A trace of worry appeared between Xue Ling's brows, for a woman giving birth has always been a brush with death since ancient times.
Chu Ruoyan grasped her hand and said, "Aunt will be fine. But we need to arrange for a midwife and a doctor in advance. It would be best to trouble the old madam to make a trip to the palace and request an imperial physician."
Xue Ling nodded. "Grandmother has already arranged all that. She said she managed to secure Chief Physician Zhang. For now, his disciple, Imperial Physician Hu, is staying at the Cao residence to keep watch. Chief Physician Zhang himself will come on the day of the delivery. There shouldn't be any mishap."
Chu Ruoyan thought to herself that Old Madam Cao had indeed considered everything thoroughly. After all, given Chief Physician Zhang's status, he couldn't possibly wait at the Cao residence for the birth.
"By the way, we must also be careful about the Xue family side."
Xue Ling was taken aback, frowning slightly. "You mean they might come to cause trouble? That shouldn't be necessary, right? My father... that man has already been confined and hasn't stepped out of his courtyard gate for months."
Chu Ruoyan said gravely, "Precisely because of that, they are even more likely to seek revenge. Cousin, think about it carefully. You and Aunt have sailed smoothly to the Cao family, but what about them? The title of Marquis Cheng'en has been stripped, Xue Gui is still confined in the courtyard with Zhang Ji, utterly disgraced. You know full well what Old Madam Xue's character is like. In such a situation, would she be willing to watch you live well?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Ling also grew somewhat flustered. Fortunately, Chan spoke up, "Don't worry, Miss and Cousin Miss. Yesterday, the old madam sent word saying she would strengthen the guards at the residence. She also asked the young master to notify the Five City Military and Police Command, and they will increase patrols on that street."
Xue Ling breathed a sigh of relief, and Chu Ruoyan also shook her head with a smile. "The older ginger is spicier. Cousin, you can set your mind at ease too."
The two cousins shared some more intimate words before parting.
Chu Ruoyan returned to her courtyard, played with Fubao for a while, and then retired for the night.
Her body had felt very heavy lately, and the morning sickness grew stronger by the day. It seemed that after her aunt gave birth, she should also ask Chief Physician Zhang to examine her...
She slept fitfully for two days. On the afternoon of the third day, someone from the Cao family arrived.
It was Chan from Xue Ling's side, panting and looking panicked. "Cousin Miss, it's terrible! Our madam, she... she..."
Chu Ruoyan's heart sank. "Don't rush. Speak slowly, what happened?"
Chan took several deep breaths and cried, "Our madam showed signs of bleeding this morning, but it's been almost two hours and the baby still hasn't come!"
"What? What did Chief Physician Zhang say?"
Chan shook her head repeatedly. "There's no Chief Physician Zhang! We couldn't get him at all! Imperial Physician Hu said the madam's condition is critical. She's already advanced in age for childbirth, and with the bleeding... But when our people went to the Imperial Hospital, they found out that Consort Xue claimed she was unwell this morning and summoned Chief Physician Zhang for a consultation. He hasn't returned even now..."
A flash of fury passed through Chu Ruoyan's eyes.
Consort Xue!
She knew that woman wouldn't stay quiet, but to actually devise such a vicious scheme of snatching the doctor right at the time of delivery!
"Right now, we've invited all the doctors from Hui Chun Hall to examine her, but they all say there's nothing they can do. Our miss said that you, Cousin Miss, know the Old Divine Doctor Qin? She begs you to please ask the old divine doctor to make a trip and save our madam!"
Without another word, Chu Ruoyan called for a carriage. Before leaving, she specifically informed Lady Jiang the Younger about the matter.
Upon hearing this, Lady Jiang the Younger's face turned pale. This sister-in-law was already of advanced maternal age, and now without a capable doctor, wasn't this a death sentence?
She immediately put aside discussing Chu Ruolan's marriage arrangements with Madam Yan and hurried to the Ministry of Personnel to find Chu Huaishan.
Meanwhile, in the carriage.
Nanny Zhou was somewhat worried. "The young master repeatedly warned before he left that you must not go to Bai Xiao Pavilion again. That Master Lang also said you should have no further dealings. If you visit so abruptly like this, might you fail to invite the old divine doctor?"
A faint light glimmered in Chu Ruoyan's eyes. "I know what you're worried about, Nanny. But it doesn't matter. If we can't invite him, we'll take him by force. Aunt's situation is so critical now, we can't afford to worry about so much."
Nanny Zhou sighed. "Everything was fine, how could she suddenly start bleeding?"
A cold glint also flickered in Chu Ruoyan's eyes. Yes, everything was fine, how could she suddenly start bleeding?
But now was not the time to investigate. When they rushed to Bai Xiao Pavilion, sure enough, Qin Yiru was not there.
Shopkeeper Du said politely, "Today is the day the Old Divine Doctor examines Princess Roumin's eyes. He entered the Palace of Tranquil Longevity early in the morning, so he is not here."
Chu Ruoyan let out a cold laugh. "What a coincidence indeed! Consort Xue felt unwell and needed to see an imperial physician today, and Princess Roumin also has her eye examination today. How is it that my aunt's fate is so bitter, to inexplicably collide with two noble ladies?"
Her words were dripping with icy sarcasm. Shopkeeper Du was left speechless. Yun Lang walked out and said, "Alright, you may withdraw."
Shopkeeper Du bowed in acknowledgment. Yun Lang looked at her and said, "Princess Roumin's eye treatment was scheduled long ago. The 15th and the last day of each month, always at this time. It's not done on purpose."
Chu Ruoyan remained silent, staring fixedly at him.
That all-too-familiar gaze made Yun Lang's heart tremble. After a moment's hesitation, he finally took something from his bosom. "This is a pill refined by the old master. It can induce labor and protect the fetus. Take it first and give it to your aunt."
Chu Ruoyan did not take it. Instead, she suddenly knelt down on her knees.
Yun Lang's expression changed dramatically. "What are you doing? Get up!"
The woman bit her lip and said solemnly, "My aunt is bleeding. Without the old divine doctor, even with a pill to induce labor and protect the fetus, the child cannot be saved! Master Lang, Ruoyan begs you, save my aunt's life!"
With that, she waved her hand. Two heavy chests of gold were placed behind her.
The sight pained Yun Lang's heart. When had they become so distant?
Hongxiu, sensing his hesitation, whispered, "Master, if you do this, I'm afraid the Third Young Lady will..."
Yun Lang closed his eyes. After a moment, he made a decision. "Fine, Bai Xiao Pavilion will take this job! Take the pill back first. I will send the old master over as soon as possible!"
Chu Ruoyan heaved a huge sigh of relief, quickly took the pill, and hurried back to the Cao residence.
Nanny Zhou was worried about her condition, but at such a critical moment, it was hard to say anything.
As soon as they entered the Cao residence, Cao Yi immediately led them to the inner courtyard.
Passing through the central hall, she saw a richly dressed woman and two matrons kneeling there, their faces swollen from slaps. She couldn't help but frown.
Cao Yi, noticing her confusion, said hatefully, "That's Madam Wei from the second branch of the Xue family. She had always been on good terms with our madam and had visited several times before! Who would have thought that today, under the pretext of visiting, she pushed our madam from behind, causing her belly to hit the corner of a table!!"
Ruthless intent instantly flashed in Chu Ruoyan's eyes!
No wonder her aunt suddenly started bleeding. It was actually caused by this sister-in-law from the Xue family!
But there was no time to deal with her now. She strode quickly into the room.
The smell of blood inside was already very strong, accompanied by Chu Jing's agonized screams. Old Madam Cao sat rigidly by the bedside, gripping her hand tightly, holding back tears with great effort. Xue Ling had cried herself into a faint, wishing she could follow her mother.
"Old Madam, County Princess Changle is here!"
As soon as Cao Yi's voice fell, the old madam immediately looked up.
But seeing no one behind her, the tears held back for so long in those aged eyes finally rolled down uncontrollably. "Still... we couldn't get him?"
