Chapter 558 Weijia's Difficult Childbirth
After leaving Dali Temple, Feng Yuerou felt completely enlightened.
The doubts in his heart were answered, and the endless cycle of suffering was relieved in the face of the absolutely sincere maternal love shown by the Countess of Annan.
Looking at Feng Yuerou's gentle expression and clear eyes, Qiao Qinghe silently patted her hand that was wrapped around her arm, receiving a gentle and tender smile from Feng Yuerou.
The two boarded a carriage and returned to the Qiao residence.
As soon as I arrived home, the gatekeeper hurriedly came to greet me.
"Madam, you're finally back. Something happened to the First Madam."
Upon hearing this, both Qiao Qinghe and Feng Yuerou's expressions changed.
"What happened?" Qiao Qinghe asked anxiously as she hurried inside.
The servant quickly replied, "After the old lady left, Granny Fang brought her daughter-in-law, Liao, to request an audience with her. Even after being told that the old lady was not there, they refused to leave, so the eldest madam went to see them on her behalf."
"But not long after, news spread from the inner courtyard that the First Madam had given birth prematurely."
"I don't know the specifics of what happened in between."
Qiao Qinghe frowned, waved the servant away, and said to Feng Yuerou, "You've been out for most of the day, the children must miss you. Go back now."
"Mother, let me go with you to see my sister-in-law. If there's anything I can help with, I'll lend a hand." Feng Yuerou was also very worried about Weijia's condition.
Although Wei Jia was just a maidservant by the old lady's side before, she never looked down on her.
When Wei Jia returned from Da Lu and transformed into the old lady's daughter-in-law, whose status even slightly surpassed hers, she was not surprised at all, nor did she feel the slightest bit of jealousy.
Perhaps it was precisely because of her composure and consistent humility and politeness that Wei Jia was very kind to her.
Compared to Wu's daughter-in-law, who was sent back to her ancestral home in Huizhou, she and Wei Jia, two daughters-in-law of "unknown origin," actually became like family.
Qiao Qinghe shook her head and insisted, "No need. Too many people will cause trouble. It might not be a good thing for you to go."
"You should go back and look after the children, so they don't get frightened."
"Moreover, with Weijia in trouble, the mansion is in chaos. We mustn't let anyone with ulterior motives take advantage of the situation and harm the two children."
Upon hearing this, Feng Yuerou's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately stopped insisting and turned back to her own courtyard at the fork in the road.
After Feng Yuerou left, Qiao Qinghe walked quickly to the courtyard where Wei Jia lived with a gloomy face.
Before she even entered the room, she heard painful cries and the midwife's hoarse voice guiding and encouraging her.
As soon as I entered, I saw a group of maids going in and out of the doorway. Some were carrying hot water inside, while others were carrying bloody water out.
When Qiao Qinghe saw this, her heart skipped a beat.
Just then, upon learning that Qiao Qinghe was coming, Madam He hurriedly ran out to greet her.
"Madam, you're back?" Madam He greeted Qiao Qinghe with delight while wiping the sweat from her forehead.
"Thank you for your hard work," Qiao Qinghe said comfortingly, then quickly changed the subject to Wei Jia, "How is the situation?"
After hesitating for a moment, Madam He said with a worried expression, "The First Madam's condition is not very good."
"Dr. Mu said that when the first wife was newly pregnant, she was so tired from running around that she almost miscarried."
"I managed to recover somewhat over the past few months, but today..."
Qiao Qinghe suppressed her anger and doubts, focusing her attention on Wei Jia. "Is Mu Jin in there too?"
Madam He nodded: "The First Madam suddenly went into labor, and the midwife said it would be a difficult birth. I was afraid something might go wrong, so I sent someone to Sanchi Lane to bring her over."
"They're watching from inside right now."
Qiao Qinghe nodded and was about to walk into the house.
Madam He instinctively tried to stop her, saying, "Madam, perhaps you shouldn't go in? There's some... blood, stench, and unpleasant smell inside?"
Before He could find the right words, Qiao Qinghe scoffed, "It's not like I haven't had children before, what's there to be ashamed of?"
As they were talking, they had already entered the inner room.
It was clearly a sudden turn of events; Wei Jia was not moved to the pre-prepared delivery room, but instead began giving birth directly in her own bedroom.
Two midwives squatted in front of the bed, watching the less-than-ideal delivery progress.
Mu Jin also stayed by Wei Jia's side, constantly monitoring Wei Jia's physical condition.
Several maids were also busy running around.
Upon seeing her enter, everyone hurriedly prepared to greet her, but Qiao Qinghe quickly stopped them, saying, "Don't worry about me, just go about your business. I just came in to check on things."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "If the First Madam gives birth to the child safely, the midwife will be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver! Everyone else will be rewarded with a year's salary."
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy.
Qiao Qinghe paused. She had originally wanted to say a few threatening words to warn him, but after thinking about it, she didn't say them.
At this time, let's not add to their psychological burden.
She lifted her foot and walked to the bedside.
At this moment, Wei Jia's face was deathly pale, her lips were faintly bluish, and her hair was soaked with sweat, making her bangs stick to her face, making her look quite disheveled.
"Wei Jia, I'm back."
Qiao Qinghe reached out and grasped Wei Jia's hand. "Don't be afraid, I'm here. Listen to me, gather your strength, and we'll give birth to the baby in one go. Once it's born, everything will be alright."
Wei Jia was already somewhat disoriented and reacted extremely slowly.
After a long while, she looked at Qiao Qinghe with hazy eyes and said, "Mother, you're back."
Wei Jia spoke haltingly, clearly having exerted a great deal of effort to get the words out.
"Mother, please promise me that if anything happens, you will definitely, absolutely must, protect the child."
"This, this is Jingyuan, his only, only bloodline!"
Qiao Qinghe's nose stung with tears. She gripped Wei Jia's hand tightly and gently scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about? You'll be alright, and the baby will be fine. Trust me, I won't let anything happen to you!"
As she spoke, she turned to look at Mu Jin, "I want them, mother and child, to be safe. You figure out a way! Can you do it?"
Mu Jin frowned slightly, looking at Qiao Qinghe with a troubled expression.
Qiao Qinghe didn't urge her, just silently watched her, but the invisible pressure in her eyes made Mu Jin's heart pound.
After racking her brains for a long time, Mu Jin hesitated before finally speaking, "Madam, I have thought of a way that can ensure the safety of both mother and child. However..."
"Just what?" Qiao Qinghe frowned, her tone impatient. "What time is it? Why are you still beating around the bush? Just say what you have to say."
Mu Jin dared not delay any longer and quickly said, "This is a method that my master taught me before, but I have never used it on anyone."
"According to my master, if this method is used, the lives of the mother and child can be saved."
"However, this method will damage the mother's body, making it impossible for her to have children again."
"Moreover, the child will be weak after birth, and I'm afraid... I'm afraid he will be difficult to raise."
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