Chapter 619: Misaligned Fetal Position

Morning.

A faint fish‑belly white just begins to spread across the horizon, and the night has not yet fully faded.

A thin mist, like a light gauze, envelops the soaring eaves of Jin Wang Fu, blurring the vermilion columns and bluish‑gray tiles into a hazy softness.

Outside the loft deep within the manor, people have already gathered in silent numbers, and even the bronze bells beneath the eaves seem restrained by the tense atmosphere, utterly mute.

Inside the delivery room, red candles burn high, casting a warm glow on the gilded peony curtains that line the walls, yet they cannot dispel the scorching heat that pervades the air.

Cold sweat on Du Shuying's forehead drips down her temples, dampening the embroidered pillow beside her, while she clutches a corner of the brocade quilt tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Each wave of excruciating pain forces her to let out a piercing cry: "Ah—!"

The sound tears the morning's tranquility, and everyone outside feels their hearts tighten.

In the courtyard outside the delivery room, Du Shuying's mother Li Shimiao stands at the front, dressed in a plain robe, with only a simple jade hairpin tucked into her side‑burns.

She presses both hands tightly to her chest, as if that could lessen her daughter's suffering.

The eyes that are usually gentle and smiling now redden, and the wrinkles at the corners deepen from excessive worry.

Hearing the successive cries of pain from within, her lips tremble as she repeatedly murmurs, "My daughter…."

"My Ying…."

The anguish and helplessness in her voice bring the maid standing nearby to the brink of tears.

In the center of the courtyard, Yuwen Hu stands with his arms crossed.

Clad in a dark‑colored brocade with subtle patterns, a jade sash tied at his waist accentuates his upright bearing, exuding authority without a word.

But at this moment, the sharp eyes accustomed to scrutinizing the court lack some of their usual authority, gaining a subtle, hard‑to‑detect gravity.

His gaze settles heavily on the tightly shut door of the delivery room, his brows slightly furrowed, his aura chilling, causing those nearby to dare not even draw a breath.

Next to Yuwen Hu stands Du Shuying's father, Du Yaoguang.

Dressed in lake‑blue attire, his refined features now lack any of his usual composure.

His hands rest behind his back, fingertips unconsciously rubbing, his gaze fixed on the door, lips pressed into a taut line.

A few strands at his temples flutter in the morning breeze, making his complexion appear even paler.

But the most anxious is Yuwen Ze.

He can no longer mind his appearance; his forehead is dotted with fine beads of sweat, his hands clenched into fists, knuckles turning blue from the strain.

He paces back and forth in the corridor, his steps hurried; each cry from the delivery room makes him halt, the worry in his eyes nearly spilling over.

He wants to push the door, to see his wife, but the attending midwife blocks him, leaving him to wait anxiously outside, his heart full of concern and unease with nowhere to vent.

In a corner of the courtyard, a few young attendants hold warm water and hot silk towels, moving lightly, daring not to make any sound.

And the one calmly directing everything is Chen Yan's wife, Pei Suiwan.

She wears a lotus‑pink brocade robe embroidered with folding lotus branches, her hair styled in delicate double‑loop buns, a crimson‑gold hairpin with emerald inlay tucked in, her figure slender, yet her brows and eyes exude a composure and competence beyond her years.

She scans the stunned maids, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, voice bright yet authoritative: "You all stop standing there and keep sending warm water and hot silk towels inside!"

"Don't stop!"

The maids, as if waking from a dream, quickly bow and reply, "Yes!"

Then they lift the prepared warm water and hot silk towels, rush to the delivery room door, gently knock, hand the items inside, moving swiftly, daring not to waste a moment.

Pei Suiwan then turns toward another group of maids stationed outside.

They hold medicinal herbs and clean cloths, awaiting orders.

Pei Suiwan commands in a deep voice, "And you, be ready at any moment!"

"If Lady Yun needs any herbs or items, be quick with your hands!"

"Do not allow even the slightest delay!"

The maids respond in unison, "Yes!"

Their voices are crisp, yet cannot hide the tension.

Pei Suiwan slightly nods, her gaze returning to the delivery room door, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.

She has known Du Shuying since childhood, growing up together in the inner chambers, sisters in spirit, as close as siblings.

Today, Shuying's labor makes her more anxious than anyone.

But at this moment, Jin Wang Fu lacks a matriarch; she must steady her mind to be of help.

Just then, another gut‑wrenching cry erupts from the delivery room: "Ah—!"

Li Shimiao trembles, quickly pulls a string of prayer beads from her sleeve, clutches them in her palm, fingers spinning them rapidly, lips moving as she chants, "Amitabha! Amitabha!"

Her voice grows increasingly urgent, eyes full of pleading, "Buddha, please protect my daughter!"

"As long as my daughter is safe, I will offer porridge at Ci'en Temple for a hundred days, praying for her!"

Seeing Li Shimiao's anxious state, Pei Suiwan quickly steps forward, gently steadies her arm, and soothingly says, "Auntie, don't worry!"

"Shuying's fate is blessed; mother and child will surely be safe!"

She says this while raising her hand toward the jade Buddha placed in the courtyard.

The jade Buddha, entirely translucent and exquisitely carved, was specially brought by Yuwen Ze from a temple outside the city earlier.

It now sits on the incense table, with curling sandalwood incense rising from the burner, swirling around the jade Buddha.

"Moreover, the jade Bodhisattva placed in this courtyard will also protect her!" Pei Suiwan's voice is gentle yet firm, carrying a reassuring strength.

Li Shimiao follows Pei Suiwan's pointing, gazes at the jade Buddha, and her tense nerves relax a little.

She nods repeatedly, a spark of hope reigniting in her eyes, murmuring, "Mm‑mm!"

"It will be fine! It will be!"

Then she turns to Pei Suiwan, eyes full of gratitude, her voice choked, "Suiwan, today we're so grateful to have you here!"

"If you weren't here, I truly don't know what we would have done...."

Her words are filled with relief.

It's thanks to that girl, with all the coordination, controlling the overall situation, she steadied them…

Pei Suiwan smiled faintly, that smile gentle and soft, shedding the severity she had when dispatching the maid earlier, her brows and eyes full of sincerity.

She lightly patted Li Shimiao's hand back and softly said, "What did Aunt say?"

"I have known Shuying since childhood, our bond like sisters, also close confidantes in the boudoir, this is only natural!"

"Shuying will surely be safe and sound, you can relax!"

Standing aside, overseeing Pei Suiwan's entire coordination. Yuwen Hu, who took it all in, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes, and he involuntarily nodded.

This supreme authority, having spent half his life immersed in court, accustomed to seeing aristocratic women either delicate and timid or arrogant and overbearing, has rarely encountered a young woman like Pei Suiwan who remains composed and skillfully coordinates matters.

He stroked the black beard under his chin, silently approving in his heart.

A Yan, this daughter‑in‑law is well chosen!

Our child's eye for choosing people is truly excellent!

With such a steady and capable virtuous spouse, A Yan will save a lot of worry in the future…

Yuwen Ze, already uneasy due to the stir in the delivery room, saw Pei Suiwan directing the maids in orderly fashion, and his hanging heart eased a little.

He hurried forward, solemnly bowed and clasped his fists to Pei Suiwan, his tone full of earnestness: "Thank you, sister‑in‑law, for handling everything!"

Pei Suiwan, hearing this, lifted her hand, a faint smile on her lips, the sharpness in her brows turning entirely gentle: "A Ze, your words are out of line; family members don't speak as if they were strangers!"

"Shuying is both your wife and my good sister; how could we just stand by and do nothing?"

He paused, deliberately teasing, "If your elder brother heard these words, he would probably be displeased…"

Yuwen Ze, hearing this, his tense expression softened a bit, a faint smile appearing on his lips, he quickly nodded and replied: "Yes!"

As soon as the words fell, Du Yaoguang, who had been intently watching the delivery room, suddenly caught a flicker of light and shadow moving at the courtyard entrance.

Two members of the Personal Guard stood on each side, leading a dark figure that hurried forward.

He felt a stir in his heart and immediately called out loudly: "Chen Zhuguo is coming!"

This shout instantly shattered the stagnant atmosphere in the courtyard.

Yuwen Hu turned, Du Yaoguang also lifted the worry from his brows, and even Pei Suiwan, who was softly soothing Li Shimiao, raised her eyes to look over.

Everyone turned their heads together, their gazes landing on the figure walking slowly toward them.

The newcomer was Chen Yan.

Clad in a dark woven gold Brothel, a jade belt at his waist, his steps steady, his brows bearing a hint of hurried dust from the road, having received the news he immediately rode his horse here.

At this moment he hurried forward, deeply clasped his fists in salute to Yuwen Hu, Du Yaoguang, and Li Shimiao, his voice clear: "Greetings, Grand Preceptor!"

"Greetings, Uncle Du, Aunt Du!"

Yuwen Hu stepped forward, placed a hand on Chen Yan's hand back, his tone bearing a hint of elder's friendliness, completely lacking courtly authority: "A Yan, there are no outsiders here, only family, so don't bother with these empty courtesies!"

Chen Yan straightened, gave Yuwen Hu a slight nod, and replied: "Yes."

His gaze had already passed the crowd, resting on the tightly shut delivery room door, hearing intermittent cries of pain from within, his brows slightly furrowed, he asked in a deep voice: "How is the situation inside?"

Yuwen Ze's brows tightened further, his face full of worry, his voice low as he replied: "Shuying's fetal position is abnormal, it's a difficult delivery…"

He shifted his tone, recalling the Divine Doctor Heir's younger sister‑in‑law in the delivery room, and her thorough coordination, and slightly reassured: "But the younger sister‑in‑law has already gone in, it should be no serious problem!"

Chen Yan, hearing this, his tense shoulders relaxed a bit, he nodded and said softly: "That's good."

Having said that, as if suddenly recalling something, a hint of puzzlement flashed in his eyes, he looked at Yuwen Ze and asked, "Didn't you say the due date was still a few days away?"

"How is it that today suddenly…?"

Yuwen Ze, hearing this, his eyes darkened, a shadow passing over his face, after a moment of contemplation he said in a deep voice: "It must have been yesterday afternoon, when she was startled…"

He recalled yesterday's events, his tone carrying a hint of regret: "Although Shuying knew the details in advance and her temperament is steady, she is still pregnant, inevitably some unrest stirred the fetal qi!"

"Murong Yuan!" Chen Yan's eyes suddenly flashed with a hostile hue, the aura around him instantly chilled.

He clenched his fist, knuckles whitening, his tone grim: "A Ze, rest assured, after I return, I will make the Mingjing Office give Murong Yuan a proper reception!"

Yuwen Ze's eyes also flashed a fierce light, he responded heavily: "Hmm!"

He looked toward the delivery room, anger and concern roiling in his eyes, and said in a deep voice: "When the time comes, my younger brother will go to the Mingjing Office himself!"

The courtyard atmosphere, due to this exchange, suddenly turned grim.

The morning light at the horizon grew ever brighter, golden rays piercing the thin mist, falling on everyone, yet could not dispel the gloom in their brows.

Only that jade Buddha still radiated a gentle sheen on the incense table, lingering sandalwood fragrance swirling, as if silently guarding those in the delivery room.

Chen Yan withdrew his gaze from the delivery room, turned to Yuwen Hu standing aside with hands behind his back, his brows carrying a firm reassuring tone, and loudly said: "Grand Preceptor, don't worry, with Xier here, everything will be fine!"

He knows that although Grand Preceptor's father shows no outward emotion, his inner hopes for the younger generation and worries for his siblings are no less than anyone present.

The words finished, he glanced again at the tightly shut wooden delivery room door, adding: "If the fetal position is abnormal, it's inherently more tricky than a normal birth, perhaps it just needs some time…"

"You can relax, Xier has practiced medicine for many years, has seen countless difficult cases, she will certainly not make a mistake!"

Yuwen Hu's right hand remained behind his back, his left hand hanging at his side, his thumb slowly turning the Jade Ring on his finger.

The Jade Ring felt cool to the touch, barely suppressing the few sparks of agitation in his heart.

He heard this, gave a light nod, and in a deep voice said: "I, the king, understand!"

Having said that, he let out a light sigh, his tone carrying a clear commendation: "Your sister‑in‑law Yun Xi is no ordinary medic; she is the direct disciple of the contemporary Divine Doctor Gong Sun Qi!"

"Exactly!" Chen Yan quickly nodded, his tone even more resolute, deliberately raising his voice a few levels so that the words reached Du Yaoguang and Li Shimiao beside him clearly: "Xier's medical skill has fully inherited the Divine Doctor's true teachings; her acupuncture even surpasses the master, ordinary difficult births are but a trivial task for her!"

This remark both answered Yuwen Hu and was meant to soothe Du Yaoguang and his wife.

Earlier the two, upon hearing the words "abnormal fetal position," had turned pale; now they needed a calming pill to steady their minds.

As expected, the Du couple, hearing this, their tense shoulders relaxed slightly, Li Shimiao's hand turning the prayer beads slowed, and hope's light returned to their eyes.

Yuwen Hu narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze on Chen Yan, bearing a subtly pointed hint, his voice low yet each word clear: "A Yan, the Divine Doctor Gong Sun Qi is advanced in age, these years hidden in the mountains, he likely has not even a single attendant to serve tea or water…"

"Since you have taken their direct disciple as a wife, you are almost a son; you must find a way to bring the Divine Doctor to Chang'an, settle him well, nurture his later years, to fulfill filial piety!"

The words sounded like ordinary advice, yet concealed hidden implications…

Gong Sun Qi's medical skill is superb; if he can be kept in Chang'an, for the Weiguo Gongfu it would be an extra protective talisman beyond others' reach.

At the Jin Wang Fu and even the Da Zhou Court, it was also a fortunate affair.

Chen Yan instantly understood the Grand Preceptor father's hint, and immediately bowed, replying, "I understand!"

He paused, the corner of his mouth slightly upturned, and continued, "The Gong Sun Divine Doctor has always been elusive, like a divine dragon seen at the head but not the tail; the Mirror Office has long dispatched personnel, secretly searching in each prefecture, striving to find any news…"

"I shall certainly bring him to Chang'an at the first opportunity and properly support him!"

Chen Yan, of course, understood the advantages and disadvantages, and had been searching long before welcoming Yun Xi through the gate…

Yuwen Hu heard this, nodded with satisfaction, said no more, and his gaze fell again on the door of the delivery room, the surrounding air seeming to grow a few moments quieter.

The sandalwood incense in the courtyard still wafted gently, and the morning light climbed inch by inch up the eaves, tinting the bluish‑gray bricks with a warm golden‑red hue.

Everyone stood quietly, occasional faint whispers from within the delivery room reaching their ears, sometimes mixed with Du Shuying's suppressed breathing, but no longer the heart‑rending cries of before.

Time flowed slowly in the silent waiting.

About an hour later, just as Li Shimiao's prayer beads began to spin rapidly again, a steady midwife's high, joyful voice suddenly rang from the delivery room, piercing the tightly closed wooden door and clearly echoing throughout the courtyard:

"Born! Born!"