"Why not? Have the steward pick up your mother tomorrow. Don't feel wronged. Zilin will be taking the imperial examination next year. This time, he should try his best to pass and become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations)."
Zhou's mother didn't ask much of Jiang Lan; she just wanted her to be well-behaved and honestly be a young mistress.
"I understand, thank you for your hard work, Mother."
Jiang Lan smiled and thanked her, though she still had some ulterior motives.
"Go back. I'll have the steward fetch your mother. You can wait in the courtyard."
Jiang Lan bowed and left her mother-in-law's courtyard.
Before long, Jiang's mother was brought over.
"Jiang Lan, how is it? When did the doctor say you'd give birth?"
"Mother, I'm fine. The doctor said it should be within the next couple of days. My husband isn't home, and I'm a little scared to be alone. Mother, please stay with me."
"Okay, Mom will stay with you, don't be afraid."
Jiang's mother stayed at the Zhou family's house. Zhou Zilin wasn't home, so she stayed with Jiang Lan, which was quite convenient.
The next day after lunch, Jiang Lan felt a stomachache.
"Mom, my stomach hurts, am I going into labor?"
"Maybe, I'll go get someone."
Jiang's mother summoned the maids and servants from Jiang Lan's courtyard and asked them to tell Zhou's mother that Jiang Lan was about to give birth.
Before long, Zhou's mother arrived with the midwife, and Zhou's sister-in-law sent someone to fetch a doctor, just in case.
Jiang Lan was helped into a room that had been prepared in advance. The midwife checked her over and confirmed that she was about to give birth.
"It'll be a while longer. Keep moving around and prepare some food. Eat more before you give birth so you won't be too weak."
The midwife stated the requirements, and Zhou's mother instructed the servants to carry them out.
"Mother-in-law, should we send a message to Zilin and ask him to come back?"
"I've already gone to call them, they'll be back in a bit."
"That's good, that's good."
Everything is ready, just waiting for the baby to arrive.
Jiang Lan drank a bowl of chicken soup and was then helped into the delivery room; she was almost done.
Inside the room, Jiang Lan was covered in sweat, and her mother was wiping it off for her the whole time.
"Ah...ah..."
"Bear with it, don't keep shouting, you'll run out of energy soon. Don't worry, the baby is in the right position, it's about to come down."
The midwife remained calm and directed the process methodically. Jiang Lan cooperated fully; she knew that at this moment, she needed to listen to the midwife for a smooth delivery.
Another hour passed, and Jiang Lan felt like she was going to die; she had no strength left.
"I see the child's head. Listen to me, when I say push, push."
"Lanlan, cheer up, the baby is coming out."
Jiang's mother gently patted Jiang Lan's face to keep her awake.
"I understand, Mother."
"Okay, push, push, the baby will be out soon."
As the midwife called out, Jiang Lan used her last bit of strength and felt her belly go empty as something slid out.
"Okay, it's born, it's born."
"Slap, slap..."
"Wow, wow..."
The delivery room was filled with all sorts of sounds.
A new life was born, came into the world, and let everyone hear her first cry.
"Mother and daughter are safe! Mother and daughter are safe!"
An old woman ran out to tell the people waiting outside the good news.
Jiang Lan knew she had given birth to a daughter. Although she was a little disappointed, she didn't have the energy to think about anything else. She glanced at the baby and fell asleep.
The midwife took care of Jiang Lan and cleaned the baby. The delivery went quite smoothly.
The addition of a new member to the Zhou family was a joyous occasion, and Zhou's mother rewarded all the servants.
Jiang Lan gave birth to a daughter safely.
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