The pain had changed Xie Wanqing’s voice, no longer the gentle elegance it originally possessed, but becoming somewhat sharp.

Even though she had endured many grievances in her previous life, she had never experienced such pain, so Lu Ziyuan certainly had never heard his Wanwan cry out in such an anguished manner before. Hence, at this moment, he only furrowed his brows deeply, not recognizing the familiar voice.

He did not know who was crying out in pain inside, but Xie YanYu did.

Hearing the cries of his beloved younger sister, yet unable to rush in and find out the situation because of those around him, he was naturally anxious.

Seeing the one who initiated this childbirth pain leaning nonchalantly against a tree trunk, utterly ignorant, a surge of resentment welled up within him.

"Your Highness indeed has a lot of leisure time," he sneered, "I wonder when such a habit developed, to actually come to the backyard of an official’s family to listen to the lady of the house give birth."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ziyuan fell silent.

The Ming Fengming Jian following behind him were also silent.

They found it strange too; their master had not only changed his expression when he heard that Ji Chengfeng was the Prefect of Bianzhou, but he even detoured to Bianzhou on purpose.

That was one thing, but why had he become interested in someone’s wife’s childbirth?

Ever since the news of Xie Wanqing falling into the lake reached the Capital City, the Xie family naturally harbored intense hatred toward Lu Ziyuan.

Xie YanYu’s tone was completely normal given the circumstances.

But after a few breaths of silence, Lu Ziyuan turned his head to glance at him, "Did I ask you to follow me?"

On a whim, he wanted to come to that ill-fated ghost’s backyard where the women resided to have a look. If one were a sycophant, they would naturally follow closely behind.

But the Xie Family deeply resented him, and except for official occasions where they had to meet and salute due to the differences between a sovereign and his ministers, they would have preferred to avoid all contact, wishing to never see him again.

——So, why wasn’t Xie YanYu busy with his own affairs but following him instead?

"Are you brothers quite close?" Lu Ziyuan pondered for a few breaths before sneering, "Or do you have some past affection with the woman giving birth inside?"

"Your Highness, mind your words!" Xie YanYu’s face changed, "Your Highness can come, Cheng Qian is my true cousin from my mother’s side, why can’t I come?"

Indeed, he had a point.

Lu Ziyuan nodded slowly.

In just a few words, Ji Chengfeng, who heard the commotion, had already come out of the main hall.

"Your Highness," he said, pressing his lips together, "was there something arranged poorly by the housekeeper?"

Lu Ziyuan ignored the implication in his words.

Instead, he lifted his chin and asked, "The cries inside are quite intense, is there danger?"

After saying this, even he was momentarily stunned.

To concern himself with a woman he had never met before.

Not to mention that the Ming Fengming Jian behind him were almost dropping their jaws in shock.

On the other hand, Ji Chengfeng remained composed.

He replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My wife has just gone into labor, and the midwife says the fetal position is normal with no danger. However, it is often difficult for a woman giving birth for the first time, and it’s common to labor for two days and nights." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

As he spoke, he gently raised his arm and said, "The delivery room is filthy; I kindly ask Your Highness to move to the guest courtyard to rest."

Having a group of men waiting in the courtyard listening to his wife scream while giving birth was rather inappropriate.

It felt offensive just to hear it.

Therefore, Ji Chengfeng’s initiative to invite people to leave was entirely reasonable.

Anyone with sense would take their leave.

Yet Lu Ziyuan found himself rooted to the spot, not wanting to leave in the slightest.

Hearing the woman’s cries inside, his heart was being wrenched, painfully gripped.