novelzi Chapter 195
Chapter 195
Li Xia couldn't tell Lu XuanNing that she sensed the baby's gender using her special ability. They would have to wait two more months until the child was born to find out.
"Don't overthink things. The most important thing now is to relax and take care of yourself," said Xu. In her heart, she hoped this child would be a boy, so Li Xia's position in the Lu family would be more secure and there would be less gossip outside.
"Mother, do you think I'm the kind of person who can't let things go?" Li Xia's rhetorical question made Xu laugh. She knew her daughter best - nothing weighed too heavily on her mind.
"Mother, don't worry about me. I'm fine. Take care of yourself and my little brother," Li Xia said, more concerned about Xu and Wang Hong.
According to Qiu Ling's report, Wang's grandparents favored their eldest son Wang Xiao more, having already declared that everything of theirs would go to him. As for Wang Dong, this father initially doted on Wang Hong. But he couldn't withstand his parents' constant nagging, frequently urging him to visit Wang Xiao at the academy.
Wang Dong's mindset had changed over the past six months, putting most of the family's fields under Wang Xiao's name. This was to prevent Xu from fighting for Wang Hong's inheritance.
"I'm not interested in the Wang family's meager possessions," Xu said. She was well aware of the Wang family's intentions, but their entire fortune wasn't worth as much as her annual income. The Wang family worried about her scheming, not realizing Xu had no interest at all.
"There are quite a few retired soldiers at the Lu family estate, all quite capable. Mother, take a few back with you to work in the shops," Li Xia said, concerned that Xu might not have enough help.
Xu didn't refuse. She took back more than a dozen men and arranged for them to work in the shops. With them there, the Wang family couldn't interfere even if they wanted to. Wang Dong still harbored dissatisfaction towards Xu. He became even more reluctant to return home, not even coming back on his days off, instead sending someone to the academy. He spent a rest day with his parents and son.
On the day he was to go to the Hanlin Academy, he only came down from the academy hill and rushed towards the Capital City. On the way, Wang Dong was still thinking about his mother Old Madam Wang's words.
Old Madam Wang believed that since Xu married into the Wang family, she was a Wang family daughter-in-law, and everything of hers should belong to the Wang family. Old Madam Wang had long coveted the shops and wealth in Xu's possession.
Wang Dong originally didn't have such thoughts, but his mother's constant reminders made him waver. Especially since he had recently set his eyes on a calligraphy piece worth 2000 taels of silver. If he had Xu's wealth, he could buy it. However, Wang Dong still hesitated about using his wife's dowry money. If he did so, their marital affection would be gone.
The carriage suddenly jolted to a stop. "What happened?" Wang Dong asked.
"Sir, the axle has broken," the servant said nervously.
"How did the axle break? Is there anyone nearby who can fix it?" Wang Dong said as he stepped out. The surroundings were desolate, with no sign of people. It would be impossible to find help. They couldn't continue with a broken axle.
"I know you're capable, but I want to share the burden. I want you to rely on me," Lu XuanNing said, his eyes full of deep affection, making Li Xia's heart warm. She gave a soft sound of acknowledgment but said nothing more.
Lu XuanNing was very satisfied and massaged Li Xia's feet with even more care.
As the due date approached, Lu XuanNing grew increasingly nervous. Li Xia, on the contrary, became more relaxed. She walked around the Lu manor twice daily, familiarizing herself with every corner of the estate.
The doctor had examined Li Xia and confirmed that she was in excellent health. He remarked that he had never seen such an energetic pregnant woman before. The midwife, chosen by the Old Marquis, had moved into the manor in advance to wait.
As Li Xia was walking around the manor and reached the corner of the garden, she felt something was off.
"What's wrong, my lady?" Qiu Shui noticed Li Xia's expression change.
"My lady's pants are wet," Qiu Chan, who was following behind, said. She wondered internally if her lady had wet herself.
The expression on Qiu Chan's face was puzzling. Li Xia steadied herself against a nearby rockery and said to Qiu Chan, "Qiu Chan, clear whatever you're thinking out of your mind."
Qiu Shui's face changed dramatically, and her voice altered as she commanded, "The baby is coming. Qiu Chan, quickly carry the lady to the birthing room. Qiu Ling, go inform the Marquis." Following Qiu Shui's words, Qiu Chan picked up Li Xia and ran towards the birthing room. Qiu Ling's feet flew as she ran towards the training grounds.
Lu XuanNing was sparring with someone at the training grounds when he saw Qiu Ling running towards him, looking somewhat flustered.
"What's wrong with Xia Xia?" Lu XuanNing urgently asked, disregarding the sparring match.
"The... the lady is about to give birth," Qiu Ling said, panting.
Upon hearing this, Lu XuanNing dropped his weapon and ran towards the delivery room. As he entered the courtyard and was about to rush into the delivery room, the Old Madam and Old Marquis stopped him. "The midwife and doctor are already inside. You'd better not go in and cause a disturbance."
Lu XuanNing stood at the doorway, peering inside. "Why can't I hear anything? Li Xia, Li Xia, how are you? Are you alright? Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat..."
Inside the room, Li Xia was enduring labor pains, listening to the midwife's instructions to conserve her energy and give birth in one push. Lu XuanNing's constant chatter reached her ears, which she found increasingly irritating. After tolerating it for a while, she couldn't hold back anymore: "Lu XuanNing, shut your mouth. Go wait somewhere else!"