Chapter 163: Childbirth
“The Young Lady seems to have grown thinner. Alas, grief is a heavy burden; you must try to accept your loss and take care of yourself.”
As Xue Yuechen spoke, she stepped forward to offer support, but Li Yuning subtly shifted to avoid her touch.
“Princess Consort, please forgive me.” She lowered her gaze and smiled faintly, concealing the tears welling in her eyes. “My health has been deteriorating. I may not have many years left, which is why the Empress Dowager pities me and has granted me permission to return to the capital for recuperation. However, upon returning to the Capital City, everything is a reminder of the past, and it’s hard not to feel sentimental… I am truly being impolite…”
She apologized repeatedly, her handkerchief held to her lips as her wide sleeves slipped, revealing a slender, emaciated white wrist, looking very frail.
Despite her inner dissatisfaction, Xue Yuechen could not say much more and gracefully invited her into the main hall.
Inside the hall, a gilded incense burner emitted wisps of ethereal fragrance that lingered in the air.
The three of them sat down according to their status, with composure.
Six young maids, dressed in matching attire and with their hair in double buns, entered with light and graceful steps, skillfully arranging the tea set.
“Young Lady, please try this.” Xue Yuechen raised her white wrist, elegantly pointing to the teapot, her eyes sparkling with a smile. “This is dew collected on the first day of spring, buried under the begonia tree in a glazed urn. Brewing tea with it now is best for clearing heat and moistening the throat.”
Li Yuning gently picked up the teacup and took a small sip before setting it down, a hint of emotion on her face.
“The sand and wind of Longyou are harsh. I’ve grown accustomed to drinking camel milk and am not used to the tea in the Capital City.”
Xue Yuechen smiled slightly. “The products from vast and open lands must surely have their own unique flavors.”
Li Yuning did not pick up on this topic. Instead, she looked towards the door. “I heard my second brother is home on leave; why isn’t he coming out to see me?”
Xue Yuechen placed the celadon cup on the desk, forcing a smile. “The Prince has official duties today and cannot personally entertain the Young Lady. Before he left, he specifically asked me to offer his apologies…”
Li Yuning smiled faintly, her slender white fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of the cup. Her brow furrowed slightly, and her voice carried the weakness and hoarseness of someone long ill.
“When I was little, I always followed my second brother around, playing and learning to read and write. As we grew older, our sibling bond has grown distant…”
Seeing her eyes redden, Xue Yuechen thought of her pitiable widowhood and offered comfort for a while.
Li Yuning took a breath and sighed again. “Seeing how close you and Madam are, sisters in spirit, I am truly envious. If only I had such sisters, I wouldn’t be so lonely and helpless…”
With that, she began to wipe away her tears.
She did not complain, yet her unspoken words conveyed a world of suffering…
Xue Yuechen said, “Young Lady, why trouble yourself? You have many relatives in the Capital City who care about you. If you find life dull or wish to find a place to relax, please come to the Prince’s Mansion. Don’t be a stranger; treat it as your own home.”
Li Yuning turned and smiled. “Madam Ping’an, you don’t mind my disturbing you?”
Xue Sui’s expression was gentle. “We eagerly anticipate your visits. Young Lady, please come as a guest often.”
During the day, Xue Yuechen took Rui He to tour the entire garden of the Prince’s Mansion, and Li Yuning showed no signs of leaving.
She stayed until dusk, but Li Huan still had not returned.
Xue Yuechen gradually grew impatient, but she did not show it in the slightest. Instead, she meticulously arranged dinner, setting it in the waterside pavilion, and entertained her with great hospitality.
Li Yuning sat on a bamboo chair by the water, gazing at the layers of lotus leaves on the lake, appearing restless. Her thin skirt, blown by the wind, clung to her legs, making her look even more frail and gaunt…
Xue Yuechen kept wringing her handkerchief and was about to speak when hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from outside.
Gui Xi’s wife rushed to the steps of the waterside pavilion, panting heavily.
“Princess Consort, Madam Chun from the Xue family has sent someone to ask if Madam Ping’an can return home for a visit?”
Xue Yuechen looked at her, sweating profusely, and frowned slightly.
“What has happened?”
“It is said that Young Madam Gu fell this afternoon and suddenly went into labor. The Old Madam wants to send her back to her husband’s home, but Fourth Miss refused, crying and making a scene, which angered the Old Madam and caused her old illness to relapse…”
“This is outrageous!” Xue Yuechen stood up abruptly, her elbow hitting the desk.
“What reason is there for a married daughter to give birth at her maternal home?”
Xue Sui quickly stepped forward and said softly, “Eldest Sister, please don’t be anxious. I will go back and see what’s happening.”
Xue Yuechen was silent for a moment, then nodded. “You go back and take good care of Grandmother. There’s no need to rush back here. As for that Xue Si…”
Her gaze flickered towards Li Yuning, a faint shadow clouding her eyes.
“Since she is married, she must act like a wife. Running back to her maternal home to cause trouble now, what kind of behavior is that? Quickly send word to the Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion to come and pick her up…”
Xue Sui softly agreed, then, with Jinshu and two maids, hurried into the carriage and sped towards the Xue Mansion.
In front of the vermilion gates of the Xue Mansion, Gu Jie stirred up a cloud of dust as he reined in his horse.
The weather had been muggy for days; it was about to rain.
He looked up at the oppressive sky, dismounted with practiced ease, and walked to the carriage with its hanging brocade curtain, reaching out to lift it.
“Mother, I’ve summoned four servants. Tonight, even if we have to tie her up, we’ll take her back!”
“Foolish!” Madam Chun alighted slowly, leaning on the carriage shaft, her voice tinged with tension. “At a time like this, why are you still concerned with such matters? A life is at stake; the priority is to preserve her life. Let’s see what the midwife says…”
Gu Jie was about to argue when he heard the rumbling sound from the street corner.
He turned his head, his hand, which was lifting the curtain, paused in mid-air.
As the sun set in the west, the Prince Duan’s Mansion carriage turned the corner of the alley. The curtain was lifted, revealing half of Xue Sui’s face, as if frosted. The setting sun happened to descend at that moment, casting a dazzling golden light on the phoenix hairpin in her hair, so bright it was blinding.
“Aunt Chun.”
The carriage stopped.
Xue Sui alighted with a smile and greeted her, her skirt fluttering as she moved, her posture graceful and charming.
“Madam Ping’an…”
Madam Chun was both surprised and delighted. Seeing her, she eagerly took her hand, her face full of guilt.
“I’ve come to pick her up. This whole affair has escalated to this point entirely due to this wicked child’s fault, and it has even affected the Old Madam of the Xue family…”
“Grandmother is reasonable. Aunt Chun, you needn’t blame yourself too much. It’s just that regarding Young Madam…” She looked at Gu Jie, her eyes sharp. “I’m afraid Young Master Gu will have to say many soothing words and coax her a bit before she can be taken back…”
Madam Chun glanced at Gu Jie. “Did you hear that?”
“I heard.” Gu Jie replied helplessly, lowering his head and stepping aside to clear the path.
Xue Sui quickly entered the main gate.
It was already dusk, and the west wing courtyard was brightly lit.
Heart-wrenching cries mingled with the midwife’s distorted exclamations.
The Third Madam stood in the corridor with a displeased expression. Seeing Xue Sui and Madam Chun approach, she hurried forward.
“It’s been an hour. We’ve changed three basins of blood. The midwife says we need to prepare ginseng soup to sustain her…”
She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes.
“I’ve brought the best old ginseng from the mansion. Everyone is watching; I haven’t mistreated her.”
Qian Shi was always tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Although shrewd and worldly, she wouldn’t be overly calculating in matters of life and death.
Madam Chun repeatedly thanked her, her expression a mixture of embarrassment and anxiety.
“May I ask, Third Madam, can we take her back now…”
“You can ask them yourselves.” Qian Shi snorted and raised her voice. “When I gave birth to Xiao Shi back then, I was in so much pain I bit through my handkerchief, but I didn’t cry out this loudly. Now look at this, a married daughter running back to her maternal home to mourn!”
People at that time were very superstitious about married daughters giving birth at their maternal homes.
The Third Madam was extremely displeased with Xue Yueying. Seeing this, Madam Chun offered more apologies.
Gu Jie stood by, watching his mother humble herself before the Xue family, his eyes slightly reddening, harboring a silent resentment.
The piercing cries penetrated the window paper and reached everyone’s ears.
That voice was one he knew all too well.
It was also the woman he had once loved with all his heart…
For her, he had defied his mother, reached into the treasury, ruined his own future, implicated the entire Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion, and even wronged Xue Liu…
Gu Jie’s gaze fell upon Xue Sui’s face once more.
At this moment, Xue Sui had accompanied Madam Chun and stepped over the threshold.
A strong smell of blood assailed them.
Xue Yueying lay limply on the brocade quilt, her hair soaked with sweat and clinging to her face. Seeing Xue Sui enter, she actually struggled to get up, crying out in anguish.
“Xue Liu… it’s all your fault… Xue Liu, you jinx… why did you come back, why did you come back…”
“Lie down.” Xue Sui stepped forward, firmly pressing her shoulder, and placed her fingers on her wrist pulse, her heart sinking.
Today, Xue Si’s life would depend on fate…
Madam Chun whispered to the midwife, “I wonder if it’s too late to move her back now…”
Before the midwife could answer, Xue Yueying struggled and cried out.
“You want my life! I’m not going back, I’ll die before I go back… Gu Jie… say something, why don’t you say something… I’ve suffered so much for you… are you just going to let them torment me like this?”
Gu Jie, outside, remained silent, making no sound.
Madam Chun looked at Xue Sui, her expression troubled.
“It’s truly against the rules for this child to give birth at her maternal home. You see…”
The midwife suddenly shouted, “Young Madam, I see the head! Push a little harder…”
Then she turned back to Madam Chun and said, “Oh, Madam, please don’t worry about those rules anymore. She cannot be moved at this moment; any slight mistake could result in the death of both mother and child…”
Madam Chun listened, feeling alarmed and conflicted.
“Giving birth at one’s maternal home is truly… too inauspicious…”
The midwife advised, “Madam, a life is more precious than face.”
Hearing this, Xue Yueying’s cries became even more piercing. She clutched the bedsheet tightly, veins bulging on her forehead.
“It hurts… it hurts so much… Gu Jie… you bastard… where are you, you idiot…”
Madam Chun glanced at her tearfully but said nothing.
The midwife could no longer stand it. She gently patted Xue Yueying’s thigh and earnestly advised, “Young Madam, your baby’s position is not right. Don’t just cry; gather your strength to give birth. That’s the important thing… When women give birth, aren’t they all bargaining for their lives at King Yama’s palace? I’ve delivered so many babies; those who survive are the ones who can endure the pain…”
Xue Yueying continued to cry and curse.
Madam Chun remained silent, while Xue Sui watched with cold eyes.
Inside the room, there was chaos.
The midwife shouted orders, and maids and old women rushed back and forth. Some held handkerchiefs, constantly wiping the sweat from Xue Yueying’s forehead; others busied themselves preparing hot water and cloths, coming and going with hurried steps and anxious expressions.
Xue Sui silently walked out of the room and caught sight of Gu Jie’s cowering figure outside the door, feeling a sudden sense of amusement.
These two, a man and a woman, had defied all odds to be together, loving each other fiercely, wanting to be inseparable. But now, one was struggling for her life on the brink of death, while the other stood numbly, as if everything happening before him had nothing to do with him—
Their past love was like fire, but their present is cold. The most unreliable thing in this world is romantic love…
The hourglass inside the room flowed slowly.
Each grain of sand that fell seemed to measure how long this agonizing moment was.
Perhaps heaven was also indignant at this farce, for when it was completely dark, it suddenly began to rain. In an instant, lightning flashed and thunder roared, the rain falling as if to pierce a hole in the sky…
Xue Qingzhi rushed back from the Ministry of Justice, braving the heavy rain.
His face was flushed, his expression anxious, and he pointed at Madam Fu Shi’s nose, scolding her incessantly, “Why can’t a daughter of my Xue family give birth at the Xue family home? Why did you force her away? Weren’t all of you born in your own residences…”
There were always reasons for favoritism.
Madam Fu Shi pursed her lips slightly and remained silent.
Third Madam Qian Shi wanted to say something but ultimately just snorted and swallowed her words.
Xue Qingzhi paced outside the room door with his hands behind his back, stopping occasionally to listen, his brow furrowed tightly.
His grim face, mixed with tension and unease, seemed to freeze the surrounding air.
Madam Chun’s chanting, interspersed with the sound of rain, reached his ears intermittently, unsettling his heart.
Xue Sui walked to the corridor outside, standing quietly in the shadow of a corridor pillar, listening to the pattering rain.
Suddenly, she heard light footsteps behind her.
She did not turn around until Gu Jie’s robe corner drew closer and came into view.
“Greetings, Madam Ping’an.” Gu Jie said softly.
Xue Sui slowly turned her head, a faint smile curving her lips. “Young Master Gu has recently been favored by a Noble Person; is everything going smoothly?”
Scattered raindrops swirled and fell into the eaves. Gu Jie looked at the phoenix hairpin in her hair, which shimmered under the eaves lamp, feeling his cheeks burn and his throat dry and constricted as if on fire.
“I am ashamed, Madam Ping’an. This matter goes against propriety. However, I have always kept your teachings in mind and dare not forget them.”
Xue Sui reached out and caught a drop of rain falling from the eaves. “That is good.”
With that, she suddenly turned her head, and heard the old nanny inside the room shouting.
“It’s a Young Master! Young Madam has made it through…”
Madam Chun wept with joy, her hands clasped. “Thank heavens, thank heavens…”
“Congratulations, you’re a father…” Xue Sui chuckled lightly and turned to leave.
Gu Jie watched her crimson brocade skirt sweep across the damp blue stone slabs. His face, immersed in the night, was like a faded ancient painting of a beauty, indistinct and distant.
This chapter is also long, so much…
Li Zhao: Without me, even more words are useless.
Xue Sui: Are you kidding me?
Li Zhao: ???
