For women, childbirth is truly a life-or-death threshold—this saying is true.
After two rounds of dominoes, Gu Jinchao began feeling discomfort in her abdomen.
She had Cai Fu support her to the privy to check, where she discovered she was already spotting blood. Cai Fu was frightened.
Gu Jinchao remained quite calm, having given birth before. She had Cai Fu help her back out, where she sat in the grand master chair, breathing heavily. The tightening pain in her lower abdomen had already begun coming in waves, though not yet intense.
Qin Madam was startled when she saw her return and hurriedly discarded her dominoes to approach: “Third Sister-in-law, are you…?”
“First take me back to Osmanthus Hall,” Gu Jinchao gripped Qin Madam’s hand with considerable force. “I believe labor has begun.”
The east wing room of Osmanthus Hall had already been prepared as a birthing chamber.
Qin Madam quickly had a soft sedan chair readied to carry Gu Jinchao back to Osmanthus Hall. She then hurriedly sent someone to inform Old Madam Chen, while she rushed to Osmanthus Hall.
It wasn’t that she was particularly concerned about Gu Jinchao, but rather that she couldn’t avoid watching over her.
Gu Jinchao had suddenly gone into labor while playing dominoes at her instigation. When Old Madam Chen inquired about the situation later, she would certainly be reprimanded… Moreover, since this happened at the Second House, she couldn’t simply ignore it.
The maids helped Gu Jinchao to sit down in the east wing room, where the pain wasn’t yet too severe.
Mama Sun had already hurried over, instructing the servants to brew ginseng soup and boil water, while encouraging Gu Jinchao to walk around slowly.
Two midwives had also arrived. By now, Gu Jinchao was in considerable pain and had lain down on the bed.
The midwives assessed her condition and came out to report to Old Madam Chen and Qin Madam: “…Generally, those whose water breaks quickly also deliver. Third Madam is already spotting blood, but her water hasn’t broken yet. I’m afraid it will still take some time to deliver, and she’ll need to take labor-inducing medicine.”
The labor-inducing decoction had already been prepared. Yu Zhu hurriedly brought it in for Gu Jinchao to drink.
Old Madam Chen was very prudent, asking Zheng Mama several times: “Has Third Son returned yet?”
Zheng Mama quickly replied: “Third Master went out with the Duke. Don’t worry, he’ll be back soon.”
Qin Madam pulled Old Madam Chen to sit down: “Mother, your worrying won’t help. Third Sister-in-law has midwives attending to her… nothing will go wrong.”
Old Madam Chen shook her head: “I can’t sit still!” Then she scolded Qin Madam, “You shouldn’t have had your Third Sister-in-law playing dominoes!”
Qin Madam’s face stiffened, her smile becoming awkward.
How could she have known Gu Jinchao would go into labor now? Besides, playing dominoes was hardly strenuous…
“I didn’t think of that… Mother, the female guests are still waiting there. Perhaps I should go look after that side,” Qin Madam suggested.
There were still many distinguished guests at the Second House, and it would be discourteous to leave them without someone in charge.
Old Madam Chen nodded, permitting her to go.
Qin Madam breathed a sigh of relief. It was better not to stay here watching over Gu Jinchao.
After a while, Old Madam Chen called Zheng Mama over again: “Go invite Doctor Ji to come.”
Zheng Mama was startled.
During a woman’s childbirth, midwives always attended—what was the need for a doctor?
Old Madam Chen, however, recalled the midwife’s words and kept muttering: “Just in case there’s any emergency…”
Chen Third Master was with Chang Hai at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant.
Chang Hai had invited him for drinks and to discuss business.
Looking down through the carved red-lacquered window, there was a platform about three feet high where a delicately beautiful young woman was playing the pipa. The Drunken Immortal was a famous restaurant in the capital, renowned for its Fen wine and Huadiao wine. Many nobles and wealthy gentry held banquets here.
“Is this where Zuo Hede beat someone to death?” Chang Hai sneered. “Does that man have a pig’s brain?”
Chen Third Master beckoned him back: “He was framed. His drink was drugged. He doesn’t even remember what was said.”
Chang Hai, with half his body hanging out the window, ignored Chen Third Master and laughed: “I hear this pipa player is the famous performer Ye Susu. Normally, one must offer a hundred gold pieces just to see her. Surprising that she would come here to play the pipa… Look at those sitting below, how many are her admirers? It’s curious—she’s not exceptionally beautiful, so why do so many adore her?”
Chen Third Master asked: “Duke, didn’t you invite me to discuss business?”
Chang Hai reluctantly withdrew: “Setting that aside, she does play the pipa superbly. How did the Hermit of Fragrant Mountain put it? ‘Between the breaks, oriole’s song beneath flowers glides, mournfully the spring flows beneath the ice—hard to convey.’ Icy water is cold and astringent, strings congealed and broken, broken without passage, sound briefly pauses… Truly evocative!”
“It’s ‘mournfully the spring flows beneath the ice—hard to convey,'” Chen Third Master corrected helplessly.
Chang Hai grinned and picked up the wine pot: “Fine! I admit my ignorance. I won’t try to show off my learning before you. After all, those of us with titles rely on our ancestors’ shadows to live our days. We’re just drifting through life, not needing to take the imperial examinations.”
He shook his head: “Anyway, let’s talk business. Are you going to recommend Fu An for Minister of War?”
Chen Third Master affirmed with a grunt: “It should be mostly decided. You and I are on good terms. Even if Fu An isn’t one of our people, at least he’s harmless. Besides, considering seniority, he’s most suitable. During the Qinghai Rebellion, his military reputation was formidable in the region, no less than Zhao Huai’s. He just wasn’t as fortunate as Zhao Huai; otherwise, he wouldn’t be confined to the position of Vice Minister now.”
Chang Hai smiled: “Those who align with my Chang family will always be suppressed by civil officials. Zhao Huai is indeed clever, always keeping to himself.”
He patted Chen Third Master’s shoulder: “Among those of us playing for high stakes, you’re the most meticulous thinker. No one can outmaneuver you. I just want to ask, do you plan to remain subordinate to Zhang Julian? Though that old man was once your teacher, his character is poor—I don’t trust him! I sincerely call you Academician Chen. If there’s anything you need, just command me.”
Chen Third Master smiled faintly: “Aren’t you afraid of eavesdroppers? Let’s leave it at that; I’ll pretend I didn’t hear.”
Chang Hai grew somewhat agitated: “Your character is still somewhat like Old Master Chen’s, too rigid! I tell you, don’t take this respect for teachers too seriously…”
Chen Yan’yun interrupted him: “Don’t you want to listen to the pipa anymore?”
“Let’s forget it. I don’t enjoy listening to the pipa after all,” Chang Hai grabbed some roasted peanuts from a dish, crunching them loudly.
“I’d like to sample Miss Ye’s charms. If you have time, you should join me. You’re an upright official, untainted by corruption. If you want to spend a night with someone… I’ll cover the expense.” Chang Hai raised his eyebrows with a smile. He had recently profited handsomely from an iron mine venture with the Marquis of Yongyang.
“I am a practitioner who must observe the five precepts,” Chen Yan’yun declined with a shake of his head.
Seeing the Buddhist prayer beads hidden in his sleeve, Chang Hai snorted: “I think it’s not that you need to observe the five precepts, but that your wife is too formidable! I hear your three concubines no longer serve you? No personal maids either, handling everything yourself?”
Chen Yan’yun raised his eyes: “Who told you that?”
Chang Hai felt a chill down his spine and shrank his neck: “My mother told me… Recently I took a mistress, and when I brought her home, my mother and Madam Jiang wailed and cried. My mother used you as an example to lecture me! But I say, no matter how beautiful a woman is, you can’t stay with just one, can you? Wouldn’t you get bored quickly…?”
Chen Yan’yun simply drank his tea without looking at him.
Chang Hai, seeing no response, lost interest. He called for the waiter to bring more dishes.
But accompanying the waiter was Chen Yi, panting and drenched in sweat.
Chang Hai exclaimed: “Are ghosts chasing you outside?”
Chen Yi waved his hand, then hurriedly bowed to Chen Third Master: “The Old Madam sent someone to inform you… the Madam has gone into labor and asks you to return immediately!”
Wasn’t it supposed to be a few more days?
Chen Yan’yun frowned, immediately standing to leave. He instructed Chen Yi to prepare the carriage. Hu Rong followed, carrying his cloak, as he was about to step out the door. Chang Hai stood up and asked: “She’s about to give birth?”
Chen Third Master grunted in affirmation, thinking of Gu Jinchao in labor, with no mind to deal with him. He casually said: “Please make yourself comfortable, Duke. I must go back first.”
Chang Hai couldn’t stop him. Remembering that Madam Jiang had gone to the Chen family today, he decided to follow and see what was happening.
Chen Third Master quickly left the Drunken Immortal Restaurant and promptly boarded his carriage.
…
The pain grew increasingly intense, and Gu Jinchao soon could barely endure it.
People said first deliveries were always difficult. In her previous life, when she gave birth to Lin’er, she had suffered for an entire day…
Preparing mentally was one thing, but facing the actual situation was another. She vaguely remembered that several hours had already passed, and the bedding beneath her was soaked. Cai Fu had given her another serving of ginseng soup, while the midwife reassured her: “Madam, it will be better after a short while of pain. Don’t be afraid. Try not to cry out despite the pain, endure as much as you can…”
In the eastern side room, midwives, servant women, and maids all attended to her.
Gu Jinchao nodded: “I understand… Has Third Master returned?”
Cai Fu quickly replied: “Someone has been sent to inform him. He should be back soon! This servant has placed people outside Osmanthus Hall to watch.”
Gu Jinchao closed her eyes again. It was good that he knew.
She grabbed the midwife’s hand and felt it was slick with sweat. These midwives were all experienced, and sweaty palms meant the situation wasn’t going smoothly. Although she knew the midwife wouldn’t say anything, Gu Jinchao still wanted to ask: “Is something… wrong?”
The midwife reassured her: “Don’t worry, everything is normal. The first child is always more difficult, but it gets easier afterward.”
Gu Jinchao forced a smile.
Whether or not things were proceeding smoothly, she had to believe they were.
The maids busily changed clean bedding and added a supporting pillow behind Gu Jinchao’s back. Soon, Yu Zhu brought in a second bowl of labor-inducing medicine.
After drinking the second bowl, the contractions became more frequent and intense.
The other midwife’s face showed signs of relief: “It’s opening… it’s opening! Madam, hold on, this opening is a good sign! The child will come out soon.”
Gu Jinchao could no longer hear her voice. She only felt pain—tearing, dropping sensations. Unable to scream, she could only grip the midwife’s hand tightly, teeth clenched. She could feel sweat streaming down her face.
Old Madam Chen was sitting outside the east wing room, counting prayer beads and reciting sutras for Gu Jinchao’s blessing. Hearing the midwife’s words, her heart lifted with joy—it was good that the birth was imminent!