Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 738 - 739: Labor Pains (Part 5)

Early the next morning, Xiqiu had Chunliu bring the box that the First Madam had previously given her and went to the Marquis Mansion with Ruan Jingliu. As soon as they entered the door, Ziwei greeted them. Seeing Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu together, she breathed a sigh of relief, "Fourth Madam, the Grand Dowager fainted in the Buddhist Hall last night. The Imperial Physician came in the middle of the night and said her pulse was irregular and prescribed some medicine...." She glanced at Ruan Jingliu.

It was obvious she trusted Ruan Jingliu’s medical skills more than the Imperial Physician’s.

Upon hearing this, Xiqiu was startled. She and Ruan Jingliu said nothing more and immediately entered the Grand Dowager’s room. Xiao Yanyi stood by the bedside, watching over her. When he saw Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu enter, he nodded to them. Xiqiu and Xiao Yanyi exchanged greetings, and she asked, "Second Brother, how is Mother?"

Xiao Yanyi was noticeably thinner than he had been a month ago, looking very haggard with bloodshot eyes. He replied, "She just took her medicine, but her sleep is restless."

Xiqiu looked at the Grand Dowager on the bed and saw her lying there with her eyes closed, her face showing deep exhaustion and devoid of any vitality. Suddenly, this version of the Grand Dowager felt unfamiliar to Xiqiu, making her reluctant to acknowledge her.

Ruan Jingliu had already approached the bed, checked the pulse, and lifted the Grand Dowager’s eyelids to take a look. She then turned to Xiqiu and Xiao Yanyi, "You all should go outside." She didn’t mention any diagnosis.

Xiqiu and Xiao Yanyi exchanged glances, and she told Ruan Jingliu, "I’ll be outside; call me if you need anything."

Then, Xiqiu and Xiao Yanyi exited the Grand Dowager’s bedroom one after the other. They stood in the main hall, Xiao Yanyi looking a bit embarrassed. He turned to Xiqiu and said, "Sister-in-law, have a seat!"

"Hmm." Xiqiu nodded but didn’t immediately sit down. Xiao Yanyi, after some thought, sat in the first chair on the side without speaking. Xiqiu glanced at him from the corner of her eye, contemplating whether to take a walk outside or sit down, worried about the Grand Dowager. As she was hesitating, Xiao Yanyi had already looked at her and said, "It’s about time, Fourth Brother should return in three to five days." He glanced at Xiqiu’s belly with a worried expression, "Will there be enough time, or should I go and bring him back?"

"No need." Xiqiu had been counting the days too and replied, "I don’t know if it will be in time, so let’s just wait."

Xiao Yanyi nodded thoughtfully, raised his arm stiffly, and looked away from Xiqiu, "Have a seat!" Xiqiu didn’t want to make the situation too awkward and sat in the last chair opposite Xiao Yanyi.

Ziwei brought in tea with some attendants, and they both lowered their heads to drink their tea in silence. After a long while, Xiqiu seemed to think of something and looked at Xiao Yanyi, calling out, "Second Brother... "

Xiao Yanyi had also been about to speak when he saw Xiqiu call him; his expression relaxed as he asked, "What is it?"

"It’s about the mourning clothes ceremony," Xiqiu thought and replied. "Father said to let you make the decisions for everything."

Xiao Yanyi nodded at her words and didn’t say much more. After a pause, he added, "Xing has been... troublesome for you."

Xiqiu smiled but said nothing more.

After a long while, there was still no movement from the bedroom. Xiqiu and Xiao Yanyi were sitting there awkwardly, staring at each other. She felt embarrassed, and so did Xiao Yanyi, whose gaze fell on her bulging belly. His eyes showed a pained expression, and he sighed deeply, suddenly standing up and saying, "I’m going for a walk!" With that, he left the room hastily, appearing somewhat flustered.

Xiqiu didn’t move. After Xiao Yanyi left, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief, sipping the tea in her hand. At this moment, Ruan Jingliu opened the door and came out. Seeing her, Xiqiu immediately approached and asked, "How is she?"

Ruan Jingliu thought for a moment and replied, "Myocardial obstruction, perhaps related to recent mental stress." Xiqiu listened, frowning, thinking that Ruan Jingliu must mean myocardial infarction?

She looked into the bedroom with concern, while Ruan Jingliu was seated opposite her, saying, "I’ll come to perform acupuncture regularly, and as long as she stays calm, there’s no greater issue."

Xiqiu nodded worriedly.

They went in to see the Grand Dowager again and felt she looked much better than before. Ruan Jingliu gave Ziwei and Bilian many instructions for her daily care, deemed the Imperial Physician’s prescription adequate, and didn’t rewrite it. Xiqiu then went with Ruan Jingliu to bid farewell to the First Madam, and together they returned to the new mansion.

Early the next morning, Tiancheng rushed in with a beaming smile, saying, "Madam, the Ministry of War received news that Fourth Master’s troops have reached the ferry. The Emperor has already issued a decree stating they will enter the Capital in three days." Xiqiu listened, frowning, and Tiancheng explained with a smile, "... It’s likely they’ll parade Prince Rong through the streets of the Capital as a public display."

So that’s it; the Emperor resented Prince Rong dearly. Now that he’s captured, he naturally wants to vent this anger.

But Fourth Master Xiao will only return in three days? Xiqiu absentmindedly touched her belly, feeling a vague unease.

Throughout the day, the news of Fourth Master Xiao’s return seemed to have wings, flying through every street and alley. Visitors arrived continuously at the new mansion all morning. First came Madam Jiang and Tong Xiyan, then Madam Huang and Madam Qian; they took turns visiting. It wasn’t until the afternoon that Xiqiu could finally relax and was just about to go inside to rest when someone reported from outside, "Madam, First Master Xu is here!"

Xiqiu was taken aback, turning to Ruan Jingliu, who shook her head, looking equally mystified.

Xu Tianqing has come to his senses? Xiqiu immediately nodded, "Invite him in."

In no time, Xu Tianqing appeared in a plain bamboo-colored long gown, leisurely walking in from the entrance. Standing at the doorway, Xiqiu watched him and felt it was like seeing him for the first time back at the Tong Mansion—like a rising sun, whose every smile and gesture radiated warmth, making her smile unconsciously.

"Cousin?" Xiqiu realized that this composed Xu Tianqing was his usual self, and she smiled, appearing quite happy.

Xu Tianqing paused in the courtyard, his gaze casting far into the distance toward her, filled with deep affection, like when he first left. His love was unmistakable and unconcealed whenever he looked at her... The two stood like that, with Xiqiu awkwardly shifting her gaze, smiling as she said, "Come in and sit for a while."

Expected to nod, Xu Tianqing only smiled faintly, his smile as pure as ever. Looking at Xiqiu, he shook his head and said, "No, I just came to bid you farewell. I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused you during this time."

"Where are you going?" Xiqiu asked, startled by his words.

The Xu family no longer has any properties in Shandong, so where could Xu Tianqing go?

"The world is vast, anywhere can be home." Xu Tianqing laughed lightly, seeming above everything, "Take care, Sixth Sister!" His tone was resolute.

Xiqiu wanted to persuade him but sensed his mind was set, and she had no standing in the matter, so she smiled and nodded, "Then, take care, Cousin." After a pause, she added, "Did you inform Big Brother about this?"

Xu Tianqing’s gaze flickered, and he shook his head, "Please, convey my regards to Big Brother, First Master, and Fourth Sister. I won’t be going." Saying so, he took a step back, clasped his fists in salute, and said, "Take care!"

Finishing speaking, he gave Xiqiu a long, deep look, as if to imprint her into his memory... and then turned and left.

Xiqiu watched Xu Tianqing’s somewhat forlorn figure disappear, exhaling a long sigh. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

It was at this moment that she felt a contraction in her abdomen, like a giant clamp gripping her internal organs...

Immediately following, she felt a sudden warmth beneath her skirt, with something flowing out.

Her face changed color, and she frantically clutched the door frame, calling out, "Sister Jingliu." Her voice was high-pitched.

"What’s wrong?" Ruan Jingliu hurried out from the room at the sound, her face changing when she saw Xiqiu, "Is it time for the baby?" She quickly supported Xiqiu.

Xu Tianqing had just reached the hallway door when he heard the commotion behind him. He couldn’t help but stop and turn to see the chaotic scene at the main entrance—Ruan Jingliu was even somewhat flustered and at a loss.

Xiqiu’s face was ashen, biting her lip, clutching Ruan Jingliu’s hand as if startled.

Nanny Cen rushed out from the side room, "What’s happening, is the baby coming..."

"What to do, what to do!" Chunliu was running back and forth.

"Enough with the chaos, quickly help the Madam into the room, fetch the midwife, prepare hot water, and get clean towels..."

Xu Tianqing paused at the door, watching Xiqiu being assisted into the bedroom by Ruan Jingliu and several others.