Xu Lingyi looked at the old women crawling in front of him, smiled coldly, and asked Amber to call the imperial physician over.

"...we can only use tiger and wolf medicine," the imperial physician said with consideration, "by then, the child will most likely be... the adults may also be in danger!"

Xu Lingyi said nothing for a long while, his eyes fixed sternly on the midwife.

"It seems that you all have no other options!" He ordered Amber, "Call Chief Steward Bai. Ask him to send the three people from the palace back to the palace. Tell them that they are not needed in the Yongping Marquis' Mansion."

They were here to serve under the orders of the Empress. To the nobles in the palace, what was the difference between "not being useful" and "being arrogant and undisciplined"? It was self-evident what the consequences would be after hearing such a statement from the Empress's brother, the current uncle of the emperor. Even if the Empress did not pursue the matter, there would be people who wanted to flatter the Marquis of Yongping who would speak up for him!

The three old women began to tremble like they were sifting chaff.

Since these words are meant for the midwives, why not also for them?

The two imperial doctors looked at each other.

Amber has already left.

Rather than waiting to be in a state of uncertainty about life and death, it is better to find a way to give it a try.

One of the doctors spoke up: "My Lord, yes, there is a secret recipe!"

If it was a risk-free method, the midwife would have used it long ago. Why would she only tell it now?

Xu Lingyi had a blank expression on his face.

The imperial physician said, "Let's ask the midwife to massage the lady's breasts to help her deliver the baby sooner!"

Xu Lingyi looked at the midwife.

They looked very panicked.

He looked at Mother Wan again.

Mother Wan's face turned pale, her hands were tightly clasped together, and she looked very nervous.

In other words, Mother Wan also knows this method!

Xu Lingyi's gaze returned to the imperial physician.

The two imperial doctors knelt down.

"My Lord, although this method is dangerous, it has been used before." The imperial physician's voice was trembling. "When Concubine Sun gave birth to the Sixth Prince, she used this method."

Doctor Peng felt a chill in her heart when she heard this. She quickly nudged the midwife beside her and reminded her quietly, "When the time comes, you will be the ones delivering the baby."

The midwife shuddered and said immediately, "My Lord, this method is too dangerous. It should only be used when there is really no other way. Because it is rubbed off, the child will most likely die."

"No!" Eleventh Lady heard it clearly, and her heart ached at the thought. She immediately said, "This method won't work!"

She wants to give birth to the baby.

Xu Lingyi turned around and looked at his wife with tearful eyes.

Her bright eyes were as clear as spring water in a stream, like the water of forgetfulness, and she was the one who made his heart clear.

Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of the bulging belly.

I grew up little by little under his caress, played with him playfully, and was his flesh and blood...

Xu Lingyi showed a painful expression on his face: "Is there any other way?"

But the midwife caught the hesitation in Xu Lingyi's voice.

At this time, if you do nothing, you will definitely die. If you follow the Marquis's wishes, you may still have a way to survive. Besides, offspring are the most important! Even in the palace, people make choices like this!

She made up her mind and whispered, "There is another way!"

Xu Lingyi's eyes lit up.

"Use scissors to cut it open..." the midwife whispered, "It's just that my lord..."

Xu Lingyi understood.

You can only protect one person between adults and children!

Eleventh Lady also understood.

She shuddered.

I didn't expect that I would die so miserably in this life.

Eleventh Lady smiled self-deprecatingly and placed her hand lightly on her abdomen.

A child without a mother will have a hard life. Even if he is materially satisfied, there will always be a small regret in his heart.

It’s a pity that the time that Xu Lingyi and I were husband and wife was too short. If it was longer, the memory would be deeper. Thinking about the fact that they were husband and wife and the child lost his mother at a young age, he would be more tolerant of this child even if he had a wife and children in the future!

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but gently stroke the baby in her belly.

Considering the family background of this child, if we are too tolerant, he will probably develop a spoiled and domineering character, but if we are too strict, he will probably develop a timid and cowardly character and be bullied... We have to find a reliable person to stay with the child.

Bin Ju and Wan Daxian are both honest but not smart enough; Amber is very smart, but if she marries the housekeeper, she will be a member of the Xu family. If Xu Lingyi marries a second wife, there will be many constraints, which may not be a good choice; Zhu Xiang is still young, and when she is gone, her marriage will naturally be decided by Xu Lingyi or the Luo family, not her, and her future is still unknown... For a while, there was no perfect person.

However, I would rather be stupid than choose someone who is quick-witted and flexible and can judge the situation. The situation changes at any time, and who knows when such a person will change his mind.

She suddenly thought of Mother Tao.

At the beginning, did Yuanniang face the same dilemma and choices as herself?

Eleventh Lady was stunned for a moment, then saw Xu Lingyi slowly walking towards her.

His steps were small but firm, and there was determination between his brows, which made his expression seem somewhat serious - it was clear that he had already made a decision.

His smile when he knew she was pregnant, his satisfaction when he caressed her belly, his joy when he felt the baby's movements...all flashed before her eyes like a kaleidoscope.

Why do people have to face trials?

Can't we just live a life surrounded by flowers and splendor?

Eleventh Lady looked at Xu Lingyi who was sitting next to him and said quietly, "I want a child." She was so sad that tears fell like rain.

Xu Lingyi looked at his wife, who had been very emotional just now but suddenly calmed down and shed tears silently after knowing there was another way to save the child. He was not surprised, but just felt heartbroken.

He wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Eleventh Lady!" Xu Lingyi looked at her with a distant gaze and a bitter tone, "You have always been sensible... You also heard what the imperial physician and the midwife said just now... If you use scissors, you will definitely... If you let the midwife help you rub it, the child may..." He paused for a while before saying with difficulty, "Let the midwife help you rub it..."

Eleventh Lady opened her eyes wide.

My heart was in a mess and I didn’t know what to feel... But the thought that "he wants to give up the child" swept over everything like a tide, and all the feelings in my heart gave way to it.

"No, no!" She said loudly, "I was pregnant with him for ten months... He can already roll over and play games with us." As she spoke, she held Xu Lingyi's hand, "Don't you remember... When you put your hand on the left, he kicks to the right; when you put your hand on the right, he kicks to the left... You also said that he is lively, smart and cute..."

There was a gleam of water in the corners of Xu Lingyi's eyes.

But Eleventh Lady, who was only trying to persuade him, didn't pay any attention.

"My Lord..." She looked at him eagerly, hoping that he would change his mind. "He is already full-term and will survive if he is born..."

You could hear a pin drop in the room, and everyone was waiting trembling with fear.

Xu Lingyi leaned weakly on the bedside shelf and heard the grandfather clock strike nine.

He stood up slowly and told the midwife: "Go ahead!"

His voice was a little hoarse, but his tone was very calm. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, and he was determined.

"No!" Eleventh Lady could no longer care about anything else and struggled to grab Xu Lingyi's sleeve, "No..."

Xu Lingyi looked at Shiyi Niang who was crying like rain, sat down again and hugged her.

"Eleventh Lady, listen to me." There was an undisguised grief in the depths of his eyes. "If we let the midwife rub the wound, you and the child might survive... If we use scissors, there will only be one result. Using medicine will be even more dangerous. Since there is a glimmer of hope, we must give it a try!"

Who doesn't want to survive!

When it comes to calculating the probability of survival, Xu Lingyi's analysis makes a lot of sense.

But reason is one thing and emotion is another.

She didn't dare to try... She couldn't bear the other outcome!

"No, no!" Eleventh Lady hugged Xu Lingyi's arm and cried softly, "I can't..."

Amber covered her mouth and started crying, and Mother Wan turned her face away.

Eleventh Lady must be very scared!

Men are not allowed to enter the delivery room. Since I have already made an exception, I will just ignore those rules.

"Moyan!" Xu Lingyi called her name solemnly.

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but look up.

"I'll be with you!" Xu Lingyi looked at her calmly, "We'll be together!" He held her hand tightly, "You have to trust me."

Eleventh Lady stared at him in a daze.

"I don't know how much blood and gore I've been through." Xu Lingyi let her lean on his arms and held her shoulders tightly. "The monk Fashan once told me that I was the incarnation of the star Wu Qu. Those demons and monsters must avoid me..." His tone was firm and calm. "I'm here with you. You will be fine!" As he spoke, he nodded to the midwife who had offered the advice.

The midwife gritted her teeth, rolled up her sleeves and walked over.

* * * * * *

"The fourth child has entered the delivery room!" The lady was stunned when she heard this.

"Yes!" Mother Du whispered, "I can't stop it..."

The lady could no longer sit still. She took off the nanmu Buddhist beads from her wrist and fiddled with them. She still felt uneasy, so she stood up and said, "Let's go to the ancestral hall."

We should pray to our ancestors to bless them and turn misfortune into good fortune!

* * * * * *

The midwife's hands were very heavy, and after just a few rubs, Eleventh Lady regretted it.

She grabbed the midwife's hand: "No, the baby will get hurt!"

The midwife looked at Xu Lingyi with some embarrassment.

Xu Lingyi remained silent.

The midwife avoided Shiyi Niang's gaze and lowered her head to rub her belly vigorously.

Eleventh Lady's heart trembled and she looked up at Xu Lingyi.

His jaw was tautly drawn, his lips were pursed into a slit, and his eyes were staring blankly ahead as if he was gazing into space. No one knew what he was looking at.

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but hold Xu Lingyi's hand tightly.

His hands, with distinct knuckles, were broad and warm, but at this moment they were shaking uncontrollably like fallen leaves in the autumn wind.

"My Lord!" She burst into tears.

Xu Lingyi's body trembled, and he came back to his senses. He hugged her, put his face against hers, and comforted her softly: "Don't cry, you will be too weak soon! If you can't give birth to the child, you will be in danger!"

If you use scissors, the child will be born without any risk. If you use this method, the child may die and the adult may die from exhaustion. Comparing the two, the former is the wisest choice.

She had never understood Xu Lingyi's intentions as well as she did now.

She is the mother of the child and he is the father of the child.

Having to make such a choice, she was heartbroken, and he was also in great pain.

"Xu Lingyi!" She looked at him with tears in her eyes, "I want to eat!"

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Make up for the extra update on March 11th!

PS: I wrote this in a hurry today, so there are some unsatisfactory parts. I overhauled the content of the previous chapter. If you feel that it is a bit out of context, please go back and read the ending!

O(∩_∩)O~