Postpartum Depression

Lily Evans' heartbreaking cries made Alexander Hayes feel as if his heart was being sliced by a knife. Lily clutched Charles Hayes in her arms, turning her back to Alexander, unwilling to say a single word to him.

Alexander knew Lily was stubborn and wouldn't change her mind once she'd decided on something. Besides, Lily felt guilty about the child and was determined to make it up to him—so much so that even Alexander couldn't persuade her.

A young maid brought in medicine. Lily drank it, then nursed Charles Hayes. Only after feeding him did she remember Alexander, but when she turned, he had already left without her noticing.

Lily recalled how she'd lost control and spoken so harshly to Alexander just now, and guilt gnawed at her heart.

She understood, of course, that Alexander was worried about her health. That's why he didn't want her to take medicine herself, hoping she'd hand the baby over to the Wet Nurse and rest properly during her confinement.

But for some reason, Lily just couldn't control her emotions during her confinement. Her moods swung wildly, especially whenever she saw Charles Hayes get sick again. It was like she was a powder keg ready to explode.

Back in the modern world, Lily had never given birth herself, but she'd heard from others that many women suffered from 'postpartum depression' after childbirth—unable to control their emotions, with extreme mood swings. Some young mothers, unable to bear the torment, even jumped off buildings with their babies.

Men who didn't understand the pain of childbirth and raising children always thought women were being 'dramatic' or 'fussy' when they said they felt bad after giving birth, or that postpartum depression was just an excuse to act out.

But in reality, this illness is caused by hormonal changes after childbirth. It's not that women don't want to control their emotions; it's that the sudden hormonal shift makes it impossible. And with a child as frail as Charles Hayes, Lily's emotions were like fuel poured on the fire.

Postpartum depression is like being struck with a stick. Even though it's your own body being hit, you can't stop the pain from happening.

Lily sighed. Could it be that she really had postpartum depression?

She never imagined that, as rational as she usually was, she could lose control of her emotions like this.

Charles Hayes was sleeping peacefully now, not coughing for the moment. But when Lily thought about how she'd spoken to Alexander Hayes, her heart twisted with regret. She didn't want to fight with Alexander over caring for their child.

Lily thought to herself: ever since her confinement began, she'd treated Alexander Hayes so poorly. She wondered if he'd taken it to heart. Next time she saw him, she resolved to talk things through and apologize—she shouldn't have snapped at him like that.

While Lily was locked in a tough battle—caring for a sick child and fighting postpartum depression—Alexander Hayes received urgent military news from the southwest. He had no choice but to rush to the palace to handle it, working non-stop, barely catching his breath.

As the two masters of the Prince of Qin's residence were each overwhelmed in their own way, Princess May and Gregory Gu Jr. had already boarded a boat, drifting down the Hanford Wharf, reaching the border of Chu. They disembarked and prepared to head for the capital city of Chu.

"Grand Tutor Gu, once we reach the next town, I'll contact my brother's people," Princess May said, plopping down on a big rock by the wooded path to rest. "Once we get in touch with my brother, we'll be safe."

Just then, a rustling sound came from the woods behind them—as if someone was lurking in the shadows!