Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 454 Childbirth
Pei Yan stopped Shi Yan with a stiff face: "I went in just now, but my second sister-in-law chased me out. She said that it's not appropriate for too many people to go into the delivery room, and no one is allowed to go in anymore."

Even the usually good-natured Shi Yan got a little annoyed: "I'm the child's father, why can't I go into the delivery room? Get out of the way! I need to go in and be with Qinghe!"

Pei Yan glared at her and said, "I'll stay right here and keep watch. Don't even let a fly get past me."

"Shut up, all of you." Physician Lu couldn't stand it any longer and frowned. "This noise will disturb the Emperor's peace of mind."

Shi Yan and Pei Yan immediately shut up, exchanged a glance, and were still agitated.

Physician Lu said slowly, "Fashionable Book, you wait here. Commander Pei, you stay here quietly. When a woman is about to give birth, some are quick and some are slow. Some may not give birth for a day or two, while others may give birth quickly, in just an hour or two."

"The Emperor has practiced martial arts since childhood and is in good health. He is also young and vigorous. His delivery will surely be smooth. Just wait patiently."

Physician Lu had served as a royal physician in the previous dynasty for over a decade. After retiring and returning to his hometown, he became the foremost physician in the north. His words indeed calmed Shi Yan's frantically beating heart.

Shi Yan thanked him and then stood at the door, flanking Pei Yan like door gods.

The thick door locked away even the slightest sounds from inside the delivery room.

Shi Yan listened intently for a long time but heard no cries of pain. He couldn't help but turn to Physician Lu and ask, "Why is there no movement?"

Physician Lu remained unmoved, as steady as Mount Tai: "When a woman is about to give birth, the labor pains come in waves. After each wave, they will subside for a while."

Pei Yan, with her keener hearing, pressed her ear against the door and vaguely heard some noise, causing her brows to furrow.

Shi Yan's heart was pounding, and her voice was strained: "What did you hear?"

Pei Yan whispered, "Second Aunt is speaking, but I can't hear what she's saying."

Shi Yan disregarded his image and pressed his ear against the door, but unfortunately he couldn't hear anything.

Two figures hurried over.

It turned out to be Prime Minister Pang and Minister Qin.

Three years have passed, and the new dynasty is united, the court is stable, and government affairs are running smoothly. Despite his daily toil, Prime Minister Pang shows no signs of aging; he even dyed his white hair black before the New Year and is full of energy.

"Prime Minister Pang and Minister Qin have arrived at just the right time." Physician Lu rose to greet them: "Please sit down and wait a moment."

Prime Minister Pang and Minister Qin didn't say much, just nodded in acknowledgment, and then took their seats.

Before the New Year, Pei Qinghe privately instructed two important officials that it would be best if the birth went smoothly, but in case of any unexpected events, Pei Yun should be summoned to Yan County immediately to take over the position.

Prime Minister Pang kept such an imperial edict in his sleeve, just in case of unforeseen circumstances.

They weren't the only ones aware of this; Shi Yan was also aware of it. Pei Qinghe had personally written the imperial edict, and he had even ground the ink himself.

This is, of course, the worst-case scenario. The probability of it happening is extremely small.

However, at this moment, even with only a one in ten thousand chance, Shi Yan was extremely anxious.

He regretted it very much.

Why did you get Pei Qinghe pregnant?
He knew perfectly well that she was the new emperor, tasked with protecting the people of the north, and harboring ambitions to unify the land and destroy the Xiongnu barbarians. Her safety was crucial to the peace of the north and the stability of the empire. She shouldn't have had to endure the pain of pregnancy and the risks of childbirth.

He shouldn't have been overjoyed or indulged in momentary passion when she suggested having a child.

He is clearly the most selfish man in the world.

"Why are you crying?" Pei Yan looked up, startled. She hadn't noticed, but Shi Yan's face was covered in tears. She opened her mouth to ask, but he seemed not to hear her, continuing to weep.

Pei Yan wanted to roll her eyes and say something sarcastic, but for some reason, she felt a pang of sadness and softened, muttering under her breath, "You still have some conscience."

and many more!

What's that sound coming from inside the door?
Pei Yan's eyes suddenly widened.

Shi Yan, who was leaning against the door and shedding tears, also heard it and began to tremble.

Physician Lu exclaimed "Eh!" and then laughed: "That's the sound of a baby crying. It's only been an hour, and the Emperor's delivery has been very smooth."

Prime Minister Pang and Minister Qin relaxed, their faces beaming with joy. Prime Minister Pang, in particular, had felt a heavy weight on his heart ever since receiving Emperor Zhaoyuan's secret edict. He had appeared calm while waiting with the edict, but inwardly he was filled with anxiety.

At that moment, the baby's loud cry reached my ears, and my heart, which had been pounding with anxiety, finally calmed down.

After waiting for another half hour, the door to the delivery room finally opened.

Mao Hongling came out with a smile to announce the good news: "The Emperor's delivery went smoothly, and he gave birth to a daughter. Shi Yan, you may go in now."

Shi Yan wiped her face haphazardly with her sleeve and quickly entered the delivery room.

There was still a faint smell of blood in the delivery room.

Mrs. Feng held her newborn baby girl with a joyful expression.

Pei Qinghe, lying on the bed, had wiped away her sweat and changed into clean clothes. Her face was slightly pale, but much better than Shi Yan had imagined.

Ignoring his newborn daughter, Shi Yan rushed to the bedside and took Pei Qinghe's hand in his. His hand trembled violently, and his voice shook uncontrollably: "Qinghe! How are you now?"

Pei Qinghe smiled weakly: "My stomach feels a little empty and has a slight pain, so I don't have the strength to speak."

The pain of childbirth was no less intense just because she was the emperor. Even though the delivery was smooth, the pain was still excruciating. It's just that her endurance was exceptional; she didn't cry out in agony.

Shi Yan's eyes were red as she whispered, "One is enough. I will never let you suffer like this again."

Pei Qinghe hummed in agreement, closed her eyes wearily, and quickly fell asleep.

Shi Yan stayed by the bedside.

The newborn baby girl, no matter how tired her mother was, and unaware that her father was so focused on her that her mother hadn't even glanced at her, started crying again in her tender little voice.

Madam Feng quickly took the baby girl out and called the wet nurse over.

Pei Yan leaned closer, glanced at it, and said with some disdain, "How can it be so ugly?"

Madam Feng smiled and said, "When babies are first born, they are all red and look like little monkeys. They will become more beautiful as they grow up."

Pei Yan glanced at it again, still showing obvious disdain. This tiny thing had consumed over nine months of Qinghe's life, and she'd even endured the pain of childbirth. Was it worth it?
“I already told Yang Huai that I wouldn’t have children,” Pei Yan muttered. “I don’t have the patience to be a mother.”

Madam Feng was not at all pedantic, and said with a soft laugh, "You two should discuss it and decide. If you don't want to have children, who can force you?"

Pei Qinghe sat on the dragon throne, and the Pei family became royalty. Having seized power, the women of the Pei family had the confidence to walk the path they desired.

Take Pei Yan, for example. As the commander of the Emperor's personal guard, he also commands the most elite cavalry battalion. Even the elite troops under Pei Yun and Mao Hongling are not as numerous as Pei Yan's.

Such a formidable female general should be fighting on the battlefield. Whether she has children or not, who dares to say a word?
(End of this chapter)