They waited until nightfall.
Qi Shi and Xia Shi had long since found excuses to return home, and even Madam Zhu had been persuaded by Hua Zhi to leave. Only she and Shaoyao remained waiting outside. During this time, Shaoyao had gone inside twice more.
Listening to the muffled groans from behind the door, Shaoyao tightened her grip on Hua Hua's arm.
Hua Zhi turned her head to look at her. "Afraid?"
"Not afraid." Shaoyao shook her head. She truly wasn't scared—having followed The Heir, she had seen everything. "But hearing her cry like this makes my stomach hurt too."
Hua Zhi chuckled softly and looked up at the star-dotted sky. Despite the great commotion during the day, after the storm had passed, the sky had cleared again. Judging by the night sky, tomorrow would clearly be another fine day.
Calculating the time, it had been nearly ten hours now. If the ancestors of the Hua family had any spirit, please ensure Fourth Aunt safely delivers the child. The Hua family desperately needed the arrival of a new life.
Basins of bloodied water were carried out while basins of hot water were brought in. Another hour passed when, following Wu Shi's loud cry, an infant's wail was heard.
Hua Zhi sprang to her feet. "She's given birth!"
Shortly after, Nanny Lin came out carrying the swaddled child to announce the happy news. "Congratulations... Eldest Miss, it's the joy of a jade (a son)."
Not only did Nanny Lin sound awkward saying this, but Hua Zhi also found it strange to hear. If the Hua family hadn't encountered misfortune, the words should have been 'Congratulations, Fourth Master,' followed by an overjoyed Fourth Uncle taking the child.
But Fourth Uncle wasn't here. He couldn't return.
Hua Zhi looked at the ugly little child and gently took him in her arms. "Your father will surely adore you. Let's wait together for his return."
Nanny Lin's eyes reddened. She turned away to wipe them discreetly before turning back with a beaming smile. "The Eldest Miss is right. Fourth Master loves children most of all."
Returning the child to Nanny Lin's arms, Hua Zhi gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.
"El—Eldest Miss! Quick, come quickly!" The midwife's shrill voice made Hua Zhi's heart, which had just settled, leap into her throat again. Lifting her skirts, she rushed inside. Seeing the pool of blood, she didn't need the midwife to explain what had happened.
Postpartum hemorrhage!
How could there be a hemorrhage!
Shaoyao hurried forward, gripped Wu Shi's wrist briefly, then opened her medicine chest and took out a set of golden needles. Removing her Veiled Hat and tossing it aside, she said, "Hua Hua, I'm not skilled in gynecology. I can only do my best."
Biting the tip of her tongue lightly, Hua Zhi commanded sharply, "You've delivered countless babies and have ample experience. Quickly find a way to stop the bleeding!"
The midwife pinched her own thigh to calm herself, then pressed on the abdomen and began massaging gently. In all her years of delivering babies, she had never seen a woman survive such heavy bleeding. This was the most difficult life-and-death challenge for a mother. Now, she could only do her best and leave the rest to fate.
Hua Zhi walked to the head of the bed, leaned close to Fourth Aunt's ear, and said, "Fourth Aunt, don't close your eyes. Look at me."
Wu Shi struggled desperately against her sinking consciousness and forced her eyes open. The dampness between her legs and her gradually weakening body made her aware of her critical condition.
"Fourth Aunt, don't give up. Shaoyao is a highly skilled physician. With her here, you will surely be fine."
Wu Shi managed a faint smile in response, her eyes fluttering as if about to close.
Hua Zhi brought the child over and, hardening her heart, slapped his bottom. The baby burst into loud wails.
"Fourth Aunt, look at your child. You've given Fourth Uncle another son."Wu Shi struggled to open her eyes again, gazing at the child she had fought so hard to deliver—the brows and facial contours so strikingly resembled her husband’s.
"Fourth Aunt, only you can fight tooth and nail to protect your own child. This is the kind of shelter only a mother can provide—don’t place your hopes in anyone else! Not even Fourth Uncle."
Wu Shi’s chest heaved noticeably faster. Shaoyao glanced up at her before continuing to insert the needles.
"Do you think Bojun will treat a child well if that child caused its own mother’s death at birth?"
"If Fourth Uncle learns you died giving him an heir, should he feel guilt or resentment? Can you guarantee he won’t take his anger out on the child?"
"How much suffering must a child endure—unloved by his father and unprotected by his elder brother—just to survive?"
"Fourth Aunt, your life is not your own—it belongs to Bojun and to this child."
Suddenly, Wu Shi found renewed strength. She strained to widen her eyes, biting her lips and the tip of her tongue, doing everything she could to stay conscious.
How could she die here? How could she!
Her husband had not yet returned, her eldest son was not yet three, and her newborn had just entered the world. If she were gone, who would her children rely on? Even if her husband returned one day, he wouldn’t remain faithful to a deceased wife forever—she had no confidence that Hua Pingyang was that devoted, and the Hua family would never allow him to remain alone.
Was she supposed to expect a stepmother to treat her children well?!
How could she die!
An intense will to live surged from Wu Shi. The light that had faded from her eyes returned, and as she watched the tear-streaked child sleeping in Hua Zhi’s arms, she wrestled with the King of Hell for her life.
The golden needles moved from top to bottom. Shaoyao wiped the sweat from her forehead haphazardly and inserted the final needle into the Guanyuan acupoint.
The bleeding had not stopped.
The midwife had retreated to the side, completely at a loss.
After checking the pulse for a moment, Shaoyao took two bottles from her medicine chest. She uncorked one and poured its contents directly into Wu Shi’s mouth. "Swallow it. Don’t waste a single drop."
Wu Shi struggled to swallow, veins bulging on her neck, her features contorted with effort.
The other bottle contained some unknown liquid. Shaoyao took out another set of needles, dipping each one into the bottle before insertion. By the time she finished this set of acupuncture techniques, she was so exhausted she collapsed into a seat, unable to move. If this life-preserving method still failed, it could only mean the King of Hell refused to let go.
"It’s stopped! The bleeding’s stopped!" The midwife’s voice was shrill, but no one reprimanded her.
Hua Zhi handed the child to Nanny Lin and walked to the foot of the bed to check. The dark red bloodstains on the sheets were horrifying, but thankfully, the bleeding had indeed ceased.
With so much blood lost, it would take a long time for her to recover.
Watching Shaoyao check Fourth Aunt’s pulse, Hua Zhi asked, "How is she?"
"Severe deficiency of both qi and blood, her body is badly depleted, but her life is saved." Though it would likely be difficult for her to conceive again in the future—but such words were better discussed privately with Hua Hua. Shaoyao looked up, her expression pitiful. "I’m hungry."
"You’ve worked hard." Hua Zhi patted her head, using a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead. "When we return, I’ll have Fu Dong prepare something delicious for you."Shaoyao immediately broke into a smile, causing the midwife, who had been somewhat afraid of her, to glance over again—the inexplicable fear dissipating significantly."Seeing Fourth Aunt still trying to hold on, Hua Zhi walked over and said gently, "Fourth Aunt, it's alright now. Rest well, and when you wake up, everything will be over."
Wu Shi forced a faint smile, then fell into a deep sleep the next moment.
After Shaoyao withdrew the needles, the two of them left the room together.
PS: Bad news to report—I’m traveling tomorrow to the capital for a script meeting. Double updates... are in danger, because Kongkong is someone who endlessly revises when there are drafts! So, no drafts!
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