Reborn Together: The General and I Reach for Power-Chapter 473 - 470 Giving Birth

The child in the belly was very lively, as if truly understanding the meaning of the father’s words, sometimes waving its arms, sometimes kicking its little feet, causing quite a stir with Song Xian.

Song Xian was afraid of tiring out Xie Liangchen, and gently advised, "Alright, it’s time to go to sleep. Let your mother rest for a while too."

Lowering his voice for fear of startling the child, Xie Liangchen watched Song Xian’s demeanor, guessing that perhaps Song Xian might be a loving father?

As the months grew more advanced, Xie Liangchen found it uncomfortable to sleep at night, feeling as though she couldn’t breathe whenever she lay down, even removing the bed curtains didn’t help, so Song Xian and she moved to the big kang bed in the outer room.

The last month truly was hard to endure; according to Mr. Xu, even though she had been regulating her health well, the fetus still seemed a bit unsettled.

Song Xian was quite anxious too; previously, he could handle government affairs smoothly no matter how busy, yet due to her sudden abdominal pains, he often found himself flustered, which caused quite a few delays.

Seeing Song Xian so worried, Xie Liangchen also became anxious, obediently eating meals and taking walks, hoping to recover quickly — fearing that if things continued this way, Song Jiedu might lose his composure in public.

But still, things were not going as hoped, she ate quite a lot yet didn’t gain weight; her belly was growing faster instead.

At night, Song Xian helped her smooth her back to ease her breathing, and the child in the belly began stretching its limbs again. However, this time, Song Xian wasn’t in the mood to play with the child, his brows furrowed without relaxing.

"It’s alright," Xie Liangchen said, "it won’t be long before the time comes."

Song Xian whispered in her ear, "Before, I thought about having more children with you, so the whole family could be together joyfully. But seeing you suffering like this now, I don’t wish for it anymore. Maybe just this one child."

Xie Liangchen smiled slightly, "I also like it lively. One is too few; why not have two? Besides, everyone says the first birth is harder, the ones after won’t be as much trouble."

"It’s all the same," Song Xian said, "all are ten months of pregnancy. These ten months... there are many tribulations to pass. Before, they said after three months it’ll be easier, yet it’s still like this."

Xie Liangchen could feel Song Xian’s restlessness, as Song Jiedu spent more time at home than at the government office, almost watching her daily, only going to the outer room to view documents once she fell asleep.

Xie Liangchen felt for Song Xian, pretend to sleep, but ultimately couldn’t deceive Song Jiedu.

Song Xian wasn’t afraid of hardship, but he knew Xie Liangchen’s thoughts, so he personally invited Mr. Dongli over to help, which solved the urgent problem.

As May came, the entire Chen Family Village was cautious, two midwives were stationed in the village, and Xu Tingzhen visited Xie Liangchen every day.

Xie Liangchen herself wasn’t feeling nervous, only hoping to see the child in the belly soon.

Ten months had passed; she wondered whether it was a son or daughter, who it would resemble in looks and personality, what it would like or dislike, and greatly anticipated watching him (or her) grow up.

Every night when resting, Song Xian would always remind her, "If you feel uncomfortable at night, call me."

Actually there was no need for her to call him; as soon as she made the slightest movement, Song Xian would wake up, either supporting her to the restroom, or giving her water to drink.

In the last few days, she truly couldn’t lie down anymore, Song Xian almost held her in his arms as they slept every night.

Therefore, when the time of fruition arrived, Song Xian perceived it even before she did.

On that night, Xie Liangchen finally managed to sleep, hazily dreaming of encountering Liao people on the sea, struggling to break free from the Liao people’s grip, wanting to swim to shore, using all her strength but getting farther from the shore, her legs seemingly wrapped by the ocean, her body starting to sink downward, the seawater slowly engulfing her.

"Liangchen, wake up."

Xie Liangchen heard Song Xian’s voice before startling awake from the dream, slowly opening her eyes.

Song Xian gently patted her back and said softly, "You might be about to give birth; I’ll have someone call the midwife and Mr. Xu to come over."

After speaking, Song Xian brought a pillow for her to lean on and was about to get up to seek help.

Xie Liangchen felt a bit dazed, instinctively clutching Song Xian’s hand.

Song Xian, seeing this, returned to her side, slightly leaning in and said softly, "Don’t be afraid; I’ll quickly be back after telling them."

"I..." Xie Liangchen felt an odd sensation underneath, instinctively reached out to touch, discovering that her pants and bedding were wet.

"Don’t worry, you’re going into labor," Song Xian said, "Mr. Xu and the midwife said everyone is like this; I’ll go call people, and then get clean clothes and bedding for you."

Xie Liangchen nodded, quietly leaning there, finally feeling her belly hardening in waves, seemingly the child inside was truly going to be born.

Song Xian indeed returned quickly, first laying fresh bedding and then changing her into clean underwear before allowing the midwife into the room.

The midwife said, "Have the kitchen boil water ready; today the household is about to have great joy."

Preparations had long been made, everything proceeding methodically.

Old Mrs. Chen heard the news and personally went to oversee the kitchen, the hot water was already boiled, available in abundance. Over at the Kitchen God, she had also sorted things well, ensuring her granddaughter would be blessed with a safe birth of a great-grandchild, whether boy or girl, as long as Liangchen and the child are healthy.

Song Xian couldn’t stay in the room; a man leaving indeed was inept, yet regardless of persuasion, Song Xian refused to go.

Xie Liangchen looked at Song Xian, tightened the grasp of their interlocking fingers, "You should leave, I won’t feel comfortable with you here. With mother, Mr. Xu, and the midwife, everything will be fine."

Song Xian couldn’t refuse Xie Liangchen, thus followed Xie Shao Yuan to the east room.

After more than half an hour, Xie Liangchen began to feel pain, which intensified with time passing.

Yang Shuyin brought freshly cooked chicken soup, "Eat some while it’s not too painful, the first birth will take longer, eat something to have strength."

Xie Liangchen nodded, initially thinking she was prepared, yet realizing truly during labor how difficult it was.

From night until daybreak, and enduring until past noon, still without progress, she’d been worn out, her undergarments soaked with sweat, the pain so clear, each moment agonizing. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Having drunk a bowl of medicine only intensified the pain, still not reaching the optimal moment.

"It’s been quite some time, perhaps pressing the belly would help."

In her daze, Xie Liangchen heard the midwife and Mr. Xu speaking.

She lifted her gaze, seeing the faces gathered around her, filled with anxiety and heartache.

Xie Liangchen blinked, caught sight of Song Xian striding into the room.

"Liangchen, how are you?"

Xie Liangchen wished to speak, yet felt utterly fatigued, without any strength. At that moment, Song Xian appeared calm, though he seemed like snow and ice under prolonged exposure to sunlight, on the verge of cracking, collapsing.

Xie Liangchen’s heart tightened, she tried to smile at Song Xian.

But unbeknownst to her, in her weakened, sweat-covered state, striving to reassure those around her, nearly being the last straw breaking Song Xian.

Song Xian realized the feeling of heartache — not just a sensation, truly a piercing pain.

Song Xian tightly held Xie Liangchen’s hand, nestled between them lay the half Jade Pendant she always wore, reminiscent of when they returned here in a past life.

Xie Liangchen instantly understood Song Xian’s thoughts — if she were unfortunate to... leave, would he follow her? There would be no such luck to relive everything once more.

Xie Liangchen’s eyes grew warm, a swell of strength surged from deep within her body.

This hard-earned lifetime, she must hold onto it tightly.

Another wave of pain washed over, Xie Liangchen gripped Song Xian’s hand.

Nothing else mattered, as the pain ensued she exerted all her efforts to struggle, finally warmth flowed from below, a newborn’s loud cry resonated in the room.