Upon hearing that Madam’s childbirth would be a difficult one, her confidante, the housekeeper, felt a sudden jolt in her heart and instinctively looked towards Song Ci.
The concept of a difficult birth has always been considered ominous; such children, if they survive, are said to have a tough fate, as they are particularly taxing on the mother’s body.
She feared Song Ci might have taboos, and even the Madam herself probably harbors apprehensions about this child.
Worried too were Jiang Shi and Lu Shi, two sisters-in-law. Both felt uneasy, not to ntion the toughness of fate—not knowing if they could endure the dangers of childbirth, which could lead to one...
"Phooey, phooey! rciful Guanyin Bodhisattva, I swear I haven’t thought of anything bad. Please don’t take it seriously."
Song Ci does not sympathize with these superstitions. She simply instructed everyone to take their positions and prepare accordingly, reorganizing the birthing environnt once more according to various ancient childbirth thods seen on television to ensure Madam could summon her strength.
The century-old ginseng slices were already cut. Madam was pricked awake by Lin Qing, heard that it was going to be a hard birth, and felt like passing out again to avoid waking; she was trembling and her face was indescribably pallid.
Song Ci ordered soone to bring over so ginger egg soup to feed her.
Madam originally didn’t want to eat but was scolded by her mother-in-law.
"You’re already exhausted from all this ordeal, and if you don’t eat sothing to recover a bit, where will you find the strength? Even if you don’t want to eat, you must eat for . Later, you’ll need all your strength for the big mont."
Madam reluctantly ate, but her heart settled slightly.
Song Ci added, "What’s the fuss about? Take out the dignity and grandeur of your usual role as the head of the household, concentrate all your energy on delivering a son. Lin Qing and Doctor Liu are here, they won’t let anything happen to you."
Madam finished a whole bowl of ginger egg soup, waiting for her strength to return, enduring the pain and said to Song Ci, "Mother, your daughter-in-law has a request for you."
Here it cos, the pre-labor instructions and final requests.
"I won’t listen. Whatever you want from , save it until you produce my grandson." Song Ci imdiately interrupted her.
Madam was in such pain she nearly arched her back, grasping her hand in desperation, "Mother..."
"I know what you want to say. Essentially, you fear you won’t make it, and then the eldest will remarry, making life hard for the kids, asking to look after them."
Madam: "..."
"You are truly perceptive."
"Even if I promise you, you should know, how long can these old bones care for them? I am bound to die sooner than younger folk. You worry for them, then endure it yourself; relying on anyone isn’t as secure as relying on yourself." Song Ci said, "Just think, if anything happens to you, soone else will be sleeping with your husband, mistreating your kids, becoming the Pri Minister’s wife. You’ve longed for this position for most of your life, now it’s only been a few years, are you willing to let it go?"
Madam shook her head.
"If you’re unwilling, then just endure this. What is a difficult birth? I assure you, once he’s born, I’ll personally spank his bottom, and nobody can stop !"
Madam was amused by Song Ci’s fierceness, laughing through tears, yet the pain in her belly left her face ghostly pale.
Everyone in the room was similarly caught between laughter and tears.
"Everyone who doesn’t need to be here should leave; let’s bring in a few strong maids. Oh, before coming in, everyone must change into clean clothes, and wash their hands and faces thoroughly." Song Ci instructed the housekeeper.
The housekeeper nodded with a stern face.
anwhile, Lin Qing arranged her silver needles in a line, and Doctor Liu was respectfully ushered to wait in the side room.
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