Preparing for Childbirth

Su Li hurried home, took off her outer robe as soon as she entered, shook off the chill, and went straight to Wu Caiwei's room.

Wu Caiwei was holding her belly, being supported by Zhang Mu as she paced around the room.

Seeing her, Su Li anxiously broke out in sweat on her forehead. "Caiwei, how are you? Where does it hurt? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Su Li's nervousness made everyone in the room laugh.

Madam Wang was tidying up the things for Wu Caiwei's delivery and teased, "A Li, you're so anxious. Caiwei is having her first child, and it's still early. Right now, it's just some belly pain. I told her to move around more; it will help with the delivery."

Zhang Mu also smiled at Su Li, "A Li, seeing you this nervous, others might think the baby in my wife's belly is yours."

"Isn't it mine? When the baby is born, it will call me godmother! I got a big fat son for free, I have to worry a lot!" Su Li smiled, knowing she was just overly nervous.

"Have the midwife and wet nurse been invited?" Su Li sat beside Madam Wang, helping her prepare things.

"They've already been sent for and will arrive in a couple of hours. The resting rooms for the midwife and wet nurse are ready, and the kitchen is always prepared with hot water. Everything is done as you instructed—boiled with hot water and dried in the sun before giving to Caiwei," Madam Wang said.

Su Li saw that everything was in perfect order and that Madam Wang had arranged everything very well.

Soon, Fourth Aunt Chen also arrived.

Chen brought a box in, smiling as she opened it, "Caiwei, look, I specially designed some jewelry for your baby."

Inside the box were some baby jewelry—necklaces, bracelets, and silver locks—all made of silver, perfect for a little baby: beautiful yet not overly extravagant.

Wu Caiwei and Zhang Mu were so grateful they didn't know what to say.

Meanwhile, Doctor Wu prepared some delivery aid soups and decoctions for his daughter. Su Li didn't understand what they were but saw Wu Caiwei being given quite a few medicinal soups.

Madam Wang also instructed Bailu to prepare easily digestible food, saying, "Li's delivery is still a ways off. Let Caiwei eat well so she has strength to give birth. Women usually labor at least a whole day for their first child; it really takes a lot of energy."

"Scary, that's so terrifying," Su Li shivered, thinking childbirth was just too scary.

Madam Wang then started recounting her own experience giving birth to Su Li, and since Fourth Aunt Chen had raised two kids, she joined in with her stories too.

The two women huddled beside Wu Caiwei, sharing their insights on how to push during childbirth. Listening to them, Su Li felt a tearing pain in her heart—so terrifying!

Just thinking about it scared her, and since she couldn't help here, Su Li decided to go outside for some fresh air.

As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Yuanbao and Lingdang standing guard at the door.

"Madam, your face looks so pale. Did you catch a chill from the wind just now?" Yuanbao asked with concern.

"No, it's just that I'm a bit scared..." Su Li patted her chest, "Childbirth is really terrifying. After hearing what my mother and Fourth Aunt said, I almost died of fright."

Yuanbao furrowed his brows slightly. Was childbirth really that scary for women?

"Ah, Lingdang is here too. Come on, I'll stew some nourishing soup for Caiwei to drink after she gives birth to help with lactation. You can learn by my side," Su Li took her role as a teacher very seriously.

Lingdang was very obedient and followed Su Li to the kitchen.

Su Li watched Lingdang skillfully chopping vegetables without her instructions and smiled, rubbing her chin. She thought to herself, this time she was lucky; the four apprentices she took in were all reliable, much more so than the four inexperienced midwives she had hired the first time.

But Su Li had no idea that these four "convenient apprentices" were truly reliable—elite covert guards from the Xiao family. If Li Yanhao knew that these four awesome expert guards were learning cooking skills from her, he would be so envious he'd drool three feet long.