Chapter 54 - 054 Going to Meet Wen Po
Chapter 54: Chapter 054 Going to Meet Wen Po
Chapter 54 -054 Going to Meet Wen Po
As Bai Ruozhu’s belly kept growing, Lin Ping’er began to arrange for a midwife.
Bai Ruozhu didn’t have much faith in the village midwives.
The ancient birthing methods seemed rather backward, and she herself, being a medical student, couldn’t quite accept them.
However, even though she didn’t agree, what could she do?
Even if her medical skills were excellent, she couldn’t help herself during childbirth.
To maintain consciousness would be quite an achievement, especially since this was her first child, and her petite sixteen-year-old body isn’t fully developed, making childbirth very risky.
So, she had no choice but to place her hope on the famed village midwife.
At worst, she would teach her mother about sterilization and make sure she was thoroughly clean.
“My girl, you’re young and probably don’t understand these things.
This midwife Ji Wenpo is extremely popular throughout villages.
Your aunt sought her help while giving birth to your little cousin.
Also, many babies in our village were delivered with her help, both mother and child are safe and sound.” Lin Ping’er explained to Bai Ruozhu.
During those times, childbirth was akin to walking through the Ghost Gate, an act that could easily result in a loss of life.
Yet, Ji Wenpo managed to deliver countless babies without a single mishap, which was quite impressive.
“Fine, mother, whatever you decide will be fine.” Bai Ruozhu knew her mother was very meticulous and always had her best interests at heart, so she had no objections.
Satisfied that Bai Ruozhu had no objections, Lin Ping’er continued, “Well, we should visit Ji Wenpo tomorrow, and also bring her some gifts.
It’s only with her agreement that we can proceed, given her numerous commitments, she might not necessarily agree to it.”
It appeared that Ji Wenpo had a busy schedule.
“Okay, I also want to meet her.” Bai Ruozhu said.
The following morning, Lin Ping’er carried a basket with half a basket of eggs and some freshly picked vegetables, pulling Bai Ruozhu towards Liuye Village.
Ji Wenpo lived in Liuye Village to the south of Back Mountain Village.
It didn’t take long to reach there by foot, however, considering Bai Ruozhu’s pregnancy, Lin Ping’er decided to hitch a ride on a passing ox cart, handing over some money as fare.
The two arrived in Liuye Village swiftly and marched to the Ji family’s home.
Sure enough, they saw someone knocking on the Ji family’s door when they arrived.
Lin Ping’er looked at Bai Ruozhu, saying somewhat worriedly, “I wasn’t expecting Jin Wenpo to be so popular.
We’ve run into others who have reached here just like us.”
“Let’s go and take a look.
If she’s available, then it’s good, if not, we can’t force her to.
Let’s just go with the flow,” Bai Ruozhu reassured her in an attempt to allay her mother’s worries.
Lin Ping’er nodded, supporting Bai Ruozhu by the arm.
Both of them went over to knock on the Ji family’s door.
The door was opened from inside by a young boy, seemingly himself a teenager.
“You’re here to see my grandma, aren’t you?” the young boy asked.
The woman who arrived ahead of them was a lean, dark-skinned old woman who quickly answered, “Yes, yes, I was here first.” Her demeanor and tone appeared as if she feared Bai Ruozhu and her mother might steal the slot.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t contain her laughter at this.
Ji Wenpo was indeed highly sought after.
“We’re also here to meet Ji Wenpo.
Excuse us, could you pass on this basket of fruits, please?” Lin Ping’er politely asked the boy.
Being the daughter-in-law of the Scholar family, her conduct and manners were unlike the ordinary village women.
The young boy couldn’t help but give Lin Ping’er and Bai Ruozhu a once-over before he said, “You all wait in the yard.
My grandma is discussing something with someone.”
Was it just their bad luck to reach during peak hours, or was Ji Wenpo’s house always bustling like this?
“Alright, thank you, young sir.” Bai Ruozhu nodded to the young boy in gratitude.
The dark-skinned, skinny old woman appeared quite dissatisfied, grumbled under her breath, “This always happens.
I got here first, yet they take advantage of it.
Hmph.”
With his sharp ears, the young boy glared at her as she hastily put on a smile and replied, “I didn’t say anything, truly.”
The young boy gave a cold snort in response, quite intimidating, causing the skinny old woman to keep silent, shrink her neck, and enter the house.
Bai Ruozhu also followed suit and entered the yard.
The young boy moved a stool over, saying to Bai Ruozhu: “You sit.”
Bai Ruozhu saw that there was only one stool, and with her mother not sitting, she felt a bit embarrassed.
The boy then sternly said, “My grandma instructed that any pregnant woman visiting must be seated, lest problems arise that would be blamed on us.”
Lin Ping’er hastily nudged Bai Ruozhu with her elbow, saying, “Hurry up and sit.”
Bai Ruozhu had no option but to sit down.
She decided to accept the preferential treatment that comes with being pregnant.
After a while, an old woman leading a heavily pregnant woman appeared from the main hall, both wearing joyful expressions.
It seemed that Ji Wenpo had agreed to help.
Seeing this, the skinny old woman hastily rushed forth, “Ji Wenpo, I am from the Liu family in Houtang Village.
Could you consider assisting my daughter-in-law in childbirth?”
Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu looked over, getting her first glimpse of Ji Wenpo.
She was a lean woman in her fifties.
An ideal midwife would have accumulated ample experience through delivering numerous babies, but without sufficient vigor, they wouldn’t be able to manage.
Thus, being in her fifties seemed perfect.
Ji Wenpo had a stern look and, glancing emotionlessly at the skinny old woman, she coldly said, “Bring the person here first, then we’ll discuss.”
Only then did Bai Ruozhu observe that the skinny old woman had arrived all by herself without her pregnant daughter-in-law, her hands completely empty.
Noticing this, Lin Ping’er quickly moved forward to greet Ji Wenpo, “Ji Wenpo, I’ve brought my daughter to trouble you,” as she handed Ji Wenpo the basket she carried.
The skinny old woman was restlessly rolling her eyes.
Only now realizing her mistake in coming empty-handed, she told Ji Wenpo: “I will come back with my daughter-in-law this afternoon.” After saying this, she trudged away feeling dejected.
“They’re all from our own home, not worth much.” Lin Ping’er said apologetically, “I want you to assist my daughter during childbirth, and we’ll respect your terms for compensation.”
With the previous visitors who discussed terms with Ji Wenpo gone, Ji Wenpo handed over the basket to the young boy.
Her attitude towards Bai Ruozhu and her mother turned a bit friendlier, although she was not overly warm, “Talk inside.”
The three of them went inside and the young boy closed the door.
“How far along are you?
How has your health been normally?” Ji Wenpo looked at Bai Ruozhu and directly asked.
Bai Ruozhu quickly bowed in salutation, “I am almost eight months along.
I’ve been feeling well, getting good sleep and eating hearty meals.
My legs haven’t swollen at all.”
Ji Wenpo scanned Bai Ruozhu from head to toe and, satisfied, nodded her head in approval, “You’ve nurtured yourself quite well.
Come here, let me have a look.”
Bai Ruozhu guessed that Ji Wenpo chose to deliver babies of those women who had healthy bodies and promising development.
On one hand, she didn’t want to risk complications and, on the other hand, she didn’t want her reputation tarnished due to complications with any particular patient.
Bai Ruozhu walked up to her.
Suddenly, Ji Wenpo stretched her hand towards Bai Ruozhu’s belly, startling her.
Bai Ruozhu instinctively feared anyone touching her belly, even her mother hardly did.
“Don’t move.
How can I help you with childbirth if you won’t let me examine the baby?” Ji Wenpo said in a strict tone.