Accompanied by the sound of flowing water, cheers rose from the villagers.
Ji Taoyu was bundled up thickly. He stood on tiptoe, watching the fields where bamboo pipes had been installed to channel water. Some terraced paddy fields had bamboo pipes placed in the highest field, with a notch opened so that water flowed from one field to another.
The sound of flowing water was everywhere, making it seem like the village after a heavy summer rain had just stopped.
The sunlight felt warm on his body.
After walking slowly for a few steps, Ji Taoyu felt warmth spreading through his feet. He had been staying indoors with very little movement these past days. Whenever he was away from hot water, his feet would always turn icy cold, and they were also somewhat swollen, which made him feel quite uncomfortable.
But now, coming outside to feel the breeze and take a few deep breaths of fresh air refreshed his mind and lifted his spirits.
In good spirits, he tugged at Huo Shu's sleeve and shook it. He was just about to suggest going up to take a look when, before he could speak, he suddenly felt a dull pain in his lower abdomen. His brows immediately furrowed.
"What's wrong?"
Huo Shu turned around and saw that Ji Taoyu's complexion didn't look right. He quickly supported him: "Are you feeling unwell? Let's go back now."
Ji Taoyu carefully tried to sense the feeling in his abdomen, but after that one sharp pain, it seemed to have vanished.
Just as he wondered if Xiao taohe had kicked him again, within moments, he clearly felt the same pain return.
"Let's... go back."
Ji Taoyu's breathing became rapid. His lower back began to ache sorely, and he felt a sense of heaviness and pressure.
"It feels like it's time."
Huo Shu's expression changed. Without another word, he swiftly scooped Ji Taoyu up into his arms. He ran towards home while reassuring the person in his arms: "Don't be afraid, it's alright. We'll be home soon."
"Grandfather didn't go up the mountain to gather herbs, everyone is home."
"Everything is prepared, nothing will go wrong."
Ji Taoyu endured the physical discomfort and pain. Huo Shu's voice kept ringing in his ears—he had never heard him talk so much before, like a nagging old scholar. He didn't know if Huo Shu was trying to comfort him or himself.
The villagers saw Huo Shu rushing home carrying Ji Taoyu and likely guessed something was wrong. They quickly ran to notify the Ji family and went to fetch the midwife to head to the main courtyard.
The originally quiet Ji family courtyard was thrown into chaos within less than a quarter of an hour.
Some were busy boiling water, others preparing medicine, some went in to check on Ji Taoyu, and others who heard the news later came rushing over...
Huo Shu placed Ji Taoyu on the bed in the delivery room. Before he could collect himself, Huang Manjing and the others asked him to leave.
He could only stand guard outside the door.
"How is it, how is it! Is Tao ger alright..."
Ji Xinshe ran frantically into the main courtyard. Seeing Huo Shu standing like a pillar by the door, he rushed over and blurted out his questions.
But when he saw the man who usually wore a stern expression now with brows furrowed so tightly they could crush a fly, his face darker than ever before, Ji Xinshe closed his mouth and swallowed his words.
He feared that if he said too much, this man might draw his sword regardless of the situation.
Ji Taoyu's painful moans continuously came from inside the room. The heavy atmosphere in the main courtyard felt like it was shrouded by dark clouds.
Each sound felt like fine needles pricking Huo Shu's heart.
His mind was somewhat dazed. Although he had repeatedly asked Huang Yinsheng about Ji Taoyu's physical condition to ensure he was well and had notified all the midwives in the village, and though he had made many arrangements to ensure Ji Taoyu's safety, now that the day had truly come, hearing Ji Taoyu's cries of pain filled him with unprecedented panic.
It suddenly felt like he was back in his youth when his archery was still unpolished, on his first solitary hunt in the wilderness. Beneath an expansive sky filled with stars, huddled by a meager campfire, he had been engulfed by bewilderment and a dread of the unknown.
But today, he felt that the fears of his youth were nothing compared to now. Back then, he feared because he was weak—yet weakness was still weakness, and at the very least, he had possessed the ability to fight back. Now, however, he had none. He could hear Ji Taoyu’s cries of suffering yet was completely powerless to intervene. It felt as though the most important thing, the person he cared for most deeply, was entirely in the hands of others, leaving him overwhelmed by a crushing sense of helplessness.
"A-Shu, don't worry, it's alright. It will be alright."
Yuan Huiru came out carrying water. Seeing Huo Shu standing exactly as he had been when asked to leave, her heart ached for him. She comforted him gently: "The midwife says Tao ger's fetal position is correct, which is good for delivery. Physician Huang has also prescribed medicine to aid the birth. It will go smoothly."
Huo Shu's brow twitched. He looked at Yuan Huiru, his mouth had long been dry and tasteless. His voice was hoarse: "But... but he's in so much pain."
Hearing Huo Shu's words, Yuan Huiru felt a sting in her nose at his tone, which almost sounded like he was admitting fault: "Don't be afraid. Godmother will go in and keep a good watch on Tao ger for you, alright?"
Huo Shu nodded numbly.
As time passed, everyone waiting in the courtyard grew increasingly concerned. They all knew about Ji Taoyu's physical condition. Even for healthy individuals, a prolonged labor was risky, let alone for Ji Taoyu.
Ji Yangzong fidgeted relentlessly, unable to sit or stand still. His gaze remained fixed on the door of the delivery room, as though trying to see through it.
Several times, he thought about going over to speak with Huo Shu, but one look at the man’s grim, forbidding expression made him hold his tongue.
Villagers stopped by from time to time, quietly asking whether the baby had been born yet.
Everyone was extremely anxious.
They hadn't eaten lunch, and now it was time for dinner, yet no one mentioned hunger.
The tension lasted from broad daylight until stars filled the sky. The cry of an infant made everyone instinctively turn toward the delivery room.
Following a loud thud, the door seemed almost broken as Huo Shu stumbled and rushed into the room.
Thank you for the update!!
ReplyDelete