In the East Courtyard, Li Chenjiao was naturally the first to realize that she was about to give birth. At this moment, she was actually glad that she had taken a bath yesterday, otherwise she would have hated herself during her postpartum confinement.
Li Chenjiao was still able to walk. She was wrapped in a thick cloak by the maids, who carefully helped her to the pre-prepared birthing room.
The second princess woke up at this moment, and with people coming and going, they were afraid of bumping into her, so the little girl was being held in Chen's arms.
The little girl watched her mother's figure disappear into the side room, her large, bright eyes following the movement. She peeked out, her head slightly drooping, as if somewhat forlorn: "I can't go in..."
Mr. Chen patted her on the back to comfort her.
The maids, having either witnessed Li Chenjiao's birth of the Second Princess or heard about the birth, were not too panicked.
Xiao Luzi had already slipped out of the East Wing and headed to the Imperial Hospital before Li Chenjiao even entered the delivery room.
Dongsheng was also ordered to fetch the family physician.
The two midwives had also arrived.
Pingniang and Qiaoniang didn't dare to be careless in the small kitchen either; the stove was full of boiled water.
Lin Mama oversaw everything and checked all the items her mistress would need for childbirth once more.
This is where Lin Mama's importance becomes apparent.
Small utensils were prepared for the master's needs, and in addition to the medicine simmering on the stove, easily filling food was also prepared. Some of this food was brought in for the master to eat while he was at this time, so that he could accumulate some strength. There were also important ginseng slices, which were all kept in the inner room.
It was at this very moment that Fourth Master entered the East Courtyard.
Pingniang cooked millet and pumpkin porridge this morning, and Qiu Hu has already taken it inside. Li Chenjiao ate a little over half a bowl before hearing that Fourth Master had arrived.
Even though Li Chenjiao hadn't given birth yet, Fourth Master still came in.
Li Chenjiao didn't tie her hair up; she only used a forehead band to cover it up, so as not to bite her hair during the difficult labor.
This made her face appear even smaller and exceptionally pale.
This was the first time Fourth Master had seen Li Chenjiao like this, and his heart trembled.
He didn't approach, but kept a few steps away, and asked, "How does it feel?"
Li Chenjiao couldn't sit up, but she forced a smile and said, "I was woken up before I was even fully awake. I guess it'll be a while before I give birth."
Fourth Master hummed in agreement, and looking at Li Shi's fragile appearance, something flashed in his eyes: "I'm here, don't worry."
Li Chenjiao didn't act coy and glanced at Qiu Hu beside her.
Qiu Hu continued to feed her porridge.
Li Chenjiao took two sips and asked, "Do you have meat porridge?"
"Yes, the small kitchen has cooked some vegetable and lean meat porridge for the Second Princess. Would you like some, Master?" Qiu Hu quickly replied.
Li Chenjiao nodded.
Fourth Master was standing to the side.
After Li Chenjiao finished the bowl of meat porridge and felt a little better, the imperial physician arrived.
Just as the Fourth Master was about to say something, he heard the maid exclaim in surprise.
The midwife standing nearby quickly stepped forward: "The concubine has gone into labor."
Su Peisheng, who was outside, quickly said, "The delivery room is filthy, please wait outside, sir."
The Fourth Prince glanced at him, but the maids were constantly bringing hot water towels inside. He frowned and left the room.
Inside the room, Li Chenjiao touched her abdomen, and it was as if a taut string in her mind had suddenly snapped, causing her eyes to redden instantly.
"Qiu Hu! Granny, let Granny in."
As she spoke, her eyes also fell on the midwife.
Granny Lin had been outside the whole time. Upon hearing the summons, she didn't even have time to apologize to the Fourth Master before rushing into the inner room.
Fourth Master frowned immediately; he had naturally heard Li Chenjiao's voice as well.
Soon someone came out, but it wasn't Granny Lin who came out; instead, it was two midwives.
This... the concubine is about to give birth, so why is a midwife coming out?
Su Peisheng, being a shrewd man, naturally knew at this moment that something was amiss.
A moment later, someone else came out; it was Qiu Hu, Li Chenjiao's head maid.
"My lord, the concubine's baby is breech, and the nanny is trying to figure out what to do..."
If it weren't for the Fourth Master's presence, Qiu Hu probably would have directly attacked those two midwives.
The midwife had been living in the east courtyard since the twelfth lunar month. Every day, she and Li Chenjiao would check the baby's position, and their conversations were always the same without any mistakes.
Why is the baby in the wrong position on the day of delivery?
Neither of the two midwives noticed?
Even a fool could tell there was something fishy going on here.
The Fourth Master seemed to sway slightly, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Su Peisheng, detain him. Invite Granny Zhong in!"
Granny Zhong, you've arrived just in time this time.
The two midwives wanted to say something, but Fourth Master wouldn't let these two filthy things disturb Li's delivery inside. With just one look, the two midwives went limp.
Granny Zhong was originally idly playing with the Second Princess in the side room when she arrived at the East Courtyard, but upon hearing Su Peisheng's summons, she immediately got up and went to the delivery room.
...
Li Chenjiao was in a very dangerous situation. Even yesterday, she was absolutely certain that the baby in her belly was fine.
The baby in her womb had been perfectly fine until the moment of delivery, when something else popped into Li Chenjiao's mind.
The image that flashed through my mind was of someone I knew, holding her child.
Li Chenjiao understood perfectly well...
The child will be born safely, but whether she will survive is uncertain.
Leave the mother and keep the child.
It's exactly the same as when Ms. Xie gave birth.
However, Li Chenjiao had no energy to think about the strange things that happened during Xie's childbirth.
She wanted to live; no one wants to die like this, without knowing why.
The baby is in an abnormal position, and it's unclear when the person behind it started plotting against it.
With Granny Lin around, Li Chenjiao felt somewhat reassured. However, she still needed other midwives to come, since Granny Lin wasn't a specialist in childbirth. Otherwise, these two midwives wouldn't have been able to pull off such a deception.
A short while later, she thought the midwife had arrived, but when she saw Granny Zhong appear before her, she was stunned for two seconds.
The next second, a hint of joy flashed in her eyes.
She must survive! And the baby in her womb must be delivered safely.
As for those who wanted her dead, she would settle accounts with them one by one after this incident.
...
Outside the delivery room, the Fujin (principal wife) received the news and quickly arrived.
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