Chapter 16: A Safe Delivery

Amid the whispers of the crowd, Zhao Han grabbed the medicine box from the shoulder of the physician and, under Minglan’s lead, pulled him straight toward Wei Xiaoniang’s courtyard.

“Slow down, slow down. I’m already sixty-eight; this old body is about to fall apart,” the physician said as he walked.

Zhao Han said as they moved, “The young lady in the mansion has been in labor for a long time; it’s a matter of life and death, truly urgent. I hope the physician will understand.”

Hearing this, the physician’s expression tightened. His graying beard whipped about in the wind as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

“In that case… let’s hurry then,” he said, hastening his steps.

Outside Wei Xiaoniang’s chamber, Xiaotao sat on the stone steps with red eyes, shoulders trembling slightly, clearly having just cried.

Listening to the occasional agonizing moans from inside, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

“Where has Sixth Miss gone? I’m asking you!” Zhou Xueniang gritted her teeth, grabbing Xiaotao’s arm fiercely.

Xiaotao trembled all over, unsure how to answer when Minglan suddenly came running toward them, followed by Zhao Han and a breathless elderly physician.

Lin Qingshuang and Zhou Xueniang exchanged a glance, their hearts sinking with a sense of foreboding.

“Young master, this is the women’s quarters. How can you bring an outsider here without proper notice? It’s improper,” Lin Qingshuang said, brow furrowed, her gentle voice tinged with reproach.

Zhao Han stepped forward, eyes fixed on Lin Qingshuang, speaking firmly, “This is Physician Kong from Yishou Hall. Lin, you must take note.”

“So it’s Physician Kong. Sixth Miss, you really shouldn’t have run off without telling anyone.”

“If you wanted to call a doctor, you could have told me instead of troubling the young master.”

“When your father returns, he will surely blame you for being thoughtless,” Lin Qingshuang said, hiding her slightly pale face behind her round fan, speaking softly but harboring deep resentment.

“Is there any cake left? Your ladyship is about to run out of strength!” came the voice of Green Luo from inside.

Physician Kong glanced at Zhao Han, urgency in his voice: “Once the mother loses strength, it becomes dangerous. Let me in quickly to examine her.”

With Zhao Han present, Lin Qingshuang dared not obstruct them, though her fingers gripped the bamboo ribs of her fan tightly.

“Physician Kong, please go in. May Heaven bless Sister Wei with a safe delivery and ensure the Sheng family’s lineage continues.”

The physician entered to find Wei Xiaoniang pale as paper, barely breathing as she lay upon the bed. The mattress beneath her was soaked with blood. Only a few young female servants scrambled about in confusion.

“Why isn’t there even a midwife… this is…”

Xiaodie, clutching a face towel, said in frustration, “The midwives are either drunk, gone home, or one has suddenly disappeared.”

“Doctor, just tell me what to do!”

Physician Kong looked her over, sighed softly, then rolled up his sleeve and took her pulse.

As his fingers touched Wei Xiaoniang’s wrist, his face darkened, and he hurriedly opened the medicine box to take out silver needles.

“The fetus is quite large; no wonder the birth is difficult.”

“How could a reputable family from Yangzhou not have informed this young lady of the situation?” Kong said without pausing his actions.

Xiaodie pressed her lips together. Since Zhao Han’s warning, she had secretly asked the physician, who truthfully told her the fetus was somewhat large.

During this period, nourishing meals had been delivered like flowing water every day without fail.

At mealtime, Zhu Lou would watch closely.

If Wei Xiaoniang refused to eat, Lin Qingshuang would whisper in Sheng Hong’s ear, accusing her of ungratefulness, betraying their goodwill.

Sheng Hong had reprimanded Wei Xiaoniang several times, both openly and covertly.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Wei Xiaoniang tried to eat less, but today, labor complications arose nonetheless.

“Physician, please ensure the young lady and her child are safe,” Zhao Han implored.

Kong nodded; having practiced medicine in Yangzhou for decades, he was well accustomed to the intrigues of women’s quarters.

Outside, Minglan stood beside Zhao Han, her brows knitted tight, eyes flickering with anxiety.

Lin Qingshuang put on a show: “It will likely take some time. Xueniang, send the young master to rest in the front hall, then help Sixth Miss change into clean clothes. I’ll watch here.”

“Yes, your ladyship,” Zhou Xueniang said with a smile, approaching Minglan. “Sixth Miss, you’re covered in dirt; change into fresh clothes first. With the physician here, Sister Wei will surely be fine.”

Minglan looked at her warily. “No, I will stay here with Sister Wei!”

Seeing Zhao Han had no intention of leaving, Lin Qingshuang tugged the corner of her mouth. “Fine, fine. Sixth Miss truly shows commendable filial piety—much more sensible than Mo’er.”

Half an hour later, a loud, piercing cry broke the stagnant air.

“Sister Wei has given birth—a baby boy!” Green Luo was the first to announce the news to those outside.

Lin Qingshuang’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her eyes swirling with dark, unreadable emotions.

Behind her, Zhou Xueniang lowered her head, face a mixture of emotions.

Minglan’s anxious and uneasy expression vanished instantly, pulling Xiaotao into the room, eager to see the newborn little brother.

“A boy after all. That’s wonderful. The master will be so happy when he returns,” Lin Qingshuang forced a smile.

If not for Zhao Han’s presence, she would have dashed inside to wreak havoc out of spite.

When Physician Kong emerged, Lin Qingshuang hurried forward. “Xueniang, quickly pay him twenty taels at the accounts office.”

Kong wiped the fine sweat from his forehead.

“Thankfully, I arrived in time; otherwise, it would have been a double tragedy!”

Zhao Han’s gaze darkened slightly as he asked warmly, “Are Sister Wei and the seventh young master both well?”

“The young lady inside is weak and needs tonic medicine and rest for a while.”

“The newborn boy is very strong. You can tell by his cries—vigorous and lively. Just now, he even held onto my finger tightly,” the physician said.

“That’s good. Thank you, doctor.”

As an outsider, Zhao Han could not meddle too much. With Sheng Hong and the matriarch both absent from the mansion, he could only ensure Lin Qingshuang was kept in check, preventing any harm to the newborn seventh young master.

Before leaving, Zhao Han said calmly, “Please take good care of Sister Wei and her child. Earlier, in the urgency of bringing the physician in, I damaged the side gate. It will be repaired tomorrow.”

Though his tone was light, a subtle warning lay beneath.

Lin Qingshuang’s smile did not fade, but a faint, almost imperceptible chill flashed in her eyes.

“Rest assured, young master. I will write a letter at once and send a swift horse to Runzhou to share the good news with the master and madam.”

“Honestly, though favored by the master, I am still just a lowly young lady. Since the master and madam left, no one here listens. The servants slack off, the maids and older women have become arrogant. It’s all my fault for being too soft, unable to control these insolent slaves. I’ve caused trouble for the young master and put Sister Wei through such a near-death ordeal. If only the master and madam were here today, this would never have happened…”

As she spoke, Lin Qingshuang wiped the tears shining at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, truly looking like a wronged and pitiable person.