Chapter 398 - 397: Safe and Sound

Chapter 398: Chapter 397: Safe and Sound

Perhaps the little one inside heard, and Yunluo’s stomach suddenly ached intensely.

She couldn’t hold back and cried out.

This time, the pain was longer and more severe than before.

After enduring it with difficulty, Yunluo leaned on the bedhead, gasping heavily, her eyes completely red.

The Yang Family felt heartache, but women giving birth was like this, and the most painful moment hadn’t even arrived yet. Steadying her voice, she helped Yunluo regulate her breathing while comforting her.

Several women from the government office entered the ear room and invited Jin Rui and Jin Lan out.

Jin Lan, being young and experiencing her master’s childbirth for the first time, had a pale face and followed behind Jin Rui, listening woodenly to her instructions.

Jin Rui wasn’t much better than Jin Lan, but being a few years older, she was more courageous.

Recalling how Mu Lianxiao was only concerned about Yunluo having breakfast earlier, Jin Rui instructed Jin Lan to get some porridge and snacks and take them to Mu Lianxiao. She stood in the middle of the courtyard, rubbing her slightly cold hands, wondering what else she could do.

Mu Lianxiao stood by the window with his hands behind his back, ears keen and heart tied to Yunluo. He heard everything clearly at the slightest call from her.

Did he come out too early?

The birth wasn’t until the afternoon; he should have spent more time with her if he’d known.

He thought to himself that when lunchtime came, he would go back to see her...

Lost in thought, Mu Lianxiao only sat down to eat a few bites when Jin Lan set the table.

He wasn’t hungry; he just wanted to distract himself by eating.

Mu Lianxiao spent the entire morning amidst Yunluo’s occasional cries.

When lunchtime finally arrived, Mu Lianxiao hurried out of the room, intending to intercept Jin Lan delivering the meal. Suddenly, Yunluo cried out loudly from the ear room.

Mu Lianxiao turned his feet and headed towards the ear room before he even realized it.

He was stopped outside the ear room by the Yang Family.

The Yang Family just happened to come out from inside and quickly blocked him when she saw Mu Lianxiao trying to rush in: "You’re not allowed in."

"How is Yunluo?" Mu Lianxiao asked anxiously, "Does she need some lunch?"

The Yang Family had long heard from Hong Jinbao’s family about the breakfast incident. Seeing Mu Lianxiao craning his neck to peer inside, she couldn’t help but smile: "She can’t eat now. Good child, your wife is fine. Just wait here."

Facing the Yang Family, he couldn’t act the same as he did with Mrs. Qiu. Unable to enter, yet unwilling to leave, Mu Lianxiao’s heart tightened as Yunluo cried out again inside.

Aware of Mu Lianxiao’s state of mind, the Yang Family raised a hand to stop him, saying calmly, "Come, let Auntie have a word with you."

After speaking, the Yang Family briskly walked to the main house’s entrance.

Mu Lianxiao pursed his lips.

Because of his noble birth, the Yang Family neither expected him to fully adhere to traditional etiquette nor did they assume the posture of an elder. This was the first time the Yang Family adopted an elder’s stance, and seeing she was serious, Mu Lianxiao followed her.

The Yang Family looked up, gazing at the teenager a few years younger than her own son.

Recalling Du Yuntao’s restlessness when Yan Family gave birth to Brother Duan, the Yang Family’s eyes softened involuntarily.

"I didn’t mean to stop you; I’m Yunluo’s family aunt. I’m happy seeing you treat her well," the Yang Family said gently, "But there are many customs to follow in the birthing room, regardless if you believe in them or not, they exist.

If everything goes well, no one will mind you being in the birth room, but if something happens and Old Madam and Madam find out, what will they think?

At that time, it will be your wife who will be wronged.

Even if it’s hard to bear, it’s just a few hours."

Mu Lianxiao lowered his eyes.

The Yang Family spoke with reason; even if he didn’t care, Madam Wu and Mrs. Zhou might not care, but with so many people, who knows what unnecessary troubles may arise.

Mu Yuanjing is no longer here, but there are still sharp-tongued people in the clan. Even though the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion does not rely on the clan for life, Mu Lianxiao doesn’t want any slanderous words about Yunluo to appear.

He took a deep breath, nodded heavily, and respectfully said, "Thank you, Auntie, for the reminder."

The Yang Family saw that he understood and nodded reassuringly.

Inside the ear room, Yunluo’s cries were intense, and Mu Lianxiao felt uncomfortable hearing it. He spoke to the Yang Family quietly and walked to the north window of the ear room, speaking to Yunluo through the window.

To protect the birthing woman from drafts, the window was tightly shut. Mu Lianxiao couldn’t see inside, but Yunluo’s voice was exceptionally clear up close.

"Yunluo," Mu Lianxiao raised his voice, "I’m waiting for you outside."

Inside, Yunluo responded faintly, having heard him clearly.

As the afternoon passed, the birthing room became busy.

Buckets of hot water were carried in and out.

Seeing the water tinged with red, the bloody smell almost made Jin Lan drop the copper basin.

Mu Lianxiao stood under the veranda, clenching his hands tightly.

He was never afraid of blood.

Since childhood, practicing martial arts, getting wounded and bleeding was routine. On the battlefield, as fresh blood from the enemy splattered onto him, Mu Lianxiao never flinched.

He was long used to the metallic scent, used to wiping the blood off his spear after each battle, used to seeing the water turn red during his wash.

But at this moment, hearing Yunluo’s hoarse cries and seeing the buckets of blood-tinted water, Mu Lianxiao felt his legs weaken slightly.

His Yunluo was so petite, afraid of pain, prone to tears; how could she possibly endure such agony?

Leaning dejectedly against the pillar, Mu Lianxiao rubbed his aching head.

If only Yun Qi were here, he could ask what thoughts ran through his mind when Jin Ling was giving birth.

Was it the same, heart aching to death, yet unable to help at all?

From a young age, Old Marquis had preached steadfastness, calmness, unflappable strength — these should have been ingrained in his bones but now felt shattered to pieces.

Mu Lianxiao slowly practiced boxing repeatedly, trying to divert his mind.

From slow to fast, he didn’t know how long he practiced alone, sweat soaking through his clothes, yet he did not stop.

As dusk approached, the bloody scent grew stronger.

Suddenly, the sound of a baby’s cry pierced the air like an arrow, shocking Mu Lianxiao into stillness.

Did he wait too long to a point of illusion, or was the child truly born?

Mu Lianxiao stiffly turned around, watching Yang Family hurriedly entering the ear room. Then, the clear cry resounded again.

In three steps, Mu Lianxiao was outside the ear room, grabbing Hong Jinbao’s family member who had come out: "Mama, Yunluo she..."

Tears filled Hong Jinbao’s family’s eyes, ecstatically exclaiming, "Congratulations, sir, Madam gave birth to a son. Both mother and child are safe."

Mu Lianxiao was momentarily stunned, his mind blank.

After a moment, the loud cries of the baby pulled him back to reality.

The child crying lustily was his son, the big chubby boy Yunluo bore for him.

Mu Lianxiao’s gaze was suddenly touched with a trace of laughter, and then it deepened, his lips curving into a brilliant smile, outshining the warm winter sun.