Chapter 131
**Chapter 131: The Birth**
In the Liuli Pavilion, Shen Wei lay on the favored concubine's couch, reflecting on her gains from the past year. Under Ye Qiushuang's management, both the "Wei Yan Ji" and "Qi Xiang Zhai" shops had turned a handsome profit. Shen Wei was ready to open new branches and expand her business.
Her sister, Shen Qiang, had managed the several acres of fertile land in Nanshan exceptionally well. Last autumn, the harvest had been bountiful; now, as spring approached, Shen Qiang was preparing to gather the farmers to sow the seeds.
With the spring examination drawing near, Shen Xiuming was making rapid progress under the guidance of Doctor Yang Xuanji. He regarded Yang as a father figure and even expressed his willingness to support him in his old age, which brought tears to Yang's eyes and made him even more dedicated in his teachings.
In short, everything was moving in a positive direction.
Shen Wei gently caressed her belly; the day of her delivery was drawing near. She called for Mama Rong, Cai Ping, and Cai Lian.
"How are the arrangements for before and after the birth?" Shen Wei asked.
Mama Rong replied calmly, "Rest assured, my lady. The two midwives have been brought into the palace and settled in the side courtyard. They are both experienced and reputable."
Cai Ping added, "My lady, we’ve purchased all the herbs prescribed by the imperial physician that are beneficial for inducing labor, stopping bleeding, and restoring vitality. I will personally supervise the preparation of the medicine in the small kitchen when you go into labor. We also have all the clothing, silk quilts, cradles, and toys ready for the little one."
Cai Lian said, "I will do my utmost to maintain order in the Liuli Pavilion and ensure everything runs smoothly."
Shen Wei sighed silently.
In her past life, Shen Wei had been a workaholic, doing countless jobs—chopping wood, herding cattle, cooking, delivering takeout, attending classes... but she had never been pregnant or given birth.
Giving birth was like walking through the gates of hell. Shen Wei had to do everything in her power to ensure a smooth delivery.
...
A crescent moon hung high in the night sky, and the early spring evening was slightly cool.
In the Liuli Pavilion, Shen Wei and the Yan Wang shared dinner.
As the day of her delivery approached, Shen Wei's appetite had waned; she put down her chopsticks after just a few bites.
Seeing her struggle to eat, the Yan Wang felt a surge of responsibility as her husband. He had the kitchen prepare fish head tofu soup and personally fed her spoonful by spoonful.
"My lord, I’m about to be sick," Shen Wei said, her aversion to fish during pregnancy making her nauseous at the smell.
The Yan Wang found her picky eating endearing and coaxed her patiently, "How about some tofu?"
Shen Wei shook her head gloomily, "Tofu doesn’t taste good either. It’s stuffy in here; I want to go outside for a walk."
Having spent so much time with the Yan Wang, Shen Wei was no longer as reserved as she once was. Occasionally, her little girl temperament would show. The Yan Wang, in turn, had grown increasingly patient with her over their long companionship.
Unable to drink the fish head tofu soup, Shen Wei made an excuse to get up, wanting to check on the vegetables she had just planted. After taking a couple of steps, she heard a "pop," as if something had burst, followed by a warm sensation spreading from her lower abdomen.
Her skirt became damp.
Shen Wei's mind went blank, a buzzing filling her head.
"Oh no, my lady! Your water has broken! Let me help you back to your room!" Mama Rong exclaimed in shock, quickly supporting Shen Wei as they hurried inside.
Once the water broke, she could no longer move about freely.
Shen Wei regained her composure and lay down on the bed. Cai Lian had swiftly gone to find the midwives, while Cai Ping gathered the supplies for the delivery. Shen Wei felt rhythmic pains in her abdomen, though they were not yet intense.
"Don’t be afraid, Wei Wei. The palace doctor will be here soon," the Yan Wang said, concern etched on his brow.
Cold sweat trickled down Shen Wei's forehead as she gazed deeply into the Yan Wang's eyes. Grasping his large hand, she spoke resolutely, "My lord... if I face complications during childbirth, you must prioritize the child over me."
The Yan Wang frowned, a wave of anxiety washing over him. "Don’t say such things!"
With tears welling in her eyes, Shen Wei looked earnestly at his face. "My lord, perhaps I am insignificant to you. But to me, you are the love of my life."
Even in the throes of labor, Shen Wei was performing, striving to express her feelings.
She wanted to convey to the Yan Wang that she was risking her life to bring their child into the world.
Would it touch him?
"My lord, the midwives have arrived. Please wait outside," Mama Rong said, ushering in the two midwives in a hurry.
The Yan Wang suddenly found it hard to let go of Shen Wei's hand.
He understood the difficulties of childbirth.
Not long ago, the wife of the Minister of Revenue had faced complications during delivery, resulting in the loss of both mother and child. When he had heard of that incident, he had felt no particular emotional upheaval. But now, with Shen Wei about to give birth, a sense of panic began to rise within him.
What if, what if Shen Wei faced complications...
He couldn’t bear to think further, his heart aching sharply.
...
News of Shen Wei's impending delivery quickly spread throughout the palace, reaching the Kunyu Courtyard.
The Wang Fei was accompanying her two sons in their studies. The two boys had excelled in the winter examinations at the Guozijian, standing out among their peers, which made the Wang Fei very pleased, believing her efforts had played a significant role.
"My lady, Shen Wei from the Liuli Pavilion is about to give birth," Mama Liu entered the room to inform the Wang Fei.
The Wang Fei paused her movements with the prayer beads in her hand, a faint smile appearing on her face. "Let’s go see. Hopefully, she will give birth to a son."
Mama Liu chuckled teasingly, "Regardless of whether Shen Wei gives birth to a boy or a girl, the child will be entrusted to you for raising after the full moon."
In the eyes of Mama Liu and the Wang Fei, Shen Wei was merely a bird kept in a cage by the Yan Wang, a tool for producing heirs for the royal family. The child she bore with great difficulty would ultimately be handed over to someone else to raise.
How pitiful.
The Wang Fei arrived at the Liuli Pavilion under the cover of night. The pavilion was brightly lit, and a faint scent of blood lingered in the air, punctuated by Shen Wei's occasional cries of pain from within.
The Yan Wang sat in the main seat, his brows furrowed, glancing anxiously toward the back hall from time to time.
Li Yao and Zhang Miaoyu were also waiting inside, both wearing worried expressions. Zhang Miaoyu had a good relationship with Shen Wei, and upon learning of her labor, she had rushed to the Liuli Pavilion, neglecting her meal of braised pork.
Li Yao was there too, her eyes red from crying, terrified that Shen Wei might not survive the night.
The Wang Fei glanced at Li Yao, a cold smile creeping into her heart. Her own daughter was fretting over a lowly concubine. Did Li Yao intend to recognize Shen Wei as her mother?
What an ungrateful wretch; she should never have been born.
"Greetings to the Wang Ye," the Wang Fei said, performing the customary greeting.
The Yan Wang was distracted, gesturing for her to rise.
The Wang Fei leisurely took a seat in an empty chair nearby. On the table were two plates of exquisite pastries, beautifully presented. She picked one up and savored it.
The pastries were delicious, and the Wang Fei indulged in two pieces.
The Yan Wang, consumed by worry for Shen Wei's delivery, looked up only to see the Wang Fei leisurely enjoying her snacks. His dissatisfaction grew.
Shen Wei was in the throes of labor, her life hanging in the balance. Even Zhang Miaoyu, who usually loved to eat, was too anxious to touch her food. Yet here was the Wang Fei, completely unfazed, indulging in pastries.
It was clear that the Wang Fei held no regard for the concubines in the inner court. If she was indifferent to Shen Wei, how could she possibly care for Shen Wei's child?
The Yan Wang silently resolved that Shen Wei and their child must never be entrusted to the Wang Fei's care.
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