Obstructed Labor, Save the Mother or Save the Child

Serena Feng rubbed her temples. Seeing both sides actually start to fight, she quickly shouted, "Stop!"

The trouble with the House of Duke Zhen still wasn't resolved—she didn't want to provoke the House of Duke Ning as well. Her talent for attracting trouble seemed almost impressive...

The imperial guards froze. Gavin Ning, Heir to Duke Ning, took advantage of the opening, immediately stepped forward, and bowed to Serena Feng: "Miss Feng, I was out of line."

"Heir Ning." Serena Feng stepped down from the carriage and gracefully returned the salute.

Gavin Ning was thinking only of his beloved wife, not noticing Serena Feng's injuries. As soon as he saw her, he anxiously said, "Miss Feng, my wife is in obstructed labor—the midwives are helpless, her life is hanging by a thread. The Marchioness of Jinyang is my wife's elder sister. She said your medical skills are unmatched, and if anyone in this world can save her, it has to be you. Please, Miss Feng, save my wife's life."

His words were rushed and jumbled, but at least he explained the situation clearly enough.

"Obstructed labor? I'm afraid I can't help with that—I'm not a midwife," Serena Feng said, rubbing her forehead. Do I look like an OB specialist? Is 'OB specialist' written on my face?

She had never delivered a baby, and besides, every field has its specialty—her expertise was surgery. Surgery!

Gavin Ning, hearing this, thought Serena Feng was just refusing, and grew even more desperate: "Doctor Feng, please, save my wife. I'll kneel to you if I have to!"

With that, he lowered himself, ready to kneel right then and there.

"Absolutely not!" Serena Feng quickly dodged, shooting a look at the nearby imperial guard. He was sharp enough to catch on and half-pulled, half-dragged Gavin Ning back to his feet.

No way—if she accepted Gavin Ning's kneeling today, it would spell trouble for her later. If his wife survived, fine; but if she died, he'd definitely blame Serena. And she hadn't even agreed to help yet.

At this moment, Serena finally understood why the imperial physicians, no matter how skilled, were always reluctant to step forward—whoever sticks their neck out gets shot!

Damn it, treating the nobility is a job where you’re carrying your own head in your hands. If you succeed, it’s just your duty; if you fail, you lose your head.

Besides, she was still under punishment. Even if she wanted to help Gavin Ning save his wife, she’d have to get past the imperial guards first.

Just as Serena expected, the imperial guards refused. They simply said the Emperor had ordered Serena Feng to reflect behind closed doors for a month—no going out during that time.

Hearing the guard commander’s stern refusal, Serena didn’t feel relieved—instead, she felt even more stifled inside.

She did want to save lives, but really didn’t want to get mixed up in the affairs of the powerful. She hadn’t examined Lady Ning yet, and she wasn’t an OB specialist anyway—even if she went, she might not be able to help. Besides, in this business, one wrong move and you make enemies for life.

If she went and Lady Ning still had an accident, Gavin Ning would probably hate her forever.

Sigh... Being a doctor is hard. Being a doctor for the nobility is even harder.

Strictly speaking, this wasn’t refusing to save a life, but Serena Feng still felt uncomfortable. She apologized to Gavin Ning: "Heir Ning, I’m truly sorry. Right now, I’m under punishment myself—I want to help, but I can’t. Please, seek out another expert."

She knew there were plenty of skilled doctors in Eastlyn, but for obstructed labor, male doctors were inconvenient. Even if a man saved the patient, the woman’s life would be ruined afterward.

"Miss Feng, I’m begging you—if the children can’t be saved, just save my wife. Miss Feng, I can’t live without her…" Gavin Ning’s eyes reddened, and tears just fell.

A tough, iron-boned man, and his tears fell just like that. Not only Serena Feng—even the big, burly imperial guards felt their eyes sting.

Everyone in the capital knew about Gavin Ning and his wife’s deep affection. In noble houses like the House of Duke Ning, or even among minor officials, it was common to have wives and concubines aplenty. But Gavin Ning only ever stayed true to Lady Ning—even after five years of childless marriage, he never abandoned her.

Serena Feng struggled inside. Her medical ethics wouldn’t let her just stand by—if she made the wrong call, it could mean two deaths.

Her hands were stained with blood and she could kill without blinking, but she didn’t treat lives as expendable. She only killed those who deserved it; when facing patients, she was always a doctor first.

Seeing Serena moved, Gavin Ning pleaded again: "Miss Feng, I’m begging you. I just want my wife to live. If you can save her, I’ll do anything you ask."

To have one heart and never part till old age.

Lady Ning was a blessed woman—she loved seeing others happy.

"Alright. I'll go." Serena Feng nodded firmly, ignoring the imperial guards' attempts to stop her. She grabbed a horse and vaulted onto its back: "Rest assured, sir, I, Serena Feng, will not run away. As long as Lady Ning is safe, I’ll return immediately. The Emperor’s order for me to reflect behind closed doors for a month starts tomorrow—right now, I haven’t entered Feng Manor yet, so I’m not breaking the imperial decree."

Seeing this, the guard commander stopped trying to block her: "We’ll escort Miss Feng. If the Emperor learns she was delayed saving a life, he surely won’t blame her."

The House of Duke Ning still held some sway with the Emperor. The guards didn’t dare offend Gavin Ning too badly—if the Emperor got angry, it would be the Ning family’s problem.

"Thank you." Serena didn’t stand on ceremony, raised her whip, and rode off into the night.

Arriving even a moment earlier meant a greater chance of success. Since she’d decided to get involved, she had to give it her all.

Only now did Gavin Ning snap out of it. He quickly thanked the guards, mounted his horse, and followed Serena Feng toward the House of Duke Ning.

The House of Duke Ning was ablaze with light. As soon as Serena entered, she saw the Marchioness of Jinyang was there too. Seeing Serena, the Marchioness looked as if she’d finally found her backbone: "Serena, you’re finally here—now Xinrou has hope."

"How is Lady Ning?" Serena didn’t have time for pleasantries and signaled the Marchioness to take her to the birthing room, asking about the patient’s condition as they walked.

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"Not good at all. Lady Ning is very weak, and she’s carrying twins. Her amniotic fluid is almost gone, she’s exhausted, and the babies just won’t come out. She’s been in pain for a whole day and night." Childbirth is a walk by the gates of hell—the Marchioness herself was injured giving birth and never fully recovered.

Serena Feng nodded. "Has there been any hemorrhage? How are the babies inside?"

"No hemorrhage yet, and the babies still have breath." But things weren’t looking good.

"Got it. Have the servants prepare clean water and strong liquor, and get me a clean set of clothes—I need to change." After riding hard, her clothes were filthy, and judging by Lady Ning’s state, it looked like she’d need to perform a cesarean...

"Alright, I’ll arrange it right away." Only then did Serena notice a dignified woman of about forty next to the Marchioness—judging by her dress, she must be Duchess Ning. Serena quickly stopped: "Duchess, forgive my rudeness."

"No need to be so polite, Miss Feng. It’s our house that’s disturbing you by calling you here so late." Duchess Ning was a gentle and loving woman, which made Serena instantly like her.

Anyone who could raise a devoted son like Gavin Ning had to be remarkable.

A good wife makes for good sons across generations. Marrying the right woman matters more than anything—the House of Duke Zhen was ruined because their matriarch lacked proper upbringing.

"You’re too kind, madam. Saving lives comes first—please forgive my manners." Serena kept her expression taut, nodded to Duchess Ning, and strode off with the maid to change. When she came back out, her sleeves were tied up, her skirt hem torn off, and her hair pinned up.

"It’s just more convenient for work," Serena explained offhand, then rushed into the birthing room.

"Madam, push! Push!"

"Madam, you mustn’t fall asleep—the little lord hasn’t come out yet. Hang in there!"

The midwife’s voice was loud, but the mother’s was as faint as a mosquito’s—Serena didn’t need to look to know the situation was dire.

The birthing room was packed with midwives and maids, stifling and hot, and the air was thick with the smell of blood. It wasn’t much better than a prison cell.

A flash of dissatisfaction crossed Serena’s face—a doctor’s instinct.

"Move aside." Serena pushed people away. At first, the midwives and maids resisted, but then the head maid entered with a message from Duchess Ning: "This is Miss Feng, the doctor personally invited by Heir Ning. You must all follow her instructions."

The midwives and maids quickly nodded. Lady Ning was surviving only thanks to ginseng—having someone take over was a relief, and now someone else could take the blame if things went wrong.

Serena knew exactly what the midwives were thinking, but didn’t bother with them. She checked the patient’s pupils and pulse, and breathed a sigh of relief—there was still a spark of life left, and that was something.

She wasn’t a gynecologist, but she knew the basics. After dismissing the midwives, Serena checked the birth canal.

The cervix was fully dilated, but Lady Ning was petite and the babies were too big—there was no way she could deliver naturally. Worst of all, there were two babies.

Serena looked at Lady Ning’s unusually large belly and realized she’d been over-supplemented before birth. She’d eaten too well, so all the nutrition went to the babies—they were too big to be born naturally.

The babies were far too big—a huge risk for the mother, especially since she was so frail. At this point, a cesarean was the only option. But looking at Lady Ning’s weak state, Serena wasn’t sure her body could withstand it.

"Everyone out." Serena waved away all the midwives and maids, leaving only Duchess Ning’s head maid. "Go ask your mistress: do you want to save the mother or the children?"

With the amniotic fluid almost gone, saving both was nearly impossible. But if they chose one, Serena could do it.

Choices, choices.

Doctors aren’t omnipotent.

"Yes, miss." The head maid’s face was calm and steady.

In situations like this, everyone knew—saving even one was already a blessing.