Chapter 136
Zhou Xiangjun and Chen Xinlian arrived after Shen Yaoqing stopped by their house to deliver the news. The moment they entered, Wei Lanxiang urgently sent Zhou Xiangjun to fetch women who had experience with childbirth. She didn’t dare leave Ji Qiuyue’s side, keeping a watchful eye over her as she rested on the bed
Most villagers were out working in the fields, and since Zhou Xiangjun couldn’t run quickly himself, he asked Shen Yuping to call for help. Soon, Quanzi’s fulang and Da Chen’s wife arrived, filling the house with chatter. Guaizi barked twice but was ignored. Sensing the tense atmosphere, the dog began pacing restlessly in the yard.
These women had been summoned to support Ji Qiuyue during labor, they were experienced mothers and fulangs who had witnessed childbirth before. Without needing instruction from Wei Lanxiang, they took charge, shooing Lu Gu and Shen Yan out of the room. An unmarried girl like Shen Yan had no place there during such a moment.
A woman in labor couldn’t exert much force lying on a high bed, so most squatted or sat on the ground. Someone needed to hold Ji Qiuyue from behind, providing support. Quanzi’s fulang, being strong, carried the large wooden basin into the room alone so Ji Qiuyue could sit on it, making it easier for the midwife to assist when she arrived.
Shen Yaoqing had bought the basin himself. Ji Qiuyue’s family wasn’t poor, but they couldn’t afford such a dowry. Most village women gave birth on straw piles, which was why childbirth was often called "falling on straw."
Wealthier families in town used large basins, which were cleaner and more comfortable. Knowing they had a little extra money this year, Shen Yaoqing had arranged for one.
Shen Xuanqing carried firewood into the kitchen to boil water and lit the clay stove. Lu Gu brought two pairs of scissors inside to sterilize once the water was ready. The half-eaten steamed bun he’d bitten into earlier lay forgotten on the windowsill, his mind was wholly occupied with the impending birth.
"The water vat’s running low. I’ll fetch more buckets. Keep the fire going here," Shen Xuanqing said, picking up a wooden bucket. They needed plenty of hot water, and he worried they might run out.
Lu Gu nodded. "Alright, go ahead."
Concerned they might need hot water urgently, he piled more firewood into the stove, stoking the flames until they roared, mirroring the urgency in his heart.
"Why isn’t Daqing back yet?" Wei Lanxiang’s anxious voice made Lu Gu wish Shen Yaoqing would return sooner. Unable to sit still, he checked the clay stove outside and added more firewood to keep the fire strong.
The window in Ji Qiuyue’s room was tightly shut, blocking any view inside. Only those who had experienced childbirth were allowed in, so Lu Gu and others waited outside. Chen Xinlian and Shen Yan rummaged for clean cloth towels and brought out two wooden basins, ready for use once the water was hot.
By the time Shen Yaoqing returned with the midwife on his back, Ji Qiuyue had already cried out in pain several times, each scream tightening the tension in the air. The hot water was ready, and Sister-in-law Ajin hurried in and out with a basin of it.
Once the midwife entered, only Shen Yaoqing was allowed near the door. Fortunately, they had enough helpers. Ji Qiuyue’s cries subsided as the midwife’s firm voice instructed her to save her strength and push.
Shen Yaoqing paced outside the door, his face paling with every scream from inside. Lu Gu kept boiling water in the kitchen. Childbirth was a matter of life and death, and even the usually composed Shen Xuanqing grew restless.
With Shen Yan and Chen Xinlian in the kitchen, he couldn’t go in to see Lu Gu. Instead, he wandered the yard with his hands behind his back, Guaizi trailing him aimlessly. Shen Yaoqing, unable to bear the tension, stepped away from the door, looking shaken. Shen Xuanqing went over to comfort him.
The midwife and the experienced women managed the delivery. Wei Lanxiang couldn’t help directly but stayed inside, murmuring prayers for protection. Basins of hot water were carried in and out, now tinged with blood. Even Shen Xuanqing who was accustomed to hunting, paled at the sight.
This was the family’s first child. In most families, men wouldn’t be allowed near during childbirth. Seeing so much blood for the first time was undeniably frightening. Shen Yaoqing began chanting "Amitabha Buddha" under his breath.
Time dragged on until the sun dipped westward. Amid the clamor, a baby’s cry finally rang out. Shen Xuanqing froze for a moment before realizing, it was born.
Congratulatory voices spilled from the room. Wei Lanxiang shouted through the window, "A healthy boy! Mother and child are safe!"
"Congratulations, elder brother," Shen Xuanqing said with a smile.
Shen Yaoqing wiped sweat from his face, then his eyes, before rushing to the door. He couldn’t enter yet, the room was still being cleaned, but the midwife would bring the baby out for him to see.
After a brief wait, the midwife emerged, the baby swaddled in cloth. "Congratulations, a precious son," she said, beaming.
Shen Yaoqing pressed a red cloth bundle, money prepared days ago, into her hands. "Thank you, Granny."
"No need, no need," the midwife replied, her smile widening. "The baby shouldn’t stay outside long. I’ll return him to the bed, he’ll need feeding soon." With that, she carried the baby back inside.
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