Xiaobao turned his head to look at Side Consort Xu. With a bright smile on her stunning face, she had uttered such venomous words.
She was so sure that he wouldnât understand her words, so she vented her hatred on him?
Telling an ignorant young child that his mother was going to die as well as his yet-to-be-born brother, was enough to prove how vicious this woman was. If he was truly an ignorant infant, he might even smile and agree!
What a venomous and evil-hearted woman!
From his last life, Xiaobao knew that Yaoniang had died fighting for favour in the backyard. But because of the changes Yaoniang had made in this life coupled with the fact that she had the temperament of a hermit, there hadnât been much interaction with Side Consort Xu. As a result, Xiaobao had yet to witness the viciousness of the battlefront. Only now, did he truly realize what lengths an evil-hearted woman would go to!
Looking at the other partyâs bright smile, he raised his little hand and slapped it.
The smack rang loud and clear, attracting everyoneâs attention at once.
The smile on Side Consort Xuâs face froze.
Then with another slap, Xiaobao slid off her leg and ran to Chunâer before turning back to look at Side Consort Xu. âUgly. You look too ugly. I wonât play with you anymore.â
Side Consort Xuâs face suddenly cracked.
At this moment, the loud cry of a baby came from inside.
Yaoniang shut her eyes, exhausted. Next to her ear came a voice saying, âCongratulations, Your Highness. The child is a young master.â
âRest for a bit. Wait until they get you something to eat before going to sleep.â
She nodded, without any energy to even speak.
Fortunately, the delivery was successful. She was lucky that Midwife Liâs skill was so good. There were several times when she almost couldnât hold on any longer and it was Midwife Li who continued to encourage her.
Hong Chou brought over some warm water. Holding the newborn that was covered in blood, Midwife Li was about to clean him when Midwife Cao squeezed over. âSister Li, let me help you.â
Her attitude underwent a 180-degree change from the previous disdain. Midwife Liâs various methods used during the delivery had amazed Midwife Cao.
Midwife Li glanced at her, before stepping to the side. âNo need for your help.â
âThen Iâll go take a look at Her Highness. The remaining stuff that still needs to be done, this old woman can do it.â Midwife Cao tried to approach the bed but was blocked by the assistant brought by Midwife Li.
âAre you lacking a little something up there? What part of âno need for your helpâ do you not understand?â
Midwife Caoâs face turned into the colour of pig liver. She was about to say something, when Midwife Li, who had just finished cleaning the baby, walked up to them.
She placed the baby down in the crib next to the bed, then approached Yaoniang and lifted up the cloth covering her body. Not long after, she took her hand back, now holding something inside. With a smile on her face, she said, âHer Highness is fortunate. Itâs whole.â
Hong Die brought over a wooden box to receive it, then closed the lid. On the other side, Hong Chou came with some more hot water. Yu Chan walked over and carried Yaoniang onto a soft couch nearby without much effort. She then wiped her body clean and changed her clothes. Meanwhile, the bedding was removed and replaced with a new set before Yaoniang was carried back onto the clean bed.
The smell of blood seemed to have finally faded a bit. Lying on the soft sheet, Yaoniang shut her eyes, relieved.
In a daze, Yu Chan brought her a bowl of something and assisted her to drink it.
After drinking it, she fell into a deep sleep.
âŠ
The door opened from the inside. Midwife Li went out to report to those still waiting outside.
âHer Highness gave birth to a young master. Both the mother and son are safe and sound.â
Side Consort Xu was still immersed in the shock of being twice slapped by Xiaobao and being scolded for being ugly. Hearing Midwife Li, she instinctively raised her head to look at Consort Jin.
Safe and sound? What did she mean safe and sound? How can they be safe and sound?
Side Consort Xu knew this di sister of hers only too well. She wanted the child, so Su Yaoniang must not be allowed to live. Side Consort Xu had even planned that once Su Yaoniang died, she would fight for the custody of one of the children. But safe and sound? So Su Yaoniang didnât die? Why hadnât she died?!
At this time, Consort Jin was looking at the child.
Hong Fei came over carrying a tray.
Knowing that she was carrying medicine, everyone subconsciously moved to the side. Consort Jin glanced at the bowl of medicine then said with a smile on her face, âSide Consort Su has worked hard! Make sure she rests well, and Iâll have someone report to the palace.â
Now that the delivery was over, they would naturally not stay here any longer.
Consort Jin took the lead and went out. Once Consort Jin left, Side Consort Liu also stood up to follow. Only Side Consort Xu was left sitting there by herself, seeming to be deep in thought.
Her close maid called out to her in a soft voice before she finally returned to her senses. Seeing that Consort Jin and Side Consort Liu had already left, she hurriedly stood up and left with her own maid.
The room was filled with the faint scent of orange peel. Although there was a faint smell of blood, it was extremely weak.
Jin Wang appeared beside the bed then slowly sat down.
Sleeping in the nearby crib was the newborn. His skin was red and so tender it seemed like it would pop with a poke. Lying quietly on the bed was Yaoniang. Her pregnant belly that he had grown accustomed to suddenly disappeared. She looked as if she had lost a lot of weight all at once, giving others a sense of pitifulness and weakness. Her face seemed to be a bit pale, but her overall complexion wasnât too bad.
Yaoniang woke up from her sleep and saw Jin Wang as soon as she opened her eyes. Her mood was a bit complicated, as if she had a thousand words to say, but didnât know where to start.
âHow did you know to use Midwife Li and not Midwife Cao?â
âDid that Midwife Li receive instructions from you to deliberately fool others?â
Two voices spoke up at the same time. It was Yaoniang who asked the latter question.
She had long felt something was off. Although she had been in pain, it was definitely not as serious as how Midwife Li had made it out to be. And there actually had been a bit of blood in the beginning. At first, she didnât pay attention to it because she was too flustered, but when Midwife Li checked her lower body, they both saw the red stains on her clothes.
They both clearly saw the blood. Yet when Midwife Li turned around and acted as if she didnât, Yaoniang couldnât help but feel that something was wrong. However, when Midwife Cao rushed up, trying to take over, she still asked Midwife Li to help her deliver the baby.
Jin Wangâs eyes glittered with a smile, but he didnât speak, as if waiting for Yaoniang to continue.
She thought for a while, then said, âMidwife Li was sent by the consort, who said that she was recommended by the Marquis Jinyangâs heirâs wife. Even if the consort wished to harm me, she wouldnât want to splash herself with dirty water, much less drag Marquis Jinyangâs Manor down with her. This is why I believed Midwife Li could be used.â
Jin Wang caressed her face and said with a smile. âNot bad. Guess you arenât dumb after all.â
Yaoniang mouth opened, unresigned. Youâre the one whoâs dumb! But she didnât dare to say this out loud.
She still had something to say when Fucheng walked in from outside. âThe maid who added something to the medicine has been taken away. Thereâs also someone watching over Midwife Cao.â
Yaoniang was bewildered. It turned out the consort really had wanted to make a move on her. And here she thought she was overthinking it.
âSo Midwife Cao wasnât invited here by you, Eunuch Fu?â
âIt was this old servant.â Fucheng smiled and said, âAfter this old servant found her, someone else also contacted her.â
So, Midwife Li was the good one, while Midwife Cao was bad?
Huh. This is what hiding in plain sight truly means, right?
Yaoniang thought to herself that this was all quite complicated. She might as well eat some good food first then take a nap.