Chapter 397 - 396: Thick-Skinned

Chapter 397: Chapter 396: Thick-Skinned

In the ear room, the underground fire dragon burned hot.

Du Yunluo was wearing only a thin garment, wrapped in a quilt, sitting on the bed without feeling cold.

Hong Jinbao’s wife spoke softly to Du Yunluo, and upon hearing footsteps outside, she turned her head. When she saw Mu Lianxiao come around from behind the screen, she quickly stood up.

Mu Lianxiao walked straight to the bedside and leaned down to Du Yunluo, saying, "Your favorite red date cake, steaming hot."

"Oh no, that’s not appropriate." Nanny Qiu hurried in, waving her hands repeatedly.

She had attended over a hundred women in childbirth, and it wasn’t unheard of for a husband to insist on entering the birthing room despite it being considered impure, but that was usually at the critical moment when the woman was too exhausted to even cry and the frantic husband, panicked and frightened, would rush in.

But someone like this gentleman, coming in to accompany the woman to eat as if nothing was the matter, was the first time Nanny Qiu had encountered such a scene.

Nanny Qiu didn’t know what family background this gentleman had, but he was, after all, the Lord Prefect’s nephew-in-law, and she didn’t dare forcibly evict him, so she kept signaling to Hong Jinbao’s wife.

Hong Jinbao’s wife swallowed her courage and advised, "Master, it’s unlucky for men to enter the birthing room, you should..."

Mu Lianxiao raised his gaze and smiled, "Isn’t it the case that she hasn’t given birth yet?"

Du Yunluo burst into laughter.

Hong Jinbao’s wife pursed her lips, helplessly looking towards Nanny Qiu.

Nanny Qiu sighed inwardly; this reasoning, this gentleman truly used it thoroughly, blocking both her and Hong Jinbao’s wife.

"When your lady starts labor, no matter what, we have to get the gentleman out," Nanny Qiu tugged on Hong Jinbao’s wife’s sleeve and said.

Hong Jinbao’s wife hardened her face in a bitter smile; if her own Princely Heir didn’t want to leave, who in the household could make him?

As for the reasoning, Hong Jinbao’s wife had already thought it through for Mu Lianxiao.

Mu Lianxiao has fought on the battlefield and killed many Dazi; it’s not like he hasn’t seen blood before.

Women giving birth is messy with bleeding, which would harm a man’s yang energy, but their Princely Heir’s hands have slain countless scoundrels; his body is full of righteous air, how could he be afraid of this?

The more Hong Jinbao’s wife thought, the more anxious she became.

If Mu Lianxiao truly takes out this argument, what would they do?

If this were in the Capital, Mu Lianxiao would consider Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou; but here in Xuancheng...

She could only hope Mrs. Yang could persuade him.

Mu Lianxiao, completely unaware of Hong Jinbao’s wife’s and Nanny Qiu’s dilemma, opened the food box and took out a piece of red date cake to feed Du Yunluo.

Du Yunluo opened her mouth, took a bite, and chewed it carefully.

Mu Lianxiao smiled and said to her, "There’s eight-treasure rice and shredded chicken porridge in the kitchen, and they’re just steaming buns. What else would you like to eat? I’ll have someone bring it."

Du Yunluo smiled; she had only felt a little hungry before and thought that childbirth would require energy, so she wanted to eat more to fill her stomach.

Little did she know Mu Lianxiao would make her laugh, dispelling all the tension after her water broke, which instantly increased her appetite.

"I’ll have the eight-treasure rice," Du Yunluo said, smiling.

Mu Lianxiao turned to look at Jin Rui, and Jin Rui, quick-witted, dashed off.

The soft, glutinous eight-treasure rice was fragrant; Du Yunluo ate more than half a bowl. Just as she wanted to have someone get her some buns, her stomach suddenly began to cramp in pain.

Mu Lianxiao quickly caught the porcelain bowl, handed it to Jin Rui, and then reached out to hold Du Yunluo’s fingers, gently coaxing her, "If it hurts, squeeze me. I’m tough and not afraid of your pinching."

Even though she was in pain, Du Yunluo couldn’t help but want to laugh.

She usually teased him for being thick-skinned and tough, and now he was using it to tease her back at this moment.

After the pain subsided, Du Yunluo pinched Mu Lianxiao’s tiger’s mouth, "I’ve eaten enough; let Nanny Qiu check on me, you should leave first."

Nanny Qiu at the side felt a burst of joy in her eyes, repeatedly thinking, thank goodness there was a sensible person in this room.

Mu Lianxiao bent down, whispered something in Du Yunluo’s ear that only the two of them could hear.

Du Yunluo’s face blushed instantly; she thought she had thick skin, but compared to him, she was a mere child before a master!

His words still echoed in her mind from years back, making her ears flush; now, he was acting so mischievously!

Du Yunluo glared at him, teeth clenched, "Get out, get out, if you don’t go, I’ll have someone kick you out."

Mu Lianxiao laughed aloud and, blocking others’ views, planted a firm kiss on the corner of her lips, "I’m right next door. If you need anything, just shout, and I’ll come over immediately."

Du Yunluo glared at him playfully, pressed her lips together, and nodded slightly.

Mu Lianxiao stood up and left, while Du Yunluo curled her lips, taking a deep breath, barely containing her laughter.

Hong Jinbao’s wife observed silently, and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

The Princely Heir was worried his wife was too tense, hence he accompanied her to eat and talk, and after the commotion, the lady relaxed entirely.

The concern the Princely Heir showed was truly heartwarming to see.

As Mu Lianxiao just stepped out of the ear room, he encountered Mrs. Yang, who was hurrying over.

Mrs. Yang had brought three or four maidservants along.

With Du Yunluo giving birth, maidens like Jin Rui and Jin Lan, who had no experience, were of no use; it was necessary to have women to attend to her. Mrs. Yang was worried they wouldn’t have enough hands and had specially brought people from home.

"How is Yunluo?" Mrs. Yang asked anxiously.

Mu Lianxiao replied with a smile, "She’s doing well right now, had breakfast, and is in good spirits."

Mrs. Yang nodded, wanting to inquire a bit more but swallowed her words.

Childbirth is a woman’s affair; what could she inquire from a man? Mrs. Yang patted her forehead, realizing that her urgency had made her lose her composure.

Mrs. Yang stood at the door of the ear room, taking a few deep breaths, and only then did she enter with a smile on her face.

"My dear," Mrs. Yang said with a smile, sitting beside the bed, smoothing Du Yunluo’s hair, "Your Aunt is here; just relax."

Du Yunluo smiled faintly and nodded.

Seeing that her spirit was indeed good, Mrs. Yang felt half relieved and turned to ask Nanny Qiu.

Nanny Qiu replied, "Her water broke after getting up this morning. I checked her, and the cervix hasn’t opened wide yet. It’s her first child, so it’ll likely be this afternoon before she gives birth."

The time from water breaking to childbirth varies, with each person being different.

Mrs. Yang knew this and consoled Du Yunluo, "Even if it’s afternoon, that’s not late. Your sister-in-law’s water broke in the afternoon, and she didn’t give birth to Brother Duan until the next day at noon. Except for the long wait, she didn’t suffer much. Be patient."

Having given birth herself and experienced childbirth with several siblings, in-law daughters, Mrs. Yang had her share of experience.

She laughed, telling Du Yunluo some amusing stories.

"I remember when your mother was having Yun Ru, it was quite brisk.

I was having breakfast with the Old Madam, and someone from Qinghui Garden came to report that your mother’s water had broken.

The Old Madam told me, with two boys already in the family, we’d know by dinner if there’d be a beautiful girl added.

Who knew that Yun Ru arrived before we even finished lunch, with long soft hair; she was so beautiful.

When it came to Yun Di, it wasn’t troublesome either, quick and easy.

But with you, you little troublemaker, you kept your mother occupied all day and night, and you were a crying baby; while others slept more than they were awake, you just cried all day long.

A crying baby gets fed, and you were the family’s treasure."

Mrs. Yang finished, tapping Du Yunluo’s nose with a smile.

Du Yunluo also laughed, looking gently at her belly, "Don’t you dare trouble me."