The Daily Life of a Female Esper in Ancient Times - Chapter 227

“Your aunt came to take him home today,” Li Xia explained, using her chopsticks to place some vegetables in Lu Liucheng’s bowl, encouraging him to eat. This child only loved meat and disliked vegetables.

“Why didn’t anyone let me know?” Lu Liucheng looked at the vegetables in his bowl. After a moment’s hesitation, he picked them up and put them in his mouth, then quickly followed with a piece of meat. He then took a big gulp of soup to wash down the mouthful of food.

“You were still in school, how could we tell you?” Li Xia placed another serving of vegetables in Lu Liucheng’s bowl. Lu Liucheng frowned, not wanting to eat more. “Mom, I’ve already had one serving of vegetables.”

Hearing this, Li Xia was about to put the vegetables in her own bowl when another bowl appeared before her. Without looking, she knew it belonged to Lu XuanNing.

She placed the vegetables in Lu XuanNing’s bowl, then added a piece of spare rib as well.

First, they sent Lu Liucheng to the Beining Marquis Manor, where the Marquis was taking his younger son and grandson hunting. Li Xia and Lu XuanNing then went to Qingyue Street, first visiting the Wild Goose Pavilion to pay respects to Mrs. Lu.

Li Xia noticed Mrs. Lu looked unwell. “Mother, you must take care of your health. Your elder daughter-in-law and the others still need your care.”

“I’m fine,” Mrs. Lu said, but her heart was anxious. The Chang’an Princess was carrying twins, and Mrs. Lu had heard that the risk of difficult labor was much higher with twin pregnancies.

If something were to go wrong during the Chang’an Princess’s delivery, Mrs. Lu wasn’t sure if the Li family could withstand the Emperor and Empress’s fury. Because of this, Mrs. Lu found it hard to sleep, lying awake night after night.

No one could guarantee that everything would be fine with the Chang’an Princess’s situation. Li Xia didn’t say anything more. They went to Songtao Courtyard, where many palace staff had been added.

The Empress had sent her personal attendant, Auntie Liu, along with imperial physicians to stay at the Li Manor to attend to the Chang’an Princess. They were under orders to ensure the Chang’an Princess had a safe delivery.

The physician required the Chang’an Princess to get out of bed and walk for a quarter of an hour every hour to build up her strength for the delivery.

The Chang’an Princess’s feet were severely swollen, and she didn’t want to walk. Auntie Liu said, “Pardon me,” and ordered two strong palace maids to directly support the Chang’an Princess as she walked for a quarter of an hour.

Seeing Li Xia arrive, the Chang’an Princess was delighted. “Sister Xia, you’re here. Quick, let me sit down and chat with you.” She gestured for the maids to help her sit.

Auntie Liu stepped forward and bowed, “My lady, please wait a moment. Let the Princess finish her quarter-hour walk. Then you can talk in detail.” She signaled the maids to continue supporting the Princess as she walked.

“Auntie Liu,” the Chang’an Princess frowned, somewhat displeased. But Auntie Liu paid no attention to her displeasure.

After walking for a quarter of an hour, they finally stopped. The Chang’an Princess was covered in sweat and very uncomfortable. She went to freshen up, and by the time she saw Li Xia again, half an hour had passed.

“Sister Xia, sorry to keep you waiting,” the Chang’an Princess said, a bit embarrassed.

“Not at all, the snacks are delicious,” Li Xia said, taking another piece.

“These were made by Auntie Liu herself. Her snacks are even better than those made by the palace chefs. It’s just that she’s usually busy taking care of Mother Empress, so she doesn’t make them often. I rarely get to eat them,” the Chang’an Princess said, her appetite improving as she took a piece of the snack to eat.

“The Empress really dotes on you,” Li Xia remarked. Sending her most capable attendant to take care of her daughter.

“Of course, Mother Empress loves me the most,” the Chang’an Princess said, also realizing she shouldn’t have shouted at Auntie Liu earlier. Auntie Liu was here on the Empress’s orders to take care of her.

Just as she was thinking this, Auntie Liu entered carrying a tray. “My lady, these are pear blossom pastries,” she said, placing them on the table and inviting Li Xia to try them.

“Auntie Liu, I shouldn’t have shouted at you earlier,” the Chang’an Princess said, quick to admit her mistake.

“Princess, please don’t worry about it. This is my duty,” Auntie Liu replied, as concise as ever.

“Auntie Liu, your words are never very pleasing,” the Chang’an Princess said, taking a pear blossom pastry to eat. It tasted just as she remembered – it was her favorite snack.

Auntie Liu stood to the side, her eyes revealing a hint of affection as she looked at the Chang’an Princess. She had watched the Princess grow up. To say something disrespectful, Auntie Liu loved the Chang’an Princess like her own junior. As an elder, how could she take offense at a youngster’s momentary thoughtless words?

Li Xia looked at the Chang’an Princess’s belly, sensing the two little ones inside. Both children were healthy.

“An’an, how many days until your due date?”

“Three more days, and I can unload this cargo. I won’t have to carry this big belly anymore,” the Chang’an Princess said, patting her stomach. This pregnancy had been quite difficult for her. Just thinking about the biggest hurdle of childbirth still to come…

The Chang’an Princess clenched her fist, giving herself a pep talk, “I will definitely have a smooth delivery.”

Carrying twins, it was impossible for the Chang’an Princess not to be afraid. She had just been suppressing her fears, not daring to tell anyone. As she was speaking, the Chang’an Princess’s expression suddenly changed.

Li Xia and Auntie Liu, who had been watching her closely, both reached out at the same time. “An’an, what’s wrong?”

“I… I wet myself,” the Chang’an Princess said, embarrassed.

Auntie Liu lifted the Chang’an Princess’s skirt to check. “Her water has broken. Quick, come here!”

Following their previous rehearsals, palace maids came in to carry the Chang’an Princess to the delivery room. Two midwives entered the delivery room, while the imperial physician waited outside the door.

Upon receiving the news, Mrs. Lu hurried over. Seeing Li Xia, she asked, “How is the Princess?”

“She’s been taken to the delivery room. The midwife says she’s three fingers dilated and estimates the birth will be around the hour of Hai (9-11 pm),” Li Xia replied. This was if everything went smoothly; if not, who knew how long it might take.

“I’ll go in and see,” Mrs. Lu said, quickly walking in.

Li Xia waited in the courtyard. She saw Li Hui approaching quickly, with Lu XuanNing a step behind.

“Xia Xia, how is your sister-in-law?” Li Hui asked as he approached. Li Xia told him what she had told Mrs. Lu earlier.

“Ah!” A sharp cry from the Chang’an Princess came from inside.

“An’an, what’s wrong?” Li Hui rushed to the door, intending to go in, but was stopped by Auntie Liu. “My lord, you cannot enter.”

“Get out of my way, I’m going in,” Li Hui said forcefully.

“My lord, I know you’re worried about the Princess. But men are not allowed in the delivery room,” Auntie Liu insisted, not letting Li Hui enter.

“Brother Hui, I’m alright. Don’t worry,” the Chang’an Princess called out, having heard the argument between Li Hui and Auntie Liu.

“An’an, I’ll be waiting for you outside. Don’t be afraid, I’m here,” Li Hui said. The Chang’an Princess heard him, but another wave of pain hit her, leaving her unable to respond.

Lu XuanNing stepped forward and pulled Li Hui to the side of the courtyard, so they wouldn’t be in the way. Li Hui, not caring about propriety, sat down on the corridor steps, his eyes fixed on the delivery room door.

The last time, when the Chang’an Princess was giving birth to Li Xi, Li Hui had been sent on an urgent mission by the Emperor and couldn’t return in time. When he got home, the Chang’an Princess had already given birth. Holding the baby, she had smiled at Li Hui and said, “Brother Hui, we have a child now.”

This time, Li Hui was truly experiencing the dangers and pain of childbirth. Hearing the Chang’an Princess’s cries of pain from the delivery room, his heart clenched tightly.

“I remember you had Zhou Heng research contraceptive medicine,” Li Hui suddenly said.

“One pill is effective for a year,” Lu XuanNing said, taking out a medicine bottle from his robes. He had just received it from Zhou Heng yesterday.