Someone fed her a bowl of sugar water, but she couldn’t taste any sweetness.

Jinchao was drenched in sweat from the pain, with maids constantly wiping her with handkerchiefs, yet there was no sign of the child coming.

She opened her eyes to look at the patterns on the ceiling canopy, breathing heavily. The midwife continued to comfort her while maids bustled in and out with hot water, the room filled with activity.

Cai Fu came in and held her hand: “…Madam, the Third Master has returned and is waiting outside!”

Jinchao gripped her hand in return, her nails unconsciously digging into Cai Fu’s hand. Cai Fu endured without a sound.

…

Yu Wanxue had also hurried over, and many people were already waiting outside the east wing room. Chen Xi was being held by her nanny, constantly peering toward the east wing room. Wang Madam and Ge Madam were also keeping watch nearby.

Chen Yan’yun had just returned, striding quickly toward the east wing room with a group of people following behind.

Old Madam Chen hurriedly went to meet him, grasping her son’s hand.

As long as her son was here, Old Madam Chen felt she had found her pillar of strength. With her son making decisions, nothing would go wrong.

She had breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Chen Third Master return.

Chen Yan’yun inquired about the entire situation—when labor had begun and the current state of affairs. When he heard that the delivery was difficult, his brows furrowed tightly and his tone deepened: “It’s common for first deliveries to be painful for a day or two. Why is she having such difficulty?”

Old Madam Chen sighed: “…The midwife says she can’t muster enough strength. Jinchao’s belly is too large, and the child is probably well-grown, making it difficult to deliver.” She added, “I sent someone to invite Doctor Ji, though I don’t know if it will help.”

Jinchao’s belly was indeed larger than usual, which had already concerned him…

Chen Yan’yun shook his head: “Inviting Doctor Ji may not help.” After silently deliberating for a moment, he turned to instruct Chen Yi: “Prepare a fast horse and immediately go to East Legation Quarter to invite Imperial Physician Guo.”

“Imperial Physician Guo specializes in women’s and children’s medicine. He attends to the imperial consorts during childbirth,” Chen Yan’yun explained to Old Madam Chen, then added, “Mother, you’ve been watching here for half a day, and it’s already getting dark. You should go rest. I’ll watch over things here; nothing will go wrong.”

Old Madam Chen shook her head with a bitter smile: “I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, and I’d still send people to check throughout the night. That would be too troublesome!”

Chen Yan’yun had no choice but to have a room prepared next to the eastern side room for Old Madam Chen to rest.

Her health had not been good lately, and given her advanced age, she might not withstand the strain.

After Old Madam Chen left, Jiang Yan lowered his voice: “Third Master, the Imperial Medical Academy and Imperial Pharmacy have always been controlled by the Marquis of Changxing… would Imperial Physician Guo take this opportunity to…”

The Imperial Medical Academy had many mixed characters, which was why the Chen family normally avoided consulting imperial physicians for illnesses.

“At this point, I don’t care about any of that,” said Chen Third Master, his voice lowered, “If he dares to attempt anything underhanded, I will certainly not let him off. He should know what’s at stake.”

Jinchao had gone into labor at the Hour of the Snake in the morning, and now it was already the end of the Hour of the Rooster in the evening.

Chen Yan’yun stood outside the east wing room, where he could hear the activity inside—midwives talking, maids assisting, and Gu Jinchao’s groans of pain.

She must be in extreme pain; otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to endure it.

…The birthing room was unclean, so he couldn’t go in to accompany her. He wondered how she was doing now.

Chen Yan’yun took a deep breath and turned to wait in the study of the main hall.

Standing here listening to her voice, he couldn’t help wanting to go in and check on her. Jinchao was always stubborn and certainly wouldn’t want him to see her in such a state… though he very much wanted to be by her side.

When Ji Madam gave birth to her first child, he was still serving in the Crown Prince’s Household Department. Old Madam Chen had sent someone to inform him, but he was occupied with official duties and didn’t rush back immediately. By the time he returned, the child had already been born. Xue Concubine’s delivery had also gone smoothly, with Ji Madam bringing the child to show him.

Chen Yan’yun had copied one page of a Buddhist sutra when he heard the sound of a carriage outside.

Imperial Physician Guo had arrived.

He hadn’t been able to calm down, so he quickly put down his brush and went out.

Hearing that it was Academician Chen’s wife in labor, Imperial Physician Guo naturally wouldn’t dare be negligent and hurriedly brought his medical chest.

After learning of Gu Jinchao’s condition, Imperial Physician Guo prescribed a new labor-inducing medicine, repeatedly instructing: “Feed her another serving of ginseng soup, but the ginseng shouldn’t be too old—preferably about twenty years old—brewed strong for her to drink.”

Jiang Yan immediately took the prescription to Doctor Ji for verification and, confirming there were no issues, sent someone to prepare the medicine.

Chen Third Master asked him: “In your opinion, is there danger?”

Imperial Physician Guo was somewhat reluctant to answer: “This official cannot say for certain… it depends on the honored lady’s constitution. However, when the child is delayed in delivery, both mother and child are in grave danger. The cervix has already begun to dilate; if there’s no progress in the next three hours, then…” He dared not continue.

Chen Third Master closed his eyes briefly, then immediately walked toward the east wing room.

Gu Jinchao was given another dose of medicine.

She turned her head and asked the midwife: “…Didn’t it open earlier? What’s… the situation now?”

Her voice was much weaker than before.

The cervix had only opened slightly but wasn’t dilating further, and the baby hadn’t descended. Her lower abdomen was in such severe pain that she naturally had little strength left.

The midwife’s heart trembled upon hearing this but smiled and said: “Don’t worry, this medicine will help!”

Gu Jinchao no longer believed her words. She knew she had no strength left, which wasn’t a good sign.

She pressed her lips tightly together, suddenly feeling a surge of bitterness in her heart!

Even in her previous life, childbirth hadn’t been this difficult! She had finally achieved a stable and peaceful life, yet… could it be that heaven couldn’t bear to see her living well? Why was this child’s fate so fraught with obstacles? If something happened to her… the child might not survive either.

What would Chen Third Master do then?

If she died from difficult childbirth, would Chen Third Master also repeat the cycle, being harmed by others? Would the Chen family fall apart, with nothing changed from before…

Gu Jinchao had to command herself not to harbor such thoughts!

She should believe that everything would be fine, that she would be fine, and the child too… Though this was what she told herself, she couldn’t hold back her tears.

…

Chen Third Master waited another half-hour, but there was no significant change from the birthing room.

He finally stepped toward the birthing room.

Mama Sun, standing guard at the door, was startled and didn’t have time to stop him.

Gu Jinchao saw his tall figure enter, his face devoid of its usual smile, appearing extremely stern.

When he neither spoke nor smiled, he always inspired fear.

Gu Jinchao’s tears welled up again, and she said softly: “You should leave quickly! You… cannot… this place is inappropriate.”

“I know,” he comforted her in his usual gentle voice, “I’m here to accompany you.”

If the situation weren’t critical, he likely wouldn’t have been impulsive enough to come in to be with her.

Gu Jinchao’s heart sank further, and she tightly grasped his hand: “Is it… is it not good…” Before he could answer, Gu Jinchao hurriedly said, “Don’t… hide it from me! I want to know, Yan’yun…”

It was the first time she had called him by this name, but her voice sounded as if she was about to cry, “You must tell me!”

Chen Yan’yun gripped her hand in return, his throat constricted, and unable to speak.

After a long while, he finally calmed himself: “I am here, and even if things aren’t going well, nothing bad will happen.”

Gu Jinchao felt the sweat on his palm and couldn’t suppress the ache in her heart: “I… want to tell you. Chen Yan’yun, since marrying you, I’ve been very happy… I’ve never lived so well before. Previously, my life wasn’t good…”

After marrying Chen Third Master, these truly were the best days of her life. The regrets and downfalls of her previous life, the scheming, and struggles of this life… She had once kept her guard up too high. But now she depended on him, trusted him. She no longer had any defenses; if he were to hurt her in the future, she would be completely vulnerable.

Chen Third Master couldn’t speak. He bent down to kiss her face.

His voice was also hoarse: “I know all of that…”

Sometimes, he didn’t much like his character. Always has to restrain himself, and exercise self-control. When he was sad or angry, it never showed, but inside he was extremely repressed.

Now he had to maintain his composure, yet even his hands were trembling.

Had Gu Jinchao spoken to him like this under normal circumstances, he would certainly have been happy. Now, however, it felt unbearably heavy.

She choked up for a moment, enduring as a wave of pain passed, then continued: “…If something happens to me, you must remember… be careful of those close to you in the future… and don’t go to Sichuan. This is what the Bodhisattva told me in a dream, and I’ve always forgotten to tell you…”

In such a critical moment, she could only use a dream as an excuse.

“Alright, I won’t go,” Chen Third Master kissed her sweat-covered forehead, “Don’t think wild thoughts. Nothing will happen…”

Gu Jinchao felt she had said what needed to be said. She held his hand tightly, feeling reassured.

…If she truly couldn’t survive, at least she would die before him.

Cai Fu and the other maids already had tears brimming in their eyes but dared not cry out loud. They forcibly wiped their faces and, following Imperial Physician Guo’s instructions fed Jinchao another serving of ginseng soup…

Old Madam Chen sat on the bed wearing an outer garment, too worried to sleep.

Zheng Mama placed a candle holder on the kang table, and a maid brought in a plate of pine cakes.

Qin Madam and the others were extremely tired, yet no one suggested returning to rest. Qin Madam in particular was inwardly anxious… Everyone had heard Imperial Physician Guo’s words earlier and knew that Gu Jinchao’s delivery was dangerous.

In her heart, she both hoped Gu Jinchao would deliver the child and hoped she wouldn’t. If the child wasn’t born, she would inevitably be blamed during the final reckoning. But if the child was born, Gu Jinchao would have the child to rely on in the future, and the Gu family would truly not need her.

Yu Wanxue stared blankly at the flickering candle, thinking of Chen Xuanqing in distant Suning.

It’s difficult for others to truly empathize with someone else’s pain.

Ge Madam was sobbing, but after being severely reprimanded by Old Madam Chen, she didn’t even dare to let her tears fall.

Wang Madam rose to distribute pine cakes to everyone, but Old Madam Chen waved her hand and sighed: “Forget it, you all eat…” She was truly worried about Gu Jinchao.

Speaking of emotional bonds, Gu Jinchao had been married to the Chen family for such a short time that their connection wasn’t deep. Old Madam Chen was concerned for her third son. His life had not been smooth—as a child, he had been closest to his fifth brother, who had drowned in an accident. When he first entered the Crown Prince’s Household Department, his father was gravely ill. By the time he achieved success and fame, Ji Madam had already departed… Others only saw his high position, not knowing what he had experienced to reach his current status.

In the room, only the sound of the water clock’s dripping could be heard, making the time seem long and desolate.

Outside, there was finally a commotion. Old Madam Chen sat up straight. Soon, a maid came running to report: “To inform the Old Madam, the Madam’s cervix has continued to dilate, and the midwife is delivering the baby now. There’s no major problem!”

Old Madam Chen was delighted and quickly beckoned, “Help me up!” Everyone became excited, with both laughter and tears. Maids helped her put on her shoes, and everyone walked together toward the east wing room.

By the Hour of the Rabbit, Gu Jinchao had given birth to a seven-pound baby boy.