"Only seven months." Once Nanny Cen stepped out, a maid grabbed her anxiously and said, "Should we invite Nurse Zhang to oversee?" Better safe than sorry; the Madam was full-term last time and it was extremely perilous. This time, just over seven months, it’s hard to predict what might happen. Having Nurse Zhang around gives everyone some peace of mind.

Nanny Cen felt troubled; Nurse Zhang herself was pregnant, just in her first critical three months. If anything went wrong, no one could shoulder the responsibility.

"Let’s invite her anyway. We won’t ask her to intervene, just have her sit by."

Nanny Cen gritted her teeth, pulled the maid aside and said, "Go to the Qin Mansion and inform Nurse Zhang about the Madam’s condition. Don’t say anything else, let her decide." She couldn’t dare to promise anything; both the Madam and Nurse Zhang’s pregnancies were precious, neither could afford an incident.

The maid acknowledged and quickly dashed out of the courtyard.

About half an hour passed, and both the Grand Dowager and First Madam hurried over. Grand Dowager anxiously asked, "Why is she going into labor suddenly?" Nanny Cen recounted the situation from start to finish for the Grand Dowager, who frowned and asked, "Did she eat anything unusual?"

Nanny Cen thought carefully: "The same as usual, I’ve always been very careful with her diet; there’s nothing unusual."

The Grand Dowager and First Madam exchanged glances, both finding it peculiar how she was going into labor at seven months.

"Amitabha Buddha." The Grand Dowager clasped her hands, bowed thrice towards the west, and rubbed the Buddha Beads in her hand, "May they be safe and sound, blessed with great fortune!"

The First Madam supported the Grand Dowager, her face tense as she watched the maids going in and out, just as Chunliu emerged from inside. The Grand Dowager asked, "How is it now? Where is Fourth Master?"

"Labor has started." Chunliu replied nervously, "Fourth Master is inside with the Madam."

The Grand Dowager was startled by the words, not minding at all that Fourth Master Xiao was also in the birthing room, and said, "...Labor has started..." then instructed Chunliu, "The midwife hasn’t arrived yet, go check quickly."

Chunliu was about to ask about the midwife when she heard this, promptly crouched and acknowledged, then headed towards the outer yard. At the courtyard entrance, the two midwives had been half-dragged, half-pulled into the courtyard by Tianjing and Su Quansheng, and the Grand Dowager breathed a sigh of relief, quickly directing, "This labor is progressing quickly, hurry inside."

The midwives, knowing the seriousness of the situation, acknowledged and immediately lifted the curtain to enter the birthing room.

Bihuai set up chairs and the Grand Dowager and First Madam didn’t go anywhere else, just sat within the courtyard. Shortly afterwards, Zhi and Kun returned from the outer yard. The two children leaned nervously against the Grand Dowager, glaring at the birthing room.

"Grand Dowager," one of the midwives stepped out to report, "Labor has indeed started, but it seems we still need some time." After speaking, she added, "I’ll first instruct them to prepare some mugwort soup to cleanse the Madam later."

The Grand Dowager nodded, as time passed gradually and the sun slowly set, the yard was brightly lit.

Bihuai gently suggested that the Grand Dowager and First Madam have dinner; the two simply couldn’t eat at this moment. Bihuai carried the meal box outside, encountering Ruan Jingliu at the courtyard entrance. She paused, immediately handed the meal box to a young maid, and went to support Ruan Jingliu, "Nurse Zhang? Why are you here?" knowing she was pregnant.

Ruan Jingliu hastened inside, "How is it now?" Despite worrying about Jingliu’s health, Bihuai was still delighted at her presence, responding, "Labor started this afternoon, waiting for dilation."

Once Ruan Jingliu entered, Qin Yuanfeng followed closely behind, nervously holding her arm, "Be careful, be careful."

Ruan Jingliu completely ignored him, shrugged him off, greeted the Grand Dowager and First Madam, and entered the birthing room.

Qin Yuanfeng stopped at the entrance, anxiously fidgeting, the Grand Dowager and First Madam unfamiliar with him, the Grand Dowager asked, "And you, sir?"

"I am Qin Yuanfeng, greetings to the Grand Dowager and First Madam." Qin Yuanfeng suddenly realized others were in the courtyard and promptly came over to bow. The Grand Dowager examined him closely, recalling he was Second Master Qin, nodded, "Nurse Zhang is competent, Second Master Qin need not worry, have a seat and rest a while."

Qin Yuanfeng bowed his head in acknowledgment, sitting properly beside the Grand Dowager.

Shortly after, Fourth Master Xiao was also sent out, the Grand Dowager seeing him, asked, "How goes it?" Fourth Master Xiao stood beside the Grand Dowager, too restless to sit, replied unsteadily, "Seems she’s about to give birth."

Thinking of Xiqiu drenched in sweat, and her lips bitten with pain, his heart cut like a knife!

Qin Yuanfeng nervously grasped his robe, wanting to look inside but found it inappropriate, standing seemed impolite, he wandered like a headless fly, eyes circling the yard.

Fourth Master Xiao’s gaze fell on him, but he had no mind to comfort him at this time.

Suddenly, a piercing scream resounded from the birthing room, Fourth Master Xiao shuddered reflexively and dashed inside, reacting simultaneously with Qin Yuanfeng, who lost his balance and fell backward with chair in tow.

"Mr. Qin." A few of Ziwei hurried to help, lifting the chair only to see Qin Yuanfeng sprawled flat on the ground, having taken a solid fall.

It wasn’t that he was so worried about Xiqiu, but the sudden cries startled him. From the anguished screams, he naturally thought of Ruan Jingliu’s future. Because she was inside, he couldn’t help but be more anxious and panicked, and thus unexpectedly fell.

The crowd wanted to laugh but had no mood for it. Qin Yuanfeng patted his robe, stood up, and bowed to the Grand Dowager and First Madam: "Pardon me, pardon me!" He turned, secretly wiping sweat.

Fourth Master Xiao was blocked at the door by Chunliu: "Fourth Master, madam is fine. The midwife says she will give birth soon. Please wait outside for a moment."

Fourth Master Xiao couldn’t help but glance inside, naturally unable to see Xiqiu. He clenched his fists, somewhat at a loss, waiting at the door.

Just after that sound, the tension reached its peak. Then there was silence, and those outside didn’t know the situation inside. Everyone’s heart was in their throat. The Grand Dowager instructed Nanny Cen: "Go inside and see what’s happening." She had already stood up, remembering that the last time Xiqiu gave birth to Zhi, despite the pain she didn’t make a fuss. That cry earlier was unknown for what pain it could be, making her exclaim.

"Madam, push, push!" The midwives were the same ones who delivered Xiqiu last time. Because of their familiarity, they were invited again this time. They pressed Xiqiu’s thighs, shouting louder than Xiqiu, afraid another terrifying moment would happen.

Stray hair stuck to her forehead, Xiqiu was nearly exhausted. Though smooth until now, it hurt much more than when giving birth to Zhi. She gritted her teeth, exerting all her strength.

"I see the head, I see the head!" The midwife almost exclaimed: "Madam, with one more push, it will come out."

Xiqiu tightly held Ruan Jingliu’s hand. Ruan Jingliu’s face was also bloodless, he placed a ginseng slice in her mouth: "Don’t fear, I’m here!" Xiqiu weakly nodded and coordinated with the midwife’s efforts.

Fourth Master Xiao was so tense his heart seemed ready to leap out, pacing back and forth in the courtyard.

Suddenly, the sound of a baby’s cry rang out in the quiet courtyard, the voice delicate yet very loud.

Almost everyone stood up from their chairs at once, dozens of eyes fixated on the delivery room door.

"Gave birth?" The Grand Dowager excitedly grasped First Madam’s hand: "Bodhisattva bless for smoothness." First Madam also sighed in relief: "Gave birth."

Then the curtain lifted, revealing the midwife’s face: "Congratulations Grand Dowager, congratulations Fourth Master, it’s a daughter." Saying this, she crouched to bow.

Fourth Master Xiao leaned a hand against the wall; it was the first time his nervousness had soaked his clothes. The Grand Dowager and First Madam laughed. First Madam clearly heard Qin Yuanfeng exhale a long breath, but before he could fully exhale, they heard another midwife inside exclaim: "Quick, come in, I see there’s another."

The joy on everyone’s faces gradually turned to surprise. The Grand Dowager was full of astonishment: "How is there another?"

Fourth Master Xiao couldn’t wait any longer, swiftly lifted the curtain regardless of objection, and directly entered the delivery room. The midwife wanted to stop him but didn’t, having experienced him entering the delivery room last time. This time she simply didn’t block, moreover, she had no energy to handle other matters.

"I see it, I see it," the midwife joyfully said: "Madam, push again, this one can already be seen."

Xiqiu had no energy for surprise, mechanically following the midwife’s instructions. Ruan Jingliu’s hand never left her pulse, always noting her reactions. As Fourth Master Xiao entered, Chunliu was holding the firstborn girl aside. He didn’t even look but went directly to support Xiqiu’s hand.

Xiqiu glanced at him, from his eyes saw confidence and encouragement. She bit her teeth and used the last bit of strength.

"It’s out." The two midwives rushed like seeing a treasure, cutting the umbilical cord, one attending to the newborn, the other continuing to clean Xiqiu’s lower body.

The crisp sound of slaps rang out, then the baby cried out. Meanwhile, the hanging genital symbol suddenly sprayed white fluid, splashing onto the midwife’s face and hand...

"He peed!" The midwife paused, then laughed: "Fourth Master, Madam, it’s a son!" Then she added: "I must be lucky."

Chunliu couldn’t help but laugh too; the little master was truly remarkable; the midwife slapped him, and he immediately peed on her. Once grown, he won’t be easy to bully.

Chunliu’s mind turned, realizing he hadn’t yet gone out to announce the good news. He lifted the curtain and told the Grand Dowager and First Madam: "Grand Dowager, First Madam, great news, Madam has given birth to a pair of twins, mother and children safe!"

The Grand Dowager was so ecstatic she was speechless; after a moment, she loudly declared: "Rewards, reward the entire mansion." Then she instructed Ziwei: "Later send someone to Tong Mansion to announce the good news."

Ziwei agreed but didn’t immediately go, and the Grand Dowager pondered then added: "Starting tomorrow, set up porridge stalls on the outskirts west of the city for three months."

First Madam also smiled, nodding: "I’ll handle this matter."