TSWRLM -Chapter 289 Shen Qingchi Is About to Give Birth

After the banquet at the Grand Tutor’s residence ended, Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan did not leave.

Shen Qingchi went into labor earlier than expected. The situation was sudden, and the Grand Tutor’s residence had no time to prepare. Only the imperial physician called by Princess Hengyang, along with Nanny Li and Nanny Zhang who had been watching over Chun Xi, were there to help deliver the baby.

Through a closed door, Shen Qingchi’s cries of pain constantly came through, making everyone’s hearts ache.

Shen Qingyuan knew childbirth was perilous, but hearing it firsthand still made his heart sink.

Afraid Chun Xi would be affected emotionally, Shen Qingyuan grasped her hand and whispered, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll stay by your side the whole time while you deliver.”

Chun Xi’s heart softened. Just as she was about to respond, Madam Zhao shouted angrily, “How are you all tending to the Young Madam? Knowing her condition is delicate, how could you not watch over her properly and let her get frightened?”

Shen Qingchi had only argued with Chun Xi a few times before the banquet began, yet Madam Zhao, while ostensibly scolding the servants, was really blaming Chun Xi for startling Shen Qingchi into premature labor.

If anything were to happen to Shen Qingchi or the child, Chun Xi would be held responsible.

Chun Xi immediately understood Madam Zhao’s implication. She placed her hand on her belly and said, “Before the banquet, I said a few words to my sister. At the time, she spoke forcefully and even threatened to drag me through the streets in a pig cage. My child was frightened and kicked me so hard my belly hurt. I had no time to care about anything else, and I don’t know how my sister was frightened in the process.”

Chun Xi paused, then tugged on Shen Qingyuan’s sleeve with a coquettish tone, “Husband, though my sister disrespects me as her elder sister-in-law, the child in her womb is innocent. You must find out the truth and stand up for her.”

Chun Xi had no intention of taking the blame. Madam Zhao’s face darkened, and she was about to speak when Chun Xi interjected, “My sister has been in pain for over half an hour, and her husband hasn’t come yet. He wouldn’t be out fooling around again, would he?”

If her husband were outside indulging himself while his wife risked death giving birth, it would be utterly scandalous.

Madam Zhao twitched her eyelids and said no more, ordering the servants to hurry and fetch Li Jixian.

Another half hour passed, and still, Li Jixian had not appeared.

Inside the room, Shen Qingchi’s cries had weakened. The imperial physician prescribed medicines to refresh her and conserve her strength, while blood flowed steadily. After a while, Nanny Zhang came out to Chun Xi and said, “The Fourth Young Madam keeps saying she wants to see Fifth Madam. Seeing her condition, maybe having Fifth Madam here could calm her down.”

Madam Zhao, the mother-in-law, was waiting outside, yet Shen Qingchi only wanted Yun Wantang’s presence. This was a direct slap to Madam Zhao’s face.

“The Fifth Younger Sister doesn’t know medicine. What good would it do to bring her here? I can stay here just fine,” Madam Zhao grumbled and then asked Nanny Zhang, “Do we know if it’s a boy or a girl yet?”

With Chun Xi and Shen Qingyuan present, and the delivery not managed by the Grand Tutor’s household, Madam Zhao couldn’t outright say it was safe. Privately, she hoped Shen Qingchi would have complications, leaving her with a healthy grandson.

Before Nanny Zhang could answer, Chun Xi stood and said, “I’ll go in and check on my sister.”

Madam Zhao instinctively wanted to refuse, but thinking of Shen Qingchi’s critical condition, if anything went wrong, it would be harder to explain if Chun Xi had entered. She swallowed her words.

Inside, the room was heavy with the smell of blood, doors and windows closed, dimly lit. Shen Qingchi lay on the bed, pale, her blankets soaked with blood. The scene was both gruesome and terrifying.

“Fifth Aunt… I want to see Fifth Aunt…”

Shen Qingchi was in so much pain her mind was unclear. She kept calling for Yun Wantang. Seeing someone at her bedside, she immediately begged, “Fifth Aunt, if anything happens to me today, please care for this child. He is my husband’s firstborn. If my husband remarries, don’t let the stepmother mistreat him…”

Previously, watching her brother be treated differently didn’t affect her much. Now, thinking she might die and that her child would have to live under a stepmother’s control, her heart felt like it was being cut to pieces.

Her child understood nothing yet. Perhaps the Grand Tutor’s household would never let him know she existed, letting him think his stepmother was his real mother. Her child could end up worse off than her brother.

Was this what Chun Xi meant by karma? Her mother mistreated her brother, now barely cold in the grave, her father remarried, and her child would also be left to strangers…

Shen Qingchi cried uncontrollably, her strength fading. Nanny Zhang anxiously urged, “Madam, don’t give up! Your waters have broken; the baby must come out quickly. The longer it drags on, the more dangerous it is for both mother and child.”

Shen Qingchi was utterly despondent and didn’t hear a word. Chun Xi spoke at this moment, “Sister, rest assured. If anything happens to you, I will take this child under my care and never let him be bullied in the Grand Tutor’s household.”

Shen Qingchi’s ears were very sensitive. She wiped her tears and, realizing it was Chun Xi and not Yun Wantang at her bedside, her face instantly filled with anger and panic. “What are you doing here? Get out!”

Shen Qingchi had repeatedly harmed Chun Xi, and today even tried to frame her as a promiscuous woman. Seeing Chun Xi now felt like facing a vengeful ghost.

Though she feared she might not survive, she refused to die at Chun Xi’s hands.

Even worse, Chun Xi claimed she would take her child.

Chun Xi herself would be giving birth in a few months. How could she possibly treat Shen Qingchi’s child well? Shen Qingchi could not let Chun Xi have her baby!

Fueled by desperation, Shen Qingchi found strength. Sensing this, Nanny Zhang quickly guided her on breathing and exertion.

This time, Shen Qingchi listened and obediently followed her instructions.

After an unknown amount of time, the baby’s cries echoed through the room.

Finally, the child was born…

Shen Qingchi relaxed, wanting to see the baby, but her eyelids wouldn’t open. Drowsy, she heard Chun Xi’s commanding voice, “Sister, sleep peacefully. This child is adorable. I will raise him well on your behalf.”

No! This was the child she had carried for ten months. She couldn’t give him to Chun Xi!

Shen Qingchi had lost too much blood and fainted. Before passing out, the imperial physician gave her a medicinal broth, wiping her sweat: “I’ve done my best. Whether the Fourth Young Madam wakes up depends on her fate.”

Chun Xi nodded and sat at the bedside holding the child.

Outside, Madam Zhao anxiously asked, “I heard the baby cry. Is it a boy or a girl? Why hasn’t it been brought out?”

Li Jixian finally arrived. He didn’t care about Shen Qingchi’s life or death, nor the baby, and grumbled, “It’s born, isn’t it? It’s not dead. Why rush me here?”

As soon as he finished, a sharp slap rang out.

Chun Xi raised an eyebrow. Her husband’s slap was probably far harsher than any she had ever received.