don’t let your mind run wild."
Ruan Jingliu smiled, nodded: "I know." She had assisted so many women in delivery, already mentally prepared: "I just wanted to chat with you."
Xiqiu smiled back in agreement, Ruan Jingliu then asked: "Is Qin Yuanfeng outside?" Xiqiu couldn’t help but laugh at her mentioning Qin Yuanfeng and described his earlier demeanor to Ruan Jingliu, who also laughed, shaking her head: "I knew he’d react like this." Though her eyes showed a trace of sweetness.
"In the morning, when I cried out in pain, he just tumbled out of bed." She said helplessly: "I don’t expect him to do anything."
Xiqiu chuckled, finding Qin Yuanfeng amusing.
During their conversation, another wave of pain hit, Ruan Jingliu clung to Xiqiu’s hand, beads of sweat rolled down like peas, Xiqiu continuously wiped her sweat...
After the pain subsided, Ruan Jingliu exhaled deeply: "Before, I thought those mothers exaggerated, but only when it’s your turn do you realize how truly painful it is." Xiqiu pressed her lips, smiled gently, not daring to discuss too much, afraid of scaring her: "If you grit your teeth, it will pass." She then changed the topic: "Would you like a sip of water?"
Before Ruan Jingliu could respond, another wave of pain came, the intervals growing shorter. Xiqiu said: "I’ll let the midwives come in." Ruan Jingliu held her hand again: "Wait." Her voice trembled: "I have something to tell you."
"Tell me later." Ruan Jingliu, usually graceful as clear water and orchids, at this moment appeared disheveled like never before, Xiqiu grew nervous while wiping her sweat, Ruan Jingliu, enduring the pain, said: "Childbirth is like a journey through the gates of hell, a battle of life and death. Though I am a physician, I cannot promise a safe delivery." She sincerely implored Xiqiu: "If anything happens to me, Qin Yuanfeng cannot be relied on. I hope you will take care of the child. In this world, you are the only one I trust."
During her own delivery, Xiqiu remained calm, but seeing Ruan Jingliu like this made her heart tighten, her eyes reddened with displeasure: "Don’t say such discouraging things, focus on giving birth." Ruan Jingliu tried to say more, but Xiqiu interrupted her: "I don’t care, if anything happens to you, I won’t care for your child either, let him fend for himself..."
Ruan Jingliu furrowed her brows tightly, enduring the pain, gripping Xiqiu’s hand even tighter, Xiqiu distractedly said: "If you’re worried about the child, then don’t dwell on it, you need to persevere and pull through." Saying this, she released her hand and went to the door to call the midwives inside.
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