Chapter 488: Gaining a Daughter
Song Ci had just returned to the mansion from outside, and upon hearing that Jiang Shi was in labor, she rushed to Liuting Pavilion without even going back to her own courtyard.
Entering the birthing room, she didn’t change her clothes and didn’t dare to get close to the delivery bed. She looked from a few meters away and asked, "Yingniang, how are you feeling? Don’t waste your strength shouting too soon; save your strength for giving birth, don’t exert yourself too early."
"Mother, I’m fine, please wait outside... hmm." Jiang Shi let out a soft moan.
Song Ci felt extremely anxious and looked towards the head of the bed, asking Lin Qing, "Lin Qing, is the fetal position correct?"
"Don’t worry, Madam. The second madam’s fetal position is correct, and she’s in good health. I’ll stay here with her," Lin Qing replied with a smile. "The midwives are also keeping watch."
Song Ci breathed a sigh of relief. A correct fetal position was good; the worst fear was a breech position leading to a difficult labor, especially since there wasn’t excellent medical care here that could easily resort to Cesarean if necessary.
"How much longer until she delivers?"
"As for your question, Madam," the midwife Liu replied with a cheerful smile, "the second madam is only two fingers dilated; it’s not that soon yet."
Song Ci said, "Then I’ll go back to the courtyard to change into clean clothes and come back. Yingniang, conserve your strength. And midwives, take good care of the second madam. Once both the mother and child are safe, there will be generous rewards."
The two midwives could hardly contain their joy: "Thank you, Madam."
Seeing that Jiang Shi’s breathing was still okay, Song Ci left the birthing room and called the madam, saying, "It’s not time yet; let Qi’er lend a hand with the household affairs, and Ru Shi too—keep an eye out. Gu Shi, instruct the storeroom to prepare the old ginseng for use at any time. Make sure there’s no shortage of hot water, and the small kitchen should prepare some egg soup for her to regain energy. Oh, has the Imperial Physician been called?"
"Mother, everything has been prepared well, and the Imperial Physician has been summoned and should be arriving soon," the senior madam said with a smile.
Only then did Song Ci nod contentedly, and hurried back to Chunhui Hall to change her clothes.
She returned to her courtyard, washed and changed into clean clothes, combed her hair again, scrubbed her fingernails until they were spotless, and after taking a moment to sip a cup of tea, she returned to Liuting Pavilion.
Unexpectedly, just as Jiang Shi, said it wouldn’t be that soon, delivered so swiftly, Song Ci had barely stepped into the courtyard when she heard the wailing cry of a baby.
Song Ci paused in her steps, stunned.
Wasn’t it supposed to not be so soon?
"It’s born, it’s born!"
Under the eaves, Song Zhicheng danced with joy, wanting to rush into the birthing room but was firmly held back by the servants.
With a face full of joy, Song Ci quickly stepped forward, craning her neck to look.
"Mother, the baby is born," Song Zhicheng said excitedly.
Song Ci glanced at him, "I haven’t given birth; do you think you were picked up?"
Alright then, she never did give birth herself.
Song Zhicheng didn’t mind his mother’s disdainful words, instead eagerly looking at the door of the birthing room.
After just a moment, someone emerged with a swaddled baby, their face brimming with joy as they kneeled to offer congratulations to Song Ci and Song Zhicheng, "Congratulations, Madam, congratulations, Second Master, the second madam has given birth to a daughter."
Song Zhicheng exclaimed, "How is Yingniang? Is she alright? Why is she silent?"
"The second madam fainted with joy; Doctor Lin said it’s merely exhaustion from exertion, nothing serious, both mother and daughter are safe."
Upon hearing this, Song Ci was overjoyed, "Good, there will be generous rewards."
Song Zhicheng also came back to his senses, looking at the bundle, "What did she give birth to? A daughter?"
"Yes, Second Master."
Song Zhicheng’s eyes lit up, he approached for a closer look, and let out a long cry, "I have a daughter, I have a girl, oh my, my daughter is so pretty, wuuu..."
Song Ci: "..."
Has he gone silly anticipating a daughter, too happy to tears?