After settling the baby boy, Madam Liu, accompanied by the nanny who had come with her, went to the main courtyard to pay her respects to the Fujin (the wife of the deceased). The Fujin instructed her to take good care of Yan Yu and naturally had no suspicion about the purpose of her visit.
"My lady, I've brought two midwives with me. They've been delivering babies for years. I've spoiled Yan Yu; she can be quite stubborn sometimes. Please bear with her. This is her first pregnancy, and she specifically asked me to come and keep her company. Therefore, to soothe her anxiety, I secretly prepared these two midwives so she can focus on bearing children for the Fourth Prince." Lady Liu knew that the midwives were crucial to keeping the secret from the Lady. The first person the baby would see after birth was the midwife. Without their help, Yan Yu's attempt to switch babies was just a pipe dream.
These two midwives were naturally chosen by the Ninth Prince, who said they were absolutely reliable. Since Madam Liu saw that they were brought by Fangyun, she had no choice but to follow their arrangements.
Standing beside the Fujin, Granny Li frowned upon hearing this, thinking to herself: Does this mean they don't trust our Fujin? Are they afraid she'll tamper with the midwife?
The Fujin (principal wife) didn't seem to mind, and said calmly, "Aunt Liu, what are you saying? Yu'er is the youngest sister, how could I let her suffer? Since you've already brought the midwife in, then let's send ours back. Women are most delicate when giving birth, so please accompany Yu'er and let her give birth peacefully."
Madam Liu was secretly delighted upon hearing this, and immediately bowed to the Fujin, saying, "I thank Fujin very much. With Fujin's care, I have no worries about Yu'er's future."
After Madam Liu took her leave, Granny Li glanced at the departing figure and said, "What are this mother and son up to? It's already a great favor that the Princess Consort brought her here to keep her company, and now they have to find their own midwife. Isn't this a slap in the face to the main wife? Does the Fourth Prince's mansion really have no one left?"
The Fujin raised her hand to adjust the tortoiseshell and gemstone-encrusted nail guards she was wearing, and said quietly, "You're just bringing a midwife in to help with the delivery, perhaps you're worried? Hehe, that's fine, if the delivery doesn't go smoothly, it won't be the main wife's fault. You can come with me to keep an eye on things then, it'll be the same."
Childbirth was indeed a difficult task for women in ancient times. Many died before even seeing their babies. Alas, the evil feudal society treated women merely as tools for procreation. When the midwife asked, "Save the mother or the child?", the answer was almost always to save the child and discard the mother.
"This is also because we're worried about Ninth Princess having a difficult childbirth. In that case, we'll have to decide whether to keep the mother or the child! Madam, if such a situation really occurs, will the midwives make their own decision without informing you?" Granny Li always felt that it was a bit strange for Madam Liu to bring in two midwives.
"So, what do you think, Granny Li, is more beneficial to us, Yan Yu or her child?"
The princess asked calmly.
“Of course it will be the child. If Princess Yan Yu unfortunately has a difficult childbirth, then her child will naturally be raised by the Fujin (Prince Consort). If it's another prince, then the main courtyard will have two princes. No matter how much favor the South Courtyard receives, the Fujin need not worry. Favor is appearance, power is substance. With two princes, plus the status of the principal wife, no one can surpass you,” said Granny Li firmly. In her heart, she had also given up on the relationship between the Fujin and the Fourth Prince; the two could never truly be together, so it was better to control the offspring for peace of mind.
"Does this mean there's no one else in the back courtyard to bear children for Fourth Master? We can still bring the child over then. Yan Yu's effects haven't been seen yet. If we were to sacrifice her for a child whose gender is unknown, I, the Fujin, would think it wouldn't be worth it," the Fujin said.
Upon hearing what she said, Granny Li seemed to understand what the Fujin meant.
However, to their surprise, Yan Yu's heart seemed to be bigger than they knew.
Meanwhile, Lady Liu returned to Yan Yu's quarters and told her that the Fujin (principal wife) had finally agreed to let them bring their own midwives.
"That's wonderful, Mother. I can't wait to become a mother. If the news of me giving birth to twins reaches Fourth Master's ears, do you think he will be very happy?" Yan Yu said, pulling on Liu Shi's arm and acting coquettishly, a rare occurrence for her.
"Twins?" Liu asked in surprise, looking at Yan Yu's belly.
“Mother, look at my belly. It’s not impossible that I’m carrying twins,” Yan Yu said meaningfully. “If I give birth to a prince, it will be twin princes; if it’s a princess, it will be twins of opposite sexes.”
"You mean, take that child out with you and say you gave birth to twins?" Madam Liu finally understood Yan Yu's meaning.
"Yes. Mother, don't worry. No one would suspect that one of them isn't Fourth Master's child," Yan Yu said.
“In that case, you might actually be promoted to the rank of concubine. In the royal family, twins are extremely rare, and this is a rare and auspicious sign. The Fourth Prince might specially request the position of concubine for you because of this, and the child won’t be taken away,” said Lady Liu.
“That’s right, Mother. That’s really what I think. This way, my children will still have the opportunity to grow up by my side, and with these twins, I’m determined to become a concubine.” Yan Yu ultimately didn’t tell Lady Liu that the Ninth Prince knew about this.
The mother and son seemed to have reached a consensus, and the two discussed in detail in the bedroom the birth they had planned for two days later.
Meanwhile, Fangyun was currently discussing matters for the day after tomorrow with the maids Yunyuan, Chuntao, and Zhuier. She and Madam Liu were staying with Yanyu in the delivery room the entire time, while the maids were only responsible for chores such as boiling water. Because the maids were unaware of this, they assumed that Fangyun was trying to impress others and was deliberately excluding them from serving Yanyu during childbirth.
"I am the princess's personal maid, why should you tell me what to do?" Yun Yuan couldn't hold back any longer.
"Yun Yuan, are you really unwilling?" Fang Yun stared at Yun Yuan provocatively.
"I'll talk to the princess myself, it's not your place to interfere." Yun Yuan glared fiercely at Fang Yun. By birth, she was Yan Yu's personal maid who had come with her; by loyalty, she was absolutely loyal to Yan Yu.
Fangyun pushed aside the other Fangyun who was blocking her way, walked to Yanyu's room, and said, "Princess, this servant has something to say."
Yan Yu was discussing the details of the day after tomorrow with Madam Liu when she suddenly heard Yun Yuan talking outside. She asked with a hint of impatience, "What is it?"
Yun Yuan sorted out her thoughts and said, "Princess, what have I done wrong? Why won't you let me serve you closely? You are due to give birth the day after tomorrow, and Fang Yun actually wants me to serve you outside. I think if I have done anything wrong, please punish me, Princess."
"Then go outside and kneel down. Don't get up until I tell you to!" A stern and impatient voice came from inside the house.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
