A sharp pain interrupted her thoughts. The contractions grew closer, waves of pain causing cold sweat to seep from her temples. Baby, don’t torture mommy anymore, come out quickly!
She didn’t know how long she had endured, alternating between pain and sleep. With blurry eyes, she asked Yue Xiang, who was standing by the bed: “What time is it now?”
“It’s the second quarter of the Yin hour (around 4 AM)! Madam, would you like some water?” Yue Xiang got up to pour her a bowl of warm red date water. She hadn’t slept all night, staying by her mistress’s side – truly loyal.
“Okay.” Lan Lan took the red date water Yue Xiang handed her and drank it in one gulp.
She had woken up thirsty and needed to replenish her fluids to maintain her strength.
No wonder many women say they never want to give birth again after experiencing it once. The pain was truly indescribable.
After drinking, she lay back down to rest, needing to take every opportunity to rest, even if just half-asleep. At six in the morning, Lan Lan was awakened by heart-wrenching pain. The contractions were continuous now, unlike before. Despite the pain, she tried to hold back her cries not wanting to worry others. But now it was unbearable, and she couldn’t help but cry, gripping the bedsheets and whimpering.
Yue Xiang watched her mistress suffer in pain, her compassion evident as she too began to cry.
“Yue Xiang, quickly call the midwife!” Lan Lan’s voice was hoarse.
“Ok, bear with it!” Yue Xiang hurried out and saw Chen Shu, his wife, and others gathered at the door, listening to the painful cries. Each cry, growing from soft to loud, pulled at their heartstrings, and tears began to fall.
As soon as Yue Xiang came out, Chen Shu quickly wiped his face.
“Chen Shu, the madam said to call the midwife!”
“I’m coming, it should be about time.” Just then, the midwife walked out from the adjacent guest room.
“I’ll go in and check on the madam first. Yue Xiang, you come too.”
Others wanted to enter, but the midwife, worried about hygiene, didn’t allow too many people inside.
