Besides Li Chenjiao, who was still in confinement and whose courtyard gate was tightly closed as if she were unaware of the commotion in the backyard, there was also her concubine, Miss Xu, who was ill and did not come out.
The most well-behaved person in the Fourth Prince's harem was naturally Miss Xu. After all, she served by the side of Consort De. Even though Miss Xu was never favored, the Fourth Prince never mistreated her. During festivals, the various rewards he gave her were more generous than the usual allowance.
After all, they really are well-behaved.
As for Li Chenjiao, Qiu Hu told her that Xiao Luzi and Dong Sheng had returned, but she only asked, "Is everything settled?"
Today, Li Chenjiao sent Xiao Luzi and Dongsheng to get involved in this matter, ultimately hoping to keep their achievements hidden from public view.
Qiu Hu cautiously nodded in agreement.
The inner room quieted down, but even the usually composed Qiu Hu couldn't help but move his lips a few times, as if he wanted to say something.
Qiu Hu was naturally worried that Xie Gege was about to give birth unexpectedly, fearing that she might give birth to a prince.
Xie Gege has too many thoughts. If it weren't for the fact that the Fourth Prince dislikes restless women, Qiu Hu would have worried that Xie Gege would have already affected his master.
Li Chenjiao was feeling sleepy, so she simply lay back down on the couch: "The material you gave me looks quite good; it'll be perfect for making underwear for summer."
The Fourth Prince has been feeling very stifled lately. He's been incredibly busy outside, and there's been a constant stream of troubles piling up at home, one after another, leaving him with no peace of mind.
Not to mention staying overnight in someone's yard to call for water, being so busy all day that even the interest in that kind of thing seems to have diminished.
Li Chenjiao pondered, she liked wearing the pretty little clothes, and Fourth Master would also find them pleasing to the eye, wouldn't he?
Li Chenjiao's sudden mention of this made Qiu Hu blush. She hesitated for a while before saying, "Then this servant will prepare the needle and thread in the next two days."
The girl naturally understood that it wasn't convenient to take the small garments her master wanted to the sewing room to make.
After saying this, Li Chenjiao said in a low voice, "Putting everything else aside, I just hope that Xie will be able to give birth to an heir safely."
Li Chenjiao remembered that when she last saw Xie Shi, Xie Shi herself was thin and weak, but the baby in her belly looked very healthy.
Li Chenjiao remembered that before she gave birth, the midwife had told her not to eat too much tonic, otherwise the baby's head would be too big and it would be difficult to give birth.
Li Chenjiao still remembered that when Xiao Luzi came to report earlier, he said that Xie's birth was going to be difficult, and both the child and Xie were going to suffer.
The east courtyard quickly quieted down, and even Xiao Luzi didn't go out to ask around.
The Fourth Prince hasn't returned to the manor yet, but there's already a sense of impending storm.
Li Chenjiao was right not to send anyone to Xie Gege's courtyard, as Xie Gege's courtyard was bustling with activity right now.
Granny Qian arrived late. Wu Gege, who had originally wanted to take this opportunity to make a good impression, concealed the resentment in her eyes and had to deal with Granny Qian.
Given Wu Gege's cautious and prudent nature, she naturally wouldn't want to come, nor would she need to get involved in this mess.
However, with both the primary wife and secondary primary wife in the manor currently in confinement, and this incident occurring now, it is precisely the time for Consort Wu to make her move.
Before leaving the mansion, Wu Gege specifically instructed the servants to keep an eye on the movements of the Fujin in the main courtyard, confirming that the Fujin was busy before making this trip in preparation for taking charge of the overall situation.
But before she could say more than a few words, Granny Qian from the main courtyard arrived.
Inside, Xie was struggling to give birth, while the people outside were only thinking about how they could gain something from it.
Only when Song stood at the door watching the servants come and go could she not help but ask, "How is Princess Xie inside?"
Song had witnessed childbirth before, but seeing the servants bring out basins of bloody water still made her shudder. She still forced herself to stand up and asked, supported by Liu Xu.
The maids and servants had just been called from the front yard, and they were already covered in sweat after only a short while, which showed how difficult Xie's childbirth must have been inside.
"The physician said that Xie Gege's baby is breech this time, and the midwife hasn't arrived yet, so Xie Gege can only save her strength for now."
After the old woman finished speaking, she bowed and hurriedly carried the copper basin to the back.
Over there, Granny Qian and Princess Wu were still arguing back and forth.
Although Song Gege was furious that Xie Shi had kept her pregnancy a secret, she still remembered the good advice Xie Shi had given her when she first entered the mansion, and since she herself had given birth, she was still a bit soft-hearted.
"Where's the imperial physician? Where's the midwife? Did you send someone to inform the Fourth Master? What are you all standing there for? If you can't find anything to do, go back to your own courtyard. Who are you trying to block by standing here in this huge crowd?"
Song's voice wasn't loud, but she covered her nose with a handkerchief while speaking, and her eyes were full of disgust that could make a person faint with anger.
Just as Madam Song finished speaking, the servants from the front courtyard brought in the midwife, who was panting heavily.
The Fourth Master was not present, and everyone there was a princess. No one was superior to anyone else. Song Shi's voice sounded much stronger than usual.
"Why are you still offering greetings? This is a matter of life and death. Please, Granny, go in and take a good look at Princess Xie."
Song's second half of her sentence was addressed to the midwife, and her tone became much more sincere and earnest.
The midwife took the handkerchief handed to her by the maid, wiped her hands and sweat, and was then helped inside by the maid.
The servant drove so fast that the midwife's legs were still trembling slightly.
The midwife has arrived!
Originally, Xie Shi, who was sweating profusely and almost losing consciousness in the inner room, breathed a sigh of relief as if she had been parched for a long time and had finally received rain.
Even in the face of Xie Shi during childbirth, there was a kind of beauty, a haggard and pale yet still alluring beauty, which was even more striking.
The Xie family is like a flower that is about to wither but is still in full bloom.
Her gaze was no longer tender and affectionate; it was even more resolute than ever before.
She clenched her teeth tightly, unwilling to waste her energy on screaming.
When the midwife came in to check, several of the older women from the front yard, who had been there for many years, had some experience. When the midwife peeked out and stood up, she exchanged a glance with the older women and immediately understood why the older women had looked so serious earlier.
This is too troublesome. How can there be such a big difference between the two residences of the Fourth Prince?
The midwife was expecting a reward for delivering the baby for Consort Li in the East Courtyard, but now that she's been invited to deliver the baby for this Lady Xie, the midwife is worried about whether she can leave the Fourth Prince's mansion safely.
Madam Xie lay on the bed, and because the maid was wiping her sweat, she couldn't see the midwife's face. Only when the midwife came up to her and spoke to her did she have the strength to ask a question.
"Did the Fourth Master send you, Granny? Please, Granny, help me."
Xie hadn't spoken for a long time, and her voice was trembling.
The midwife took the ginseng soup handed to her by the maid and carefully fed it to Xie Shi. Her eyes darted away slightly, and she did not answer directly: "Don't worry, Princess, this old servant will."
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