Chapter 304: Labor
For women, childbirth is truly a passage through the gates of hell—this saying couldn't be more accurate.
After just two rounds of dominoes, Gu Jinzhao began feeling discomfort in her abdomen.
She had Caifu support her to the washroom, where they discovered she was already bleeding. Caifu was terrified.
Gu Jinzhao, however, remained remarkably calm, having experienced childbirth before. With Caifu's help, she returned and sat on the Grand Preceptor's Chair, panting heavily. The tightening pains in her lower abdomen had already begun in waves, though they weren't yet intense.
Madam Qin was also startled when she saw her emerge, hastily abandoning her dominoes to approach. "Third Sister-in-law, are you—"
"Take me back to Osmanthus Hall first," Gu Jinzhao interrupted, gripping Madam Qin's hand tightly. "I think it's starting."
An eastern chamber in Osmanthus Hall had long been prepared as a delivery room.
Madam Qin immediately arranged for a sedan chair to carry Gu Jinzhao back to Osmanthus Hall. She also hurriedly sent someone to inform Madam Chen and rushed there herself.
It wasn't out of genuine concern for Gu Jinzhao—she simply had no choice but to oversee things.
Gu Jinzhao had gone into labor suddenly while Madam Qin had insisted she stay to play dominoes. When Madam Chen later inquired about the circumstances, Madam Qin would undoubtedly face reprimands... Moreover, since it had happened in the Second Household's quarters, she couldn't simply ignore it.
The maids helped Gu Jinzhao to the eastern chamber, where she sat down. The pain wasn't too severe yet.
Granny Sun arrived promptly, instructing servants to prepare ginseng soup and boil water while having Gu Jinzhao walk slowly to ease the process.
Two midwives soon appeared, but by then, Gu Jinzhao's pain had intensified, forcing her to lie down on the wormwood-covered bed.
After assessing the situation, the midwives reported to Madam Chen and Madam Qin: "...Usually, when the water breaks quickly, delivery is swift. But though Third Madam is already bleeding, her waters haven't broken. It may take some time—she'll need to take the labor-inducing decoction."
The decoction had already been prepared. Yuzhu hurried in to help Gu Jinzhao drink it.
Madam Chen grew increasingly anxious, repeatedly asking Granny Zheng, "Has Third Master returned yet?"
Granny Zheng quickly replied, "The Third Master went out with the Duke. Don't worry, he'll be back soon."
Madam Qin tried to calm Madam Chen, guiding her to sit. "Mother, worrying won't help. The midwives are watching over Third Sister-in-law... She'll be fine."
Madam Chen shook her head. "I can't sit still!" She then chastised Madam Qin, "And you! Why did you have to drag your sister-in-law into playing dominoes?"
Madam Qin's face stiffened, her smile turning awkward.
How was she to know Gu Jinzhao would go into labor now? Besides, dominoes were hardly strenuous...
"I didn't realize... Mother, the ladies in the other hall are still waiting. Perhaps I should attend to them," Madam Qin suggested, eager to escape.
Many distinguished guests remained in the Second Household's quarters. Leaving them unattended would be impolite.
Madam Chen nodded in approval.
Madam Qin sighed in relief—staying here to watch over Gu Jinzhao was the last thing she wanted.
After a while, Madam Chen summoned Granny Zheng again. "Go fetch Physician Ji."
Granny Zheng was taken aback.
During childbirth, midwives handled everything—why call for a physician?
But Madam Chen couldn't shake the midwives' words. She muttered uneasily, "Just in case something goes wrong..."
Meanwhile, Third Master Chen was at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant with Chang Hai.
Chang Hai had invited him for drinks to discuss matters.Looking down from the vermilion-lacquered, intricately carved window, there was a platform about three feet high. A delicate and graceful woman was playing the pipa. The Drunken Immortal Restaurant was a renowned establishment in the capital, famous for its Fen wine and Huadiao. It attracted many distinguished guests, and numerous nobles and wealthy gentry hosted their banquets here.
"Was it here that Zuo Hede killed someone by smashing a bottle?" Chang Hai sneered. "Does that man have the brains of a pig?"
Third Master Chen beckoned him back. "He was framed. The wine was drugged—he doesn’t even remember what the other person said."
Chang Hai leaned halfway out the window, ignoring Third Master Chen. Instead, he chuckled, "I heard this pipa player is the famous performer Ye Susu. Normally, you’d have to offer a hundred taels of gold just to see her. Who’d have thought she’d come here to play the pipa… Look at all her admirers down there. It’s strange—she’s not even that pretty, so why is she so popular?"
Third Master Chen asked him, "Duke, didn’t you invite me here to discuss business?"
Reluctantly, Chang Hai withdrew. "Regardless, she plays the pipa beautifully. What did the Hermit of Fragrant Mountain say again? 'Like orioles singing beneath the flowers, like a murmuring spring flowing under ice. The icy water chills and silences the strings, the silence breaks the sound for a while…' Truly evocative!"
"That’s 'a murmuring spring flowing under ice,'" Third Master Chen corrected helplessly.
Chang Hai grinned and picked up the wine jug. "Fine! I’m ignorant, and I won’t pretend to be scholarly in front of you. After all, we nobles live off our ancestors’ merits—what’s the point of studying? We don’t need to take the imperial exams."
He shook his head. "Enough of that. Let’s talk business. Are you really planning to push for Fu An as Minister of War?"
Third Master Chen gave a slight nod. "It’s pretty much decided. Since you and I are close, even if Fu An isn’t one of us, he’s at least harmless. Besides, in terms of seniority, he’s the most suitable. During the Qinghai uprising, his military achievements were renowned—no less impressive than Zhao Huai’s. He just didn’t have Zhao Huai’s luck, or he wouldn’t be stuck as a vice minister now."
Chang Hai smirked. "Those who ally with my Chang family always end up suppressed by the civil officials. Zhao Huai was clever—he always kept to himself."
He patted Third Master Chen’s shoulder. "Among those of us who grew up together, you’ve always been the most meticulous. No one can outmaneuver you. I just want to ask—do you really plan to stay under Zhang Ju Lian’s thumb? That old man might have been your teacher, but he’s got terrible character. I don’t trust him! I’ll say this seriously: if you ever need help, just give the word, Chen Ge Lao."
Third Master Chen smiled faintly. "Aren’t you afraid of eavesdroppers? Let’s just drop it—I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything."
Chang Hai grew impatient. "You’re just like Old Man Chen—too rigid! Listen, don’t take this 'respect your teacher' nonsense too seriously…"
Chen Yanyun cut him off. "Aren’t you listening to the pipa anymore?"
"Never mind. I never liked the pipa anyway." Chang Hai picked up some fried peanuts from the dish and crunched on them noisily."I'm quite intrigued to sample the charms of this Miss Ye. If you're free, why not join me? As an upright official with clean sleeves, if you wish to find someone for a spring night's pleasure... I'll cover the expenses for you." Chang Hai raised his eyebrows with a smirk. He'd recently made a fortune from an iron mine venture with the Earl of Yongyang.
"As a practitioner, I must observe the Five Precepts," Chen Yanyun declined with a shake of his head.
Noticing the Buddhist beads hidden beneath his sleeve, Chang Hai snorted, "I don't think it's about the precepts—more like your honorable wife's formidable reputation! Rumor has it none of your three concubines serve you anymore? Not even a bedroom servant girl? Doing everything yourself these days?"
Chen Yanyun lifted his gaze. "Who told you that?"
A chill ran down Chang Hai's spine, and he hunched slightly. "My mother... Not long ago, I took in a mistress, and when I brought her home, both my mother and Lady Jiang made a huge scene. My mother used you as an example to lecture me! But really, no matter how beautiful a woman is, shouldn't you switch things up? Otherwise, wouldn't you grow tired quickly..."
Chen Yanyun sipped his tea without even glancing at him.
Seeing his lack of response, Chang Hai found the conversation dull and called for the waiter to bring more dishes.
Instead of the waiter, Chen Yi rushed in, panting and drenched in sweat.
Chang Hai blinked. "Is a ghost chasing you outside?"
Chen Yi waved his hand dismissively and hastily bowed to Third Master Chen. "Tai Furen sent word—Madam has gone into labor! You must return at once!"
Wasn't it supposed to be in a few more days?
Chen Yanyun's brow furrowed as he immediately stood to leave, instructing Chen Yi to prepare the carriage while Hu Rong hurried after him with his cloak. Just as he was about to step out, Chang Hai called after him, "She's giving birth now?"
Third Master Chen gave a curt nod, his mind already preoccupied with Gu Jinzhao's labor. He tossed out a perfunctory, "Please enjoy yourself, my lord. I must return."
Chang Hai couldn't stop him and, recalling that Lady Jiang had gone to the Chen Family today, decided to follow and see for himself.
Third Master Chen strode swiftly out of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant and boarded the waiting carriage.
...
The pain intensified, and Gu Jinzhao soon found it unbearable.
They said the first birth was always the hardest—she remembered how it had taken an entire day when she bore the prodigy Lin in her past life...
Preparing for it was one thing, but facing it was another. She hazily recalled several hours passing, the bedding beneath her soaked through. Caifu fed her another sip of ginseng soup while the midwife reassured her, "Madam, the pain will pass soon. Don't be afraid. Even if it hurts, try not to cry out—hold it in as much as you can..."
The midwives, maids, and matrons all kept watch in the East Side Room.
Gu Jinzhao nodded weakly. "I know... Has Third Master returned yet?"
Caifu quickly replied, "We've already sent word! He should be back soon. I've stationed someone outside Osmanthus Hall to watch for him."
Gu Jinzhao closed her eyes again. As long as he knew, that was enough.
She gripped the midwife's hand, feeling the dampness of her palm. These midwives were experienced—if their hands were sweating, it meant things weren't going smoothly. Though she knew the woman wouldn't admit it, Gu Jinzhao still asked, "Is it... not going well?"
The midwife soothed her, "Don't worry, everything is normal. The first birth is always more difficult—it gets easier after this."
Gu Jinzhao managed a faint smile.
Whether it was going smoothly or not, at the very least, she had to believe it was.The maid hurriedly changed the clean bedding and placed a supporting pillow behind Gu Jinzhao. Soon, Yuzhu brought in the second bowl of labor-inducing decoction.
After drinking the second bowl, the contractions became more intense and frequent.
Another midwife showed a hint of joy on her face: "It's opening... it's opening! Madam, hold on—this is good! The baby is almost here."
Gu Jinzhao could barely hear her voice anymore. All she felt was pain—tearing, dragging agony. She couldn’t even scream, only gripping the midwife’s hand tightly, her teeth clenched. She could feel sweat streaming down her face.
Madam Chen sat outside the eastern chamber, counting her Buddhist beads and chanting prayers for Gu Jinzhao. Hearing the midwife’s words, her heart leaped with joy—the birth was near!
(PS: Ah, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to meet the little bun.)
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