Although the situation in the capital was tense, this tension wasn’t anything major.

At most, it meant that with the emergence of the second prince, competition among the princes began.

If it were another prince, he might not be able to compete with the first prince, especially given the Ren family’s significant influence.

However, the prince from the Shen family was different due to his connection to the late Empress Yuan.

Because of this matter, Du Ke returned to the capital, and someone else was sent over for the grain partnership plan.

….

At this moment, Du Ke and Elder Du were playing chess.

While it looked like a game, they were actually analyzing the current political situation.

Elder Du asked, “What do you think about this matter?”

Du Ke replied, “What I think isn’t important; after all, I can’t change the outcome. So, Father, you don’t need to worry about this matter.”

Elder Du suppressed a laugh, “That’s true.”

They were older than the emperor, so the struggle for the crown prince position truly didn’t concern them.

Once they were gone, the emperor would still be around.

As long as the emperor was present, they would remain staunch supporters of the monarchy, so who became the heir apparent would be beyond their concern.

However, “The emperor has made a big deal of giving the second prince recognition, which suggests he values the second prince highly. The emperor’s deep feelings for Empress Yuan might not bode well for the first prince.”

Du Ke added, “The capital has just calmed down, and it’s about to get lively again. It’s better for Qin Fang to hide in Yunxiang County; while he’s in the capital, he won’t be implicated.”

Elder Du said, “That may not be the case; it all depends on how the emperor decides to arrange things for him. Where do you think he would be assigned if he were transferred to the capital?”

He continued, “By the end of next year, his three-year term will be up. Given his achievements, he’ll definitely be transferred to the capital unless the emperor has other plans.”

Indeed, local officials are usually rotated every three years, unlike them, who were permanent officials in the capital.

Thinking about this, Du Ke furrowed his brow.

If Qin Fang were transferred to the capital, what position would be suitable for him?

Elder Du asked, “Have you thought about it?”

Du Ke replied, “Qin Fang is currently a fifth-rank Garrison General. If he’s rotated, he wouldn’t simply be reassigned at the same rank. If it’s a lateral move, it could only be to the suburban command camp or the Five Cities Military Department. Otherwise, he might be promoted. Among the military officials in the capital, only those ranked fourth and above with real power… he might end up in the Ministry of War or even in the palace. The emperor seems to trust Qin Fang more than he trusts me as his teacher.”

Elder Du remarked, “I’ve said before, Qin Fang is a lucky person.” And people tend to like those who are lucky.

Du Ke did not respond.

No matter what the situation was in the capital, it would not reach Yunxiang County for the time being.

The people at the General’s residence were particularly tense lately because their lady was about to give birth.

From the servants to the masters, everyone was anxious.

Many felt grateful for the Qin family’s kindness and hoped that Yang Haiyan would have a son this time.

Not to mention others, even Granny Lian hoped so.

In families that were otherwise generous, it was still hoped that the first child would be a son—this was a deeply rooted belief in ancient times that no one could change.

Few thought like Qin Fang, who dreamed of having a daughter.

In fact, Qin Fang wasn’t worried about whether it would be a son or daughter; after all, he had four brothers.

Even if he didn’t have a son, there were still younger brothers.

So in this situation, Qin Fang really wanted a daughter.

For the past few days, Qin’s mother hadn’t gone to the grain factory; she had left the factory matters to Qin’s father.

Instead, she stayed home daily, fearing she wouldn’t be there when her daughter-in-law gave birth.

She was worried about any unexpected situations.

Not only Qin’s mother, but even Qin Fang hadn’t gone to the barracks lately.

He worried that he wouldn’t be there when his wife gave birth; he wanted to be the first to see his daughter.

He also hoped that when the daughter opened her eyes, he would be the first person she saw.

However, Qin Fang didn’t know that newborns couldn’t open their eyes to see anyone.

Yang Haiyan felt fetal movements in the evening.

After dinner that day, the couple went out for a walk as usual.

During the walk, Yang Haiyan suddenly felt a pain in her stomach.

She gasped, “Qin Fang… I think I’m going to give birth.”

She only used his name when she was anxious or upset; normally, she called him “husband.”

Qin Fang picked her up and said anxiously, “Get someone here quickly! Call the midwife and Miss Li; my wife is about to give birth.”

The midwife had been invited long ago and had been staying at the General’s residence for the past few days.

However, since the midwife wasn’t knowledgeable in medicine, Yang Haiyan had also invited Miss Li to assist.

Not only Miss Li, but also Dr. Li was waiting outside.

After Qin Fang carried Yang Haiyan into the room and set her down, the midwife and Miss Li arrived.

They had hired the best midwife in the entire county and even brought two, just in case something unexpected happened.

As Miss Li and the midwife entered the courtyard, Qin Fang urged, “You all come quickly.”

Not only did the midwife and Miss Li arrive, but also the Qin family members came one after another.

Once inside, Miss Li took Yang Haiyan’s pulse while the midwife examined her condition.

After a moment, the midwife said, “General, your wife hasn’t given birth yet; it will take a little longer. Why don’t you wait outside?”

Qin Fang replied, “No, I’ll wait here. You don’t need to worry about me.”

The midwife insisted, “But…”

She looked at Yang Haiyan, “Madam, it’s not appropriate for men to be inside when women give birth; what do you think?”

Another midwife added, “That’s right. If a man is in the room during childbirth, it can disrupt his fortune.”

Qin Fang retorted, “Shut up. Don’t say that to my wife. Just do your jobs.”

Having come from the battlefield, he didn’t believe in such superstitions.

If seeing blood could disrupt one’s fortune, then he would have had bad luck many times over, given all the enemies he had killed.

After reminding the midwives, he turned to Yang Haiyan and said, “Yanyan, don’t listen to them. Don’t be afraid; I’ll be right here with you.”

Yang Haiyan naturally didn’t believe what the midwife said.

Nowadays, husbands accompany their wives during childbirth, and she wanted Qin Fang to be by her side.

A woman suffers so much giving birth, so the man should understand.

She smiled weakly, “With you here, I have motivation. I trust you; as long as you’re here, I’m not afraid of anything.” She didn’t explicitly ask Qin Fang to stay; she just expressed that he was her source of strength.

Sure enough, upon hearing his wife’s words, Qin Fang was even more reluctant to leave the room.

The midwife was an ordinary person; since the General insisted on staying, they didn’t say anything further.

Miss Li, being a doctor, didn’t share the midwife’s views.

She thought it was enviable for the General to be there for his wife during childbirth.

Qin grandmother and Qin mother were waiting outside the room, while Qin grandfather waited in the courtyard, as this was the inner courtyard, so he didn’t enter.

Not only he but also Dr. Li waited outside; Dr. Li would only go in if needed.

Seeing Qin grandfather pacing back and forth, Dr. Li comforted him, “Old sir, don’t be anxious. I check the pulse of the madam every month; her health is good, and the baby is also healthy, so she will definitely give birth safely this time.” Unless something unexpected happened.

Qin grandfather responded with an “mm.” Having gone through it himself, he had witnessed Qin grandmother give birth to so many children.

He had gone from being nervous to being accustomed to it.

However, when Qin mother was giving birth, he had also been anxious because Qin mother was having the first grandson, which held different significance for the Qin family.

As for the subsequent grandchildren, he had remained calm.

But this time was different; this time, his grand-daughter-in-law was giving birth to a great-grandson, the first of the great-grandchildren, so he began to feel nervous again.

Qin mother stood outside and, not seeing Qin Fang come out, couldn’t help but ask, “Afang, how is your wife doing?”

From inside, Qin Fang replied, “Still waiting; she hasn’t given birth yet.”

Qin mother said, “Then you should come out quickly. Men shouldn’t be in there while women are giving birth.”

Qin Fang insisted, “I won’t come out. I’m here to keep Yanyan company; if I go out, she’ll be scared.”

Qin mother: “….”

She felt that, given her daughter-in-law’s knowledge, she certainly wouldn’t be afraid.

Qin grandmother said, “Let him stay inside. If he doesn’t see Yanyan safely give birth, he’ll only worry.”

Their family wasn’t that kind of big household; if the grandson wanted to be in the delivery room, let him be.

Although Qin grandmother also hoped for the grandson to come out, she remembered what the nun said, that the grandson’s daughter-in-law was a blessed person, so she didn’t mind too much.

Yang Haiyan felt her belly contracting painfully, the pain gradually intensifying from mild to sharp.

Her eyes turned red, but she didn’t cry out; she only choked out, “How long until the baby comes out?”

This pain was much worse than menstrual cramps.

The midwife comforted her, “Madam, just hold on a little longer; it’s almost time…”

When the pain came, time felt particularly slow.

Several times, Yang Haiyan wanted to faint from the pain, but she couldn’t.

She feared that if she passed out, she wouldn’t have the strength when the baby needed to come out.

So, every time she felt faint, she would pinch herself with her nails.

Watching her, Qin Fang’s heart raced. Sweat began to form on his forehead; for some unknown reason, he felt a similar ache in his own belly, perhaps from having eaten something bad that night.

However, he only felt a dull pain and didn’t have the urge to use the restroom.

While he was distracted by his own discomfort, he heard Yang Haiyan calling for him, “Husband… husband…”

Qin Fang snapped back to attention, “I’m here; I’m here.”

Yang Haiyan said, “Could you help me get the black snacks from the box?”

Those were the chocolates she had prepared for herself in advance.

Women in labor could use chocolate and Red Bull to replenish their strength.

She couldn’t bring out the Red Bull, but the chocolate could be used as a snack.

Of course, some families would prepare eggs, but she wouldn’t be able to eat dry eggs.

Qin Fang hurriedly brought over the small box and took out the chocolate. “Yanyan, do you want a snack? I’ll feed you.” He sat at the head of the bed and fed the chocolate to Yang Haiyan.

After eating the chocolate, Yang Haiyan felt a bit more energized from the bitter taste.

At that moment, they heard Granny Lian’s voice from outside: “General, the old servant has boiled some eggs for the madam.”