Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1098 - 1095_1

Chapter 1098: Chapter 1095_1

On the day of the Longtaitou Festival on February 2nd, Xiao’er was awakened in the middle of the night with slight pains in her stomach. Due to their mildness, she gave them no mind and continued to drowse. However, as the pains grew more frequent and intense, she finally couldn’t ignore them any longer and fully woke up.

Every time a contraction hit, Xiao’er instinctively placed her hand on her stomach. Could this mean it was time?

As soon as Xiao’er stirred, Shangguan Xuanyi, who was sleeping beside her, woke up. "Do you need to turn over?" he asked.

Due to her growing stomach, Xiao’er found it difficult to turn over when sleeping. Lying flat left her short of breath after a while, and she would need to turn on her side. The baby seemed restless whenever she did, tossing and turning in her womb. It appeared it did not like her sleeping on her side. So, she would have to lie flat once more. Shangguan Xuanyi always helped her turn over during the night, so whenever Xiao’er moved, he immediately asked if she needed help shifting position.

Xiao’er shook her head. "No, I think... I think I’m about to give birth."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xuanyi sprang up from the bed and called out to Yang Liu who was standing guard outside, "Yang Liu, the Princess is in labor!" Shortly after, he quickly got out of bed to dress.

Startled, Yang Liu jumped off her bed and rushed off to prepare the midwife and summon the imperial doctor.

"Does it hurt a lot?" Once Shangguan Xuanyi was dressed, he helped Xiao’er sit up from the bed and then assisted her in dressing too.

"It’s not unbearable, but the pain comes about every quarter-hour. I believe these are contractions."

"Let me carry you to the delivery room," Shangguan Xuanyi said after helping Xiao’er dress.

Xiao’er shook her head, "That’s not necessary... I can walk. Moving around might even encourage quicker birth. But you can assist me off the bed for now."

Helping Xiao’er off the bed, Shangguan Xuanyi escorted her to the delivery room.

Though it was still chilly in early February, the delivery room was warm and had clearly been well-prepared for this moment.

Upon reaching the delivery room, ten midwives had already gathered outside, waiting to be summoned.

Shangguan Xuanyi first called upon one of the doctor-in-waiting from the palace who had both midwifery and medical skills. He wanted her to check if Xiao’er was ready to give birth.

After helping Xiao’er onto the delivery bed, Shangguan Xuanyi moved aside to watch the proceedings.

"Your Highness, I need to check the Princess’ labor progression. It would be best if you wait outside," the doctor suggested.

Shangguan Xuanyi’s stature was firm and immovable. He flatly stated, "Just do your work and don’t worry about me."

This remark clearly expressed his intention to stay and not leave.

Even though the doctor felt it was unseemly, she did not dare defy Prince Rui, given his indubitable tone. Besides, even if she had the boldness, she wouldn’t dare!

Looking at Shangguan Xuanyi, who stood next to her bed like a mountain, Xiao’er implored, "Brother Shangguan, please get out. Childbirth can be bloody. What if you’re traumatized and forbid me from delivering? "

Listening to her words, Shangguan Xuanyi glanced at Xiao’er, "How could you think I cannot handle some blood? Ignore my presence."

What’s more, would he stop the delivery for fear of bloodshed? Wouldn’t keeping the child in the womb be more dangerous?

His reason for staying in the delivery room was to track Xiao’er’s condition himself, which would give him peace of mind.

Xiao’er rolled her eyes at him. If anyone could ignore the presence of a tall, fully grown man standing right next to them, she would hail them as her master!

Before Xiao’er could say anything, another contraction seized her, making her abdomen tighten.

Shangguan Xuanyi grasped Xiao’er’s hand, "Is the pain back?"

Xiao’er nodded her head.

Shangguan Xuanyi pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. He was well-prepared and understood that contractions closer together signified birth drawing near.

Xiao’er’s current contractions were roughly a quarter-hour apart, and since it was her first birth, it should not be due very soon.

Once the contraction subsided, the doctor noticed Xiao’er’s relaxation and hurriedly asked, "Princess, is the pain gone?"

Xiao’er nodded.

"Then allow me to check your labor progress once more."

"Alright."

Shangguan Xuanyi kept his gaze fixed on the doctor, worried any careless move might hurt Xiao’er.

Under Shangguan Xuanyi’s intense watch, the doctor carefully conducted the examination.

Watching the distinct discomfort in the doctor’s movements, Shangguan Xuanyi firmly decided that after this child, Xiao’er would not have to go through this ordeal again.

Under tremendous pressure, the doctor was finally done with the examination. She revealed, "Princess, your cervix is only half dilated. It will be some time before the baby arrives. Let me check again in an hour."

Xiao’er nodded but corrected her, "Little Princess."

"Huh?" The doctor was momentarily befuddled.

"It’s a Little Princess."

For the doctor:

"...!"

She had chosen her words carefully to avoid offending anyone. People were generally pleased if the unborn child was referred to as a boy. She did not expect Xiao’er to be an exception to this norm.

Even Shangguan Xuanyi expressed his displeasure at the doctor’s words, "Given your experience, can’t you predict when precisely the Princess will give birth? If you must check again, why did you examine her so early? Why couldn’t you just wait and check in an hour?"

Even he knew that Xiao’er was nowhere close to giving birth. Between the continuous examinations, wasn’t the doctor just pointlessly tiring Xiao’er out?

The doctor:

"....."

Right when Shangguan Xuanyi finished his verbal assault, Yang Mei walked in with a tray. On it was a pot full of chicken soup garnished with ginseng, followed by a basket full of soup dumplings, crystal shrimp dumplings, and osmanthus cake.

Shangguan Xuanyi ignored the petrified doctor and helped Xiao’er sit up, then picked up the chicken soup from the tray. "Eat something to keep up your strength for our Little Princess’ arrival."

The ginseng in the chicken soup was meant to boost her energy.

Xiao’er nodded.

Shangguan Xuanyi patiently fed Xiao’er the soup, dumplings, and every other dish.

"Brother Shangguan, you should eat too!"

"Finish eating first."

Only after Xiao’er had eaten did Shangguan Xuanyi consume the remaining soup and leftovers.

The doctor was utterly flabbergasted.

Having lived in the Wang Mansion for several months, she was aware of Prince Rui’s affection for his wife. Yet she never expected it to be so limitless—Prince Rui even ate his wife’s leftovers!

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