Chapter 106 Labor Pains
Wei Li thought the physician's suggestion was utterly stupid and he had no intention of accepting it.
Believing in gods and Buddhas is something only the most foolish person would do. It's better to rely on yourself than on others, and besides, he wouldn't want to kneel and kowtow to such a clay figure.
However, his anxiety has recently worsened, causing him to lose sleep and appetite, and his temperament has become increasingly volatile, even affecting Zhao Xiheng to some extent.
Everyone was busy, their footsteps were chaotic and disorderly. Maids, doctors, and midwives were carrying basins of water in and out of the courtyard, the basins filled with bright red blood.
Suddenly an old woman shouted, "Madam, something terrible has happened!"
Wei Li stumbled in and saw Zhao Xiheng lying on the bed, her face deathly pale, blood flowing from her body, staining the entire bed sheet red. Wei Li tried to grab her hand, but couldn't hold it no matter what he did.
“Ah Dan…” he cried out to her.
Zhao Xiheng opened her mouth, blood choking her throat, making a hissing sound. She took his hand, the veins on the back of her slender white hand bulging, her eyes filled with despair.
Wei Li couldn't hear what she was saying at all, so he leaned in and pressed his ear against her lips.
Her hot breath sprayed against his ear, making his heart pound, and he cried uncontrollably.
Wei Li was truly terrified. They had only been together for less than two years. They had agreed to go hunting in the back mountains, spend the Lantern Festival together next year, and take their child to see the lanterns in the future. Their life together had just begun, and there were so many things they hadn't done together yet. How could she just leave him like that?
In his life, apart from her, he had no other thoughts.
Wei Li felt as if his internal organs were being torn apart by pain, as if he were about to vomit blood.
Zhao Xiheng's fingernails dug deep into the back of his hand. Her eyes widened, and with her last ounce of strength, she said, "You..."
"What?"
"Have you finished tracing your calligraphy copybook?" Zhao Xiheng asked fiercely.
Wei Li sprang up from the bed, her chest heaving violently as she gasped for breath, tears streaming down her face. Overwhelmed by her vulnerability and pain, she cried out and grabbed Zhao Xiheng, who was sleeping beside her, crying, "A-Dan, waaaah, don't die, I don't want you to die."
Zhao Xiheng was so angry at him that she wanted to curse him, but seeing how genuinely sad he was, she quickly hugged him back and patted his back, saying, "Don't cry, don't cry, I'm here, I'm not dead, I won't die."
Judging from this, Wei Li is having a nightmare; he's dreaming that he's dead.
Hmm, he's kind of cute when he cries, like a wronged puppy, with his chin resting on her shoulder.
Wei Li couldn't distinguish between dream and reality for a moment, trembling all over, unable to extricate himself for a long time.
After a long while, he calmed down, and Zhao Xiheng was gently patting his back.
Wei Li froze; he seemed to have cried too much just now.
He, a grown man, threw himself into his wife's arms and cried. Doesn't he have any shame?
Seeing that he was not moving, Zhao Xiheng turned her head to look at him. Wei Li quickly closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.
She tilted her head, finding Wei Li extremely strange, but still laid him down.
Wei Li clenched his fists tightly to prevent Zhao Xiheng from discovering that he was pretending to be asleep, otherwise she would definitely interrogate him and mock him.
Fortunately, Zhao Xiheng didn't pursue the matter further and instead fell asleep on her side.
Wei Li dared not recall the scene in his dream; just thinking about the bloodstains filling the room made his back sweat and his whole body go cold.
An old monk in the north of the city said that those who commit too many killings will be punished.
He doesn't believe in gods or Buddhas, nor in the concept of retribution, but now he can't help but feel afraid—what if it really is true?
The physician had previously suggested that he invite a statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy who grants children, back to the palace. Wei Li suddenly realized that this suggestion wasn't so stupid after all.
He personally went to the temple to present the Guanyin statue. Before leaving, the abbot wrapped a string of thin Buddhist beads around Wei Li's wrist three times.
"If you wear these prayer beads for three years, your whole family will be safe and sound."
Wei Li tugged at the tassel under the prayer beads, slightly disgusted. How could you expect a murderer to wear prayer beads on his wrist every day?
Although I was thinking this way, I couldn't help but wonder, what if something happens? Maybe I should just take it with me; there's no harm in it anyway.
Therefore, he did not remove the prayer beads, but left holding the Guanyin statue covered with yellow silk in both hands.
The abbot watched his retreating figure, a pleasant smile appearing on his face. He clasped his hands together and murmured, "Amitabha."
What goes around comes around. Last year, Wei Li demolished his temple. Although he was a monk who believed in compassion, he had offended the Buddha, so it was not unreasonable to make a little mockery of him.
Wei Li demolished temples and disrespected gods and Buddhas last year, which is common knowledge. Yet this year he is wearing Buddhist prayer beads, which is quite ironic.
This matter naturally could not be kept from Zhao Xiheng. Wei Li placed the Guanyin statue that grants children in a side room and had people prepare fruits, incense, and candles for it.
When Zhao Xiheng pushed open the door and saw the smoke and fire, she was so frightened that the flesh on her chin bulged out.
Wei Li pursed her lips, feeling slightly uncomfortable, hoping that even if she saw it, she wouldn't say anything.
"There are no gods or Buddhas in the world. They are all frauds. Even if there are gods and Buddhas, there are too many people in the world who need their help. Why would gods and immortals care about human affairs?" Zhao Xiheng repeated Wei Li's words in his arrogant and unruly tone, intentionally mocking him.
Wei Li was even more embarrassed. Yes, what he said was true, but now that it's been brought up, it's a real slap in the face.
“I’ll add more incense money. Even gods need to make a living. Money can make the devil turn the millstone, so naturally I can get the gods and Buddhas to fulfill my requests.” He raised his chin.
Zhao Xiheng said calmly, "If you say such things in front of Guanyin, she will be unhappy."
Wei Li's expression changed, and he subconsciously glanced at the Guanyin statue on the table. "Shut up, don't say another word."
"What did you wish for? Tell me." Zhao Xiheng coughed lightly and patted her stomach as she asked.
Since they were praying to Guanyin, the goddess of fertility, they were naturally asking about matters related to childbirth. Even if Wei Li didn't say anything, Zhao Xiheng knew that both mother and child were safe. But she was just being malicious and wanted to see Wei Li embarrassed.
Wei Li gritted his teeth; Zhao Xiheng's wicked intentions could not be hidden from him.
"I pray for a son." He said slowly and deliberately, trying to annoy her in return.
"Oh~" Zhao Xiheng nodded, and said seriously, "Isn't this a coincidence? The royal physician also said that this pregnancy is most likely to be a son. My lord, you will get what you want."
"Really?" His eyes widened in disbelief, and he quickly spat inwardly, thinking to himself that he had just been talking nonsense. If there is a Guanyin in the world, please don't take his words seriously.
"Really, would I lie to you?" Zhao Xiheng wasn't lying to him this time. The imperial physician said the pregnancy was strong and powerful, like a boy. Wei Li himself said he wanted a son, and whether he meant it or not, it was probably going to come true.
He was determined to have only one child with Zhao Xiheng in this lifetime. Actually, a boy would be fine too, since it would all be Zhao Xiheng's child anyway, and boys are tough and can withstand falls and beatings...
Wei Li thought silently.
Incense was burning in the Buddhist hall, and the smoke was thick. Wei Li was afraid that the smoke would bother her, so he protected her waist and led her outside.
The sun was shining brightly outside, and as if his eyes were playing tricks on him, he saw a little girl in a red dress in the distance. She looked about eight-tenths like Zhao Xiheng and was only about calf tall. The little girl toddled towards him and called out to him in a sweet, tender voice, "Father!"
"Flower!" The girl raised her arm, revealing a small pink flower in her palm.
When I came to my senses again, there was no little girl anywhere. The ground was empty, with only a clump of wild grass growing vigorously in the crack.
The sun was so bright that Wei Li's eyes ached from the glare.
He's been having trouble sleeping lately due to anxiety, and he also has neurological problems, constantly having dreams and now even hallucinating during the day.
"If you have a son, what should you name him?" Zhao Xiheng asked, holding his hand.
She realized that she was due to give birth in less than half a month. She hadn't even decided on a name yet, but the clothes were ready. They were pale yellow, sky blue, and light yellow, suitable for both boys and girls. The fabric was very soft and would be comfortable to wear. Remembering that Wei Li had never seen those adorable little clothes before, she took his hand and led him into the bedroom.
Wei Li was slightly lost in thought and casually asked, "Wei Yong? Wei Meng?"
That sounded too dismissive. Zhao Xiheng grabbed his ear and twisted it hard. "Did you pick the child out of a garbage dump?"
"Let me think about it again, let me think about it again." Wei Li grimaced, coming back to his senses.
The old woman and Xiao Tao are both very skillful. Zhao Xiheng was busy with the affairs of Pingzhou a while ago, and they had already made a whole drawer full of children's clothes, as well as a drawer full of diapers, toys, and shoes.
It's been rinsed in water several times, so it's soft.
It's a tiny piece of clothing, smaller than two of her palms, and I find it incredibly cute every time I see it.
She spread the items out on the table one by one, showing them to Wei Li, "Look, they're all so small and cute."
Wei Li looked at Zhao Xiheng's belly, then at the tiny clothes that were no bigger than his palm, and carefully held them in his hand and shook them.
It's so small; I wonder how delicate and fragile it must have been when it was born.
He felt a trembling fear, as well as an urgent longing for the arrival of new life.
Zhao Xiheng then showed him the shoes, which were about the size of a large millet dumpling. The couple played with these little things with great interest.
"Wei Li..." Zhao Xiheng, clutching the child's little red bib, suddenly stopped moving and called his name urgently, her voice trembling with fear.
Wei Li grasped her hand; it was icy cold.
"Wei Li, my stomach hurts." Zhao Xiheng didn't dare to move, biting her lower lip and shedding tears.
Is she about to give birth?
It's been over nine months. If the baby is well cared for, it's normal to give birth before ten months.
Wei Li was so frightened that he dared not breathe, frantically trying to comfort her, "Don't be afraid...don't be afraid..."
His usually scalding hands were as cold as ice.
"Someone come here! Someone come here!" He grabbed Zhao Xiheng's hand with one hand to comfort her, and with the other hand he opened the window and shouted outside, the veins on his neck bulging, making him look ferocious.
He couldn't panic. Zhao Xiheng was scared, and he couldn't be scared like a useless person.
Nine months later, in order to prevent Zhao Xiheng from going into labor at any time, the doctor and midwife lived in the next room and rushed in in an orderly manner as soon as they heard any movement.
The doctor first took Zhao Xiheng's pulse, "These are prenatal contractions, and it will likely begin tonight or early tomorrow morning."
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