On the sixteenth day of the eighth month, Ye Yaming had just finished breakfast and was being helped by her maids to walk slowly along the corridor when she felt pain in her abdomen.

She gripped Bai Rui’s hand tightly and said, “I think I’m going into labor.”

Bai Rui took a deep breath and said calmly, “Don’t worry, Miss. Let me help you to the delivery room.”

The east wing was originally for Lu Guanyi’s use, but since he never had time to stay there, Ye Yaming had straightforwardly converted the southernmost room of the east wing into a delivery room. Though the items inside couldn’t achieve sterility, they had reached the limit of what was possible under current conditions.

Concerned that she might go into labor, Nanny Xia and several maids had been by her side day and night for the past half month, ready to assist at any moment.

Nanny Xia had mentally rehearsed Ye Yaming’s labor situation many times.

Now she calmly instructed, “Zi Yuan and Qing Zhi, go wash your hands and change your clothes, then bring the mistress’s clothes to the delivery room to help her change. Hong Ye, Lan Ling, and Cheng Man, go call for people.”

“Yes,” everyone immediately sprang into action.

Because Ye Yaming could go into labor at any time, Ye’s Old Madam, Madam Yin, as well as Doctor Deng and three midwives, had been staying at the Lu Manor for the past ten days.

By the time the maids had helped Ye Yaming change her clothes and lie down in the delivery room, everyone had arrived.

Some days earlier, Ye Yaming had held a meeting with the midwives, emphasizing the importance of hygiene, insisting they trim their nails beforehand, change into protective gowns before entering, wash their hands with soap, and wash their hands again after touching other objects.

Since she had given the midwives generous gifts before making these requests and promised substantial rewards if she delivered safely, and the midwives had witnessed the Ye family’s wealth and generosity over this period, they naturally agreed to everything.

These midwives were well-regarded and had some understanding of hygiene, so they didn’t feel Ye Yaming was being unreasonable.

When the three midwives entered, Qing Zhi gave them pale blue gowns to wear and matching caps for their heads—ancient people considered pure white inauspicious, so Ye Yaming had chosen pale blue instead.

After donning the gowns and washing their hands, Midwife Wu, the most skilled at delivering babies, began examining Ye Yaming.

“This is your first birth, so it won’t be that quick. But the baby’s position is good, so don’t worry. Now, follow my instructions on how to push.”

The babies had descended into the pelvis two days earlier, and all three midwives had checked the position, which was favorable. Otherwise, Midwife Wu would have corrected it manually days ago.

In modern times, Ye Yaming had once attended her close friend’s delivery and heard the doctor instructing on breathing and pushing, and phrases like “dilated by several centimeters” while standing by the hospital bed.

Now Ye Yaming tried to remain calm, following Midwife Wu’s breathing guidance. But when the contractions came, all her composure, dignity, and experience vanished.

The pain was excruciating, unlike anything she had ever experienced, as if her soul was being torn apart.

Madam Yin, concerned, had insisted on staying with her daughter. Seeing Ye Yaming desperately trying to endure, she couldn’t help saying, “Go ahead and cry out. Just scream—it will hurt less if you do.”

Ye Yaming didn’t want to scream, feeling it wouldn’t help and would only waste energy. But hearing Madam Yin’s words, she finally let out a cry.

Yet the tearing pain remained undiminished.

After one bout of pain finally eased, a bowl of brown sugar fermented rice balls was passed in from outside, and Ye’s Old Madam’s voice came through: “Eat something to give you strength for delivery.”

Ye Yaming: “…” She had just eaten breakfast!

Bai Rui held it to her mouth, and she still managed to take a couple of bites.

But even her favorite fermented rice balls couldn’t save her. Before long, the pain returned, this time even more intense than before.

“Aah!” Ye Yaming screamed.

When one wave of pain finally passed, she grabbed the midwife’s hand and asked, “How much longer will it hurt?”

“Soon, soon. You’re dilated by two fingers now,” the midwife consoled her.

For a first birth like this, laboring from morning until evening was normal. Moreover, Ye Yaming was carrying twins, which would take even longer.

But the midwives understood the psychology of women in labor well. They knew that telling a woman in labor that it would take too long would make her despair, so they always said “soon.”

This “soon” was indeed just the beginning. As the pain continued, Ye Yaming became numb to it, only hoping for time to pass quickly and end this torture.

“Ming’er…”

Suddenly, a familiar male voice sounded in her ear, and a rough hand brushed aside the sweat-soaked hair on her forehead.

Ye Yaming opened her eyes to see a bearded man’s face. If not for his familiar eyes and brows, she wouldn’t have recognized him.

“Ming’er, I’m back,” Lu Guanyi said again. “Don’t be afraid, I’m by your side.” He grasped Ye Yaming’s hand.

“Get out! Ming’er, please tell him to leave,” Madam Yin anxiously urged from the side.

The delivery room was considered a place of blood and inauspicious; men were traditionally not allowed to enter. She hadn’t expected that Ye’s Old Madam and Madam Qi outside hadn’t stopped Lu Guanyi, allowing him to burst in.

Ye Yaming naturally knew this belief but didn’t subscribe to it. In modern times, husbands were even encouraged to accompany their wives in the delivery room. Witnessing their wives’ suffering during childbirth made husbands more caring and reduced the likelihood of becoming unfaithful.

But now she was in too much pain to oppose social customs. Moreover, Lu Guanyi was a frontier commander living a life on the edge of danger. And having been reincarnated herself, she had to give some credence to supernatural beliefs.

If something were to happen to Lu Guanyi on the battlefield, not only would others blame her, but she would wonder if his misfortune was caused by her actions today.

With a hoarse voice, she said, “Please go out.”

Lu Guanyi shook his head, saying firmly, “I’ll stay right here with you. Don’t be afraid. My warrior’s aura will keep away any evil spirits. You’ll deliver the children safely.”

Ye Yaming smiled and said softly, “All right.”

Madam Yin had always been unable to persuade Ye Yaming and didn’t dare nag this son-in-law from an aristocratic family with his intimidating presence. She could only step outside briefly to explain to Madam Qi that Ye Yaming had tried but failed to persuade Lu Guanyi to leave.

Madam Qi had already tried to stop Lu Guanyi when he dismounted and tried to rush into the delivery room, citing both taboos and concerns that his uncleanliness would make Ye Yaming and the babies ill. As a result, Lu Guanyi had thoroughly washed himself, put on a protective gown and cap, and still insisted on entering. There was no dissuading him.

She sighed resignedly, “Let him be. That stubborn temperament—who knows where he gets it from?”

Whether it was because the birth canal had finally dilated enough after such a long labor, or because the baby inside was worried that tormenting its mother too long would earn a spanking from its father, less than half an hour after Lu Guanyi’s arrival, a loud cry broke the silence of the room.

“Congratulations! Congratulations to the Young Master and Young Mistress! It’s a little young master,” the midwife repeated joyfully.

Madam Yin wept with joy.

Watching her daughter give birth had been even more distressing than when she had given birth years ago. She had long since stopped caring whether it was a boy or a girl, only hoping that her daughter would be safe.

But at this moment, hearing that Ye Yaming had given birth to a son, she cried with happiness.

The hardships she had endured in her life, her daughter would never have to suffer.