Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 739 - 740: Birth (1)

Though everyone had prepared mentally during these nine months, when the day finally arrived, their hearts could not help but feel anxious, as though their hands and feet were unsure where to place.

Nanny Cen, being experienced, managed to calm everyone down after some shouting.

Initially, a side room was prepared, as people in ancient times believed childbirth was an unclean matter. Families with means would often specially prepare a birthing room. However, Xiqiu found moving things in and out of the courtyard troublesome, so she asked Nanny Cen to tidy up a room and prepare it for the occasion, which was now put to good use.

"The midwives have arrived." Nanny Cen supported Xiqiu as they walked into the room. "It’s the first child, which takes time; everyone should not worry."

Ruan Jingliu’s face was stern as water. She had experienced Madam Jiang’s childbirth before, and during those years of wandering as a doctor, she had also helped deliver babies. Yet she had never felt as tense as she did today. She couldn’t help but tremble as she held Xiqiu’s hand and turned to Wan’er, saying, "Bring my medicine box, along with the scissors, cotton cloth, and alcohol that were boiled earlier!"

After a few steps, the first contraction had passed. Xiqiu took a breath and stopped at the bedside, noticing Ruan Jingliu’s constantly trembling hands, she couldn’t help but smile, "Sister Jingliu, Nanny Cen says it’s likely still early, no need to be nervous."

Ruan Jingliu glared at her and replied with feigned annoyance, "You still have the mind to joke; quickly go lie down."

Though Xiqiu wasn’t a maternity nurse, during her internship each department had been visited. Compared to childbirth, Xiqiu might even be more experienced than Ruan Jingliu. She nodded and turned to the pale Chunliu and Bihuai, instructing, "Get the kitchen to prepare something for me to eat, and go get some sugar and ginseng slices."

Chunliu immediately nodded in agreement and ran out the door with Bihuai.

Nanny Cen helped Xiqiu to lie down. At that moment, two midwives lifted the curtain and entered. Nanny Cen helped Xiqiu remove her skirt. One midwife, tall and thin with the last name Cai, checked the amniotic fluid and spotting, while another slightly plump woman named Wang felt Xiqiu’s belly, and Ruan Jingliu took Xiqiu’s pulse.

"There’s spotting." Midwife Cai wiped her hands, looked up at Xiqiu, and said, "It’s probably still very early; just spotting so far." The other Midwife Wang also nodded, saying, "The fetus has descended, Madam should take this time to rest and gather strength. According to my experience, it might not be born until tonight."

Xiqiu nodded. Without contractions at this moment, she leaned on the pillow and instructed, "Go bring the prepared items to avoid rushing later..." Nanny Cen complied, and Xiqiu closed her eyes to rest. Just as she closed her eyes, the second wave of contractions came, Xiqiu frowned tightly and grabbed the sheet beneath her.

This time was much more painful than the last.

She opened her eyes, grabbed Ruan Jingliu’s hand, and frowned, "Sister Jingliu, please don’t go out later, stay here with me."

Ruan Jingliu started for a moment, nodded, and replied, "Got it." She then took a cloth to wipe Xiqiu’s forehead sweat.

Xiqiu released her hand and closed her eyes. Chunliu came in with a food box, "Nanny Rong said not to eat anything else, just eggs are best." She opened the food box, revealing a large blue and white porcelain bowl, the aroma filling the room: "Three pocket eggs boiled in chicken soup, with some oil cake soaked inside."

Xiqiu nodded, sat up, and waited for the contraction to pass, then she ate up all in the large bowl with gusto. Ruan Jingliu watched in astonishment, as did the two midwives. Chunliu noticed Xiqiu finished everything and asked, "Do you... want a little more?"

"No need." Afraid she wouldn’t have strength later to give birth—claiming it might be till evening—the contractions were still spaced out, later when they became frequent she feared she wouldn’t even have strength to talk let alone eat. She then glanced at the people in the room, "You should also take turns to eat something, no need for everyone to keep watch here."

The two midwives looked at Xiqiu, exchanged a look, never having seen a lady like the Fourth Madam so calm during childbirth, they secretly praised her and nodded, saying, "Then we will take turns for meals, Madam should rest for now."

Xiqiu nodded, Ruan Jingliu frowned and said, "Sleep for a while, I’ll be here with you." Xiqiu responded and closed her eyes again.

Nanny Cen stood at the courtyard entrance, seeing Xu Tianqing had yet to leave, she couldn’t help asking, "First Master Xu, is there anything else?" Xu Tianqing glanced at the main house with some unease, cautiously asking, "Inside... how is it?"

"It’s not officially started yet." Nanny Cen smiled, "You don’t need to worry."

Xu Tianqing sighed in relief, pointing outside, "I’ll... wait here for a while, you go ahead and busy yourself." He knew the dangers of childbirth, with Fourth Master Xiao not being home, he wanted to stay outside, perhaps able to help if something occurred.

Nanny Cen heard him and paused for a moment, giving a meaningful look to the anxious yet slightly expectant Xu Tianqing, she thought before suggesting, "Why don’t you rest in the courtyard behind, so you can be aware of any news that arises?"

Xu Tianqing, hearing her suggestion, acknowledged he was indeed an outsider, pondered for a moment then said, "I shall trouble you then, Nanny." Nanny Cen smiled and pointed at a young maid, leading Xu Tianqing to wait in the courtyard behind.

Nanny Cen saw Xu Tianqing leave, then instructed someone to find Tiancheng, and commanded him, "Madam doesn’t know when labor will start, go quickly to Marquis Mansion to report, then run to the north of the city to inform First Young Madam Tong..." Hearing this, Tiancheng’s footsteps trembled, nearly unable to stand as he asked, "That... and Fourth Master hasn’t returned, what to do."

"Fourth Master coming back is useless." Nanny Cen glared at Tiancheng, angrily saying, "Does Fourth Master help in childbirth? Quickly go then!"

Tiancheng nodded hurriedly and ran fast to the outer courtyard.

Nanny Cen then pointed at a young maid, "Go to the outer courtyard, inform Mr. Song that the two young masters will stay with him for lunch today!" The two children were little, seeing Madam like this could scare them greatly.

As it neared noon, Grand Dowager, assisted by Ziwei and Bilian, entered. The First Madam, being widowed, had only sent Nanny Tang with her. Nanny Cen greeted them, and Grand Dowager anxiously asked, "How is it going now?"

"It is spotting but hasn’t started yet." Nanny Cen recounted the previous events to Grand Dowager, "Madam has eaten and is now resting, Nurse Zhang is inside."

"I’ll go take a look." Grand Dowager tightly clutched the Buddha Beads as she stepped into the courtyard entrance, crossing through the hallway. Nanny Cen said beside her, "The belly is low but hasn’t started, likely to wait till evening."

Grand Dowager frowned deeply, knowing first births often take time, she walked while asking, "Old Fourth still hasn’t returned?"