Тhе tone wаs sо сеrtаin, as if she werе thе midwife hersеlf.
Howеvеr, thе rеаl midwifе stared аt her belly, filled with anxiеtу. Thоse whо dеlivеrеd babiеs аll knеw thе sаying, "Sеven months live, еight mоnths die." А prematurе birth at eight mоnths surely mеаnt sоmеthing wаs wrоng with thе fetus. This lаdу befоrе hеr seеmed tо bе of noblе stаtus—if the сhild didn’t survive… how would shе ever eхрlаin hersеlf?
"How is it going?" thе mаn bеside hеr аskеd.
Shivеring аll оver, thе midwifе reрlied, "Тhe fetаl pоsitiоn is сorrесt. Оnсe she’s dilatеd three fingers, it’ll be fine."
Fеng Yue nodded, hоlding her breаth and nо lоnger sрeaking. Yin Gezhi gripped her hand, his expression grave. The entire room fell into silence, devoid of any sound.
This drove those waiting outside to distraction. Madam Qiu and the others kept peering in, wanting to ask for updates but afraid of disturbing those inside. They could only pace anxiously in circles outside. Their armor still bore unwashed bloodstains, clanking loudly with every movement, creating a chaotic noise.
Listening to this commotion, Feng Yue felt even more at ease. Sensing the joy of her little one about to emerge, she gathered all her strength, waiting for that moment to arrive.
"Waa—"
Half an hour later, the cry of a baby pierced the deathly silence. Everyone was stunned, unable to react at all.
"What happened?" Yin Yanzhong looked at Madam Qiu in confusion. "There wasn’t a sound inside—how did a baby’s cry suddenly appear?"
Madam Qiu had no time to answer him. She wanted to rush in to see, but glancing down at her clothes, she slapped her thigh and hurried off to change.
The young mistress is truly remarkable, a heroine among women—she didn’t even make a sound while giving birth!
Feng Yue was indeed heroic, and indeed, she hadn’t made a sound. But the moment she heard the baby’s cry, she fainted outright. Her face was pale and ghastly, startling Yin Gezhi so much that he didn’t even have time to check whether the child was a boy or a girl before shouting, "Where’s the physician?!"
The physician waiting outside hurried in. Under the terrifying gaze, he nervously took her pulse.
"How is she?!"
His eyebrows and beard scrunched together, the old physician glanced at the person on the bed and then at the baby, who had cried a few times before falling silent. In a grave tone, he said, "Young master, this lady is fine—she’s just too weak after childbirth and couldn’t bear the pain, so she fainted. What you should be more worried about is this child!"
Hearing that his wife was fine, Yin Gezhi let out a huge sigh of relief. Only then did he turn to look at the little bundle in the midwife’s arms.
The newborn was wrinkled and ugly, not yet washed. Yin Gezhi was quite disdainful and turned back to look at Feng Yue.
"Master!" Guan Zhi was both amused and exasperated. "At least hold the child—this is your first prince!"
A prince? Yin Gezhi nodded. Then she must have gotten her wish and should be quite happy.
"Is it a little prince?" Madam Qiu and the others, having changed their clothes, swarmed into the room. Yin Gezhi frowned, pushing the midwife and Guan Zhi into the outer chamber. He then drew the partition curtain and stationed a physician outside to guard it. "Don’t let them in."
The physician: "…" He was here to treat illnesses, not guard doors!The people outside were clamoring and watching. Someone noticed something was wrong with the little prince and immediately shouted, "Quick, get a doctor to take a look!"
So the doctor on duty was dragged before the midwife again.
"This child was born prematurely. He will be weaker than a normal baby," the doctor said. "He needs careful care, otherwise there is a risk of early death."
Early death?! Everyone in the room instantly fell silent.
Feng Yue felt exhausted. At first, she could still hear some noise, but later she couldn't hear anything at all, sinking into darkness.
In the darkness, there was light. She seemed to see the majestic gate of the Guan family, with the entire household, young and old, standing at the entrance smiling at her. Overjoyed, she hugged the child in her arms and tried to run toward them. But they quickly retreated behind the gate.
Guan Canghai was pulling the large door shut. His face, covered in a thick beard, looked especially kind as he smiled. "Good child, live your life well."
Her pupils contracted. She shook her head, quickly trying to rush forward and hold the door open. But Guan Canghai moved faster. He smiled at her and closed the door.
The heavy vermilion door slammed shut with a loud "bang." No matter how she threw herself against it, kicked or pounded, it wouldn't open again.
"Father! Second Brother!" Feng Yue choked back a sob, clutching the door knocker. "Don't leave me all alone!"
"Who says you're alone?" Lingshu's voice rang out from atop the wall beside her.
Startled, Feng Yue turned her head and saw Lingshu climbing over the Guan family's wall, hopping and skipping to stand before her. Lingshu pointed behind Feng Yue. "Look."
Turning to look in the direction she pointed, Feng Yue was stunned.
So many people stood behind her. Madam Qiu's face was gentle, Yin Yanzhong stood tall and straight, Luo Hao beamed brightly. Everyone from the entire compound was there, wearing all kinds of armor. There was also clever Lingshu, loyal Guan Zhi—all of them were looking at her.
"Time to go home and take care of the child," Yin Gezhi's voice sounded in her ear again. Feng Yue was startled and quickly turned her head, seeing an expressionless face with eyes as clear as water after rain. He glanced at her and said, "Let's go."
Her hand was grasped by his, and her body was pulled forward. Feng Yue looked utterly bewildered, but all around her, she heard joyful laughter.
"Young Master, you've given birth to a little prince."
"Young Master, we've won the battle!"
"Feng Yue." Amidst a bright light, it seemed as though flower petals were drifting down, accompanied by a calm yet earnest voice. "Your Guan family's bloodline can now rule my Yin family's empire."
Warmth returned to her heart, and she laughed out loud. Finally, she took her own steps, following this crowd as they strode boldly forward!
In the quiet room, Yin Gezhi held the child expressionlessly, half-closing his eyes as he looked at him.
The little prince hadn't even opened his eyes yet, but he seemed to sense his own father's disdain, squirming uncomfortably.
"Your mother had enough trouble giving birth to you," Yin Gezhi said in a deep voice. "If you dare get sick and cause her more trouble, I won't let you off easy."
Guan Zhi, standing nearby, was dumbfounded. His master was truly formidable—threatening heaven and earth, and now not even sparing his own son?
"Master, the prince is still young. He can't understand what you're saying."
Yin Gezhi glanced at the little bundle that had instantly become still and snorted lightly. "He understands."
Understands my foot! Guan Zhi shook his head and continued writing a list for someone to prepare medicine. The little prince was born prematurely and would surely be prone to illness, so they needed to prepare in advance.However, whether or not the little prince truly understood Yin Gezhi's words, he remained peacefully asleep with his eyes closed, no longer crying or fussing.
When Feng Yue woke up, she touched her belly and was nearly scared to death: "Where is my child?"
"Here." Handing the little bundle to her, Yin Gezhi said with a face full of pride, "He's a very sensible child, doesn't cry or fuss..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the little bundle, now in Feng Yue's arms, suddenly erupted into a deafening wail: "Waaah—"
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