Chapter 97 - 097: The Cry of a Baby
However, Jiang Yichun was far more cautious than Du Zhongshu. He stopped riding his horse not far from the outside of Mountain Village, hiding it in the woods. He then stealthily entered the Mountain Village using his lightness skills and descended into the backyard of the Bai Family’s house, as quietly as a swallow.
When he usually carried out missions to monitor targets, he often hid on the roof eaves, quietly lifting roof tiles. Even in larger houses, he hid in the ceiling beams. The Bai’s house, being a low and flimsy mud hut, was only suitable for hiding in the backyard. Fortunately, the commoners had no guards, so he was not likely to be exposed.
If Liu Dun knew that he was clandestinely infiltrating the homes of rural people to spy, he’d be utterly shocked.
Jiang Yichun quickly found Bai Ruozhu’s room. However, he paused when he heard suppressed and painful groans coming from inside. Bai Ruozhu was biting on something to prevent herself from screaming, likely to conserve energy for childbirth. Jiang Yichun had some medical knowledge, but he was unfamiliar with childbirth, so he thought Bai Ruozhu was being stubborn and resilient, suffering in silence even in pain.
Compared to those noisy women he’d encountered, Bai Ruozhu impressed him far more, thus improving his image of her.
If Bai Ruozhu had heard his thoughts, she would have shouted, "Noisy my ass! Have you ever given birth? Do you know how painful it is? If you have no idea, shut up!"
Bai Ruozhu was in terrible pain. Sweat was beading on her forehead and she had bitten a thick handkerchief to prevent damaging her teeth from the pain.
"You’re already half open. It will be faster moving forward. Relaxing a bit might speed up the process," Hao Baishuang’s voice lacked the usual coldness and was filled with more comfort and softness.
"Or maybe you can close your eyes and rest a bit. It might help," Hao Baishuang suggested again.
Pain made Bai Ruozhu want to cry. She knew childbirth is extremely painful, yet her inherent optimism reassured her that the initial contractions were bearable, that she could endure it. However, she now realized that she had been too optimistic and thought it was simpler than it was. The pain was unbearable!
At one point, she even begged Hao Baishuang to knock her unconscious to lessen her suffering. Thankfully, she was lucid enough to realize that even unconsciousness wouldn’t save her from the pain.
After about two more hours, Hao Baishuang gave Bai Ruozhu some decoction. Bai Ruozhu, who was no longer focused on what she was taking, heard Hao Baishuang explain softly, "The amniotic fluid might be a bit dirty. Drinking this medicine will ensure the baby’s safety and invigorate you."
Bai Ruozhu didn’t even have the strength to nod because the next wave of contractions was coming.
By the time her cervix was fully dilated and she was ready to give birth, daylight was already breaking. In other words, she had been in labor for nearly a whole day and night!
People in the yard were anxious. The Wang couple and Zhou Deshun went back home since they had their elder and younger family members to take care of. Only the members of the Bai family, Xiaosi, and Du Zhongshu were left in the yard. Of course, Jiang Yichun was also hiding there unnoticed.
Usually, children like Xiaosi would fall asleep, but he insisted on staying awake the entire night, impressing the family members and stirring their gratitude and concern, especially considering his recent injuries from getting slapped.
"Everyone else has turned heartless, Xiaosi is the only good one left," Bai Zehao said, trying to ease his nerves.
Both Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong nodded in agreement, they knew the past situation well. Without Xiaosi’s help and given Grandpa’s favoritism towards Erlang, they wouldn’t have cleared their name.
"I wonder if Xiaosi is really Aunt Wang’s biological child. As they were leaving, I heard Aunt whispering harsh words to Xiaosi. It was...too...hard to hear." Bai Zehao paused finally deciding not to repeat the harsh words as he felt it was too embarrassing.
"Don’t talk nonsense, when Aunt Wang was pregnant with Xiaosi, I watched her belly grow day by day and was there when Xiaosi was born. How could he not be her own child? She probably learned those scolding words from this unruly woman." Lin Ping’er had watched Wang give birth to Xiaosi; otherwise, she too would have doubted if Xiaosi was Wang’s biological son, given Wang’s nonchalance.
No, it’s not that she doesn’t care. She just outright doesn’t give a damn. Her child almost got beaten to death by his grandmother, and she lets it slide just because some silver was quietly placed in her hand. Didn’t even bother to call a doctor for the child. Can a mother be so heartless?
Bai Yihong watched Xiaosi’s frail back and muttered, "What will become of this child? He’s incurred the wrath of the old mansion due to his involvement in helping Ruozhu. Ordinarily, it would be absurd to hold a grudge against a child. But now...," he trailed off. There’s no doubt the child will be beaten again.
"I fear he’ll continue to suffer beatings and abuse," Lin Ping’er filled in for him.
The entire family grew worried. Even Er Lang, who hadn’t spoken until now, said, "If it were before, I might’ve been able to get Grandpa to see sense. But now, I’m afraid that’s utterly impossible."
Yes, he had indeed offended the old man, but he didn’t regret it. In this situation, he couldn’t even slightly endorse the old man’s viewpoint. If he did, the people would look down upon his little sister even more, and she’d be bullied.
His sister absolutely deserved to be respected by everyone. She had the strength for it!
The entire family sighed. They found it difficult, and also unwilled, to pass judgement on the old man’s actions. Simply put, he had grown senile with age.
Meanwhile, Du Zhongshu was all by himself on the other side of the yard, neglected by everyone. Despite several attempts to invite him over, he had chosen to stay where he was. Having been shocked by the precarious situation, he found it hard to leave and preferred to stay and see the child being born.
He silently prayed for Bai Ruozhu and her baby to be safe and sound.
Just then, Hao Baishuang’s voice could be heard from inside the house, "She’s okay now. Breathe, inhale! Push harder, I can see the baby’s hair. It’s very nice, just a bit more effort and the baby will be born!"
Hao Baishuang had stayed up all night attending to Bai Ruozhu and she was exhausted. Her voice had even turned hoarse.
The entire family hurried to the door of Bai Ruozhu’s room. Did this mean the baby was about to be born?
Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong’s hands found each other. They both felt an intense excitement— their family’s first grandchild was about to be born!
Suddenly, Hao Baishuang poked her head out and shouted at Du Zhongshu, "Slice up three pieces of ginseng, quickly!"
Despite her efforts to refrain from screaming and wasting her strength, the prolonged labour and the injury she had sustained from the earlier fall was gradually draining Bai Ruozhu of her stamina. But there was no time left to delay anymore!
Du Zhongshu quickly retrieved the ginseng and sliced up three pieces using the special knife he had prepared for this. He handed them over to Hao Baishuang. This ginseng had to be sliced fresh to have maximum efficacy, otherwise, he would have prepped it beforehand.
Hao Baishuang accepted it without a word and rushed back into the house. Time seemed to stand still. The people in the yard barely dared to breathe, as if they were afraid to miss a single detail. Finally, as the dawn sun began to rise, the yells of a newborn echoed from the house...
----
The baby finally arrived—Mouka nearly died of anxiety. When Mouka was giving birth, it was past her due date, and they used a labour-inducing drug. It was so painful! Just recalling it pains me... It’s really not easy for us women~