Xichun's pregnancy is progressing further and further. Madam Fu and her sister-in-law take good care of her. Apart from going to the shop once a day to check on her, they wait at home. However, the little one seems to be a bit naughty. Even on her due date, she still doesn't want to come out.
"You little rascal, all you do is bother your mother. Hurry up and come out, or Daddy will spank you." Seeing that Xichun was enduring hardship, Fu Changfeng couldn't care less about his studies anymore. Every day, he would massage Xichun's feet and legs to help reduce the swelling.
"I'm afraid that once you actually give birth, you won't dare to have an abortion. When Xiaofeng was born, I was so nervous holding him. He was so soft and delicate, I didn't even dare to hold him." Xichun couldn't help but tease him, seeing his serious expression.
"They say a strict father and a kind mother, my wife, don't worry. I will definitely be a good strict father and let this child know that his father is not someone to be trifled with. He will be obedient from now on and won't cause you any trouble."
"Let's talk about it after you've done it," Xi Chun chuckled to herself.
It wasn't until the 28th of the twelfth lunar month that the restaurant closed for the holiday. Qiangzi also came from the prefectural city to report on the branch's situation. Xichun was just about to go back to her room to rest when she suddenly started to have a stomachache.
"Xiaoyue, quickly go and tell Madam and the eldest young mistress that I think I'm about to give birth."
"I, I'll go right now." Xiaoyue also became nervous, ran out to call someone to inform them, and quickly helped Xichun lie down on the bed.
"It's alright, help me walk around. I heard from the doctor that when you're close to giving birth, you should walk around more so the baby will be delivered faster." Xichun endured the pain in her stomach and let Xiaoyue help her walk around the room.
Fu Changfeng was discussing New Year's arrangements with his father and brothers in the front yard when he heard a maid run in to say that Xichun was about to give birth. He immediately panicked and rushed out. When he was almost in the house, he almost tripped over the threshold.
"Be careful. I can still manage. Have you brought the midwife yet?" Xichun asked, seeing his anxious expression.
"I, I'll go right now. I was so excited just now that I forgot about it." Fu Changfeng slapped his forehead before realizing what was going on. Fortunately, Madam Fu and her sister-in-law were prepared. The midwife had already been invited, and Madam Fu had instructed people to quickly boil water and tidy up the room, preparing everything needed for the delivery.
"Sister-in-law, this is some brown sugar and eggs cooked in the kitchen. Eat some first, so you'll have the energy later." Lu Qiuqin brought over a bowl for Xichun, who had sat down to rest.
"Thank you, sister-in-law, but I don't have much of an appetite right now." Xi Chun's forehead was covered in sweat, and the pain made her restless.
"It's alright, eat something first. This first pregnancy will take some effort. The midwife will be here soon, and the doctor has already been invited. He'll be here to oversee things soon too. Xichun, don't be afraid, your mother is here with you." Madam Fu comforted Xichun with great care, which put Xichun at ease.
Soon after, the midwife and the doctor arrived. After taking his pulse, the doctor said there was no need to worry, as no problems had been found so far.
After Xichun reluctantly ate a bowl of eggs, the midwife began to teach her how to push. Lu Qiuqin had never given birth before, and Madam Fu was afraid that the scene would frighten her, so she told her to go outside and wait. If she needed any help, she could arrange it in the courtyard.
Fu Changfeng stood at the door, pacing back and forth, trying to look around, but he couldn't see anything or hear any excited sounds.
"Second brother, sit down and rest. Stop walking around." Lu Qiuqin was getting dizzy from his movements.
"Sister-in-law, isn't she giving birth? I can't hear any noise. Has she not started yet? Oh dear, what's going on? I really want to go in and see." In the dead of winter, he was almost sweating with anxiety. He had thought that women would shout and scream during childbirth, but he hadn't heard anything at all. He was afraid that something might have happened.
"It's alright, don't worry, the midwife is still inside." Lu Qiuqin had seen her stepmother give birth before, so she knew this was normal.
"Father, elder brother, what are you doing?" Fu Changfeng was anxious when he suddenly saw his father having someone bring over a basket of things, and asked in confusion.
"There's no use in being anxious now. Why don't you dye a few more red eggs, calm down, and when your wife comes out, take these red eggs to announce the good news." Master Fu guessed that he must be running around like a headless fly, so he passed on his secret technique from back then.
“That’s right, you can’t concentrate on your studies anyway, so you might as well learn from your father’s method. It’s always better to have something to do than to just sit around waiting,” Brother Fu added.
Lu Qiuqin then witnessed this scene: inside the door, Xichun was giving birth under the guidance of the midwife, while outside, the father and his two sons were dyeing eggs red one by one, determined to dye them evenly.
“When your mother gave birth to your eldest brother, your grandmother deliberately prevented the kitchen from preparing red eggs. When I heard that we were supposed to prepare red eggs to announce the good news, I went to the kitchen myself, asked someone for dye, and dyed the eggs in the yard. By the time your mother gave birth to your eldest brother, the red eggs were ready. Later, when you were born, I sat in the yard with your eldest brother and dyed the eggs red.”
Master Fu recalled the days in the prefectural city and knew that his wife disliked her mother-in-law. He himself also disliked her, but for the sake of his children's future reputation, he brought his family to the county town to avoid seeing her.
"Dad, I didn't know you had this skill. Now that I've dyed the eggs red, I'm not so panicked anymore. I hope the child will speak up before I finish dyeing them, so that Xichun will suffer less."
Xi Chun was also suffering inside the room, but fortunately the midwife was experienced. Following her instructions, Xi Chun found it much easier. After dilating to ten centimeters, she pushed and the baby was born.
"Congratulations, Madam, it's a baby boy. Fortunately, the Second Young Madam is usually active and the baby is in the right position, so the delivery went smoothly."
The midwife picked up the baby and patted his bottom. A loud cry startled Fu Changfeng, who was dyeing eggs red outside the door, and he almost dropped the eggs into the basin.
"Alright, alright, Xichun, you've worked hard. Quickly take a look at the child." Madam Fu held her grandson and smiled. She showed the child to Xichun and then instructed someone to clean Xichun up.
"It's born! It's born! Mother and child are safe. Xichun is all ready now. Changfeng, you can go in now." Madam Fu came out carrying the baby to show everyone outside.
Upon hearing this, Fu Changfeng disregarded the child and was about to go inside when he saw a basin of bloody water being carried out. He quickly went over and saw Xichun on the bed, his eyes filled with heartache.
"Xichun, how are you? Are you still in pain? I saw basins of blood. You've suffered so much." He held Xichun's hand, which was smaller than his own.
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