The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1547 - 1544: Time to Give Birth

Lady Wu had been keenly observing the commotion outside. When she saw Wu Zhongbao come out and head to the kitchen for a while, then return to the room with a bowl, and later emerge with the empty bowl, looking pleased, she couldn’t help but smile. Had her daughter-in-law softened?

She quietly opened the door and gestured to Wu Zhongbao, motioning him to come over. In a hushed tone, she asked, "Is your wife showing you a good face?"

Wu Zhongbao nodded happily. "My wife said she likes the brown sugar egg dish I make and wants me to prepare it for her every day!"

He couldn’t be prouder!

Lady Wu couldn’t bear to look at her foolish son directly, but her heart, which had been tense, finally eased.

If it were any other mother-in-law, she might have found fault, thinking her son made brown sugar egg and didn’t consider his own mother—wouldn’t that be unfilial?

But to Lady Wu, as long as her son and daughter-in-law could put aside their differences and get along harmoniously, what’s a brown sugar egg? As long as they could afford it, bird’s nest soup every day wouldn’t be too much to ask for.

As the young couple lives harmoniously, in the future, when she finds herself in the afterlife, she’ll have the face to meet her husband.

So she merely advised Wu Zhongbao, "Then you need to keep your word. Unless there’s something particularly urgent at the horse farm, come back. Young couples need to see each other every day, don’t they? With the new year approaching, if you come back every day, won’t your wife show you better treatment?"

"Zhongbao, I don’t know how many more years I have left. In the future, you two need to support each other throughout your lives. You have to treat her well, understand? Your wife is a good girl. Even after everything that happened, and our family’s downfall, she never despised us. After marrying, her intentions remained pure."

"Such a kind girl, we owe her a lot. No matter where your future takes you, remember, gratitude is vital! If you can’t appreciate others, wouldn’t you be worse than an animal? If you don’t treat her well in the future, not just your father, even I will come back to scold you in your dreams! Understand?"

Wu Zhongbao nodded in agreement. "Mother, don’t worry! I understand fully now. I was a fool before, but I promise to treat my wife well for a lifetime!"

Only then did Lady Wu feel relieved. "Alright, as long as I see you getting along well, I’m at ease! Go back inside and rest; after washing the dishes, spend more time with your wife!"

With that, she waved her hand and returned indoors.

Wu Zhongbao chuckled and went back to the kitchen.

All of this was seen by Lady Shen through the window slit. She took a deep breath to steady herself, her eyes showing a hint of determination.

Days later, Lady Wu went to visit Old Granny Zhang. Before even uttering a word, she performed a deep bow.

Old Granny Zhang was startled, quickly supporting her. "Wu family’s lass, what are you doing?"

Lady Wu held Old Granny Zhang’s hand, full of gratitude. "Sister Zhang, our family truly owes it all to you! Your whole family is a great benefactor to us! I don’t even know how to thank you properly!"

While speaking, she wiped her tears. It took a while for Old Granny Zhang to understand it all.

After returning, it seemed Lady Shen had an epiphany. In the middle of the night, she confronted Wu Zhongbao, crying and venting her grievances.

While Wu Zhongbao endured the scolding, he didn’t retaliate. Instead, he felt even more guilty and realized how unfair he had been to Lady Shen, putting her through hardship.

He almost wanted to beg her to stop crying.

The couple’s stormy exchange cleared the air and broke their deadlock.

Even though they were still in mourning, their days were filled with increasing sweetness.

Lady Shen, too, had more smiles on her face, her temperament more lively. She was no longer repressing her feelings and putting up with it.

In fact, she occasionally got upset or had little spats with Wu Zhongbao, making him focus wholly on her, unable to be away even for a day.

No matter how late he returned from the horse farm, he had to come back to hold Lady Shen to sleep.

Seeing the young couple living like they were in sweet harmony, Lady Wu’s heart was filled with joy. If things continued this way, after the mourning period, the family might soon have happy news.

It was because Lady Shen accidentally let it slip, mentioning Old Granny Zhang’s advice and the wisdom she imparted, that she finally woke up to reality.

Since Wu Zhongbao couldn’t thank her in person, Lady Wu went to express their gratitude.

Old Granny Zhang waved it off, saying that given the relationship between the families, it was only right, so there was no need for such formality.

In her heart, she felt relieved. Lady Shen was indeed smart and capable. Once she figured it out, she understood what truly mattered.

Such outcomes were welcome, with Wu Zhongbao and his wife both earnestly attending to their daughter and son-in-law’s needs, rather than overreaching.

Speaking of her daughter, counting the days, the Imperial Noble Consort should be due for delivery soon in the palace. She wondered how things were going.

At this moment, Wang Yongzhu and the Imperial Noble Consort, who were on Old Granny Zhang’s mind, were going through one of the most challenging times of their lives.

In recent days, the troubling news about the fetus in the Imperial Noble Consort’s womb had secretly spread among the elite circles of Capital City.

Initially, those who envied and were jealous of the Duke Weiguo Residence and Wang Yongzhu, are now eagerly waiting to watch the spectacle unfold.

The palace appears calm for now, though the Imperial Physician and midwives, after coming up with a plan, implemented it just for some peace of mind. Whether it’s effective or not is unknown, akin to trying to save a dead horse as if it were alive.

The consorts in the palace have harbored jealousy towards the Imperial Noble Consort for many years; otherwise, they wouldn’t have targeted the child in her womb initially.

Now knowing that even without intervention, the mother and child won’t survive for long, everyone is happy to play the saint.

More people are eyeing the palace power she holds after the Imperial Noble Consort’s demise.

For a while, there was much intrigue and contention, leaving the Changchun Palace as the only place of tranquility.

The Emperor’s thoughts are unknown; logically, the Imperial Noble Consort, in this state, could have been discarded. Yet, perhaps due to genuine fondness or ulterior motives, he visits the Changchun Palace every two or three days.

Due to this, and with palace power still in the Imperial Noble Consort’s hands, the Ministry of Internal Affairs dares not slack off, maintaining unchanged support for the Changchun Palace.

Song Hong’s thoughts are also unknown. Ever since his last outburst of anger, he has remained quiet. As he stays in the front courtyard and with Wang Yongzhu coming and going early and late, they hardly ever meet, which seems manageable.

Over on Lady Gao’s side, a few days after recovering, she found an excuse to punish Concubine Hou and Little Lady Hou.

Because of this, Little Lady Hou harbored even more hatred towards Wang Yongzhu, using the end-of-year as an excuse, she returned to her family several times.

In the Duke Weiguo Residence, the concubines and Song Hong’s other children became aware of Wang Yongzhu’s current plight, realizing how difficult it truly is.

The male heirs remain unbothered, thinking that Wang Yongzhu deserves her plight if it troubles her elder brother Song Chongjin, much to their delight.

However, Song Chongjuan and her sister, along with Lady Meng, are in a panic, having aligned themselves with Wang Yongzhu. What now?

They were filled with anxiety, wanting to seek Wang Yongzhu for answers, but she was elusive, departing early and returning late.

Attempts to gather information from Bai Su were unsuccessful, as Bai Su easily deflected their inquiries in a few words.

So they had to slowly devise their plans without mentioning it further.

As New Year’s Eve approached, all eyes in the Capital City turned towards Changchun Palace, inside and outside the palace, counting the days, anticipating the labor of the Imperial Noble Consort.

By the twenty-ninth day of December, the Imperial Noble Consort became inseparable from Wang Yongzhu. However, this day was not ideal for keeping her in the palace; after all, wouldn’t it be fitting for her to have a reunion dinner at home?

It was a suitable arrangement, but early on New Year’s Eve, the Imperial Noble Consort experienced a show of red.

There was no time to worry; a swarm of people hurriedly emerged from the palace, heading straight for the Duke Weiguo Residence, causing a stir and directly dragging Wang Yongzhu and Bai Su into the palace.

Rushing to the Changchun Palace, the atmosphere was tense and heavy.

The Imperial Medical Bureau, even Du Zhongjing, had been summoned to stand by outside, while other physicians were waiting in an adjacent room.

The side hall had already been prepared, under Wang Yongzhu’s arrangements, as the delivery room.

The Imperial Noble Consort was already inside. Although the atmosphere was tense, things remained organized.

A continuous supply of hot water was being sent in, with seven or eight midwives making preparations.

Huai Cai and Little Luzi circled in front of the delivery room and upon seeing Wang Yongzhu arrive, hurriedly approached to greet her.

Wang Yongzhu first asked Huai Cai about the Imperial Noble Consort’s condition, grasping the situation.

She removed her outer garments, changed into clothes boiled in hot water in an adjacent room, washed her hands with hot water, and wiped them with highly concentrated alcohol before heading to the side hall.

As she walked, she asked the palace maid accompanying her: "Did everyone entering the delivery room follow this procedure before going in?"

The palace maid was very astute: "Yes, the midwives and attendees all washed themselves, including their hair, under our supervision, changed into clothes boiled in hot water, and wiped their arms and fingernails carefully with alcohol before they were allowed to enter."

Wang Yongzhu nodded, entering the side hall, where she saw the Imperial Noble Consort gritting her teeth, eating a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

Her complexion looked fine, and upon checking her pulse, it seemed early.

After the Imperial Noble Consort finished eating, she helped her up: "Madam, get up and walk around a bit; this will help the cervix to dilate more quickly and make the delivery easier!"

The Imperial Noble Consort was experiencing intermittent abdominal pain but knew this moment was unlike any other, gritting her teeth as she was helped by Wang Yongzhu to circle the room.

The midwives stood by, not daring to make any noise.

It wasn’t until the evening approached that the Imperial Noble Consort’s labor pains grew more frequent. A seasoned midwife stepped forward to examine her, nodding: "It’s about time; help the Madam lie down—"