The Lunar New Year was just a month away, and three years had flown by since she'd arrived. She had adapted to life here, and as for her past... it had all faded away.
In the evening, Fan Zehao returned from work and shared news that was neither good nor bad: "Li Ben had a stroke. He can barely speak, drools constantly, and is bedridden. One side of his body is numb, the other has sensation, but his hand trembles like a zither string!"
"A zither string?" What kind of expression was that?
He explained, "Like the string used for fluffing cotton. When you pluck it, it vibrates!"
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled. So that's what he meant!
Listening to Fan Zehao, there was a hint of disdain in his voice, clearly showing he relished the misfortune more than anything.
"How did you find out?"
"His legitimate son came to me today, saying his father can no longer manage affairs. Everything in the manor is now under his purview. If you need anything, just approach him!"
Zhao Jiaqi felt neither joy nor sorrow upon hearing this. She only knew that Zhou Baihe's days would improve. She wouldn't have to worry about Li Ben divorcing her to take a new wife, nor would her son and daughter be demoted from legitimate to illegitimate status.
Li Ben's condition was more beneficial than detrimental to the three of them.
She said calmly, "Consider it good news. In consideration of the Prime Minister's wife and Madam Li's prior warnings, be kind to Li Yi and Yan Yue. If they need your help and it doesn't cross your bottom line, lend them a hand. The three of them have had a difficult time."
After washing up, Fan Zehao listened to his wife's ramblings. He got into bed and embraced her round waist, teasing her, "You're just a tough-talking, soft-hearted person with a benevolent heart."
"Giving roses leaves a lingering fragrance on the hand. Having one more friend is better than having one more enemy. Life is but a few decades, why take it so seriously!"
Her words were somewhat profound to Fan Zehao. He offered his own perspective: "I don't understand grand principles. I only know that if others don't offend me, I won't offend them. If they dare to touch even a finger of yours, I will take their life."
Let them know what they could and could not touch!
Zhao Jiaqi laughed, but her heart felt warm. To have a husband like this was worth a lifetime.
"It's less than twenty days until the New Year. Send word to Father and Eldest Brother to come back. This is the only few days of rest we get all year!"
Fan Zehao agreed verbally, but in his heart, he wondered if it was time for his father to retire and enjoy his old age, leaving the major family affairs to his eldest brother.
Just as he was about to discuss it with his wife, he turned and saw she had dozed off, her head tilted against the headboard.
Seeing how difficult her late pregnancy was, his heart ached. He wondered if it was the same when she was pregnant with Yu Meng. After this birth, he resolved, they would have no more children.
He gently covered her with a quilt, then leaned his head against the headboard, slowly resting her head on his shoulder as they both drifted to sleep.
In early February, with only seven days left before the New Year, the entire family was busy preparing for the festivities. Suddenly, Zhao Jiaqi went into labor.
Fan Zehao, who was distributing the last batch of winter clothes to the soldiers in the military camp, heard that his wife was giving birth. He dropped what he was holding, threw caution to the wind, mounted his horse, and galloped away.
Xiao Ce was puzzled. He grabbed Wangcai, who was about to leave, "What's happening?"
"The Princess Consort is going into labor!" Wangcai uttered this and then also rushed off in his carriage.
The she-devil was giving birth?
This was a momentous occasion! He also handed over the distribution of cotton-padded jackets to Deputy General Zhang Heng and fled.
He inwardly prayed that the she-devil would be alright, otherwise, Fan Zehao would go mad, and that would disrupt the Emperor's plans.
Having experienced childbirth once, Zhao Jiaqi was still very nervous, especially as the contractions made it difficult for her to breathe.
From noon until afternoon, occasional groans from the delivery room could be heard, followed by the voices of the midwives.
Fan Zehao was in agony, pacing restlessly outside the delivery room, to the point where Fan Xiaofeng and Fan Xudong felt dizzy just watching him.
"Eldest Brother, pacing won't help. It's Sister-in-law giving birth, not you. Uh... why don't you sit down somewhere? Maybe the baby will be born once you sit down!"
Fan Xudong was trying to comfort his elder brother, but the words that came out twisted the meaning.
"If I could give birth, then your Sister-in-law wouldn't have to suffer in there! You're talking nonsense. When Pingting gives birth next time, don't you get anxious either; just sit back and relax."
Zhang Cuihua was at her wit's end, overwhelmed by her son's frenzied state and the bickering of the brothers.
Uncharacteristically, she became angry: "Both of you shut up and go away."
"Ah...."
Just as they were about to calm down, they suddenly heard the woman in labor cry out, startling Fan Xudong so much he nearly fell to the ground.
Fan Zehao took several strides forward, about to push the door open, but was quickly stopped by Xiao Ce and Gao Wenbin.
"Don't go in and cause trouble. There are several midwives in the delivery room!"
Fan Zehao, his eyes reddened with desperation, could only hear his wife's heart-wrenching screams. He didn't know how his wife was doing, and the inability to see or touch her made him even more anxious. "I'll just go in and take a look, then come right out. I promise not to cause any trouble!"
Even a dog wouldn't believe that promise, let alone them.
No one in the courtyard agreed to let him in.
Inside, the woman on the bed had a pale complexion, her forehead and long hair soaked with sweat, her lips bitten raw, yet the baby had not arrived.
Zhao Jiaqi, with her remaining sanity, saw the midwives' hesitant expressions and realized she might be on the verge of death.
If she survived, she would return to the human world; if not, she would report directly to the King of Hell.
After conferring, one of the midwives stepped forward with difficulty and said to her, "Princess Consort, the baby's position is incorrect. It may be a precipitous birth. If it's a precipitous birth, the risk of heavy bleeding is very high, but the fetus can be saved. However, if we forcefully turn the baby and ensure a smooth delivery, the mother can be saved!"
Zhao Jiaqi gazed at the ceiling. This was a choice between two difficult options.
After a moment, she made her decision without hesitation: "Save the child."
Although the midwife had received the Princess Consort's wishes, she still needed to inform the Prince. After all, this was a matter of life and death, and their own lives depended on the Prince.
As the midwives were busy, another one emerged from the delivery room.
Those watching from outside saw the person emerge with bloodied hands and a distressed expression, instantly feeling that something bad had happened.
Fan Zehao was stunned, staring at the blood on her hands, finding it terrifying.
"Where is the Princess Consort? How is the Princess Consort?"
The midwife was almost knocked over by Fan Zehao's shaking. Xiao Ce saw this and pulled her away, "Listen to the midwife!"
"The Princess Consort is having a difficult labor. The Princess Consort said to save the child. The Prince's wish is..." The midwife spoke with the fastest speed and greatest courage she had ever mustered.
After speaking, she quietly stepped back a few paces, fearing the Prince might accidentally kill her with a single grasp.
"Save the Princess Consort. If anything happens to the Princess Consort, you will all be buried with her. Not a single one of you will survive."
Fan Zehao's eyes turned crimson. He stared at the midwife and said, word by word, if his wife was gone, what else in this world could he possibly fear doing.