Qu Fulan was already six months pregnant.
Although she was not the kind of expectant mother considered lucky—aning no discomfort during pregnancy, eating well, sleeping well, and no ntal stress.
Except for so nausea at the beginning, now she was only sensitive to certain slls; everything else was fine.
Now, even when she put on clothes, her small belly was visibly protruding, appearing larger than that of other mothers-to-be at six months.
The doctor suggested it might be twins, and Qu Fulan was certain it was twins, as she was more aware than anyone due to the fetal movents at six months.
Her family, including the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, were overjoyed to hear that she might be carrying twins.
It was said that when the Emperor learned the news, he sat there stunned for a long ti and then suddenly stood up and laughed heartily, startling the eunuchs nearby.
Later, the eunuchs reported that it was the first ti they had seen the Emperor so excited.
Except for Pei Ji’an.
It was reasonable to say that he should have been the happiest; what man wouldn’t be thrilled that his wife was carrying twins?
Apart from the auspicious sign, it was also a testant to his prowess.
Other wives expecting twins usually endured much hardship during pregnancy, while Qu Fulan’s situation was considered excellent.
Pei Ji’an should have felt grateful and excited.
Yet he went around with a contemplative expression, as if he was deeply worried. To those unaware, it might seem as if he was unhappy.
But Qu Fulan knew he was excessively worried.
After all, childbirth was life-threatening for won, let alone delivering two.
Pei Ji’an would even have nightmares at night, waking up drenched in sweat.
"Perhaps you should let the doctor check you tomorrow. It’s not a solution to keep going like this," Qu Fulan, a light sleeper, would be easily awakened by his movents and would take up her handkerchief to wipe him.
Pei Ji’an held her hand, paused for a mont, and then said, "No need, it’s an emotional ailnt that needs an emotional cure; seeing a doctor won’t help."
His emotional ailnt was that only a smooth delivery would relieve his anxiety, otherwise, he couldn’t find peace.
Qu Fulan understood this too; she just felt distressed seeing him have nightmares every night.
"If it’s really not working, why not find sothing to do outside? Keeping busy might distract you from worrying about other things?" Qu Fulan suggested again.
Pei Ji’an shook his head, "That would be worse; if I’m working and worrying about you, what if I don’t get things done properly, and sothing happens on your end? I’d be neglecting both sides."
Indeed.
"Why are you so worried? The doctor said the babies are doing well, and they seem fine to too. As long as I exercise appropriately every day, there shouldn’t be any issues with a natural delivery. There’s no need for you to worry."
How could Pei Ji’an admit it was because of that dream?
"Let’s say the children aren’t troubling you but are troubling instead."
Perhaps others couldn’t understand this explanation, but Qu Fulan could. After all, even in modern tis, there were cases where pregnant wives didn’t experience nausea, but their husbands did.
It’s said this was due to too much concern.
The days passed one by one, and Qu Fulan’s belly grew larger with each day. In just over half a month, she would give birth.
She felt fine herself, but Pei Ji’an began to suffer from sleepless nights, though he wouldn’t easily turn in bed, so she didn’t notice. She just thought it was because of his dreams when she saw his tired expression in the morning.
In the late stages of her pregnancy, she sotis found herself in deep sleep, unaffected by usual sounds, except for the fetal movents.
The babies’ movents had reached a stable pattern; for instance, every morning, it seed like the babies would wake up and start moving. While she couldn’t feel the movent of a single baby, the twins’ movents were quite lively.
She imagined them fighting inside, not knowing if it was a little hand or foot gliding across her belly, leaving traces one mont and then another, awakening her.
She didn’t feel too troubled by the children; in fact, if they stopped moving for a day, she would get anxious. As long as they moved, she felt reassured, and upon waking, she would instinctively reach out to touch her belly. Sotis she would feel a lump and would interact with the children, who might shyly shrink back.
She remained calm, gently tapping the spot, and before long, the babies would respond by touching the sa place with a hand or foot.
It was a special kind of interaction.
The first ti Pei Ji’an felt the fetal movent was when he bent down to listen to her belly one day, and the baby suddenly kicked him, making his expression one of indescribable delight and disbelief.
Indeed, it was truly unbelievable; Qu Fulan often felt the sa way.
In no ti, she would finally see the babies inside her belly, and the clothes prepared for the babies almost filled up the small room designated for them.
Apart from those made by her own family, there was an endless supply of children’s clothes brought by relatives and friends.
Prince An insisted on being the children’s godfather and unfailingly had people deliver nurous toys daily, almost filling the room, forcing Pei Ji’an to stop him from sending more to the Pei Mansion.
"Wouldn’t having your own be better than others’?"
Prince An himself was married, though his nature was a bit lively, and he had an unreliable manner, the wife he married was quite steady.
It’s said his family forced him to marry her, and at first, he was unwilling, but after eting her, his objections ceased, and the marriage proceeded.
Qu Fulan had t Princess An too; she ca from an established family, matching well with the An Family. Unlike her other sisters who enjoyed music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, this young woman liked managing the household. She learned to manage from her mother from a young age, aware of all the shops and resources, and had an impressive skill with the abacus.
It’s said Prince An decided after seeing her use the abacus once.
After their marriage, Princess An took over the affairs of the market that Prince An was responsible for, uncovering nurous creditors’ tricks and resolving many issues for Qu Fulan, who, after all, needed to focus on her pregnancy, avoiding tasks that required much ntal exertion.
In addition to Prince An’s marriage, Mr. Chu, Mr. Wei, and Mr. Ge were also married.
Oddly enough, they all married into Princess Qing’s circle of sisters, the sa group who played closely with Qu Fulan before.
Zou Yun married Chu Jin.
Miss Yuan married Mr. Ge.
Miss Zhou married Mr. Wei.
Perhaps like attracts like, those who got along with Qu Fulan and beca her friends weren’t far off.
The n of the families ford a circle, and the girls, upon marriage, didn’t need to change circles, which was truly wonderful.
They often visited Pei Mansion with their husbands, mainly to see Qu Fulan, thus ensuring her pregnancy wasn’t too boring.
Yet, in the later stages, with her growing belly, it beca inconvenient to sit or stand for long, leading to fewer visits, with friends understanding not to disturb her.
In no ti, the mont of labor was upon them.
This was the toughest ti for Qu Fulan, as she could no longer walk, and lying down constantly was uncomfortable. Turning over was also difficult, adding to her suffering.
Additionally, lying on her side too much caused her lower back to ache.
Though she suffered greatly, Pei Ji’an suffered even more, his insomnia worsening, making him lose a considerable amount of weight.
Finally, one day, while Qu Fulan was eating, she felt a slight pain in her belly, imdiately sensing that the ti for childbirth was near.
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