Upon leaving the courtyard and stepping onto the covered corridor, Hua Zhi asked softly, "Go on."
Shaoyao tugged at her own braid, not hiding anything from her. "Old Madam is simply aging. Humans have three souls and seven spirits - as people grow old, it becomes harder to maintain control over them. That's why a single clap of thunder could startle her so severely. Actually, I noticed she's begun to let go a bit in her heart. If she recuperates slowly, she might show some improvement."
This was completely unexpected. Hua Zhi's eyes brightened noticeably. "Really?"
"That was my feeling when taking her pulse just now. I'll check on her again tomorrow. Once the heart's troubles are resolved, everything else will follow."
"I truly hope she can let go."
Passing through the moon gate, the atmosphere became noticeably more lively here.
The other three daughters-in-law of the Hua family had gathered in Fourth Aunt's courtyard. Madam Zhu was speaking in an encouraging tone, "Save your strength. Since you've already given birth once before, the second one will come quickly. I've ordered noodles to be prepared. After you eat, you can push with all your might - it'll come out in one go."
It was rare for Hua Zhi to see her mother displaying such matriarchal authority. With one matter piling upon another, the tension that had been constantly gripping her heart eased slightly at this moment.
Second Aunt Qi Shi was the first to notice her and quickly said, "Zhi Er is here."
Madam Zhu and Xia Shi both turned to look simultaneously.
Hua Zhi approached and paid her respects to the three women. Madam Zhu, feeling heartbroken for her daughter, pulled her up before she could complete her bow. "Weren't you teaching classes earlier? An unmarried young lady like you can't be of much help here anyway."
Though spoken without malice, Qi Shi and Xia Shi's expressions darkened slightly, feeling that the eldest sister-in-law's words were deliberately flaunting her daughter's capability as a teacher in front of them.
"How is Fourth Aunt's condition?"
"This is her second child, and according to calculations, it's only about twenty days early. The fetus is fully developed, so there should be no issues."
Hua Zhi nodded slightly, then turned to take Shaoyao's hand. "Let's go in to see Fourth Aunt."
"No." Madam Zhu grabbed Hua Zhi's arm. "How can an unmarried young lady enter the delivery room? Do you still want to get married?"
"Mother, I must go." Shaoyao was also unmarried - it wouldn't be right for her to let Shaoyao go in alone while she waited outside due to such concerns.
"It's fine, Hua Hua, I'll go by myself." Shaoyao gently shook her hand, thinking to herself that nobody wanted her anyway.
Without responding, Hua Zhi firmly withdrew her hand from her mother's grasp. "Mother, I need to go."
Madam Zhu bit her lip, her face still full of disapproval but she didn't stop her this time. She recalled what her mother had said during her last visit - indeed, she shouldn't stand in her daughter's way. Her daughter was far more capable than she was, and she mustn't hold her back. Just as her mother had said, even if she didn't understand, it didn't matter - she should simply support whatever her daughter wanted to do.
Seeing this, Qi Shi and Xia Shi quickly nudged the eldest sister-in-law. Xia Shi said urgently, "How can we let a young lady enter such a filthy place as the delivery room? If word gets out, will any of the Hua family's daughters ever get married?"
Even if Hua Zhi didn't marry, they all had daughters of their own!
Madam Zhu's resolve wavered and she was about to speak again when Hua Zhi stopped and turned back. "If they can't even tolerate this, should your daughters really marry into such families? Don't encourage my mother - ultimately, she'll still listen to me."
Qi Shi and Xia Shi were rendered speechless by her matter-of-fact tone. Since when should a mother listen to her daughter? Only someone as soft as their eldest sister-in-law would allow this - if it were their daughters, they wouldn't dare!
"The noodles are here."Hua Zhi glanced at the maid who had brought the noodles. "Ying Chun, you stay and look after my mother."
"Yes."
Madam Zhu wanted to say she didn't need anyone to care for her, but seeing the unpleasant expressions on her sisters-in-law's faces, she swallowed her words. She was afraid of arguments and saw no need for them—yielding a step wouldn't hurt. Since her daughter wanted to protect her, she might as well comply. Secretly, she felt pleased.
The door was half-open, and the scent of blood hit her as she entered. Hua Zhi paused at the doorway for a few breaths to adjust before stepping inside.
Wu Shi had a round piece of wood clenched between her teeth, clearly in extreme pain, with sweat dampening the hair on her forehead.
Everyone in the room was startled to see Hua Zhi enter. Wu Shi removed the wood and scolded her, "What are you doing here? Can you lend me strength to help me give birth? Get out quickly."
Hua Zhi pulled Shaoyao forward. "Go take a look."
Shaoyao obediently sat on the edge of the bed, taking Wu Shi's wrist to check her pulse.
Wu Shi was taken aback for a moment, but her previously panicked heart suddenly calmed. Given the strict separation between men and women, even during the Hua family's peak, they only had daily prenatal check-ups before labor. Once labor began, no doctor would be called, nor would any be willing to enter the delivery room. For women, childbirth was like a trip through hell.
Thanks to Zhi Er, she was enjoying a privilege usually reserved for imperial consorts.
"The pulse is stable."
Hua Zhi turned to the midwife. "Is the fetal position correct?"
The midwife often worked with noble families and had delivered several of the Hua family's children. She had met the eldest Hua daughter before, but only upon entering the residence this time did she learn that Hua Zhi was managing the household. Contrary to rumors, the Hua family didn't seem to be struggling—the inner courtyard appeared much the same as before.
She admired the eldest Hua daughter and replied respectfully, "Yes, the fetal position is currently correct."
Hua Zhi signaled a maid to help Fourth Aunt sit up. She took the noodles and sat on the edge of the bed, feeding Wu Shi calmly, as if this were not a place where young ladies were forbidden. "You heard? The pulse is stable, the fetal position is correct—there are no issues. Just focus on pushing the baby out. He's eager to see this world."
Tears welled in Wu Shi's eyes as she ate the noodles hungrily, finishing the entire bowl, broth and all. "You should go now. I appreciate your kindness."
Hua Zhi didn't insist, leading Shaoyao out.
Madam Zhu hurried over. "How is she? Is your Fourth Aunt alright?"
"Everything's fine. Where is Nanny Lin?"
"You said to keep everyone in order, so I left her inside to watch over things."
"Speaking of which," Xia Shi interjected, "Zhi Er, it's just Fourth Sister-in-law giving birth. Why all this fuss? Are you worried we might try something?"
Earlier, Chunxiang had been too frantic and raised her voice, likely alarming both classes in the school. Fortunately, she only mentioned that Old Madam was startled, not that she had fainted. Hua Zhi saw no reason to hide it and was quite open. "Grandmother and Fourth Aunt were both frightened by the thunder. I was worried about chaos, so I decided to restrict everyone's movements. I should have explained clearly—I apologize for alarming you all."
Old Madam was startled? The daughters-in-law exchanged glances—how had they not heard a thing!
"I've already taken Shaoyao to see her. Grandmother is fine. Since she doesn't want to make a big deal of it, please act as if you don't know."Madam Zhu hesitated, "But we already know, how can we pretend we don't?"
"Grandmother just went to rest when I came over. Going there now would only disturb her." Hua Zhi made the final decision, "Mother, send someone to fetch Matron Lin and have her go assist Fourth Aunt."
"Alright, will do."
PS: Feeling quite proud—so many readers of the old books have come! Many authors on Migu envy Kongkong for having such loyal readers, hahaha!
OpenNovel