Koi Fubao: Being loved by everyone on the road to escape from famine

Chapter 300 Welcoming a New Life

"Mother, could there be something wrong? Logically, the baby should be born soon, why is there no movement yet?"

Her words were full of worry. Even though she was usually known for her calmness, she was still upset at the moment, as if she was tightly entangled by an invisible rope and could not break free.

Princess An noticed her daughter's anxiety and wondered if the doctor's diagnosis was wrong. But the due date was still some time away. In order not to increase Xiao Zhixue's psychological burden, she gently patted her daughter's hand and comforted her with a gentle smile: "Don't think too much. Every child has his or her own rhythm. Some come early, while others will be a few days late. It's all common."

Xiao Zhixue nodded reluctantly, but still had some doubts in her heart, so she sent someone to invite Doctor Wang for a follow-up examination.

After taking the pulse carefully, Doctor Wang said in a firm and reassuring tone, "It will be in these few days, Princess, please relax. Giving birth is like flowers and fruits ripening and falling to the ground naturally. There is no point in rushing if the time is not right. I guarantee that both the Princess and the fetus will be safe."

After hearing these words, Xiao Zhixue finally felt relieved.

Upon seeing this, Princess An had a deeper understanding of her daughter. After all, she had been there herself and knew how it felt.

At this time, Fan Mingrui saw that his son was not by his side, and asked with concern: "Xue'er, where is Mu'er? Why is he not at home with you?"

"Mother, my husband is busy supervising the transportation of grain and grass. I'm afraid he is in the government office now."

Xiao Zhixue explained.

When Fan Mingrui heard this, he felt regretful, but he didn't say much.

Princess An was well aware of her inner feelings. Her son was shouldering a heavy responsibility and was going far away to the border. The dispatch of food and fodder was of great importance and no mistakes were allowed.

Xiao Zhixue sensitively caught her mother's emotions and quickly comforted her: "Mother, the border war is urgent, and food and grass are the foundation of the military. Your husband dare not slack off for a moment, for fear of disappointing your grandfather's trust. You must also ensure that your father's food and grass supply is not hindered."

After hearing this, Fan Mingrui nodded silently, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, and then he fell silent.

On March 15th, the Queen in the palace sent someone to visit Prince An's Mansion. She not only brought blessings, but also a carefully prepared gift to induce labor. Only after seeing with her own eyes that Xiao Zhixue was fine did she leave with peace of mind.

This move was like opening a door. In the days that followed, the Crown Princess, the Princess of Huai, and the Princess of Wei successively sent gifts to induce labor. For a time, the palace was bustling with activity.

Perhaps it was the auspicious meaning of the many birth-inducing ceremonies, on March 17, Xiao Zhixue finally felt the beginning of labor pains.

At first, the contractions were quite long, with abdominal tightening and pain occurring approximately once an hour. After a few breaths, the pain quietly subsided.

Xiao Zhixue asked in confusion: "Mother, mother, how come it hurts for a moment and then disappears?"

Fan Mingrui and Princess An smiled at each other. The former said, "It's okay. It's always like this in the early stages. Wait a little longer, and maybe the pain will get shorter."

Princess An's voice was gentle but firm: "Don't worry, Xue'er. Your mother and I are here to protect you. If it really hurts, let's bear it and don't scream."

Seeing Xiao Zhixue's confused face, she continued to explain: "It's not that I don't allow you to scream, it's to let you conserve your energy. When you really give birth, it's okay for you to scream."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhixue nodded sensibly, recalling the situation when Xiao Ruoling gave birth. It was not until the last critical moment that she heard her desperate cry, and she had endured the previous labor pains in silence.

At this time, the maid came into the room with a tray of food, and Princess An said, "Xue'er, eat something to fill your stomach before the pain comes. Otherwise, when the pain gets worse, you may not have the appetite to eat."

"Only when you are full will you have enough energy to welcome the arrival of your baby."

Princess An said this while looking at Xiao Zhixue encouragingly.

Xiao Zhixue always listened to the advice of her elders, so she obediently took the bowl and chopsticks and finished the bowl of hot poached eggs bit by bit.

Looking at the empty bowl, she was a little surprised at her appetite. She didn't expect that she could eat all five poached eggs.

From the afternoon to nightfall, the contractions gradually intensified and the intervals between them became shorter and shorter, until finally they occurred almost every three to five minutes, pushing Xiao Zhixue into unprecedented pain and trials.

Finally, she lay down on the bed tiredly but firmly. After a careful examination, the midwife turned to Princess An and Fan Mingrui who were standing by with a nervous look and said, "Princess, don't worry, the princess is already five fingers dilated, and the time for delivery is very close. We will prepare immediately, please wait outside for a while."

Princess An and Fan Mingrui both looked like they understood everything. They knew the etiquette to follow in such an occasion, so they stepped forward and tried to comfort Xiao Zhixue in a gentle and encouraging voice: "Xue'er, we will be guarding outside the door. You don't have to worry about anything. Just concentrate on welcoming the arrival of this new life. Leave everything to us."

Xiao Zhixue was experiencing waves of excruciating pain that seemed to tear her body apart. Sweat was dripping down her forehead. She clenched her teeth and could only nod weakly in response to their comfort. The pain made it impossible for her to utter a complete sentence.

Fan Mingrui's heart was burning with anxiety, but she knew that no matter how much she worried, it would be of no help at the moment. Xiao Zhixue could only rely on her own strength to get through this.

Just as the two elders were walking out of the door, Xiao Yuyu rushed in, looking exhausted, his face full of worry and anxiety.

"You kid, this situation is not suitable for you to join in the fun, go back quickly."

When Fan Mingrui saw his son, he wanted to shout at him to disperse, but Xiao Yuyu was determined and said earnestly, "Mom, you can't do this. A few days ago, my father specifically told me in a letter that I must be present when my sister gives birth, to cheer her up and give her strength on his behalf."

Princess An couldn't help but chuckle at Xiao Yuyu's words. She looked around but couldn't see Fan Yanmu, so she hurriedly told Nanny Cheng beside her to go and find the prince.

Princess An thought to herself, it would be fine if you were busy with government affairs during the day, but now it is already late at night and if Fan Yanmu doesn't show up, I'm afraid my son will have to endure the princess's unappeasable anger.

Fortunately, Fan Yanmu was a responsible person after all, and he finally rushed back to the palace at the critical moment of Xiao Zhixue's delivery.

Seeing Fan Yanmu return safely, Princess An finally felt relieved.

In contrast, Fan Mingrui didn't even want to look at Fan Yanmu. Her mind was all on Xiao Zhixue in the delivery room. There, Xiao Zhixue's moans and the midwife's encouraging voice intertwined to form a picture of the birth of life.

At midnight, March 18th arrived quietly, and the clear and loud cry of a baby was finally heard in the delivery room.

Fan Yanmu was extremely anxious and was about to rush into the delivery room, but was stopped by Fan Mingrui at the door: "Why are you in such a hurry? It's still early, they are busy inside, just wait here for a while."

After she finished speaking, she and Princess An walked into the delivery room one after another, leaving Fan Yanmu and Xiao Yuyu looking at each other, not daring to act on their own.