PMM - 54

At first, Lian Sheng could still endure the pain, but it grew increasingly intense, shaking her entire body.

Late into the night, the bright moon hung high outside the house.

Inside, the room was stifling hot. She sweated profusely from the pain, with people beside her encouraging her to push harder. Yet these voices seemed unable to reach her ears. Her body ached, but her heart felt empty, as many events from her life flashed through her mind like fleeting images.

From her childhood when her brother taught her to read, to when Yi Qiancheng carried her out of the underground palace. Her consciousness became hazy, and she felt extremely exhausted.

The midwives also broke into a sweat. The young lady on the bed held an esteemed position; if anything happened to her, none of them would survive, let alone receive any rewards.

One old woman whispered, “This can’t go on. The madam has only dilated six fingers and already lost her strength. Look…”

Another shook her head: “Labor-inducing medicine can harm the body. Let’s try to wake the madam up first. If that doesn’t work, then we’ll give her the medicine.”

With no other options, they tried to rouse Lian Sheng, telling her to push harder and not fall asleep.

Outside, all was quiet. The three men of the Ling family were uneasy, knowing the situation wasn’t good. Lian Sheng’s initial cries of pain had made their hearts clench, but the sound gradually faded away, as if she had run out of strength.

If the mother lost her strength before the child was born, everyone knew what that meant.

There had been no sound from inside for nearly an hour. Ling Jiuyao found himself sweating profusely. Occasionally, a cicada chirped outside, sinking into the night, making one’s heart race.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and moonlight spilled onto the doorway. He wore black armor, carrying an aura of coldness as he walked in under the moonlight.

“Brother-in-law…” Ling Chu’s voice caught in his throat. Seeing Yi Qiancheng covered in dust, his brows seemed frosted, and up close, his fingers trembled slightly.

“How is she?” Yi Qiancheng spoke. The room was eerily silent. Ling Jiuyao shook his head, worry etched on his face.

Yi Qiancheng’s heart sank. He stepped toward the inner room. No one in the Ling family stopped him. It was traditionally considered unlucky to enter a birthing room, but given that Yi Qiancheng had rushed back from afar, it was clear how anxious he was. Not letting him in would surely drive him mad.

Surprised cries from the midwives rang out inside, quickly silenced.

Yi Qiancheng squatted beside her. She was delirious and didn’t look over. He took Lian Sheng’s hand, wiping the sweat from her forehead, his voice hoarse as he said, “Ah Sheng, I’m back. Look at me.”

Though his voice was soft, it was like a hand parting the heavy fog, gently touching her. Lian Sheng trembled all over, blinked, and tears uncontrollably streamed from her eyes. She turned her head, gripping his hand tightly: “Husband.”

Her consciousness returned, and the pain followed immediately. She felt sharp contractions in her lower abdomen.

“You promised me not to leave me, not to abandon me. In the future, we won’t have more children. Having you is enough for me. Please don’t leave me, okay?”

Lian Sheng wanted to smile, but her lips wouldn’t stretch. Enduring the pain, she softly replied, “I won’t abandon you. I want us to grow old together safely.”

He had once promised to treat her well for a lifetime, but she was too greedy. A lifetime wasn’t enough; merely two years weren’t sufficient. She didn’t want to leave him. For his sake, she should be strong and brave. She also wanted to treat him well for a lifetime.

Seeing the light return to the madam’s brows, the midwives sighed in relief. They had almost resorted to using medicine. It was best if she could pull through on her own.

Gathering her courage, the midwife advised Yi Qiancheng, “Master, could you step out for a moment? The madam still needs to give birth…”

Yi Qiancheng turned his head, his cold gaze sending shivers down the midwife’s spine, silencing her. She could only instruct Lian Sheng to take deep breaths and push harder.

His presence was enough. His return was enough. Women didn’t want their loved ones to see them at their worst. In the end, Lian Sheng asked Yi Qiancheng to wait outside.

She could get through this. For the child, for him, she couldn’t bear to give up.

Seeing Yi Qiancheng come out again, Ling Chu wanted to ask about his sister’s condition but didn’t dare. He could only sit silently. Yi Qiancheng sat next to the main seat, hands on his knees. Anyone could see his worry and tension.

Muffled cries of pain continued to emanate from inside. Yi Qiancheng clenched his fingers, his brows never relaxing.

The moonlight, as bright as silk, illuminated the courtyard, and a loud cry of an infant echoed from the inner chamber.

Everyone’s faces lit up with joy, and Yi Qiancheng couldn’t help but smile. He wanted to go inside, but earlier Lian Sheng had said he could only enter when she called for him. So, he fixed his gaze on the door, as if trying to see through it.

After a while, the midwife came out holding a tiny bundle and approached Yi Qiancheng: “Congratulations, Master, it’s a baby girl. Both mother and daughter are safe.”

She had been extremely nervous before coming out. The lady had given birth to a girl, and they were all afraid that this imposing man might be displeased. She was the youngest and had been pushed forward by her seniors to deliver the news. In wealthy households, when a girl was born, the father’s expression was rarely good, let alone happy.

Seeing the man’s lack of reaction, she hesitantly looked at the bundle in her arms and forced a smile: “Your daughter is the most beautiful child I’ve ever seen. When she grows up, she will surely be as beautiful as Lady Lian.”

The man’s stunned expression disappeared, and he suddenly burst into hearty laughter: “Reward them! Reward everyone generously!”

If the midwife hadn’t been so scared earlier, she would have noticed the overwhelming tenderness in his stunned expression. Now, overjoyed, she realized from his tone that he truly adored this child. She felt blessed despite the initial worry.

But then the man asked cautiously: “Can I go in to see her?”

The midwife quickly nodded: “Yes, the room has been cleaned. Please, Master.” Being perceptive, she added before he took a step: “Why don’t you bring the baby in with you?”

Yi Qiancheng hesitated slightly, but as the midwife handed him the baby, he had no choice but to awkwardly extend his arms to receive her. The midwife gave him a few pointers, and though his movements were clumsy, he managed to hold the baby correctly.

This tiny, wrinkled bundle felt as heavy as a thousand pounds in his arms—his own flesh and blood. His heart melted completely.

But what he wanted most was to see Lian Sheng.

Inside the room, Lian Sheng was somewhat drowsy but filled with even more joy. Her voice was hoarse from shouting earlier, and she asked, “Can you bring the baby to me? I want to see her.”

Before anyone in the room could respond, Yi Qiancheng walked in carrying the baby. “Ah Sheng.”

“Husband, I want to see her.”

Yi Qiancheng carefully placed the baby in her arms. As a mother, she seemed to instinctively know how to care for her child. Even the baby’s wrinkled little face appeared extraordinarily adorable to her.

He watched her, and only now did his heart truly settle. What Lian Sheng didn’t know was that Yi Qiancheng hadn’t returned from the capital. Liang Zhen was easy to deal with, but Xiang Han was not someone to be underestimated. Yi Qiancheng had spent nearly two months negotiating with Xiang Han. Thinking of Lian Sheng’s impending childbirth, he acted ruthlessly to resolve the conflict swiftly, fighting all the way from the capital to Yuanhuai until he finally defeated Xiang Han. Without resting for a moment, he rushed back just before her due date, only to be told that the lady had gone into labor early.

At that moment, his mind went blank, and his heart turned cold. He feared something would happen to her, feared losing her. He even thought that it would be better if there were no child—just the two of them. Having her was enough; he didn’t need anyone else.

Now, seeing her smiling warmly at the baby, he couldn’t help but smile along. As long as she was still here, everything was fine.

~

The child was named Hanxiao. Yi Qiancheng had decided on the name long ago. For a girl, he wished her a life free of worries. If it were a boy, he would have been named “Jue.”

By the time little Hanxiao turned one month old, she no longer resembled the red, wrinkled newborn she had been. Her skin was smooth and fair, delicate as if it might drip water. Her eyes and mouth resembled Lian Sheng, while her nose took after Yi Qiancheng. Ling Chu couldn’t help but exclaim, “What a beauty she’ll grow up to be! Won’t she bring calamity to the nation and trouble to its people?”

He immediately received a smack on the head from Ling Feng. Who would say such a thing about their own child! How could he even think of it?

But there was some truth to his words. After all, from the moment she was born, little Hanxiao became one of the most noble women in the world, with the “right” to bring calamity to the nation. It helped that she had a capable father.

Hanxiao’s full-month celebration took place in Huan Shui, and no one was happier than City Lord Ling. Not only had he found his precious daughter, but he had also gained a granddaughter overnight. He invited all the nobility of Huan Shui to celebrate Hanxiao’s full-month banquet.

The nobles were more than willing to attend. By now, everyone knew that the Liang family’s reign was merely nominal, and the true ruler bore the surname Yi. Hanxiao, upon birth, was equivalent to a princess. Anyone would be eager to curry favor with the future emperor.

Little Hanxiao wasn’t shy at all. She loved the lively atmosphere, her big, round eyes curiously staring at everything new around her. Her chubby cheeks made her irresistibly adorable.

Yi Qiancheng didn’t particularly like such grand displays, but since it was for his daughter, she naturally deserved the best. Thus, he didn’t object to City Lord Ling’s arrangements.

He was a good father, especially doting on Hanxiao. The little one was clever too—she would smile whenever she saw him, and their father-daughter bond was exceptionally strong. But Hanxiao was most attached to Lian Sheng. Her mother was gentle and soft, and whenever Lian Sheng held her, she would stare at her with unwavering eyes and giggle foolishly.

Ling Chu witnessed this scene several times and teased quietly, “Your father’s choice of name fits perfectly. This little fool really does smile at everyone!”

One moment, Hanxiao was drooling and laughing, and the next, she burst into wails.

… Ling Chu got another beating from Ling Feng.

On the day of Hanxiao’s full-month banquet, an unexpected gift arrived. When Lian Sheng saw it, she almost shed tears, and Yi Qiancheng’s hands trembled slightly.

It was a small bellyband embroidered with a golden fish. The fish was so vivid that it seemed ready to swim out. It was Yi Huan’s needlework—a gift for her little niece.

Lian Sheng hadn’t heard any news about Yi Huan for a while. Later, during her pregnancy, to avoid worrying her, Song Yuan stopped reporting anything related to Yi Huan, and Yi Qiancheng didn’t mention her either.

Yi Huan had been the first person to show kindness to her when she married into Shaji two years ago.

After little Hanxiao had eaten her fill, she fell asleep. Yi Qiancheng took Lian Sheng to the outer room and told her about Yi Huan.

“When I was still in Yingdong, I already knew that Huan’er had left Qifeng Mountain.”

Lian Sheng looked at him in astonishment. She had no idea about this.

“At that time, Fu Chengyu had been missing for three months. My spies sent to Yuanhuai reported that he had fallen into an icy river and was likely dead. I sent people to search along the Xiangnao River but found nothing. I knew I couldn’t hide this for long. Sure enough, Mr. Fu Yi later learned about it and resigned to search for Fu Chengyu himself in the north.”

“Mr. Fu Yi said that he had never been a good father in his life. When Fu Chengyu was still young, he hadn’t been there for him. Now that something has happened to him, it’s too late for regret. No matter what, he doesn’t want his son to remain forever in the cold river. He wants to find him.”

Lian Sheng understood now. No wonder she hadn’t seen Mr. Fu Yi for so long—he had gone to search for Fu Chengyu.

Unable to help herself, Lian Sheng asked, “Husband, do you think Lord Fu is still alive?”

Yi Qiancheng paused thoughtfully before answering honestly, “When he fell into the river, it was winter. He was severely injured, and the icy water would have made survival nearly impossible.” Lian Sheng knew he was right, but her heart still ached with sadness.

However, Yi Qiancheng continued, “At first, I thought he was surely dead, but now I believe he might still be alive.” Lian Sheng’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at him. He explained, “After Mr. Fu Yi left, Song Yuan sent me a message saying that he found Huan’er’s behavior strange. She refused to see anyone from the City Lord’s residence, and the guards at Qifeng Mountain only followed her orders, so Song Yuan was never able to meet her.”

Lian Sheng nodded. “I wrote many letters to Huan’er back then, but she didn’t reply to any of them.”

“That’s because she was no longer at Qifeng Mountain.” Yi Qiancheng sighed. “She never intended to return to Qifeng Mountain; she just didn’t want me to worry. No one knows where she went, but I suspect she went to Yuanhuai. She must have learned about Fu Chengyu’s accident and decided to look for him. I didn’t dare send people to search for her openly—it was originally Xiang Han’s territory, and I feared it would put her in greater danger. By staying silent, she was safer.”

Lian Sheng couldn’t believe how bold Yi Huan had been, venturing alone to Yuanhuai! She had assumed that Fu Chengyu harbored feelings for Yi Huan, but Yi Huan had never responded to him. Even if there was some affection, she hadn’t loved him—yet this time, she had followed him.

Lian Sheng guessed, “Do you think Huan’er has already found Lord Fu?” She gently stroked the little golden fish on the bellyband, marveling at how calm and focused one must be to create such a delicate piece.

Seeing that she had guessed correctly, Yi Qiancheng gave a slight nod. She smiled, “That’s wonderful. If both Huan’er and Lord Fu are safe, then we’ll return to Shaji and wait for them to come home.”

Since Yi Huan knew about Hanxiao’s birth and even sent a gift, she must be doing well. Though Yi Huan was a fragile woman who wasn’t skilled at gathering information, Fu Chengyu was different—he was the best spy in the world. He must have told her!

At the end of September, Yi Qiancheng and Lian Sheng decided to return to Shaji.

After all their wanderings, she finally realized with clarity that, without noticing it, she had already come to regard Shaji as home.