As the months passed, Sang Yao’s belly grew bigger and bigger.

After the New Year, Sang Yao rarely went out, and even when she did, it was only in her small courtyard.

Yu Zhi had just given birth to Tao Tao, so she had some experience and often came to the West Garden to see Sang Yao, reminding her of things to pay attention to.

Recently, there was a heavy snowfall, and the surroundings were all white. Sang Yao wrapped herself in a thick blanket and nestled by the window. Despite wearing heavy clothes, her swollen belly was still noticeable.

At the beginning of her pregnancy, she occasionally felt nauseous and short of breath, but as her belly grew bigger, these symptoms eased.

However, during this time, her calves were always sore, and she had to get up more often at night.

Fortunately, in this last month, except for when Xie Yun went to court, he was always by her side.

When she was tired, Xie Yun would massage her legs, and when she got up at night, he patiently helped her. It was not that bad.

Fortunately, it wouldn’t be long before she was relieved.

She looked at the snow flying outside, then turned to Xie Yun in the room and asked, “Xie Yun, what are you doing?”

Xie Yun flipped through the pages of the medical book in his hand, then looked up with a serious expression. “Have you noticed that our child seems a bit chubby?”

Sang Yao was silent.

“If you think I’m fat, just say it,” she said.

Xie Yun replied, “No, it’s not that.”

He glanced at Sang Yao’s belly. It looked normal, but he was anxious. “Neither of us has much experience. Is it normal for the baby to be this big at nine and a half months?”

Frowning, he continued, “No, I’ve already sent someone to the palace to summon Doctor Li.”

What if something goes wrong?

Sang Yao didn’t understand. She could give birth at any moment, so why was he still worried about this?

“It’s not that big,” she said. “When my mother gave birth to me, I was very thin, so I was always in poor health as a child. If the baby is a bit chubby, it’s probably not prone to illness.”

She thought lovingly about her baby. Even though the child hadn’t been born yet, she had already embroidered a pile of small clothes.

Xie Yun couldn’t be happy. The closer they got to the delivery date, the more anxious he became. The more he saw in the obstetrics books, the harder it was for him to relax. Today, he noticed that Sang Yao’s belly seemed a bit big, and yesterday he worried about why the baby moved less. He also kept thinking about whether Sang Yao would bleed too much during childbirth.

Every time he thought about it, he felt uneasy.

He spent his days lost in thought and couldn’t sleep at night. On the other hand, Sang Yao seemed completely unconcerned.

But that was also good.

He closed the book, walked to Sang Yao, and said, “Close the window.”

Sang Yao didn’t want to. “You said I’m fat, so I’m angry. I want to cool down by feeling the breeze.”

“I didn’t say you’re fat…”

Sang Yao interrupted, “Doctor Li came all the way from the palace just for this. Aren’t you afraid of people laughing at you?”

“Didn’t he come yesterday?” Xie Yun replied. “It’s okay, he doesn’t mind.”

Sang Yao couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. She reached out and touched the cold snowflakes on the windowsill, being very willful. “I won’t listen.”

She ordered him, “I want to drink lotus seed porridge, without sugar. You make it for me.”

Xie Yun said, “Wait for the doctor to finish.”

Sang Yao snorted. She pretended to touch her belly and said, “It hurts. The baby is also angry.”

Xie Yun was always caught off guard by her cuteness.

He sighed helplessly, then gently touched the fuzzy top of her head and said, “Okay, I’ll go.”

He turned around.

Sang Yao was sitting with her legs crossed. Before she could feel happy, she suddenly felt a strange sensation underneath her.

A rush of moisture came out, soaking her clothes. Sang Yao straightened her back, and the hand that was reaching outside the window stiffened.

Then, a wave of pain swept over her.

Sang Yao looked at Xie Yun, who was about to leave, and opened her mouth to call him, “Xie Yun…”

Xie Yun turned around and said, “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine in a moment.”

Sang Yao looked at him, her eyes showing a bit of panic.

Xie Yun paused for a moment, his calm eyes suddenly contracting. He pushed open the door directly, quickly gave a few instructions, then came forward to support Sang Yao.

At this moment, he couldn’t carry her.

Xie Yun remained calm, helping Sang Yao onto the bed and closing the window. He found her some clean clothes.

He kissed her forehead and said, “Don’t be afraid.”

He checked under Sang Yao and said, “It’s just the amniotic fluid breaking. It won’t be born for a while. The doctor and midwife will be here soon.”

“Don’t worry. When you feel pain, adjust your breathing and shift your focus. When Er Sao gave birth to Tao Tao, it only took half an hour. Since this baby is so well-behaved, it will definitely be faster than Tao Tao.”

Sang Yao nodded.

In this emergency, her mind was blank. She could only ask Xie Yun, “How long will it take like this?”

Xie Yun said in a deep voice, “Not long. If you’re lucky, the contractions will last for three or four hours, and then the baby will be born.”

“What do you want to eat? I’ll go prepare it for you.”

The contraction passed, and Sang Yao felt better now.

She propped herself up with her arms half-laying on the bed.

She murmured, holding the man’s stiff arm with her delicate white hand, “I’m not hungry yet. Just stay with me, and we can ask someone to bring food later.”

Xie Yun agreed and sat on the edge of the bed. By now, he seemed calmer.

Sang Yao felt more at ease watching him.

Soon, the room was filled with people.

Yu Zhi and Shen Miaoyi came in to accompany Sang Yao and told her how to cope with the upcoming situation.

As time passed, Sang Yao’s contractions became more intense.

Eventually, she was unable to respond to Xie Yun’s words.

The sky had dimmed, and Doctor Hou was outside the screen.

Shen Miaoyi forcefully pulled Xie Yun out, and the door was closed tightly.

Outside, there was some noise.

Inside too.

Snow started falling again, silently landing on the man’s shoulders.

Due to the cold weather, the womenfolk had all gone to the side rooms to wait, leaving only Xie Yun standing below the steps, silently staring at the closed door.

Jinglian came forward with a heron cloak and said softly, “Young Master, the Mistress will surely give birth to the young master safely.”

Xie Yun nodded and said, “I’m just worried that she’s afraid of the pain.”

On ordinary days, even if she pricked her hand with an embroidery needle, her eyes would turn red.

How could she endure giving birth to a child?

Jinglian draped the heron cloak over Xie Yun and said, “The Mistress is actually very brave.”

Standing beside Xie Yun, Jinglian continued quietly, “I remember a long time ago, there was a time when the Mistress accidentally fell and scraped a large piece of skin on her hand, all covered in mud. It looked painful.”

“The skin had to be torn off and cleaned with alcohol to prevent scarring.”

“The Mistress was very scared, but without hesitation, she tore off that piece of skin, blood and flesh attached.”

He whispered, “At that time, I thought that the Mistress wasn’t actually that fragile. She would always bravely face whatever she needed to face.”

Most of the time, she had someone to rely on, so she always liked to show her vulnerability to others, trying to get closer to them.

She was like this with her family and with his master too.

Xie Yun remembered the sight of the young Sang Yao, tears streaming down her face as she dealt with her wound. His lips curled up involuntarily, and he said softly, “Yes, she’s very amazing.”

Standing beside Xie Yun, Jinglian said, “The Mistress is actually very brave.”

Xie Yun thought of the young Sang Yao, crying as she tended to her wound, and couldn’t help but smile. He whispered, “Yes, she’s very amazing.”

Jinglian stood beside Xie Yun, the cold snowflakes falling, and the room inside was dimly lit by candles.

After a while, Xie Yun glanced at Jinglian and asked, “I don’t even know about this. How did you know?”

…

Before Jinglian could think of how to answer, a loud cry came from inside the room.

Xie Yun quickly climbed the steps, and the door opened just then.

“Congratulations, Master Xie—”

Xie Yun avoided the midwife who was holding the child and walked straight into the room.

There was a faint smell of blood in the room, and he saw the young girl lying pale on the bed.

He slowed his pace, and Sang Yao also saw him.

She reached out to him, her delicate wrist looking like it could break at any moment.

Xie Yun held her hand, then bent down to kiss her sweaty forehead. He said, “Yaoyao, you’re amazing.”

Sang Yao smiled, her voice slightly hoarse and soft, but her pride was evident in her words. She said in his ear, “Xie Yun, look, I guessed right, didn’t I?”

“It’s a girl, chubby.”

“Have you seen her?”

Xie Yun nodded and said, “Yes, I have.”

Sang Yao raised her hand, and the midwife quickly brought the baby over.

Xie Yun looked down at her, the fragile life wrapped in her, covered in the blood of both him and Sang Yao.

Xie Yun didn’t dare to touch her, and subconsciously moved away a bit.

The newborn baby was not particularly attractive, especially with her vigorous crying.

The midwife beside her said, “Miss is so distinctive. I’ve taken care of so many children, but I’ve never seen one as beautiful as her.”

Sang Yao felt that the midwife must be complimenting her and Xie Yun.

She said, “It’s okay, baby. Even though you’re not very good-looking, your mother really likes you.”

She glanced at Xie Yun and said quietly, “And so does your father.”