Chapter 144: Ye Shi Yun Has Also Given Birth

…

Meanwhile, Li Chun had just finished putting on the battle robe she had carefully prepared, even wearing the accessories that Zhang Chun hadn't even gotten to use yet, ready to properly please Zhao Yu, planning a delightful surprise for the night to shake off the reputation of being unable to conceive.

Over there, Li Qingzhao's maid hurried to report to Zhao Yu, saying Li Qingzhao was about to give birth.

Li Chun was on the verge of tears.

Although her family wasn't as dazzling as Han Yu's, they were still a family of officials. Her grandfather, Li Qingchen, although currently not as high-ranking as Han Zhongyan, had served through the reigns of Emperor Renzong, Emperor Yingzong, Emperor Shenzong, Zhao Xu, and Zhao Yu—a five-dynasty elder statesman of the Zhao Song dynasty.

When she was at home, she was also the pearl held in the palms of her family, never having suffered the slightest grievance.

Moreover, she had mastered the four arts from a young age. Composing poetry and matching couplets came to her effortlessly. Although she wasn't as famous as Li Qingzhao, she was also a renowned talented woman in Jingcheng.

Thinking back, if it weren't for the fact that the New and Old Parties had been fighting each other to the death, and her grandfather Li Qingchen was a "traitor" who had defected from the New Party to the Old Party, once the struggle failed, he certainly wouldn't have met a good end, and her family couldn't bear to send her into the palace.

Later, even after entering the palace, she was still full of confidence, even fantasizing that one day she could become Empress. At the very least, with her own talent and family background, it would be enough to make Zhao Yu fall for her, thereby securing a place for herself in this deep palace.

She never expected this harem to be so competitive. If she hadn't followed her family's arrangements, she didn't know how long she would have had to wait before being summoned to serve in bed.

However, it was precisely because she had served in bed that she fell into an even major predicament—she actually couldn't get pregnant no matter what.

Seeing the women who had served in bed with her one after another all getting pregnant, only her belly never showed any movement, and in the end even Zhang Chun, who had had as much difficulty conceiving as her, had successfully conceived, she truly stopped caring about anything.

In order to get pregnant, whenever she had the chance, she was like Mu Guiying taking command, never missing a single battle, and in every battle she charged at the very front, receiving Zhao Yu's most fierce cannon fire.

But time after time, hope was met with disappointment.

The only thing worth celebrating was that Zhao Yu was always willing to give her a chance. It could be said that as long as she participated in the battle, Zhao Yu would give her a turn.

This time, Zhao Yu even let her serve in bed alone.

Honestly, if she still couldn't get pregnant this time, she truly wouldn't blame Zhao Yu.

Of course, she certainly hoped to get pregnant.

Therefore, she racked her brains, wanting to use this carefully planned night to reverse the criticism she had long endured for failing to bear children.

However, fate is fickle, and destiny always seems to love playing jokes on people. Just as she was full of anticipation, preparing to welcome that possible turning point, Li Qingzhao's maid brought the news that Li Qingzhao was about to give birth, which was like a basin of cold water, instantly dousing all her passion and hope.

Her heart was a tangle of mixed feelings: envy of Li Qingzhao about to become a mother, helplessness at her own ill-fated destiny, and fear of losing this precious opportunity.

Just as Li Chun was feeling bitter and lamenting how unfair fate was, Zhao Yu stroked Li Chun's fox tail and said to her: "My beloved consort, don't worry. I'll go and come right back. If I really can't have you serve me tonight, I'll still have you serve in bed tomorrow night."

Li Chun was overjoyed, as if a ray of dawn had suddenly appeared in the darkness, illuminating the gloom in her heart. She held back the tears in her eyes, not letting them fall, so as not to lose her composure and give Zhao Yu something to laugh at.

"This concubine will accompany Your Majesty there. Lady Li is this concubine's good friend, and this concubine also wishes to witness her safe delivery."

Zhao Yu nodded in assent.

So the two began to change clothes.

When it came to the fox tail, Li Chun wanted to take it off.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yu whispered in Li Chun's ear: "Just keep wearing it like that…"

……

Soon, Zhao Yu and Li Chun arrived at Li Qingzhao's residence.

Because her cervix hadn't dilated, Li Qingzhao hadn't entered the delivery room yet.

It is worth mentioning that the reason Li Qingzhao hadn't entered the delivery room was also because she was waiting for Zhao Yu.

Yes.

Li Qingzhao had always been stubborn, refusing to admit that Zhao Yu was her man.

But when the crucial moment truly arrived, the person Li Qingzhao most wanted to see was still Zhao Yu, not those "fair-weather friends" of hers in the palace.

Therefore, seeing Zhao Yu arrive so quickly, the heart Li Qingzhao had been clutching tight was immediately set at ease.

Zhao Yu came to Li Qingzhao's side, took her hand, and comforted her: "My beloved consort, rest assured. If it cannot be done, I will definitely preserve your life and will not let you be in danger."

Li Qingzhao had also heard people say before that when faced with the choice of saving the mother or the child, Zhao Yu would always choose to save the mother, and had never disappointed any woman who bore his children.

At that time, although Li Qingzhao also felt that Zhao Yu's actions were quite rare and not something an ordinary man could compare to,

that was all it was.

Now that it was her turn to give birth, Li Qingzhao deeply understood the weight of this promise. The emotions welling up in her heart could hardly be summed up by simple gratitude.

It could be said that Zhao Yu's words were like a ray of warm winter sunlight, piercing through all her unease and fear, making this cold space outside the delivery room seem to be filled with a touch of tenderness.

Li Qingzhao gazed into Zhao Yu's firm yet gentle eyes, her heart a tangle of mixed feelings. She had once thought that in this deep palace, she was nothing more than a lonely, graceful shadow, out of place in this bustling world. But now, this sudden care and promise truly made her feel an unprecedented sense of reliance.

"Your Majesty, this concubine… this concubine…"

Li Qingzhao's voice trembled slightly. She had originally wanted to put on a brave front and say something like Zhao Yu didn't need to worry.

But when the words reached her lips, they transformed into a different tenderness and resolve: "This concubine will definitely bear another son for Your Majesty!!!"

Before long, Li Lin and Ye Shi Yun were also carried over in sedan chairs.

Unlike previous occasions when Li Lin and Ye Shi Yun had found it convenient to attend, this time Li Lin and Ye Shi Yun—especially the latter—being able to attend in person was truly not easy.

Because Ye Shi Yun was also about to give birth, with her due date also being these few days.

Under these circumstances, Ye Shi Yun still being able to come in person was truly very commendable.

Before Li Qingzhao could say anything polite, Ye Shi Yun smiled and said to Li Qingzhao: "The techniques we know have all been passed on to the midwives and medical officials. Even if we don't come, everything will be foolproof. You need not worry."

After so many deliveries, Ye Shi Yun had long passed on all the knowledge she had regarding childbirth to these professional midwives and female medical officials.

Because these midwives and female medical officials already had solid childbirth techniques to begin with, their skills had actually long since surpassed the teacher's.

Honestly, Ye Shi Yun's teaching of childbirth techniques so earnestly also had selfish motives.

After all, she was about to give birth too. If she didn't train a group of "apprentices" she could trust, how could she lie down and give birth with peace of mind?

But then again, a person's reputation is like a tree's shadow. With Ye Shi Yun here, Li Qingzhao would certainly feel more at ease.

Li Qingzhao wanted to properly thank Ye Shi Yun and Li Lin.

But just then, Li Qingzhao's cervix dilated.

Instantly, Li Qingzhao's cold sweat broke out from the pain.

Seeing this, a group of midwives, female medical officials, and palace attendants hurriedly helped Li Qingzhao into the delivery room they had already prepared.

Inside the delivery room, candlelight flickered, illuminating Li Qingzhao's face, clenched teeth and resolute, unyielding. Her hands gripped the silk bedding beneath her, each exertion seeming to pour all her strength into the continuation of life.

Zhao Yu paced outside the delivery room, his heart rising and falling with every low moan emanating from within; those eyes, usually calm and steady, now brimmed with worry and anticipation.

Getting Li Qingzhao—historically barren her entire life—pregnant was enough to make Zhao Yu proud.

One day, if one of Zhang Chun's five women discovered Zhao Yu was also a transmigrator, he would boast to her about his hundred-paces-piercing-aim skill.

But if Li Qingzhao suffered some mishap giving birth to his child, Zhao Yu might as well become a historical criminal.

If one of the five women ever found out Zhao Yu was also a transmigrator, wouldn't she condemn him for it?

Time seemed to freeze at this moment; half an hour's wait felt to Zhao Yu and others like an eternity.

Finally, a clear, loud infant's cry pierced the silence of the delivery room. Moments later, a female official sprinted out to announce: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Joy to Your Majesty! Lady Li has given birth to an Imperial Prince! Mother and child are safe!!!"

Zhao Yu was overjoyed and immediately prepared to reward all involved as customary.

But at that moment, Ye Shi Yun let out a sharp "Ah!"

Zhao Yu turned and saw that Ye Shi Yun's amniotic sac had ruptured.

Zhao Yu hurried over and asked anxiously: "My beloved, are you also about to give birth?"

To Zhao Yu's surprise, Ye Shi Yun seized his arm.

He didn't need to see her pale face—just feeling the strength of her grip on his arm told him Ye Shi Yun was more terrified than any woman who had borne him children before.

Zhao Yu didn't mind the amniotic fluid staining her body—he scooped her into his arms and comforted her: "Ten women have borne me children, not one has lost her life. You are beautiful and kind; the heavens and gods will surely grant you a safe delivery. Mother and child will be safe. Believe me."

Zhao Yu knew how to speak, and his example was perfectly chosen.

Honestly, Zhao Yu's luck was truly good.

So far, all eight sons and two daughters he had fathered were alive and healthy, and all the women who bore them were unharmed.

This was genuinely persuasive.

Moreover, although Ye Shi Yun was sharp-tongued, she was not a bad person—over the years, she had saved and helped many.

But the problem was, Ye Shi Yun knew that according to some scholars' research on ancient population history, under primitive medical conditions, maternal mortality during childbirth might range from 5% to 15%.

Although this era had seen some development in economy and culture, medical capabilities remained limited, so the probability of women dying in childbirth likely fell within this range.

Okay.

Ye Shi Yun had already trained midwives and female physicians, implemented effective disinfection measures, and prepared responses for complications—this should greatly reduce maternal mortality.

But the problem was, Zhao Yu's first ten children had all been delivered safely, mother and child unharmed.

Looking at cold, statistical probability alone, Ye Shi Yun felt she and her child were in grave danger.

Ye Shi Yun had always feared death—especially after the car accident before her transmigration, her fear of death had only deepened.

She clung tightly to Zhao Yu, her fingers digging into his flesh, her voice trembling as she whispered in his ear: "Zhao Yu, I'm scared!"

Zhao Yu knew she was truly terrified—otherwise, she would never have called him by his full name.

At this moment, Zhao Yu regretted letting Ye Shi Yun learn so much about childbirth.

Sometimes, ignorance is the greatest courage. When people know nothing, they fear nothing and charge forward. But once they understand the dangers and uncertainties ahead, that naive bravery vanishes, replaced by deep anxiety and dread.

Like Ye Shi Yun now—aware of the perils of childbirth, her fear surged like an unstoppable tide.

Zhao Yu gently stroked her back and said softly but firmly: "My beloved, don't fear. I will stay right here with you. I will not let you face the slightest danger. And here are the midwives and physicians you trained yourself—we are fully prepared. We will ensure your safe delivery, mother and child unharmed."

Hearing this, Ye Shi Yun felt slightly reassured, but her fear clung like a parasite, impossible to fully dispel. She knew that even in the advanced medical future, childbirth was a battle of life and death—how much more so in this era with limited medicine?

Ye Shi Yun leaned close to Zhao Yu's ear and said: "Zhao Yu, there are things I fear if I don't say them now, I'll never get another chance."

Zhao Yu wanted to stop her from speaking such ill-omened words.

But Ye Shi Yun gave him no chance—she spoke as if leaving a final testament: "Zhao Yu, you are the only man I've ever loved in both my lifetimes. If bearing your child costs me my life, I have no regrets. If we meet again in another life, even if you're still a heartless rake, I'll still follow you!"

Zhao Yu never expected Ye Shi Yun to say such things.

He wanted to pretend ignorance, ask her: "What two lifetimes? What heartless rake? What are you talking about?"

But even as shameless as Zhao Yu was, he couldn't say such things while Ye Shi Yun was pouring out her heart—he could only pretend not to understand, and keep offering incoherent comfort…

Until Ye Shi Yun's cervix dilated, and Zhao Yu personally carried her into the delivery room.

Zhao Yu desperately wanted to stay and accompany Ye Shi Yun through childbirth.

But no one allowed Zhao Yu to stay.

Later, even Ye Shi Yun herself urged him to leave.

Outside the delivery room, Zhao Yu remained deeply anxious.

This anxiety far surpassed the worry he had felt for Li Qingzhao.

To be honest, if Zhao Yu had to choose between Ye Shi Yun and Li Qingzhao, he would unhesitatingly choose Ye Shi Yun.

This wasn't just because Ye Shi Yun was far more useful than Li Qingzhao—it was because Zhao Yu felt deeper emotion toward Ye Shi Yun.

But the problem was, this wasn't a choice—and no choice was offered to Zhao Yu.

What made Zhao Yu's heart race was that before entering the delivery room, Ye Shi Yun had acted as if it were a final farewell—he feared this was a bad omen.

Moreover, Ye Shi Yun's labor was not going smoothly.

More than half an hour had passed, and she still hadn't delivered.

This made Zhao Yu unbearably restless.

Just as Zhao Yu's patience was about to vanish, ready to tell the female physician: "If Ye Shi Yun can't deliver naturally, do an episiotomy"—a loud infant's cry rang out:

"Wah…"

…

(End of Chapter)