By evening, Su Qing was already out of strength but still had not been able to give birth. Wang mama also could not handle it anymore and cold sweat started to trickle from her forehead. She could only keep wiping the sweat on Su Qing's head and feed her a cup of ginseng tea from time to time.
"How is it? Has she given birth?" Yun Xuan Zhi, lead by a yatou, rushed over. Before reaching the entrance of the room, he unexpectedly saw his mother sitting in the outer room. He immediately hid the concern on his face and respectfully greeted the old madam, "Why is mother here?"
The old madam was unhappy at his words. She was the old madam of this xiangfu! Why should she not be here? Could the status of a yiniang be higher than hers?
The old madam's expression suddenly turned gloomy and she coldly responded, "What is xiangye saying? Is it wrong for me to be concerned of my future grandson? This Feng He Yuan is just the place of a yiniang, I disdain coming here! But for the sake of my grandson, how could I let my grandson be unable to see his grandmother's face when he first comes to this world? But xiangye's words makes it seem I'm doing something unnecessary."
The old madam then abruptly pulled Yun Yi Yi's hand and made to leave.
Yun Xuan Zhi immediately smiled and apologized, "Mother, please don't be angry. Your son was just distraught. Since mother is already here, please stay longer. When the child is born, he still needs his grandmother to bless him."
The old madam felt a sense of pride at getting Yun Xuan Zhi to admit defeat, and thus listened to Yun Xuan Zhi and settled back, but said with worriedly, "It's been a day already, but the child still hasn't come out yet. I'm afraid she will have a difficult birth this time. What is this Su yiniang doing regularly? It's rather rare to still have difficulties on the second birth."
The old madam's seemingly unintentional murmur was heard by Yun Xuan Zhi, who was originally planning to go in the room, but he sat outside and waited for the news instead.
Yun Xuan Zhi proceeded straight to Feng He Yuan right after he had arrived at the fu. When they heard of this, all of the other yiniang who had been staying in their respective courtyards gathered at Feng He Yuan with gifts. Each one of them dressed up gorgeously and stayed beside Yun Xuan Zhi to comfort him.
Yun Ruo Xue had also rushed over anxiously. But she did not expect to see so many people sitting outside of the room. She went over to greet and bow to both the old madam and Yun Xuan Zhi. Looking at all the annoying yiniang in there, Yun Ruo Xue became annoyed herself and her previous thoughts of not wanting Su Qing to give birth to a son immediately changed. She now wished that her mother would give birth to a little boy to suppress all these arrogant yiniang.
"Xue'er, why did you come? You're an unmarried lady, you shouldn't be here." Yun Xuan Zhi still loved this daughter of his very much. Although Yun Ruo Xue often drove him mad recently, he was still unconsciously worried for her.
This made Yun Ruo Xue feel special and she looked at Hua yiniang and the others with more arrogance, but still remained good and humble in front of Yun Xuan Zhi. She politely replied, "Daughter is worried for mother and little brother. I originally thought that I shouldn't come because of my position, but it's already been a day. Daughter was really worried, thus decided to come over and see what was happening without permission. But seeing zumu and sister already here guarding mother, it makes daughter rather embarrassed."
Yun Ruo Xue's words made Yun Xuan Zhi realize something. If Ruo Xue was worried for her mother, then Yun Yi Yi most probably just came to laugh at the spectacle!
Especially when Su Qing still had yet to give birth after such a long period of time, he could not imagine how happy Yun Yi Yi would be. She probably even agitated Su Qing with words a while ago, causing this difficult birth.
Yun Xuan Zhi's face became cold the longer he thought upon it. His eyes unconsciously glanced at Yun Yi Yi with deep anger, which made Yun Yi Yi so afraid that she tried to hide behind the old madam.
For a while, the place was almost in complete silence except for Su Qing's continuous screams.
At this moment, Liu Han Yu smilingly brought over a mama who was in her fifties.
Seeing the mama, Yun Xuan Zhi's expression eased considerably. He even smiled and said, "Why did mama suddenly come here today?"
Everyone in the room did not understand why Yun Xuan Zhi was so polite to an old mama.
The mama glanced around then smiled and said, "Yun xiang is having a happy event. Chu xiang ordered nubi to send a pair of golden qilin over to congratulate Yun xiang in advance for having a son."
Afterwards, the mama handed over the red box in her hand to Liu Han Yu, while Yun Xuan Zhi welcomed the mama to sit and have a cup of tea before leaving.
Only until now did everyone understand that this mama was Shang Guan mama, the deceased Chu wangfei's handmaiden.
When Chu wangfei had passed away, Shang Guan mama vowed never to get married and to keep guarding over wangfei for the rest of her life. Chu wang was so moved by her loyalty and thus let her take care of Chu Fei Yang, who was still a baby at the time. Because of that, Chu Fei Yang also honored this old mama very much.
But this Shang Guan mama only normally helped with some minor matters in Chu xiangfu, and she very seldom left her fu. The reason she came here today was likely because of Yun Qian Meng, but it still made Yun Xuan Zhi feel rather honored.
Unexpectedly, Mi mama came over with Xia mama, who was walking with a walking stick. Seeing Yun Xuan Zhi present, the two of them immediately bowed, "Greetings to xiangye, greetings to old madam."
"Why did you come over as well? And who is she?" Yun Xuan Zhi did not have time to bother with these people, but still asked anyway because he was unfamiliar with Xia mama.
Mi mama smiled then explained, "Xiangye, when the eldest xiaojie heard that Su yiniang had yet to give birth, she ordered nubi to send high-quality ginseng over to help. But xiaojie is still a young lady and shouldn't appear in this kind of place, so she ordered nubi to send it over together with Xia mama."
Mi mama then handed over the box she was holding to Yun Ruo Xue.
Yun Xuan Zhi, on the other hand, nodded and praised, "Meng'er is really thoughtful. It isn't suitable for her to come here indeed. She's already going to marry and should avoid being in a bloody place like this."
While he was speaking, Yun Xuan Zhi unconsciously examined Xia mama and felt that although he could not recognize this old mama, he could sense some traces of familiarity. Thus, he questioned, "Why don't I know that there was a Xia mama in xiangfu?"
Yun Xuan Zhi then coldly glared at Liu Han Yu, reproaching her for not telling him of the newcomers to the fu."
Being glared at by Yun Xuan Zhi like that, Liu Han Yu felt coldness spring up from her heart. She tried to retain her smile and said, "Laoye has been very busy recently. This Xia mama had just come to the fu these past few days, so nubi didn't have the chance to report it yet! Moreover, our eldest xiaojie is the legitimate daughter, yet she only has Mi mama by her side, how could this suit her status? Nubi let Xia mama come to the fu first so to see first if she would do well."
Yun Qian Meng was indeed about to marry into the high-ranking family of Chu wangfu, but only had Mi mama to serve her, so Yun Xuan Zhi nodded. But looking at Xia mama's leg, he frowned and unhappily said, "Why don't you pick someone who is physically capable to serve the eldest xiaojie? Aren't you making Yun xiangfu lose face for letting someone like her go to Chu wangfu?"
Hearing talk of Chu xiang, both Yun Ruo Xue and Yun Yi Yi, who were nearby, showed jealousy. They were envious of Yun Qian Meng for having such great fortune to marry into Chu wangfu, where everyone wanted to go into. And their own father and uncle treated Yun Qian Meng so carefully now and wanted to give the best of everything to that bitch because of Chu wangfu.
Suddenly, Xia mama let go of her walking stick to kneel in front of Yun Xuan Zhi and mournfully said, "Doesn't xiangye recognize nubi anymore? Nubi is Xia mama, furen's wet nurse back then!"
Yun Xuan Zhi was very shocked. He then carefully examined Xia mama again, she really was the mama whom Qu Ruo Li had trusted the most. He was astonished, then covertly glanced at Shang Guan mama as he asked, "Xia mama? Didn't you disappear for more than ten years? How did you get into xiangfu?"
Kneeling in front of Yun Xuan Zhi, Xia mama tried her best to control her anger and cried, "Nubi was lucky to have survived and came back to the capital recently. Nubi was unexpectedly found by the eldest xiaojie and was brought back to the fu. Xiangye, please don't drive nubi out. Nubi will surely do the best to serve the eldest xiaojie and won't let xiangye down."
Xia mama's words made everyone feel that she was just a nucai who only wanted to serve her master well. They felt that the greatest dream of her life was to serve Yun Qian Meng and she did not have any other ideas.
When Shang Guan mama heard Xia mama's words, she smiled and murmured, "Such a loyal mama."
Since Yun Xuan Zhi was close enough to her, he naturally heard Shang Guan mama's words. His face suddenly became stiff when he recalled that Shang Guan mama had also gained Chu Fei Yang's respect precisely because of her loyalty.
If he drove away Xia mama, who was physically disabled, he might be looked down upon by Shang Guan mama. Moreover, this Xia mama would only follow Yun Qian Meng; thus, Yun Xuan Zhi easily waved his hand and said, "Rise. Since that's the case then do your best to serve Meng'er. Don't disappoint benxiang."
Xia mama immediately nodded and stood up with the help of Mi mama. They both then followed Liu yiniang and stood to one side.
"Oh no! Yiniang has dystocia! The arms of the child came out first…" The midwife suddenly shouted from the inner room. In no time the whole room went chaotic. Some of the scattered tea cups and basins fell to the floor, while Wang mama and the others were shouting at Su Qing, who had already fainted due to suffering an entire day so stressfully.
Yun Xuan Zhi immediately stood up from his seat. Worried and impatient, he wanted to rush into the room but was blocked by Liu Han Yu and the others, forcing him to stay outside.
"Father, daughter will go inside and take a look." Yun Ruo Xue volunteered.
She glanced at the people outside and thought that if any one of them were to enter, the lives of her mother and her brother would be in danger. The only person whom Su Qing could trust here was Yun Ruo Xue.
Yun Xuan Zhi's eyebrows tightly knitted, but Yun Ruo Xue suddenly becoming more sensible and thoughtful caused him to wave his hand and let her go.
When she stepped into the room, the strong and nauseating smell of blood made Yun Ruo Xue frown. She immediately held the handkerchief to cover her nose and her mouth, then she slowly approached the bed. She saw that Su Qing was lying down, with her face pale white. Her hair was already damp with sweat and her clothes also looked as if they had been dipped in water. Seeing her mother like that, no matter how Yun Ruo Xue had felt before, she was still very sad and worried. She rushed over and pushed Wang mama, who had been encouraging Su Qing, to hold Su Qing's hands, "Mother, wake up, wake up please!"
Wang mama did not expect Yun Ruo Xue to appear in the room. She was so astounded that her face also turned pale. She immediately pushed Yun Ruo Xue away and urged her to leave at once, "Second xiaojie, this is the delivery room! A young woman like you shouldn't come in here! Please go out! The midwives and your aunt are here. Don't give us more trouble!"
Maybe it was because she was too worried, as Wang mama was also very restless with anxiety, that she pushed Yun Ruo Xue directly towards the door.
Yun Ruo Xue came out of her goodwill, she had wanted to come and guard Su Qing. But since Wang mama treated her kindness and love for her mother as something troublesome, she angrily said, "Wang mama, what do you mean? Why don't you go out and see? If you don't want me here, who do you want instead? The old madam? Or Liu Han Yu? Why are you still so conservative at such an urgent situation?"
"Wang mama!" suddenly, the midwife beside Su Qing called Wang mama.
Wang mama did not have the time for Yun Ruo Xue anymore and immediately ran back to the bedside. The midwife said, "The only thing we can do now is to push the child back into the mother's body. If this also doesn't work, we can only ask xiangye whether to keep the child or the mother alive."
Wang mama's face turned pale white. How did the situation end up like this? With Su Qing lying down on the bed suffering, Wang mama felt as if all her strength had also been drained. Her legs lost their strength and she almost fell onto the floor. Fortunately, Su furen caught her in time, and reminded her, "You're already like this even while they are both still alive. If something bad really happened, do you think you would still be able to live?"
Wang mama shivered and immediately forced herself to stand up and ordered the midwife, "Only for this time. You should make sure that the child is successfully given birth to. Otherwise, xiangye will take the lives of your whole family."
The three midwives looked at one another. But Wang mama's expression now was really frightening, which scared them so much that they obediently lowered their heads but did not dare to promise that the child would be born successfully.
"What are you still doing? Move quickly!" Yun Ruo Xue was hurrying. Seeing her mother breathing in less than what she breathed out shrouded her in fear. If Su Qing was not here anymore, then she would have nowhere to go in xiangfu. Thus, regardless of whether Su Qing gave birth to a boy or a girl, she only hoped that Su Qing would came out of it alive.
After some more thought, Yun Ruo Xue pushed past the three midwives who were only standing there doing nothing, then she proceeded to look at Su Qing's condition. She saw that there was an arm of the baby visible covered with blood on the blanket. Thinking of what the midwife told Wang mama a while ago, Yun Ruo Xue immediately stretched her arm and forcefully pulled the baby's arm, pulling the child out of her mother's body…
"AH!" the pain immediately woke Su Qing up. She had no idea what had just happened and only felt as if her body was about to be pulled in half. Her face turned bloody red and her whole upper body strained.
The scream was scary to hear that everyone outside trembled and also shocked the midwives, Wang mama, and Su furen.
"Xiaojie, what are you doing?" Wang mama was the first to react. She shouted at Yun Ruo Xue and immediately pushed Yun Ruo Xue away.
But Yun Ruo Xue's hands were tightly holding onto the baby's hand. Pushed by Wang mama with such force, she actually pulled off the baby's arm. Looking at the arm in her hand, Yun Ru Xue was so frightened that she immediately threw it away and screamed while covering her face, "Ahhh! Ahhh!"
Everyone in the room was unable to move from shock. They had never thought that Yun Ruo Xue would suddenly move and even pull the baby's arm off.
After he was yanked on with such great force, the baby slipped out of Su Qing's body horizontally. Perhaps because he had been in his mother for too long, his face was ghastly pale. His breath was so soft that it was hardly noticeable. Seeing the baby's body with only one arm left, everyone was so afraid that none of them dared to go forward.
In the end, it was Wang mama who went over and carried the baby in her trembling hands. The midwives immediately helped Su Qing clean her body.
Looking at the baby boy in her arms, Wang mama's heart was bled. She immediately covered the child with garment with the help of Su furen, then rushed to the door to call the doctor in and said with a low voice, "Quick, help the little shaoye, stop the bleeding."
Towards the end of her sentence, Wang mama was almost crying. Why had an originally festive occasion almost become a funeral?
When Yun Xuan Zhi and the others saw Wang mama pull the doctor in, they knew that something bad must have happened. Everyone crowded into the room at once, only to see Wang mama carrying a baby in her arms. Yun Xuan Zhi immediately asked, "Is it a boy or a girl?"
Wang mama was dumbfounded. She could not look at Yun Xuan Zhi directly, but still replied, "Congratulations, xiangye. It's a shaoye!"
Yun Xuan Zhi was extremely happy, while the other yiniang, along with the old madam and Yun Yi Yi, all looked disappointed.
"Ah! An arm!" suddenly, Yun Yi Yi latched onto the old madam, screamed. The others followed her gaze and saw a portion of a baby's arm lying on the carpet. Yun Yi Yi fainted after screaming, while the other yiniang who had not yet given birth to children vomited one after another.
Yun Xuan Zhi's expression immediately turned dark, his sharp eyes pointed at Wang mama, then he looked at Yun Ruo Xue, who was sitting by the edge of the wall, holding strands of her hair. He suddenly went over and kicked Yun Ruo Xue on her shoulder and shouted, "What have you done?!"
Yun Ruo Xue was snapped out of her daze by this kick. She lifted her face covered in tears, but only saw Yun Xuan Zhi glaring at her viciously. She was so afraid that she hugged Yun Xuan Zhi's leg and cried, "Father, I don't know what happened. I just wanted to help pull my brother out, I didn't expect-"
Before she was able to finish her sentence, she felt huge pain from her head. Yun Xuan Zhi had grabbed her hair forcefully and said, "You useless idiot! I regret treating you so lovingly. You just can't tolerate your mom giving birth to another child? You want to kill your own brother? Why do I have a daughter like you? You're even worse than a beast. Why are you still living in this world?"
Yun Ruo Xue's head was being forcefully shaken. She also felt wronged and shouted, "I didn't do it on purpose! I really just wanted to help mother out! Father, it's painful-"
"Painful? Do you feel more pain than your mother? Than your brother? Than me?" his long-awaited son had been disabled by his own daughter! How could Yun Xuan Zhi not be distressed? He wanted to just kill Yun Ruo Xue right now! But Su Qing was still in a precarious situation. If she knew that he killed her other child, then she would lose all hope in life.
Shoving Yun Ruo Xue away, Yun Xuan Zhi called Liu huwei in and told him to take Yun Ruo Xue away and lock her in her room, and that she was not allowed to come out anymore.