She stared at him with teary eyes, smiling faintly as she gripped the man's hand tightly, determined, "So Du, you must live well."
The man did not respond, still sleeping peacefully.
Gu Ying got up and bent over, cupping his handso face, wanting to give him one last kiss.
But thinking that he might have already been intimate with Jiang Yin before he was poisoned, and knew of her past, she beca self-conscious again and shrank back.
Outside the window, the night rain drizzled softly, and a chill crept in through the window lattice, sweeping away the stuffy air in the room.
She stroked her swollen belly. The little one inside kicked her vigorously, as if constantly telling his mother, I'm coming to see you!
Feeling the vibrant life of her child, her nose tingled.
No matter what, she must protect the Eldest Prince and Nian.
With this thought, she steadied herself and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes before pushing open the door to call Yin Lan to summon Ye Zhuojiang.
...
"What? You want to induce labor?!"
Ye Zhuojiang's face darkened as he directly rejected her in a cold voice.
"No!"
"I don't agree. With the gu poison still in your body, there are too many uncertainties. If you induce labor now, the consequences would be unthinkable!"
Gu Ying looked at him steadily with her clear eyes, "I need to give birth first so I can save the Eldest Prince without worries."
"No, no, no!" Ye Zhuojiang shook his head furiously like a spinning top, anxiously saying, "The labor inducing drugs are very damaging to a woman's body. Even if I'm a genius doctor, if sothing goes wrong during your labor, I can't guarantee your safety!"
Gu Ying smiled wanly, "Don't worry, Jiangjiang. I'll be fine."
Ye Zhuojiang yelled in anger, "Why would you be fine! Is the child more important than you? We can have another child, but if we lose you..."
"No." Gu Ying interrupted him gently, "Nian must survive."
He had died once already. He can't die again.
Ye Zhuojiang's brows furrowed instantly. He looked at the girl in front of him smiling breezily in disbelief. He felt that this little vixen was truly ruthless!
For the sake of her child, she was willing to abandon her loved ones, even the Eldest Prince!
How could she bear to do this? Didn't she know how many people cared for her, how Lingxi Pavilion and the others were all hoping she would live well?
Gu Ning and Gu Xun had even written to ask about her recently, saying they wanted to sneak out to see her give birth soday.
His heart ached. Tears sprang to his eyes in an instant as he cried out in anguish, "Ah Ying, please don't do this... Let's think of another way, okay? I'll torture Le Su to get the antidote for the Eldest Prince... Just wait a little longer, okay?"
Gu Ying laughed gently and sighed, "Jiangjiang, you know I need absolute certainty."
It would be best if she could get the antidote out of Le Su.
If not, she still had other chances...
This was a plot Jiang Yin had laid for her. If she didn't go to hell, who would?
In all his years, aside from when his father beat his butt as a child, Ye Zhuojiang had never felt such tornt as he did in this mont.
He was almost broken with grief, his insides twisted into knots as tears stread down his face. "Okay, I'll protect you!"
Gu Ying chuckled softly, "Thank you, Jiangjiang."
...
Later that night.
The Duke's residence was thrown into chaos again.
No one had expected Gu Ying would make her move so suddenly at this ti.
At first, Mrs. Lin and Lady Qin were flustered, but they soon cald down and had people prepare hot towels and other items.
"Where's the midwife?"
"Mistress, she's been summoned!"
Mrs. Lin's heart thumped loudly before she finally steadied herself. Shaking off Zhao Hui's hand, she commanded everyone outside, "No n allowed in. Lady Ye and I will go in. Ah Ying has likely been under stress, which is why she's going into early labor. But don't worry, with Lady Ye and I here, Ah Ying and the child will certainly be fine."
"Ginseng! Ginseng! Get so ginseng ready!" Lady Qin yelled anxiously, "And food, Ah Ying hasn't eaten in a long ti. She might not have the strength to give birth later. Yin Lan, take Yanzhi and the others to prepare so snacks!"
"Yes, Mistress."
"Clean clothes, swaddling clothes for the child, everything needs to be ready."
Fortunately, they had made preparations for Gu Ying's labor in advance, so after so initial panic, everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.
Mrs. Lin and Lady Qin dragged the midwife in, shutting the door behind them with a thud.
"Oh!"
Zhao Hui and Ye Zhuojiang were barred outside. Their faces were etched with anxiety as they paced back and forth, listening to the pained cries coming from within.
Ye Zhuojiang's sword-like brows were tightly knitted. He stood steadfastly by the door.
Labor inducing drugs were extrely damaging to a woman's body... He could only pray to heaven to protect Ah Ying now...
Don't let her bleed too heavily...
Unable to bear listening any further, he covered his ears and walked away.
Zhao Hui frowned, "Where are you going, Young Master Ye?"
Ye Zhuojiang said, "I can't help with the birth. I'm going to interrogate soone!"
Thinking of the important figure they had brought back to the residence, Zhao Hui said, "I'll go too!"
...
Lying on the bed soaked in sweat, Gu Ying endured waves of agonizing pain from her belly that nearly destroyed her sanity.
The midwife and Mrs. Lin stayed by her side.
"Ah Ying, try to relax first..."
"Giving birth is quite simple actually..."
"You mustn't rush or strain yourself..."
"My lady, the worst is yet to co. Save your strength for later."
Gu Ying's world darkened. What? This wasn't the most painful part yet?
But she no longer had the capacity to consider if the midwife was right. She could only rely on instinct, gasping for breath as she tensed and relaxed alternately.
But that heart-wrenching pain was unlike anything she had experienced before. She almost shattered under its onslaught.
Unable to endure any longer, she cried out in anguish. By the end, her throat was so hoarse she couldn't make a sound.
Yet her child made no movent whatsoever...
"What should I do..." She opened her eyes weakly as Lady Qin fed her ginseng and Mrs. Lin had her suck on dicinal herbs. Like an obedient child, she accepted everything they gave. As her strength slowly drained away, she felt utterly helpless. "Mother... auntie... It hurts so much..."
Seeing her suffer, Lady Qin said sorrowfully, "Ah Ying, rest for now... Try again later."
"Alright..." Gu Ying's forehead was beaded with perspiration. She breathed heavily, sprawled on the bed, thinking weakly of Nian.
Nian, you must co out properly, do you hear?
Don't give your mother trouble...
Nian, you're the best baby. Co out soon, okay?
After ntally pleading, she felt sothing shift heavily downward.
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