"Tell me!" Pale-faced, Huang Feihu was more anxious than anyone. His usual composure had long since deserted him.
Women in this era were not the lowly breeding tools they would become in later ages. Most couples shared genuine affection.
Besides, despite his exalted position as the King of Wucheng Who Guards the Nation, Huang Feihu had never taken a concubine. Lady Jia was his only wife, a testament to the depth of their love.
In the original story, it was precisely because King Zhou had harassed Lady Jia and driven her to her death that Huang Feihu crossed five passes to help Zhou wage its campaign against Shang.
The imperial physician looked scarcely better than Huang Feihu. He stammered, "A premature birth alone would be manageable, but the baby is also in the wrong position."
Huang Feihu did not understand. Huang Tianhua had also been in the wrong position when he was born. Other babies came out headfirst, while Huang Tianhua had come out feetfirst. Hadn't that delivery gone smoothly?
Seeing his confusion, the imperial physician continued, "When a malpositioned baby is also premature, the two problems compound each other. An underdeveloped baby is weaker and cannot withstand the pressure of natural childbirth. The delivery will be difficult..."
Huang Feihu was already like an ant on a hot pan when a name flashed through his mind. "Your Majesty, I have heard that Qian Bao of Three Mountains Pass is highly skilled in medicine. Could we ask him to take a look?"
Only moments ago, he had been thinking of having Qian Bao examine His Majesty. Who would have thought he would need the man first? Alas.
"He is already here."
Qian Bao was just outside the door, accompanied by several experienced midwives from among the common people.
After a careful