RWNEFE -Chapter 569 Zhang Chuchu Goes Into Premature Labor!

There was also a portion of people who felt resentment toward Shen Lanxi.

“‘A match made in heaven’? What kind of ‘match made in heaven’ is that supposed to be?”

“Who cares about a piece of calligraphy? It would be better to give gold or silver.”

Even so, the other young women of the Shen family were extremely envious. When they had married, it was a time when the Shen family had to be cautious in everything, and their dowries had been pitifully small.

“So Shen Yuanxin got the advantage,” Shen Yuanruan said, the corners of her mouth turning down, a flash of malice passing through her eyes.

Today there were many more guests than usual. Zhang Chuchu, who was about to give birth, also came out to receive relatives from her natal family.

“Chuchu, your belly is so big!” Her sister-in-law from her natal family had not seen her for many days and was startled at the sight.

“What do you mean big? Look at the family she married into! Of course she’s being well cared for with fine food and clothing. A bigger belly just means she’s been nourished well,” Zhang Chuchu’s mother said, feeling that bigger was better. A large belly and some flesh on her body meant her daughter had not suffered.

Her sister-in-law’s own family was not wealthy, and her husband’s family had only prospered after Zhang Chuchu married into the Shen family. Hearing her mother-in-law say this, she felt it made sense.

“Giving birth takes strength. Eat more—then the child in your belly will be strong too.”

Zhang Chuchu glanced at her sister-in-law’s bare wrists, a trace of disdain and contempt flashing in her eyes.

“In this residence, there’s an imperial physician who checks my pulse three times a day. Six matrons are assigned just to serve me. They’ve arranged what tonics I should eat and at what time.”

“Half a month ago, they already brought in the midwives and wet nurses. They’re just waiting for me to give birth.”

As soon as she said this, her natal family looked at her with red, envious eyes.

“Chuchu, be careful. There are so many people today—don’t bump into anything or get knocked.”

Zhang Chuchu found their small-minded fussing somewhat embarrassing. They all crowded around her like that; if outsiders heard, they might think the Shen family mistreated her.

If her mother-in-law heard about this, she would again scold her natal family for being coarse.

“Mother, Sister-in-law, I understand. With so many servants and maids attending me, what could happen? Don’t worry so much. I’m going to change clothes; I’ll be back in a moment.”

In the later months of pregnancy, even drinking a little water made one feel uncomfortable. Cradling her belly, both annoyed and happy, Zhang Chuchu left the table.

Half an hour later, a matron, pale-faced, hurried to Madam Miao and whispered in her ear:

“The Second Young Madam slipped while changing clothes and has started bleeding.”

The chopsticks in Madam Miao’s hand clattered to the floor.

“Madam Shen, what’s wrong?” someone asked.

On such a joyful day, they could not spoil the festive mood.

Madam Miao forced a stiff smile and stood up. “There are too many guests today. The kitchen hasn’t prepared enough dishes—I’ll go take a look. Please continue eating.”

In a family like the Shen household, could such a mistake really happen?

Everyone understood the truth but dared not speak of it.

Madam Miao hurried anxiously to Zhang Chuchu’s courtyard. A scream rang out from inside, frightening her so badly she nearly collapsed.

“Imperial physician—has the physician been called?”

“Yes. The physician says the young madam is going into labor.”

“But there’s still a month left! If the baby is born now, will it survive?” Madam Miao was already at a loss.

“Madam, perhaps we should invite the Second Madam to decide what to do?”

Madam Miao refused without hesitation.

“No! We can’t let her come watch the spectacle.”

The nannies were anxious for her.

“Madam, at a time like this, it’s a matter of life and death! Young Master Yuanhao is stationed away from home. If anything happens to the young madam, how will you answer to him?”

Those words jolted Madam Miao.

“Quick—go invite the wife of Yuanxu. She’s more clear-headed than Madam Liu!”

Even at a moment like this, she was still thinking of such things.

The nanny stamped her foot and hurried off to fetch help.

Inside the room, screams came one after another. Madam Miao’s heart pounded wildly in fear.

Soon both the midwife and the imperial physician came out to ask for her decision.

“We’ve already given the young madam a labor-inducing medicine, but there’s been no response.”

“If this continues, not only will the child be lost, the mother may not survive either.”

Madam Miao had never experienced anything like this. Her face turned white, her mind in chaos. No matter how the physician and midwife urged her, she could not speak.

Fortunately, Hu Jinyu arrived shortly afterward.

On the way, she had already heard what happened. Seeing the physician and midwife, she immediately issued orders:

“No matter what methods you use, both mother and child must be saved.”

The physician wiped his sweat. “We’ve already administered one dose of labor-inducing medicine, but there’s been no effect.”

Hu Jinyu decided at once: “Then give another dose.”

The physician hesitated. “That is possible, but I fear there may be unstoppable bleeding.”

Hearing this, Madam Miao sat down on the floor and began to cry into her handkerchief.

“If anything happens to her or the child, how will I answer to Yuanhao…”

Hu Jinyu frowned. “Help Madam Miao up.”

“Physician, midwife—use whatever methods you must. If something happens because of your inaction, you know what the consequences will be.”

“Her Majesty may not often come to the residence, but she always keeps watch over it.”

The physician and midwife were frightened and quickly agreed, stumbling back into the delivery room.

Hu Jinyu thought for a moment, then instructed a matron: “Quietly summon Zhang Chuchu’s natal family. Say she has something to give them. Don’t say anything else. Understood?”

The nanny hurried to carry out the order.

Hu Jinyu then called a guard.

“Go to the palace and inform Her Majesty that Yuanhao’s wife slipped and is in premature labor.”

“Yes!”

The screams from the delivery room came one after another, making Hu Jinyu’s heart tighten.

“Third Aunt, you are Zhang Chuchu’s mother-in-law. Go in and comfort her.”

Madam Miao waved her hands in fright. “I won’t go—I’m scared. Jinyu, go in for me!”

How could such a thing be done in her place?

Hu Jinyu shot her an irritated glance. Fortunately, Zhang Chuchu’s natal family soon arrived.

She had thought their presence might help calm Zhang Chuchu—but instead, it was like several more Madam Miaos had arrived.

They only knew how to sit on the ground and cry, offering no help at all.

Not only no help—they might even make things worse.

“Stop crying. If she hears you, she’ll frighten herself. Don’t let her be scared half to death when she might otherwise be fine.”

At these words, the crying outside immediately softened, making the anguished screams inside the room sound all the more piercing.

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“Yuanhao’s wife slipped?” Shen Lanxi threw down her brush and strode out.

The rule forbidding riding horses in the streets had been issued by Shen Lanxi herself, and the streets were crowded, so she chose to travel across the rooftops.

“Hey, look—who’s that?”

“Why are there so many people on the rooftops?”

“They look like the Imperial Guards…”

“Since when do the Imperial Guards chase thieves? Isn’t that the job of the city guards and constables?”

“Bah! The Imperial Guards protect the emperor. Wherever the emperor goes, they go.”

“You mean… the emperor is running across rooftops?”

People in the streets began to chatter. The patrolling city guards and constables, hearing the commotion, thought thieves were fleeing and immediately drew their blades to pursue.

What they received instead was a waist token thrown down by the Imperial Guards, along with a single sentence:

“Her Majesty is on an inspection tour. You are to calm the people and continue your patrols as usual.”

One of the city guards muttered, “When the emperor goes on an inspection… why not take the normal road?”

Another echoed, “Yes… why travel across rooftops?”