Chapter 49: Childbirth
In Ningcheng, Jiang Chenghan was still unaware that Xie Huan had already met with Xie’s parents, and that Yan Jingshu’s background was exactly as he had guessed. Xie Huan was even now rushing toward Ningcheng once again.
The primary purpose of the Dowager Lady Yan’s visit was to care for Yan Jingshu during his pregnancy, which naturally meant she would be staying in Ningcheng for some time. However, while the Jiang family’s small courtyard was spacious enough for Jiang Chenghan, Yan Jingshu, and a few servants, adding the twenty or so people the Dowager Lady had brought made it far too crowded.
Leaving Yan Jingshu at home to talk with the Dowager Lady, Jiang Chenghan took advantage of the midday break to go out and scout the nearby area for vacant houses available for rent or sale.
Luck was on his side—less than five minutes after stepping out, he spotted a residential property with a "For Sale" wooden sign hanging on the gate.
Jiang Chenghan knocked on the door, and as it happened, someone was home. Eager to settle the matter quickly, he didn’t haggle much and bought the small courtyard at the seller’s asking price, with the only condition being that they vacate the premises that same day.
The seller, though surprised by Jiang Chenghan’s urgency, agreed readily since he paid without hesitation. After drafting the deed and arranging to finalize it at the county office in two days, Jiang Chenghan returned home.
The courtyard he bought was modest—a simple quadrangle with plain furnishings. It was intended only for the Dowager Lady’s entourage of coachmen and guards, while she herself, along with An Momo and a few personal maids, would stay at the Jiang residence, which was just barely spacious enough.
Back home, Jiang Chenghan informed Yan Jingshu and the Dowager Lady about the purchase. The Dowager Lady immediately instructed An Momo to arrange for the extra staff to move into the new courtyard, avoiding further crowding and chaos at home.
Because of this, lunch was served later than usual. After eating, Jiang Chenghan had no time to chat or accompany Yan Jingshu on a walk, hurrying instead to the Governor’s residence.
Though confident in his ability to care for Yan Jingshu, Jiang Chenghan felt much more at ease knowing the Dowager Lady was there to keep him company.
A few days later, the new recruits finally arrived in Ningcheng. Jiang Chenghan specifically requested the task of training them from Kou Shijun, intending to confront the fake Zhao Dali and see for himself the kind of person who had led to his downfall in his past life.
Just as Yan Jingshu had described, the fake Zhao Dali was a tall, lean man with an unremarkable appearance, his demeanor timid and uneasy—perfectly fitting the image of an inexperienced country bumpkin.
Had Yan Jingshu not sent people to monitor him, even Jiang Chenghan might not have noticed anything amiss. But now that he knew this man was an imposter, he couldn’t let it slide.
During training, Jiang Chenghan made sure to give the fake Zhao Dali "special attention." Though the man tried hard to conceal his skills and act like an ordinary recruit, Jiang Chenghan—adept in martial arts—quickly saw through the act. It wasn’t long before he confirmed that the fake Zhao Dali was trained in combat.
A skilled fighter, capable of disguise and endurance, yet posing as an ordinary recruit—only to become an elite archer two years later, joining Jiang Chenghan’s team on a special mission before betraying him with a fatal arrow. The entire squad was wiped out, and the mission failed.
Jiang Chenghan still didn’t know what that mission had been, but he had a growing suspicion that his past death was somehow connected to it.
From his interactions and surveillance, the fake Zhao Dali showed no recognition or hatred toward him. If he had, why go through such elaborate measures—assuming another’s identity, enlisting as a soldier—two years in advance?
Unable to determine whether the imposter was targeting him personally or had some other motive, Jiang Chenghan decided to bide his time, keeping him under surveillance in hopes of uncovering more clues.
With the fake Zhao Dali situation handled, Jiang Chenghan shifted his focus back to Yan Jingshu, now nearing his due date. Though the Dowager Lady’s presence was reassuring, Jiang Chenghan didn’t shirk his responsibilities.
Since shuang'er couldn’t breastfeed, and while animals milk or grain pastes were common among the poor, Jiang Chenghan refused to let his child go without proper nourishment. In addition to a midwife, he needed to find a wet nurse.
The Dowager Lady, unfamiliar with Ningcheng, left the task to Jiang Chenghan. Over half a month, he interviewed eight candidates before finally finding midwives and wet nurses who met her standards, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.
By the sixth month, the weather grew hotter by the day, and Yan Jingshu entered his ninth month of pregnancy—ready to give birth at any moment. Fortunately, Jiang Chenghan had everything prepared, waiting only for labor to begin.
But then news arrived: the old King of Bei Di had suddenly died, and the new king was none other than Prince Muto, the same man who had once led a failed attempt to kidnap Princess Chanya of Danu.
Having spent years in Ningcheng, Jiang Chenghan was well-acquainted with their northern neighbors. Unlike his predecessor, Muto was aggressive, unruly, and ruthless—evident from his reckless attempt to abduct the princess. Such a man wouldn’t remain peaceful for long.
Though Muto’s recent ascension meant internal strife as he consolidated power, the border might stay quiet for now. But the future was uncertain, and precautions were necessary.
Kou Shijun’s troops were always well-trained and battle-ready, and a recent inspection of border garrisons ensured they could handle any immediate threat. For now, they simply needed to monitor the new king closely and report developments to the court.
This, however, was Kou Shijun’s responsibility, leaving Jiang Chenghan free to focus elsewhere.
After discussions concluded, Kou Shijun dismissed everyone. As it was time to leave, Jiang Chenghan headed to the stables to retrieve his horse.
But before he could take more than a few steps, a soldier hurried over, informing him that a servant from his household was at the Governor’s residence, reporting an urgent matter and requesting his immediate return.
Jiang Chenghan instantly knew—Yan Jingshu had gone into labor. Without delay, he mounted his horse and raced home.
As if by fate, just as he arrived at his doorstep, Xie Huan—dusty from travel—reappeared at the Jiang residence.
But Jiang Chenghan had no time to discuss Yan Jingshu’s origins. After a hurried greeting of "Uncle," he told Xie Huan that Yan Jingshu was about to give birth.
Xie Huan, stunned, pushed aside his tangled thoughts and followed Jiang Chenghan inside without another word.
Yan Jingshu was already in the prepared delivery room. The Dowager Lady had summoned both a midwife and a physician, leaving nothing for Jiang Chenghan to do.
Though he had long braced for this moment, anxiety still gripped him. Before Yan Jingshu even showed signs of distress, Jiang Chenghan was drenched in sweat.
The summer heat made the delivery room stifling, and with Jiang Chenghan, the midwife, and maids already inside, the Dowager Lady and Xie Huan waited outside despite their concern.
From daylight to darkness, and through the night until dawn, after hours of labor, a loud cry pierced the air—Yan Jingshu had safely delivered a child, a tiny, delicate shuang'er.
The baby was so small, he could nearly fit in Jiang Chenghan’s two cupped hands, he was as soft as a cloud. Cradling the baby, Jiang Chenghan held his breath, afraid even an exhale might harm him.
"...Chenghan, Grandmother and Uncle are waiting outside. Take the baby to them," Yan Jingshu said weakly but contentedly, amused by Jiang Chenghan’s awestruck hesitation.
"Ah, right, they should see him." Jiang Chenghan nodded, then added, "Rest well. I’ll be back soon."
Yan Jingshu smiled. Overcome with tenderness, Jiang Chenghan kissed his forehead before carefully carrying the child out.
The Dowager Lady and Xie Huan rushed forward, their faces alight with joy at the sight of the newborn.
The Dowager Lady scolded Jiang Chenghan for his clumsy hold before taking the baby herself, cooing, "Great-grandson, my precious great-grandson," utterly enchanted.
Relieved—both to have the baby in safer hands and to avoid discomforting him—Jiang Chenghan noticed Xie Huan staring at the child, eyes reddened with emotion. He chose not to comment.
With the Dowager Lady in charge, Jiang Chenghan returned to the delivery room. Despite open windows, the scent of blood still hung in the air. Wrapping Yan Jingshu in a quilt, he carried him to their bedroom, where he could tend to him at night.
Once the physician confirmed both father and child were healthy, Jiang Chenghan paid the midwife and saw them out, leaving the cleanup to the servants.
Back in the bedroom, he found the Dowager Lady still cradling the baby by the bed while Xie Huan sat quietly nearby.
"...He’s perfect. Looks just like you did when you were born," the Dowager Lady murmured, though she reluctantly placed the swaddled infant beside Yan Jingshu when she noticed his longing glances.
Jiang Chenghan, entering just then, caught Xie Huan’s wistful, bittersweet gaze fixed on the baby.
"Have you two decided on a name yet?" the Dowager Lady suddenly asked.
Jiang Chenghan exchanged a smile with Yan Jingshu before answering, "Grandmother, we’ve thought of several names but couldn’t settle on one. But Jingshu thought that since Uncle is here—with his vast knowledge—he might choose a better name than we could."
The Dowager Lady was surprised but didn’t object. Though she disliked Xie’s parents, she bore no grudge against Xie Huan, who had done no wrong. If he still acknowledged Yan Jingshu, she would accept him as family.
Xie Huan, however, was stunned. "Y-You want me... to name him?"
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