After treating wounded soldiers at the East Gate for four consecutive days, Lu Qiqi estimated that Aunt Xiang's episiotomy stitches could be removed.
I specifically sought out Duan Heng to help me arrange registration so I could leave the camp smoothly.
Lu Qiqi carried her medicine chest and rode her spirited horse at full gallop. In less than a quarter of an hour, she stopped in front of the Wu residence.
Without Song Yanqing's token, they could only enter the Wu residence by stating their own names.
Upon hearing that the visitor was looking for Consort Xiang, the servants immediately sent someone into the inner courtyard to inquire.
Soon after, Xiangling came out to greet her.
"Xiangling greets the village head."
Lu Qiqi didn't care about formalities and said cheerfully, "No need for formalities, take me to Aunt Xiang's courtyard."
"Hey, please come in."
With Xiangling leading the way, they bypassed the winding courtyards and soon entered Aunt Xiang's courtyard.
When Lu Qiqi entered the inner room, she saw Aunt Xiang lying half-reclined on the bed, wearing a dark blue beaded headband on her forehead, holding a child in her arms with loving eyes.
Hearing the commotion, Aunt Xiang bowed and said, "I am not in a good position to perform the ceremony, so I hope the Lady will forgive me."
"You're too kind, Aunt Xiang," Lu Qiqi said with a slight smile, taking two steps forward.
She looked down and saw the baby girl sleeping in her swaddling clothes. The purplish-red color on her cheeks was gradually fading, and her pink, chubby little face made her want to move closer.
"Have you chosen a name yet?"
Lu Qiqi stared intently at the baby girl, growing more and more fond of her the more she looked.
"No, the general has not yet returned to the manor. The first wife should have sent someone to inform the general."
As soon as Aunt Xiang finished speaking, Lu Qiqi remembered that General Wu had been unconscious due to a torn wound.
Several days have passed; he should be awake by now.
She recalled that General Wu insisted on returning to the manor despite his serious injuries, which showed how much he valued the child. Hadn't he chosen a name for the child beforehand?
Before Lu Qiqi could think further, the child in Aunt Xiang's arms suddenly burst into tears.
A strange noise, accompanied by crying, instantly filled the entire room.
Aunt Xiang smiled somewhat embarrassedly, "Please, Your Excellency, sit in the outer room for a while."
Lu Qiqi nodded and walked towards the outer room. Before she could take a few steps, she heard a voice giving instructions behind her.
"Xiangling, get a clean strip of cloth and fetch a basin of warm water."
After a flurry of activity, the baby's crying finally stopped.
Lu Qiqi went back into the inner room and saw that the window was half open to let the smell dissipate, and the light from outside shone into the room, making the dim room much brighter.
"Aunt Xiang, let's begin."
After Lu Qiqi finished speaking, Xiangling closed the window and took the baby girl to wait in the outer room.
Removing the sutures via lateral incision is extremely simple; it didn't take much time or effort to remove them.
Aunt Xiang blushed and straightened her clothes, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Lu Qiqi guessed what she wanted to ask, and said, "Is Aunt Xiang worried that there will be a mark?"
"Really?" The question was asked cautiously, which made Lu Qiqi feel uneasy.
Since ancient times, childbirth has been like a brush with death for women. They not only have to worry about losing their figure and being disliked by their husbands.
Now she also has to fear that her scars will cause her husband to reject her.
Even so, Lu Qiqi still had to tell the truth, "Yes, an episiotomy will not only leave a scar, but it will also cause hyperplasia. Simply put, it means that an extra piece of flesh will grow out."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Xiang's face stiffened, and after a moment she smiled bitterly and said, "Being able to give birth to a daughter smoothly is already a blessing for me, and I shouldn't think too much about it."
Just as she calmed down and was about to thank Lu Qiqi, she suddenly felt a tickle in her throat. She quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed, suppressing her voice.
"Cough cough cough."
The last cough was rather forceful, and the strange sensation in her body made her suddenly stiffen.
Suddenly, feelings of grievance and fear welled up inside her, and tears uncontrollably streamed down her face.
Lu Qiqi first noticed that Aunt Xiang was crying, and then noticed that the thin quilt on the bed was a darker color.
She understood what had happened and comforted her, saying, "It's quite common for this to happen right after giving birth. Once you're fully recovered, you won't have any more problems."
"Don't hold back your cough. Let Xiangling come in and help you change your clothes."
After saying that, Lu Qiqi ignored Aunt Xiang's tears, whether they were tears of emotion or tears of sadness, and went straight out of the inner room.
"Xiangling".
"Yes, your servant is here," Xiangling replied, holding the child, upon hearing Lu Qiqi's voice.
“Your aunt is not feeling well. Go inside and change her into some clean clothes. Leave the child to me.”
Following Lu Qiqi's instructions, Xiangling handed the child to her, still pondering her words: Why is Aunt Xiang suddenly unwell?
Despite her confusion, Xiangling did not slow her pace and quickly entered the inner room.
Lu Qiqi held the baby girl, completely enamored with her. The little one in the swaddling clothes was so soft and cuddly, her nose twitching slightly, it was enough to melt anyone's heart.
After some commotion inside the room, Lu Qiqi, holding the baby girl, heard crying.
What's going on?
Still feeling uneasy, she stood outside the curtain and asked, "Is it alright to come in?"
A moment later, she heard a very nasal voice say, "Please, Your Excellency."
Having received permission, Lu Qiqi went inside and saw that Aunt Xiang had changed her clothes and was lying on the newly changed bedding. Perhaps afraid of losing her composure, she quickly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.
Then, he tugged at the corners of his mouth at Lu Qiqi, revealing a smile that was even uglier than a grimace.
Lu Qiqi stepped forward and handed the child to Aunt Xiang, letting him lie down next to his mother to find some sense of security.
Aunt Xiang took a breath and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I'm sorry to have made the village head laugh at me."
Lu Qiqi said calmly, "There's no need to be embarrassed. It's not uncommon for women to experience urinary incontinence or even dysuria after childbirth. As long as they seek medical attention in time, it can be fixed."
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