In his letter, Lu Guanyi also told Ye Yaming to rest assured and stay in Lin’an for her delivery. With her family and Madam Qi taking care of her, he would be more at ease with her giving birth in Lin’an.

He also mentioned that he had written to the Crown Prince, asking him to send an experienced Imperial Physician and a renowned midwife from the Capital to Lin’an to look after Ye Yaming.

Even without him saying so, Ye Yaming had no intention of returning to the Capital. With her large belly, bouncing on the road for several days would be risky—if she went into labor on the journey, it would truly be a desperate situation with no help available.

Not only did she have no one or anything to concern herself with in the Capital, but even if the Emperor ordered her to return, she would find ways to have the order rescinded.

However, she was pleased about Lu Guanyi arranging for the Imperial Physician and midwife to come.

Women naturally tend to worry during pregnancy. With the delivery approaching, especially in ancient times with such poor medical conditions, childbirth was like walking through the gates of hell. Having two more skilled professionals by her side would give her some peace of mind.

She was cradling her belly and reclining on the soft couch, digesting the contents of Lu Guanyi’s letter, when a maid came in to report, “Madam Qi has arrived.”

“Please invite her in,” Ye Yaming said.

She was about to get up when Madam Qi entered, saying repeatedly, “Don’t move, don’t move, just stay as you are.”

Ye Yaming had only intended to make a show of rising, and hearing Madam Qi’s words, she unabashedly reclined back again.

Mainly because her belly was so large that sitting or lying down was uncomfortable.

Madam Qi sat down on a chair nearby and said to Ye Yaming, “I’ve brought Doctor Deng with me to check your pulse.”

Doctor Deng was an elderly physician from Huichun Hall, nearly sixty years old, with considerable experience in obstetrics and gynecology. Since Ye Yaming’s return to Lin’an, Zhang Ning had stepped back, letting Doctor Deng take responsibility for her care. For the past few months, it had been Doctor Deng who regularly checked on Ye Yaming’s condition.

Ye Yaming nodded, “Good.”

With the maid’s support, she sat up straight and adjusted her clothing.

Madam Qi frequently brought the doctor to check on Ye Yaming, and the maids were well accustomed to the routine.

Zi Yuan skillfully placed a pulse cushion beside Ye Yaming’s hand, while Qing Zhi brought over a small tea table to place next to the couch, along with a stool for the doctor to sit on.

This way, Ye Yaming wouldn’t need to move to a chair but could remain on the couch for the examination.

Madam Qi gestured outside, and shortly after, a maid led Doctor Deng in.

Doctor Deng entered, cupped his hands in greeting, then sat down and began checking Ye Yaming’s pulse.

“How is she?” Madam Qi asked anxiously as she saw him finish.

“The madam’s body is very good, and both children are healthy,” Doctor Deng said.

Yes, as Ye Yaming’s pregnancy progressed, experienced physicians could tell through pulse diagnosis that she was carrying twins.

Those situations where a second baby is discovered only after the first is born would not happen in Ye Yaming’s case.

Therefore, Ye Yaming’s belly was larger than most. At four or five months, it wasn’t too bad, but as the months increased, her movements became increasingly difficult.

Fortunately, although she needed to oversee the production of black tea, she didn’t need to do the work herself. She only needed to check whether the tea masters were following standard procedures and had samples brought to her for inspection.

Having the strong Qing Zhi support her for slow walks was beneficial for her health.

In early June, when the babies were seven months along and the weather grew warmer, she returned to the Lu Manor. Tea samples were sent from the factory for her inspection, and she would listen to reports—her daily affairs were quite minimal.

Normally, apart from eating and sleeping, she would have Qing Zhi support her for walks around the manor.

After the pre-Ming Festival, tea production was completed, and Ye Hongsheng went to the Capital. Madam Yin had wanted to stay behind to care for Ye Yaming, but Ye Yaming felt her presence wouldn’t be very helpful. Madam Yin would occasionally nag, forcing Ye Yaming to exert energy dealing with her, so she firmly insisted that Madam Yin go to the Capital.

Ye’s Old Madam had also wanted to move in to take care of her, but was likewise refused by Ye Yaming.

The Lu Manor was right next to the Prefecture Office, not far from the Ye residence, and even closer to Huichun Hall. If anything happened, Madam Qi, Ye’s Old Madam, and the doctor could arrive quickly. There was no need for so many people hovering around her.

Hearing Doctor Deng’s report, Madam Qi was relieved but still asked Ye Yaming, “Is there anything uncomfortable for you?”

Ye Yaming gave a bitter smile: “There are many discomforts, but that’s normal in late pregnancy, especially carrying twins.”

Frequent urination aside, whether sitting or lying down was uncomfortable, and at night she couldn’t sleep well, waking up countless times. This era had no calcium supplements, and though she was careful to eat calcium-rich foods like shrimp shells and milk daily, her legs would still cramp at night.

She had mentioned these symptoms to Doctor Deng, but he had no solution. Even if he wanted to prescribe medicine for Ye Yaming, she wouldn’t dare take it.

All medicine has some toxicity—who knew what effect it might have on the fetuses?

Doctor Deng nodded: “These are all normal. If nothing else, madam’s mentality is first-rate.”

Ye Yaming was the most worry-free pregnant woman he had ever seen. Many women who had given birth several times weren’t as knowledgeable as Ye Yaming, nor did they take such meticulous care of themselves.

Now Ye Yaming’s greatest concern was when she would deliver.

“Doctor Deng, when will I give birth?”

“Under normal circumstances, it should be mid-August, but twins often come earlier. There’s still a month to go, so you must be especially careful during this time. Try to carry to full term. If anything happens, send someone for me immediately,” Doctor Deng said.

Ye Yaming sighed.

Two babies competing for nutrition in the womb would naturally be lighter than normal babies at birth, so carrying to full term would make them easier to raise.

But for her, each day felt like a year, and she only wished she could deliver sooner.

Doctor Deng’s visit was well compensated by Madam Qi. He dutifully repeated the usual precautions, then was escorted out by Xu Zan.

“This last month is particularly crucial. Why don’t I move in to keep you company?” Madam Qi suggested, concerned.

“No need, no need,” Ye Yaming waved her hand. “It’s unnecessary. There are so many servants here, all attending to just me. What are you worried about? To be frank, if you came, I’d have to exert energy looking after you, worrying whether you’re eating and sleeping well here, and I’d have to gather my strength to keep you company in conversation. Even my grandmother and mother wanted to come stay with me, but I didn’t allow it.”

Just as she finished speaking, a maid came in to report: “Miss, the Madam has arrived.”

“Madam?” Ye Yaming asked, puzzled.

If it were Madam Tao, the maid would have called her “First Madam.” Without a prefix, it could only be Madam Yin. But Madam Yin was in the Capital.

“Yes, Madam has returned from the Capital.”

“Oh, don’t move,” Madam Qi held Ye Yaming back, turning to the maid, “Quickly, invite her in.”