Several months passed in the blink of an eye, and Su Yujiao reached her due date. She became even more careful every day, fearing that she would suddenly give birth.
She asked Granny Sun to touch her belly, and Granny Sun said it would be in the next two days.
Su Yujiao brought Granny Sun directly into her home. Zhou asked in confusion, "Jiaojiao, why did you bring her here?"
Su Yujiao pulled the person aside: "Mother, that peasant woman is about to give birth, probably in the next day or two."
“This old woman is a midwife; I can have her help me put on a show.”
"Her grandson is still counting on me to treat him, she won't go around saying things like that."
“It’s more reliable to ask her than anyone else. I don’t want any rumors to spread in the future, saying that I faked the birth or that the child is illegitimate.”
Zhou thought about it and agreed. The General's Mansion was always under scrutiny, so even if they were putting on an act, they had to make it look convincing.
If any rumors spread in the future, it will be bad for Jiaojiao and the child.
"Okay, give her a good talking-to and make her watch her mouth."
"Don't worry, Mother. I've already warned her. She won't say anything."
Zhou nodded, then asked, "Should I send Zhang Mama to watch over the pregnant woman, so we can make arrangements for what to do next?"
"No need, I have already arranged the best midwife for that woman. She will come to inform me after she gives birth."
“I’ll secretly bring the child over at night, and I’ll have Xiao Tao meet him at the back door.”
"Then just have Granny Sun act out a baby delivery scene."
"Alright, since you've already made all the arrangements, I won't interfere anymore."
Zhou didn't take it too seriously. After all, it wasn't a real childbirth; it was just acting, a formality. She didn't need to worry about any dangers during childbirth.
The next morning, Zhou received a message from the estate saying that someone from the neighboring estate was deliberately causing trouble, so she rushed off to deal with it.
This was arranged by Su Yujiao. She was afraid that Zhou Shi would barge in when she was giving birth, so it was better to send her away.
"Xiao Tao, go and bring the Wei sisters over."
"When I give birth, you can help inside the house, and have the two of them stand guard outside in case of any emergencies."
"yes."
When the eldest and second sisters-in-law saw Su Yujiao bring in two unfamiliar maids, they asked curiously, "Sister-in-law, are these two new maids you bought?"
"No, they are martial arts instructors from the charity hall, teaching those children martial arts."
“My mother-in-law wasn’t here, so I had them stand guard outside the door when I gave birth to prevent the second branch of the family from coming and causing trouble.”
Both Bai and Li knew that Su Yujiao's pregnancy was fake, and that the so-called childbirth was just an act.
They knew their younger sister-in-law valued this matter highly, since the child who was about to be adopted was her only hope for the future.
As women themselves, they felt deep sympathy and would try their best to cooperate.
"That's good, it saves the old lady and Madam Zhu from causing trouble again."
After seeing her two sisters-in-law off, Su Yujiao called over Granny Sun and asked her to explain in detail whether there were any taboos or precautions during childbirth.
She knew that there were many taboos in ancient times. Although she had never given birth, she knew that men could not enter the room when a child was being born, and that children, widows, and unmarried girls were also not allowed to enter.
I also learned some lessons from my two sisters-in-law: one should not give birth in bed, as the blood and grime would offend the spirit of the kang (heated brick bed), which would be detrimental to the health and future of both the mother and the baby.
Wealthy families often placed a large red wooden basin in front of the kang (a heated brick bed), where the woman would sit to give birth, hence the saying "approaching childbirth".
Poor families, lacking such conditions, would spread straw in front of the kang (a heated brick bed), and the woman would lie on the straw to give birth. Therefore, this method of childbirth was called "luocao," meaning the child was born on straw.
Granny Sun also said that doors and windows should not be sealed when a child is born, because they believe that doors and windows are like eyes, and sealing them will make the child go blind.
"..."
Su Yujiao felt this was feudal superstition, but since she lived in ancient times, she could only comply, and it wouldn't have any impact anyway.
Is there anything else?
"After the child is born, the umbilical cord is cut and tied tightly. After a simple cleaning, the child is wrapped in a small quilt. Once everything is in order, a few pieces of yellow paper are burned before the mother and baby can be moved onto the kang (a heated brick bed), and only then can the husband enter."
"The handling of the placenta is especially important. It should be buried deep in a secluded place under the cover of darkness, where it cannot be trampled on or eaten by wild dogs, otherwise the child will not live long."
Su Yujiao paid particular attention to this point. Regardless of whether she was superstitious or not, she would never allow her child's placenta to be trampled on or eaten by dogs.
"Did you two hear me clearly?"
"Don't worry, Madam, I will handle it properly."
Su Yujiao then asked, "Is there anything else I should be careful about?"
Granny Sun thought for a moment and said, "Next is to announce the good news. Whether the lady gives birth during the day or at night, she must go to her parents' home the next morning to announce the good news."
"You can't go in the afternoon; that's usually when they announce a death!"
"Announcing the good news is simple. If it's a boy, you bring a rooster; if it's a girl, you bring a hen. The bride's family will understand immediately."
After Granny Sun finished speaking, Su Yujiao asked Xiao Tao to take them away.
After Xiao Tao left, she didn't stay idle. Instead, she introduced the situation in the mansion and the relationships between the people in the family to the Wei sisters, and told them to pay special attention to the people in the second branch of the family and be wary of them causing trouble.
The Wei sisters couldn't help but become wary; they hadn't expected that being the wife of a wealthy family wasn't so easy.
Having a child not only requires keeping it a secret from everyone, but also means being wary of the scheming of relatives and sisters-in-law. Life is truly miserable.
It is truly admirable that the lady could maintain such a kind heart in such a chaotic and polluted place.
That evening, around 8 or 9 pm, Su Yujiao's water broke, and the main family immediately sprang into action.
Although Xiao Tao was not married, she did not care much. How could she not be by her young mistress's side when she was in the most danger?
Granny Sun said that the young lady was definitely having twins, and that she, an old woman, would definitely not be able to handle it all.
The Wei sisters stood guard outside the door, preventing anyone from approaching.
Hearing the shouts from inside, Bai and Li exchanged a glance. Their sister-in-law was putting on quite a convincing act; now she certainly wouldn't be afraid of gossip.
Therefore, the two of them couldn't afford to mess things up; they had to pretend to be very anxious while also being wary of the second wife's family coming to cause trouble.
Soon, the sound of a baby crying came from inside the house, and the people outside exclaimed with joy: "It's born! It's born!"
"Wait a little longer, there should be one more."
About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the sound of a baby crying came from inside the room again, but it was much quieter than before.
From inside the house came Xiao Tao's excited shout: "Miss, they're twins!"
"You have a young master and a young lady now."
Su Yujiao sat weakly in the wooden tub, looking at the two red and wrinkled children, and tears instantly streamed down her face.
This is her child; she's a mother now!
Granny Sun also advised, "Madam, you mustn't cry now, or you'll hurt your eyes."
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