Chapter 100: Little Baozi is Here!

 

On the eighteenth day of the first month, after several days of continuous cold following the snowfall, today finally cleared up. The road had dried considerably, no longer posing a hindrance to the journey to school.

 

Today, Jing An and Jing Shhu had to take a carriage from the estate to go to school, so they got up early. At the moment, they were having breakfast with Jing’s parents in the dining room.

 

“Big brother, morning.” “Big brother, good morning!”

 

Jing Yi walked into the dining room, and his two younger brothers greeted him. After responding to each of them, he also greeted his parents.

 

“Big brother, where’s Brother Chuxia? Isn’t he having breakfast?” Jing Shu asked.

 

“He’s still asleep. His feet cramped all night, so he didn’t rest well,” Jing Yi explained.

 

Not only did Chuxia not rest well, Jing Yi hardly slept all night. At first, he would massage Chuxia’s feet and calves every time they cramped to relieve the pain. Later, when Chuxia eased a bit and fell asleep, he couldn’t sleep too deeply. He would get up from time to time to check on Chuxia’s condition.

 

In the dead of winter, Chuxia’s pain was uncomfortable, and Jing Yi felt distressed.

 

“You’ll have a tougher time these days. Doctor Cen said the baby is due around mid to late February. It’s not even a month yet. Chuxia is going through a tough time. When I gave birth to you three, your father only knew how to sleep soundly!” Jing’s mother, having given birth to three children, naturally understood how challenging it could be.

 

Jing’s father didn’t dare to speak and silently lowered his head to eat porridge.

 

“You can rest assured, Mother,” Jing Yi promised.

 

After breakfast, Jing An and Jing Shu were about to go to the private school.

 

Jing Yi escorted them out of the main courtyard, then took out a letter sealed with wax and handed it to Jing An. “Xiao An, give this letter to Dean Wen. Keep it confidential. If someone asks about it, come up with another reason.”

 

Although Jing An was curious, he knew that if Big Brother had something to tell him, he would share it. If there were things he couldn’t say, it might involve danger, so he didn’t inquire.

 

“Okay, don’t worry, Big Brother.”

 

“Alright, go then.”

 

Jing Yi didn’t have to wait too long. When Jing An finished school in the afternoon, he brought back a reply from Dean Wen.

 

Jing Yi didn’t want to leak any information, so in the letter, he only wrote five words, ‘The other estate, the backyard’. He believed that with Dean Wen’s cunning mind, he would understand his meaning.

 

Sure enough, Headmaster Wen’s reply was concise and clear, ‘A centipede may be dead, but it can still twitch’. It meant he should wait a little longer. Indeed, even if it was the crown prince in charge, or the influential Liu family entrenched in Fuyang Town for many years, it wouldn’t be easy to topple them momentarily. This matter could bring trouble if not handled properly.

 

Then let’s wait. There was no deep-seated hatred between him and the Liu family; it was just a matter of disliking them. Now, all the clues pointed to the heinous deeds committed by the Liu family, and anyone with a conscience wouldn’t let them off.

 

For safety reasons, Jing Yi decided to withdraw the surveillance on Lai Da from Renhe and others. Without his uncle’s support, he wouldn’t be able to make significant waves.

 

However, Jing’s family reinforced security measures for several houses and shops.

 

Putting aside this matter for now, Jing Yi continued to deal with family affairs. He also took the time to organize the cement formula and handed it over to Dean Wen. After that, he chose not to inquire further.

 

In the past few months, there had been quite a stir in the court every few days. The Emperor fell seriously ill, and the Crown Prince took over as regent. The Minister of Revenue was arrested and imprisoned for corruption, and the third prince was punished with a month of confinement for misconduct in front of the palace.

 

However, these events had little impact on the lives of the common people in Fuyang Town. Even if the news reached them, it was often a month-old story.

 

Government officials were busy observing and choosing sides, but the common folks continued with their lives, eating and drinking as if nothing had happened.

 

However, Jing’s family couldn’t afford to be carefree because, in early February, Chuxia went into labor.

 

On the second day of the second month, with the dragon raising its head, the grass growing, and birds flying, all things were rejuvenating.

 

On this sunny afternoon, the much-anticipated little baby of the Jing family was born.

 

It was not long after lunch when Chuxia, thinking that he still had about ten days according to Doctor Cen’s estimated delivery time, planned to finish the recent accounts and accumulated work at the Ningxia Pavilion and be at ease during childbirth.

 

After having lunch and strolling in the garden with Jing Yi, Chuxia intended to return to the study.

 

Just as he was about to reach the study, he felt a slight bloating in his stomach. Not taking it seriously, he thought it was just due to the pressure on his internal organs from his growing belly, which had been the case for the past two months whenever he ate a little more. He joked with Jing Yi that he was now suitable for eight meals a day, each with the appetite of a small bird.

 

Unexpectedly, after a few more steps, he felt a dampness beneath him. Spring was still cold, and despite wearing multiple layers, he soon felt a chilly sensation sticking to his thighs.

 

He stood still for a moment, belatedly realizing that this might be what the doctor referred to as the rupture of the amniotic sac.

 

“What’s wrong, Chuxia? Are you tired? Shall I carry you back?” Jing Yi asked when he saw him stop, lost in thought. Considering Chuxia’s proximity to childbirth, Jing Yi thought of carrying him back to the study. As the delivery approached, Chuxia’s feet were even more swollen, and although he had changed into suitable shoes, walking was inevitably painful. Not to mention, the weight of his belly pressing on his back made his waist sore.

 

“Ah… Ah Yi, it seems like my water broke.” Chuxia, experiencing childbirth for the first time, was more afraid than excited at this moment. He had no idea what to do and stood there, seeking help from Jing Yi.

 

Jing Yi was eager for Chuxia to give birth sooner, freeing him from the discomfort of pregnancy. However, now that it was really happening, his usual calm and composure seemed to have vanished. He was in a panic.

 

Disregarding formalities, he reached out and touched Chuxia, confirming that everything was wet. His face immediately changed.

 

Carefully lifting Chuxia horizontally, intending to walk to the delivery room in the main courtyard, he suddenly remembered Doctor Cen’s instructions not to carry him if the birth was imminent. Slowly walking was fine. He quickly adjusted, reassuring his wife and tightly supporting him, all while shouting, “Someone! Go tell the master and madam! Young Madam is about to give birth!”

 

His slightly convulsing facial muscles and trembling voice clearly demonstrated Jing Yi’s extreme nervousness.

 

“Husband, don’t worry. I don’t feel anything right now.” Chuxia, initially quite anxious, was amused by Jing Yi’s actions. His composure improved, and he comforted him.

 

After walking a few steps, they saw Jing’s father and mother rushing over upon hearing the news. Jing’s mother, an experienced person, was the calmest on the spot and naturally took charge.

 

She first instructed Aunt Dan to invite the midwife from the side courtyard and then told Aunt Cui to bring Zhao Miao and Zhao Yu to boil water and prepare items for childbirth.

 

“Renhe! Where’s Renhe?!” After Jing Yi’s initial panic, he now had calmed down.

 

“Master, I’m here.” Renhe quickly ran over.

 

“Quickly, go and invite Doctor Cen from the town. Hurry!” Jing Yi instructed.

 

Renhe didn’t hesitate and quickly left. Jing’s mother moved her lips slightly but didn’t say anything. Oh well, if they wanted to invite a doctor, let them. Although she hadn’t seen anyone from a wealthy family inviting a doctor for childbirth.

 

“Oh, Xiao Yu, don’t rush. Go tell Renyi to go to town and invite Brother Lin and Yuanyuan as well,” Jing’s mother reminded Jing Yi.

 

“Yes, madam.” Xiai Yu also hurriedly left.

 

With both arrangements made, they helped Chuxia to the delivery room. Jing Yi was now feeling a bit of pain himself. Coincidentally, the midwife also arrived.

 

Seeing that the master of the house was also in the delivery room, the midwife couldn’t help but find it a bit absurd. However, she dared not speak harshly to the master of such a prominent family. She politely tried to persuade Jing Yi to leave, but he insisted on staying there with Chuxia, worrying and afraid even more if he couldn’t see him.

 

In the end, Chuxia, enduring pain, couldn’t help but shout at him, “Get out! I have to make an effort to take care of you here! I’ll definitely look ugly if I start crying!”

 

“Alright, alright, don’t be in a hurry or get angry. I’ll go out now.” Although he didn’t understand why Chuxia suddenly acted like an idol, he obediently waited outside.

 

The next moments were chaotic, with intermittent sounds of Chuxia enduring pain and the midwife urging him came from inside the room.

 

After more than half an hour, Father Lin and the others hurriedly arrived. Chuxia still hadn’t given birth. At one point, even Jing’s mother came out to cook a bowl of noodles for Chuxia.

 

Jing Yi was completely clueless about childbirth, but seeing it take such a long time, he was scared stiff. He grabbed Jing’s mother, who was cooking noodles, and asked, “Mother! Mother! How is Chuxia? Why is it taking so long?”

 

“Hey, you, don’t grab my arm!” Jing’s mother, annoyed by his interference, but seeing his pale face, felt sorry for him and quickly reassured, “It’s okay, childbirth is like this. It’s not considered long. Chuxia was hungry; maybe he’ll give birth after eating this bowl of noodles!”

 

Indeed, whether it was because of the bowl of noodles or not, everything went smoothly afterward. In no time, the room echoed with the loud cry of a newborn baby, full of vitality.

 

The child had finally arrived.

 

Given the cold weather in early February, they decided not to take the baby outside immediately. However, the room couldn’t block the midwife’s vigorous voice sharing the good news, “Both mother and son are safe! Congratulations to the young master for the arrival of the precious child!”

 

Jing Yi, who was anxiously pacing in the yard, couldn’t bear it anymore. Symbolically knocking on the door, he opened it a crack and slipped inside, leaving Jing’s father still staring blankly outside.

 

The delivery room was a large western-style room converted into two smaller rooms with a thick screen in the middle. Entering through the door led to the outer room, where the midwife was wiping the newborn with warm water, accompanied by Mother Lin. Seeing Jing Yi sneaking in without permission, he didn’t say anything, just looked at him in silence.

 

“Young Master, come and see the child, a big and chubby little boy!” The midwife was very happy, as she usually received more lucky money for delivering a boy. She didn’t hesitate to pick up the baby and bring him in front of the child’s father.

 

Unexpectedly, Jing Yi didn’t pay much attention. He casually said, “Alright, thank you. Show my father and mother.” After briefly warming himself by the stove, he hurried to see Chuxia.

 

Seeing this, Mother Lin was quite satisfied, thinking to himself that this young man might have been frightened by Chuxia’s cries just now.

 

“Hey! Look at what he’s saying! Your son-in-law is really good with your child!” The midwife envied them. She also had a daughter to marry off, and if she could find such a caring son-in-law, what else would she worry about?

 

Looking at the arrangement in the delivery room, the parents who were notified and hurried there, as well as the mother-in-law who was still taking care of the pregnant daughter-in-law and son-in-law, it was truly a comparison that made people sigh. Moreover, the baby’s clothes and belongings were prepared in two sets, one blue and one yellow, with obvious implications.

 

Dressed in a little blue outfit, wrapped in a red swaddle, the next generation of the Jing family, a little boy, might have felt neglected by his father and mother. He started showing off his high-pitched, tender voice, hoping to elevate his status.

 

The era of raising children had begun.