CMWKSD -Chapter 286 Finally, the Baby Is Born

Ji Yiqing’s hand, which had been about to knock, froze mid-air.

His eyes were red, tears brimming, threatening to fall at any moment. Even being scolded didn’t stir any resentment in him. He simply thought that if someone as good at controlling her temper as Jiu Yue couldn’t control herself now, one could only imagine how painful childbirth must be.

His eyes grew even redder, and his heart twisted painfully.

No matter if it was a boy or a girl, this would be their only child.

As someone from ancient times, Ji Yiqing surprisingly discarded those deeply ingrained old beliefs. “Many children bring blessings, but at the cost of my wife’s life? Then we don’t need that blessing.”

He quietly made up his mind. This child had already come as a surprise; he had long been prepared to live without children. Yet Jiu Yue had given him one. One was enough. One was all they needed.

“All right, all right, I won’t knock anymore. You… you’re fine. Just stay safe, that’s enough.”

Jiu Yue let out a heavy grunt.

If she weren’t restraining herself, she probably would have scolded Ji Yiqing mercilessly.

When Ji Chaomian and Su Cheng entered the courtyard, they had already heard Ji Yiqing get scolded once. Ji Chaomian gripped Su Cheng’s hand tightly. He thought, if it really came to that moment, it wouldn’t matter if he were scolded—or even hit.

The couple had been married for only two months. Originally, they had planned to wait until Jiu Yue gave birth before discussing the wedding. But Jiu Yue was bored at home. Day after day, she ended up discussing the betrothal gifts and arrangements with Shao Qing.

It turned out that Ji Chaomian had married a good wife. Thinking back to when they first went to Su Cheng’s family to propose, Su Cheng’s parents could never have imagined that their rebellious daughter would catch the eye of Ji Chaomian, the favored courtier of the palace. They certainly didn’t expect that Princess Xuyu would personally come to propose.

(Mainly because she was bored and wanted to see what marriage arrangements were like in ancient times. Fine, mostly because Jiu Yue had nothing else to do.)

Su Cheng’s parents were a bit frightened. While they wanted their daughter to marry into a good family, they hadn’t imagined it would be to the Ji family. Moreover, Princess Xuyu’s reputation was intimidating. Su Cheng spoke at length to ease their worries.

Su Cheng was truly remarkable. She had the elegance of a noble lady, the practical knowledge of managing a household, and intelligence and poise equal to that of men.

Jiu Yue didn’t want to manage household affairs. Su Ruo and Shen Mei couldn’t handle them either. The other men of the Ji family wouldn’t allow them to. If it weren’t for Shao Qing, a capable assistant, the household would have descended into chaos.

In the end, the brothers had to handle both official duties and household matters. It wasn’t exactly exhausting—just tedious. Unexpectedly, in less than two months, Su Cheng had organized the Ji household perfectly. Ji Yiqing and Ji Chaomian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

When Su Cheng entered the courtyard, she handled everything smoothly. Compared to the flustered Su Ruo, Shen Mei, and Hu Chunhua—who were all inexperienced in such matters—Su Cheng had everything under control. She had people boil over a thousand red eggs, tie red ribbons, and she instructed Shao Qing to inform the palace.

Every detail was arranged meticulously. The previously chaotic Ji household instantly became orderly.

Ji Chaomian looked at Su Cheng’s confident and unhurried demeanor, feeling proud of his judgment. Then he turned to see Ji Yiqing, tearful, staring at him.

Ji Chaomian: …

He inexplicably recalled the grandiose words he had spoken earlier.

Jiu Yue gritted her teeth, her grip moving from the palace entrance, through her fingers, as pain surged in waves. Darkness flickered at the edges of her vision. Her waist felt as if it might snap, her entire body writhing with unbearable pain.

The source of the pain was elusive, yet it consumed her completely. All other voices faded into the background, and every ounce of her strength focused on her bulging abdomen.

Sweat soaked her hair in moments, strands clinging messily to her neck, forehead, and even the corners of her mouth. Her already irritable mind grew more restless.

Jiu Yue gritted her teeth, grunted, and reminded herself that childbirth required strength; she couldn’t use it all on shouting.

The midwife brought over a bowl of egg custard. “Your Highness, you can eat a little. You’ll need your strength.”

Jiu Yue nodded and sipped. Her irritability made the first bite seem bland, the second too salty. She wanted to call Ji Yiqing in to scold him properly. A few bites later, she couldn’t eat any more.

The midwife exclaimed happily, “Your Highness, I can see the head!”

Jiu Yue immediately followed the midwife’s cues, breathing in… breathing out… gripping the sheets, her head lifted slightly.

Suddenly, the pain that had seemed without source or cause surged forth like a flood, finding its outlet.

Jiu Yue finally screamed in relief: “Aaaaah!!!”

Her scream made the just-arrived Emperor Fengyuan stagger, his eyes instantly red.

Ji Yiqing’s legs went weak.

“Jiu Yue!”

And then, a more hoarse, aged voice called out: “Jiu Yue!”

Emperor Fengyuan inexplicably recalled the day the Crown Prince was born. The scene was the same: standing in the courtyard, followed by the cries of a newborn.

“Wah wah wah…”

Emperor Fengyuan exhaled, still gripping the Crown Prince tightly. But the prince, overwhelmed by those in the room, didn’t even notice the grip.

Everyone rushed to the door of the room. Servants attended to Jiu Yue while the midwife cared for the baby.

Jiu Yue stared at the top of the canopy, struggling to shift her gaze. The quilt, which had been bulging, had now flattened considerably. She tilted her head, silent, watching the midwife joyfully wrap the baby and clean him. She had forgotten what the midwife had congratulated her on.

When wrapped, Jiu Yue caught a glimpse of a slightly rounded, reddish cheek.

That was…

Her child.

At that moment, Jiu Yue seemed to perceive life in a new way—not as numbers in an account, but as hope, inheritance, continuity.

The midwife carried the baby out, cautiously not leaving the room. Upon stepping out, everyone in the house froze, especially two of high status.

Though the midwife had been appointed by Emperor Fengyuan, she had never met him. She lifted the blanket with excitement. “Congratulations, Lord Ji—it’s a little boy.”

The Ji family was overjoyed.

Ji Yiqing felt as if his gaze could pierce walls. “Jiu Yue! How is she?”

The midwife quickly assured him, “The princess is healthy, just tidying herself up. She’ll be fine soon.”

Emperor Fengyuan’s gaze remained fixed on the little one, bubbles forming at his lips. He remembered Jiu Yue, still so small and pitiful, tugging at her ear in front of him. Now she had given birth to a child—a surprise, yet a joyful one.