Xiu'er: "It's all the Prince's doing! He's made our Madam laugh so hard she's about to give birth!"
Prince of Jin: "..."
He just wanted to give Tang Zhuyun a surprise. What did it matter to him if everyone else was gossiping and getting angry?
Tang Zhuyun called for the midwife repeatedly and helped Meng Yulan inside to examine her.
"Sister-in-law, you've just gone into labor," her voice was steady and strong, inspiring trust. "Don't panic, first pregnancies are usually slower. You can go downstairs and walk around now. What would you like to eat? I'll make it for you."
Looking at the sky outside, Tang Baixin estimated that he would return from the Ministry of Personnel soon, so there was no need for anyone to call him.
Meng Yulan gripped Tang Zhuyun's hand tightly, her palms sweating. "A-Yun, do you have any labor-inducing drugs? I can't give birth on the Dragon Boat Festival!"
Tang Zhuyun said, "Labor-inducing drugs Zidu, and should only be used as a last resort. Sister-in-law, no matter when you give birth, you will always be our precious child."
Based on the timing of this onset, it's very likely that it will recur after midnight...
Meng Yulan let go, knowing that struggling was futile, and forced a smile, saying, "Then I'll prove myself and give birth to a son!"
Tang Zhuyun said casually, "Whether you have a baby or not isn't up to you to decide; it depends on my brother. Okay, don't worry, I'll be here with you. My brother will be back soon too."
"I'm not worried. Our master has been honest and upright all his life, and has done countless good deeds. This is a child of the Tang Family; he'll be fine." Meng Yulan seemed to be reassuring herself.
Tang Zhuyun helped her walk back and forth in the courtyard. After a while, Tang Baixin returned and took over from Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Mingfan was visibly nervous when he returned. He took Tang Zhuyun to offer incense to his deceased wife and then sat blankly in the room.
After all, she was his daughter-in-law, and the outer courtyard was small, so he felt embarrassed to go out. But he couldn't help but think about how his wife had died in childbirth when she gave birth to Tang Zhuyun... In short, he was very anxious and had nowhere to relieve his anxiety.
"Mother, when will my little brother be born?" Yanran asked Tang Zhuyun softly. "I've prepared a little golden bow for him; he'll definitely love it."
Tang Zhuyun patted her head to affirm her, then said to Linlin, "Take Grandfather and Yanran to the Prince's place; they'll sleep there tonight."
Linlin nodded, but there was still some uncertainty in her eyes. She hesitated before asking, "Aunt, will Mother be alright?"
Meng Yulan is now his nominal mother, so he has changed his address to her.
But he only has one mother.
"No," Tang Zhuyun said, "I'm here."
"Yes." Linlin nodded emphatically, "Everything will be alright."
Tang Baixin has sacrificed so much for him, and it was only with great difficulty that he has achieved the happiness he has today. Linlin hopes that all the happiness he has now can last a long time.
Linlin and Yanran were playing with a ball on the kang (a heated brick bed), teasing Jiaojiao, who had grown quite a bit and now looked like a big cat.
However, because they are domesticated, they are not so wild, but rather have a somewhat adorable and endearing Lovely.
Prince of Jin accompanied Tang Mingfan for tea.
Seeing that Tang Mingfan was distracted, the Prince of Jin pretended to ask him for advice on his studies.
Tang Mingfan, a top scholar, naturally spoke eloquently, yet he kept asking questions as he spoke. The Prince of Jin felt immense pressure, wishing he had dug a hole and buried himself in it.
Fortunately, Xiu'er came to bring him food, which temporarily saved him.
For the first time, the Prince of Jin found Xiu'er's face endearing.
While setting the table, Xiu'er said, "She's already in the delivery room, but there's still no sign of labor. Her Highness the Princess said she probably won't give birth until late tonight."
Meng Yulan was pampered from a young age, and her physical condition was not as good as that of a woman who does manual labor. In addition, her pelvis was small, so she would probably suffer a lot during childbirth.
Tang Mingfan nodded. "More or less. I remember when Madam gave birth for the first time, it lasted a whole day and night... It's just a pity that the baby couldn't be saved."
That was a child born before Tang Baixin.
Thinking of the suffering his wife had endured, he couldn't help but tear up.
To save money, they didn't even hire a midwife. In the end, he begged Mrs. Madam Song to pay for one, banging his head against the wall until she reluctantly agreed...
What Tang Mingfan couldn't understand was, wasn't he Madam Song's biological son?
Why was she the worst to her among her three sons and three daughters...? Yet, she still supported his education. He was one of the few children in the village who received an education, and the only one of his three brothers to do so.
After he got married, his mother was the most demanding of his wife. Most of the wives in the village suffered from their mothers-in-law's temper. Tang Mingfan thought it was because his wife was a child bride and had no dowry, so his mother was unhappy and could only protect his wife in private.
But he thought that no matter what, his children were all Tang Family flesh and blood, so he left his daughter with his mother. He never expected...
A son should not speak ill of his father; he kept these things to himself and never told anyone else.
However, tonight, he couldn't help but bring up the past with the Prince of Jin.
The Prince of Jin frowned as he listened. He had met Madam Song before; she was sharp-tongued, mean-spirited, and malicious—she certainly didn't seem like a good person.
How could someone like that have a son like Tang Mingfan?
The Prince of Jin secretly made a mental note of it, intending to send the Golden Qilin Guard to investigate later.
After finishing his speech, Tang Mingfan sighed deeply and said, "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Your Highness. In my life, I believe I have lived up to the expectations of Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, my parents, and my teachers. The only people I have wronged are A-Yun's mother and her..."
He still had a chance to make amends to Tang Zhuyun; but he would never have another chance with his deceased wife.
The Prince of Jin had Song Jingyang fetch some wine he had stored, and they drank together with Tang Mingfan.
He's bad at comforting people, so let's get drunk together.
Even if you get drunk, you can sleep it off; life goes on.
After helping the drunken Tang Mingfan to bed, Prince of Jin asked Song Jingyang, "Has the baby been born yet?"
Song Jingyang said, "Not yet."
The Prince of Jin cursed inwardly, thinking how useless Meng Yulan. Wasn't she incredibly capable when she "instigated" Tang Zhuyun?
Having a baby is so exhausting, Tang Zhuyun also has to stay up all night.
"Your Highness, please rest first," Song Jingyang said, scratching his head.
He can worry about it later when the Princess Consort gives birth.
If people knew this, it would seem as if the prince cared deeply for Meng Yulan, which would only lead to misunderstandings.
Prince of Jin: "Bring another cup of tea."
He had to keep an eye on what was happening next door; if anything went wrong, Tang Zhuyun would probably panic.
Song Jingyang served him tea and then went to inquire about news.
A little while later, he returned and said, "My uncle has been taken to the delivery room by the Princess Consort."
What was Tang Baixin doing in the delivery room? He couldn't help with the delivery.
Song Jingyang continued, "It seems that his maternal aunt is in great pain, but she is too proud to make a sound. Her Highness the Princess has asked his uncle to go in and keep her company."
Prince of Jin: I've learned something. When Tang Zhuyun gives birth, I'll go in to be with her.
No, no, she probably can't have children. After all, humans and demons are different. Even if she takes over Tang Zhuyun's body, she probably still can't...