Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 140 The Birth of Phoenix

The underground heating system in the delivery room was already burning brightly, and the red-hot charcoal glowed warmly at the bottom of the stove, making the whole room feel like a warm spring day.

A faint scent of mugwort wafted in the air, specially used to purify the mind and calm the nerves, but it couldn't suppress the heavy, suffocating feeling in Suo Chanzhi's heart.

Qingmei gently helped and carried her to the large bed covered with three layers of soft mattresses.

With each contraction, Suo Chanzhi's fingertips would dig into her palms, as if an invisible hand was twisting her internal organs in agony.

Suo Chanzhi looked nervously at Qingmei, whose hands were also trembling, but when their eyes met, the corners of her eyes curved into a reassuring smile.

Qingmei said softly, "Young Madam, don't be afraid. Just focus on giving birth and leave everything else to us."

Little Li, who was standing to the side, didn't catch the hidden meaning and quickly chimed in, "Yes, young mistress, with Midwife Liu here, you can relax and just listen to her arrangements."

The midwife, Liu, sat on a brocade stool by the bed, wiping her freshly washed hands with a blue cloth, her expression very calm.

Giving birth is not as easy as just pulling down your underwear; there's the pain of your pelvis opening and the exhaustion of exertion. You only see the light at the end of the tunnel after you get through it.

We still have a long way to go; this is just the beginning.

"Young Madam, calm down."

Liu's voice was not loud, but it was very convincing: "You are opening up your bones, so you can't rush it. Just lie down and conserve your strength."

After saying that, she began to assign tasks: "Tao, you stay by the young mistress's side and keep an eye on her complexion."

Madam Qing, could you please unfold all those clean cloths and hang them to dry by the charcoal brazier? Folding them will make them damp and musty, and they're not suitable for wiping sweat.

Rouge, go…

At this moment in the delivery room, regardless of whether you are a master or a servant, the only person in charge is this midwife, Liu.

Following Liu's instructions, Qingmei, Tao, and Yanzhi all sprang into action, some fetching water, others arranging cloth, their steps light and nimble yet orderly.

This room was originally a small study, but now all the tables and chairs have been removed, leaving only a large canopy bed that takes up most of the space, leaving just enough room for a person to turn around.

Little Li stood in the corner, sometimes stepping aside to let Tao, who was carrying hot water, pass by, and sometimes having to avoid Rouge, who was carrying scissors.

Feeling that she was in the way, she simply retreated to the front of the moon gate and craned her neck to look inside.

The rope binding the branch on the bed tightened in pain, at first it was just a muffled groan, but later the pain became so intense that a suppressed cry of pain escaped from his throat.

Qingmei quickly stepped forward and grasped her hand, wiping her sweat while gently coaxing her in her ear, "Young Madam, think of the baby, just bear with it a little longer, Midwife Liu says it'll be soon..."

The charcoal braziers in the four corners burned brighter and brighter, and warm air swirled around the room.

Ms. Li was already dressed in thick clothes, and soon her back felt sticky from the heat. But she felt it wasn't appropriate to leave the delivery room at this time.

After Xiao Qingmei calmed Suo Chanzhi down, the contractions subsided, and Xiao Qingmei came over.

"Granny Li, let's go outside and rest for a bit. Judging from the young mistress's condition, it's hard to say how long she'll have to endure this. Let's take a break first."

These words were exactly what Xiao Li wanted to hear, and she quickly agreed, following Qingmei outside.

The outer room was warm, but cooler than the inner room.

A windproof felt blanket hung on the bookshelf, and the cotton curtain of the moon gate did not reach the ground, so one could see the corners of the clothes of the people moving around inside.

The cries of pain inside and the instructions from the midwife were clearly audible, so there was no need to worry about not being able to attend to any emergencies inside.

Qingmei poured a cup of warm tea for each of them. Little Li was very thirsty, so she picked up the cup and drank most of it.

She looked up and saw Qingmei holding a teacup, lost in thought, her hands quietly clasped together, her fingertips interlocked, and she was muttering something, clearly in prayer.

Madam Li couldn't help but laugh: "Madam Qing, you are still too young."

We women are born with this hardship. Giving birth is difficult, but there are never that many accidents.
Don't scare yourself before the young mistress even panics. Here, have some tea.

Qingmei nodded and moved the oil lamp on the table closer to the two of them, the light reflecting the worry in her eyes.

“I understand what the old lady is saying, but the young mistress treats me like a sister. She dotes on me so much, how could I not feel heartbroken?”

Mrs. Li took a sip of tea, her tone full of the composure of someone with experience: "Don't worry."

In my lifetime, I've seen at least eighty or a hundred women give birth, but only two or three of them actually had complications.

The young mistress is naturally blessed with good fortune and is in good health. Besides, the midwife Liu that Steward Yang invited is the best midwife in Tianshui City; she's very reliable.

As she spoke, she glanced at the curtain and saw a corner of clothing hurriedly passing by. Judging from the clothes, the person was probably Rouge.

Ms. Li breathed a sigh of relief, leaned back, and her tense shoulders relaxed.

The oil lamp in the outer room burned quietly, while the cries of pain from the inner room continued intermittently.

Hang in there, get through this, and a new life will come.

……

Outside the warm pavilion, on the covered walkway, the north wind swirled snowflakes that pelted the eaves.

Pan Xiaowan, wrapped in a silver fox fur coat, listened intently to the faint sounds coming from the delivery room.

Qiaoshe stood to the side, her hands tucked into her sleeves and rubbing them together from time to time. She was dressed rather thinly, and the tip of her nose was red from the cold; she was starting to feel the chill.

A thin layer of snow had accumulated on the bluestone slabs under the eaves, and four or five maids and old women stood respectfully, waiting to be summoned from inside the room.

Yang Can stepped forward and said, "Sister-in-law, why don't we wait for the news in the side room? It won't be that quick."

Pan Xiaowan glanced at Yang Can, her eyes filled with an indescribable sense of melancholy.

She nodded and led Qiaoshe into a side room to sit down. In another side room, a musician was playing the zither.

Pan Xiaowan sat down and let out a soft sigh.

Seeing Mrs. Suo give birth today stirred up her regrets.

In her innocent and carefree days, she disdained men and children alike.

But as she grew older, what she once looked down upon became what she now desperately sought.

She longed to share a bed with a suitable man and bear her child with him.

Unfortunately, these two things, which might not be difficult for many people, were unattainable for her.

Yang Can paced back and forth in the corridor, his usually composed face filled with anxiety.

His own woman was giving birth, and he had just seen a woman who died in childbirth on Chicken and Goose Mountain a couple of days ago. He was genuinely panicked.

Because of this worry, the ongoing project didn't bother him too much.

"Deacon Yang! Deacon Yang!"

Yu Chenglin, wearing a royal blue floral-patterned jacket, looked up at him with hopeful eyes and asked, "How much longer until my sister-in-law gives birth?"

Yang Can calmed down a bit and forced a smile: "Don't worry, Second Young Master, the Young Madam has already entered the delivery room, it will be over soon."

"Really?"

Yu Chenglin's eyes lit up, and he immediately jumped up, his little face full of pride: "Then my nephew will be born soon! Haha, I'm going to be an uncle!"

An eight-year-old child doesn't understand the dangers of childbirth; they only think that having a little follower is a great joy.

Yang Can chuckled and reached out to ruffle his hair: "Why are you so sure it's a nephew, Second Young Master? Maybe it's a beautiful little niece."

Upon hearing this, Yu Chenglin's face immediately fell, and his little brows furrowed into a knot: "I don't want a niece! I want a nephew!"

My nephew can come with me to raid bird nests and catch frogs, but my niece is so delicate, she cries at the slightest touch, she's such a nuisance!

An old woman standing nearby couldn't help but laugh out loud and teased him, "Second Young Master, which family's little girl 'bullied' you?"

"You'll understand when you grow up; girls are much more considerate."

"would not!"

Yu Chenglin retorted stubbornly, his chin held high: "They're the ones who cry and tattle the most, I don't like that at all!"

These innocent words eased Yang Can's tension a little.

Just then, a steady footstep sound came from the other end of the corridor, and Master Su strode over with a powerful stride.

This old man is over sixty years old, but his back is still straight and his steps are as steady as a young man's.

No wonder Third Master Leopard was secretly jealous; not everyone has such a robust physique.

"Deacon Yang, excuse me."

Master Suo's voice was loud and clear. He nodded slightly when his gaze swept over Yang Can, then turned and walked through the courtyard to the quiet other end of the corridor.

The smile in Yang Can's eyes vanished instantly, and he followed without making a sound.

When they reached the corner at the end of the corridor, Yang Can stopped and asked, "What are your orders, Second Master?"

Master Suo cut to the chase: “Deacon Yang, I’ve found a newborn boy. Once Chanzhi gives birth, you can switch the baby with him.”

Yang Can frowned sharply, his voice turning cold instantly: "Second Master, we agreed before that I would make arrangements for the child."

Second Master changed his mind at the last minute, ruining all my carefully laid plans and only adding to the risks.

"risk?"

Master Su chuckled: "What risk? I'm helping you eliminate the risk."

How many connections do you have? Can you compare to me, Sorento?

The child I found for you bears a striking resemblance to Yu Chengye; they look about five or six points alike. As the child grows up, the clan leader will recognize him and feel even more at ease.

Yang Can chuckled and said, "Second Master, that's a biased statement. Just because the child doesn't look like the Yu family doesn't mean he's not a Yu child."

Besides, there's an old saying that 'sons resemble their mothers, and daughters resemble their fathers.' Even if the child doesn't resemble Young Master Yu, it's perfectly reasonable, and who can say anything about it?"

He shrugged and changed the subject: "Besides, Second Master, you saw it yourself, there were so many people guarding the delivery room."

"Second Master, how can I send the child you found in there without anyone noticing?"

Master Suo's gaze suddenly turned cold, and his tone became serious: "Deacon Yang, the child you found can be sent in, but my child cannot."

Could it be... you're deliberately making excuses?

A slow smile crept onto Yang Can's face: "So that Second Master knows that the child I found is already in the delivery room."

……

Behind the panel wall of the warm pavilion, carved with honeysuckle patterns, Zhu Sha stood against the wall, holding a baby boy in swaddling clothes.

She was a little nervous, so her breathing was slightly rapid.

The baby boy was fast asleep, wrapped in thick swaddling clothes, his pink lips occasionally smacking gently, as if savoring the milk he had just drunk.

There was a very faint fishy smell in the air. That was some fetal blood that had been smeared on the baby beforehand so that the midwife wouldn't have to do too much disguising herself when the baby was handed over.

Several babies were recently born over at Chicken and Goose Mountain, so we can still get fetal blood.

Even the baby boy's navel was carefully coated with a mixture of fetal blood and slippery sheep intestine mucus.

In this way, the baby's fresh appearance, with the umbilical cord still attached, is no different from that of a newborn baby.

"Sweetie, please don't wake up early..."

Zhu Sha murmured to herself, glancing down at the child, her warm breath brushing against the baby boy's wrinkled little face.

Before taking the child into the secret passage, she had already fed the child a full meal with the goat milk she had prepared.

A small pouch was sewn inside the swaddling clothes, containing dried sleeping herbs powder, the fragrance of which lingered faintly around the baby boy's nose.

This herb is a sleep aid, not a harmful sedative. As long as the child is not hungry or frightened, it is difficult for anyone to wake him up by gently calling him.

Standing here, the sounds coming from the delivery room can be clearly heard.

Midwife Liu's steady voice pierced through the wall: "Young mistress, breathe deeply and follow my rhythm!"

Then came Rouge's hurried footsteps: "Aunt Liu, the hot water is ready!"

Suo Chanzhi's suppressed cries of pain occasionally rose to a high note, only to be quickly suppressed by comfort.

Madam Suo's labor was beginning to show signs of starting, and the midwife, Liu, began to take over the process herself.

As Zhu Sha listened in the secret passage, she subconsciously hugged the child tighter and, by the light of the torches on the wall, looked at the bronze handle.

This secret passage can only be opened from the inside. Once the fate-determining signal is given, she will quickly throw off the swaddling clothes, grab the child, and go out.

The moment she successfully "stole the sky and switched the sun," she would transform into "Rouge."

……

A swirling breeze swept through the corridor, causing the hem of Master Suo's mink coat to flutter slightly. Master Suo stared coldly at Yang Can, his large, hooked nose giving his eyes a sharp, eagle-like quality.

"You've already sent him in? Yang Can, you dare to lie to me?"

Yang Can remained calm, even slightly curving his lips: "Second Master doesn't believe me?"
"If I hadn't made arrangements beforehand, do you think I would still have had the chance to replace her in front of everyone after the young mistress gave birth?"

"Ha! Hahaha!" After a moment of silence, Master Suo suddenly burst into laughter.

He patted Yang Can on the shoulder: "Good! Deacon Yang, you've done very well!"

Suo Hong turned and took a few steps, then suddenly turned back, the smile in his eyes fading considerably: "Deacon Yang, you stay here and keep a close watch on my niece."

As soon as the child was born, someone was immediately sent to the main hall to inform the family, where the patriarch and his wife were waiting.

"Don't worry, Second Master, I understand." Yang Can bowed slightly.

"Don't worry, Second Master Suo!"

Yu Chenglin, who was playing in circles under the eaves, skipped over and shouted to him, "I'll come and tell you right away when my sister-in-law gives birth!"

As Yang Can watched Master Suo's figure disappear at the end of the corridor, the smile on his face gradually faded.

He knew that this time, his disobedience had offended Suo Hong.

However, as long as he is still useful to the eldest son's wife and has a role that no one else can replace, Suo Er can only be impotently furious and will never touch him.

As long as he and Suo Chanzhi were unwilling to become puppets of the Suo family, a break with the Suo family was inevitable one day.
If that's the case, then what is there to worry about?

……

In the flower hall of the eldest son's residence, Yu Xiaobao was complaining to his elder brother Yu Xinglong about being poor with a bitter face.

With his ability to humble himself at any time, he should have been very successful, but he turned out to be a good-for-nothing.

The lord, Yu Xinglong, sat upright in the main seat, his brows furrowed and his eyes half-closed, suppressing his pent-up frustration.

Madam Li, standing to the side, held a string of sandalwood prayer beads, her fingertips rubbing the beads together until they made a "crackling" sound, each sound revealing her barely suppressed anger.

"Brother, you have no idea how I'm living. It's like eating bitter rice porridge—utterly bitter!"

Yu Xiaobao slapped his thigh: "Dozens of mouths in the mansion are waiting to be fed, and the children's writing materials and the servants' monthly wages are flowing out like water."

The warehouse is so empty you could run a mouse in it; even a mouse would go hungry for three days. I don't even have money to buy supplies for the New Year. How am I going to get through the holiday?

As he spoke, he wiped away non-existent tears: "Brother, you can't just stand by and watch your own brother be talked about behind his back!"

"You're my own brother, if you don't take care of me, who will?"

"enough!"

Li finally couldn't hold back any longer. The Buddhist beads stopped on her fingers with a "click," and she said in a deep voice, "Third brother, look at what time it is now."
The eve of the Lunar New Year is just after midnight. Debt collectors know to avoid the end of the year, but you're here to cause trouble right now!
Your niece-in-law is risking her life giving birth in the warm room, can't you find another day to talk about your petty affairs?

After being rebuked by Li, Yu Xiaobao became even more emboldened, stiffening his neck and raising his voice even higher: "So what if it's the New Year? We celebrate it every year!"

It's perfectly normal for a woman to give birth; what's the big deal?

"But sister-in-law, think about it. I'm the younger brother of the head of the Yu family. If I can't even afford to give money for the New Year, isn't that a disgrace to the Yu family? Is that acceptable?"

"Shut up!" Yu Xinglong slammed his hand on the table, splashing half of the tea in the teacup.

"You still know how to embarrass the Yu family? Haven't I covered up enough holes for you over the years?"

"If you hadn't been so extravagant and always looking for shortcuts, you wouldn't have ended up in this predicament!"

Seeing this, Yu Xiaobao simply resorted to shamelessness, spreading his hands and saying, "I had no other choice..."

Anyway, I can't go on like this anymore. If my older brother and sister-in-law don't care about me, I'll move my whole family to Phoenix Manor. Don't think I'm in your way then.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of steady footsteps came from outside the flower hall, and Second Master Su strode in.

Yu Xinglong, as if he had been saved, immediately stood up to greet him: "Second Master, has Chanzhi given birth? Is it a boy or a girl?"

Master Suo shook his head: "Don't worry, Master Yu, she's still giving birth. But word has come from the delivery room that everything is going smoothly."

Yu Xiaobao's eyes darted around, and he instantly put on that bitter face again. He knew best that his older brother valued his reputation and would never lose face in front of outsiders.

Yu Xiaobao immediately stepped forward and said, "Brother, what I just said..."

Yu Xinglong's chest heaved, his anger almost rising, but he really couldn't lose face in front of Master Suo.

Yu Xinglong took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said in a deep voice, "I understand, I'll help you resolve this after the New Year."

"Thank you, brother! Thank you, brother!"

Yu Xiaobao instantly beamed with joy, all his previous sorrow vanished, and he looked just like a Sichuan opera master, well-versed in the art of face-changing.

Master Suo ignored the brothers' farce and turned to a servant boy waiting below, instructing him:

“Go to my tent and invite an old woman named Qi over to help out in the delivery room.”

The servant bowed in agreement and quickly left.

Yu Xinglong asked with a puzzled look, "Second Master Suo, who is this Granny Qi?"

"Oh, she's an elder in our Suo family."

Master Suo smiled and said, "She has taken care of several wives and young mistresses in our Suo family before, so she has a lot of experience."

The old man asked her to keep an eye on things, just in case anything happens, that would give him peace of mind.

Yu Xinglong nodded repeatedly: "Second Master's consideration is truly thorough."

Master Su smiled slightly, sat down on a chair, picked up a teacup, but his fingers tightened slightly.

He lowered his eyelids, appearing relaxed, but anger surged in his eyes.

That damned Yang Can, how dare he defy me!

Just now in the corridor, when Yang Can refused to switch the baby with the baby boy he provided, his humble yet arrogant demeanor immediately enraged the usually decisive Master Suo.

If it weren't for the circumstances at the time, which prevented him from losing his temper, Suo Er would have already given Yang Can a good beating.

Regardless of whether Yang Can's reasons were true or just excuses, his air of superiority made Master Suo feel indescribably uncomfortable.

Yang Can is a very ambitious young man; he probably already has his own plans.

Master Suo picked up his teacup and took a big gulp.

Hmph, don't let this old man discover you have ulterior motives, otherwise...

……

"Young mistress, take your time! Don't waste your energy shouting. Follow me, come on, push with your abdomen!"

Liu's voice was slightly hoarse, and beads of sweat trickled down her forehead and down the wrinkles around her eyes.

She vigorously wiped her hands, which were damp with a thin layer of sweat, with a coarse cloth, then pressed down on Suo Chanzhi's waist and abdomen again, her movements slower than before.

When she shouted "The head is showing!" her back and legs were already aching.

Besides skill, midwifery is also physically demanding.

The old midwife at Chicken and Goose Mountain down the mountain gradually stopped being hired because she got too old to handle the workload.

Previously, Madam Liu had only been sitting and talking, ordering Rouge and Madam Tao around. It wasn't that she was being lazy, but rather that she was saving her strength for this moment.

Once labor reaches its critical stage, that's when you really have to put up a physical challenge.

At this moment, the stray hairs at her temples were stuck to her face with sweat, and even the fabric on the back of her clothes was soaked.

Childbirth is never an easy thing for a woman; it can take up to six hours, especially for a woman who is a first-time mother.

Fortunately, she had practiced martial arts and was stronger than the average woman. She had already passed most of the most grueling part of the process of cervical dilation while still in the bedroom.

Now that the child's head was out, both Liu and Tao breathed a sigh of relief.

At least the baby is in the correct position. If the feet had come out first, we would have had to be prepared for the baby and the baby to die together.

"Young Madam, give it your all! Once the baby's shoulder is out, you'll feel much better!"

Liu gritted her teeth and encouraged Suo Chanzhi, pressing her palm firmly against Suo Chanzhi's waist to help her gain leverage.

Tao, supporting Suo Chanzhi's shoulders, whispered in support: "Young Madam, hold on, just one more step!"

Rouge carried a basin of lukewarm water to the bedside, the basin's position conveniently blocking the view of the moon gate.

Upon hearing the sound of "the head peeking out," Xiao Li couldn't sit still any longer.

She hurriedly brought Xiao Qingmei in, but fearing she might get in the way of the midwife, she could only peek out from the moon gate.

"Okay! Push! Push! The shoulder is almost out!"

Suddenly, Liu raised her voice, her tone full of surprise.

But in fact, the baby's shoulders had already emerged. Rouge brought the basin of water over to block Little Li's view.

Liu deliberately described the production progress as slower, while gently nudging Tao's arm with her elbow.

Tao understood immediately and turned his head to cough. The sound was not loud, but Xiao Qingmei heard it.

The time has come!
Upon receiving the signal, Xiao Qingmei immediately grabbed Xiao Li's wrist, her chest heaving violently.

It was as if she had been holding her breath for a long time and finally couldn't catch her breath anymore.

"Oh dear! Madam Qing, what's wrong with you?" Little Li was startled when she was grabbed. Looking down, she saw that Xiao Qingmei's face was tense, her lips were trembling, and her eyes were full of fear.

"I...I can't bear to look at this...it's all bloody...I just can't stand it anymore..."

Hearing this, Ms. Li was both annoyed and amused. "You have a problem with getting dizzy at the sight of blood, why didn't you say so earlier? You just had to come and watch the fun."

She didn't dare to delay and quickly helped Xiao Qingmei walk outside: "Don't rush, don't rush, take your time, let's sit in the outer room, don't panic."

Little Li helped Qingmei to sit down on a chair in the outer room and gently patted her back to help her catch her breath.

After catching her breath, Xiao Qingmei said in a trembling voice, "Thank you... thank you, Granny Li... I just couldn't bear to see the young mistress suffer, I was so worried... I wanted to drink some water..."

Just as Madam Li was about to turn around and go back to her inner room, she heard this and had no choice but to turn back to fetch water.

The little plum's hands were trembling so badly that she had to hold the other person's hand and feed them little by little.

Just then, a loud cry suddenly rang out from the delivery room, its penetrating power instantly piercing the oppressive silence of the warm room.

"gave birth!"

Ms. Li's eyes lit up, and she instinctively wanted to put down her teacup and rush inside.

She wanted to find out whether it was a man or a woman first, so she could quickly inform the lord and his wife.

Xiao Qingmei's heart tightened; she was unwilling to let her go.

Her hand was already on Xiao Li's wrist, and she immediately pretended to be pleasantly surprised and was about to stand up.

She planned to knock Xiao Li to the ground, then help her up and pat her down. By then, the "switching" would be complete.

But before she could get up, the door to the outer room was pushed open.

As Madam Li was hurrying to enter the inner room, she frowned and scolded someone as soon as she saw them come in, "Who let you in? No manners!"

An old woman wearing a blue cloth jacket came in.

She slowly lifted her eyelids, her face full of arrogance: "I am Qi Shi, the old lady Qi who was invited by Second Master Suo to take care of the young mistress."

Her gaze swept towards the inner room, and hearing the crying gradually subside, Granny Qi raised an eyebrow: "Thank goodness, the young mistress has given birth smoothly?"

These words immediately reminded Madam Li that it was more important to quickly find out whether the baby was a boy or a girl and report it to her husband and wife; she didn't want to argue with her.

The baby's cries had just subsided when they suddenly rose again, and Ms. Li turned to go into the inner room.

"Granny Li, help me up, I... I also want to see the child." Xiao Qingmei hurriedly grabbed her wrist and struggled to her feet.

Helpless, Madam Li could only help her walk inside: "Madam Qing, don't look around carelessly, or you might really faint."

Seeing this, Granny Qi from the Suo family also came over.

Little Li helped Qingmei into the inner room first. Before they could see anything clearly, Old Lady Qi squeezed in.

Helpless, Xiao Li and Qingmei moved forward a few more steps, and the three of them looked over together.

Then you see Liu supporting the baby's sides, while Tao and Yanzhi squat on either side of the basin, one supporting the child's head and neck, and the other supporting the child's buttocks and legs.

They were placing the baby, whose eyes were closed, whose body was covered in blood, and whose mouth was open and who was crying, into the warm water.

What's so interesting about a newborn baby's wrinkled face?
Their gazes naturally shifted: A boy! It's a boy!
(End of this chapter)