Chapter 32: The General’s Pampered Little Wife 32

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: The General’s Pampered Little Wife 32

After Xiao Shen delivered the poison to the Emperor, the Centennial Snow Lotus was, just as planned, found by the Second Prince’s men.

Just as the Emperor had predicted from the start, even with this medicinal herb, the Second Prince was now truly sterile.

Unable to stomach this, the first thing the furious Second Prince did was make an example of Song Yuxi. On a dark and stormy night, Song Yuxi was attacked.

He wasn’t injured anywhere else, but from then on, he was no different from a eunuch.

News of this soon reached Ji Xiaosong’s ears.

She looked at her husband in disbelief. "You’re saying the Song Family and the Second Prince are turning on each other, and Song Yuxi ended up the biggest victim?"

"Yes, Wife."

"So... it’s true that a single glimmer of hope is the easiest thing to extinguish."

Ji Xiaosong was overcome with emotion.

"The Song Family originally developed this poison to help the Second Prince control others. To think it ended up destroying their entire family... wouldn’t you call this a case of evil begetting evil?"

"I would."

Xiao Shen pulled Ji Xiaosong into his arms, resting his chin gently on the crown of her head. He spoke softly, "Don’t trouble yourself over such matters. It’s all in the past now. Just focus on your pregnancy, Wife. I’ll arrange for more guards to be with you, just in case."

In truth, the person in the most danger now was Ji Xiaosong, for she was the only woman known to be able to bear children for a man who had taken the sterility medicine.

The Second Prince’s faction would inevitably resort to some desperate measures.

After all, if they could control Ji Xiaosong, they might be able to reverse their disadvantage in this power struggle.

But he wouldn’t tell his wife about this worry for now. She just needed to live peacefully under his protection.

Since Xiao Shen had instructed her so seriously, Ji Xiaosong had no reason to disobey.

Several months later, Ji Xiaosong finally reached full term.

After she finished breakfast, Rongrong suddenly floated over.

’Song, your labor will start in half an hour.’

"The Imperial Physician guessed I was carrying twins. Without advanced diagnostic equipment, they have no way of knowing I’m actually carrying quadruplets. I just hope I don’t give them too much of a shock in a little while."

After confirming the exact time, Ji Xiaosong had someone send word to the Ji family.

Xiao Shen happened to be off duty today, so she just needed to send a servant boy to his study to inform him.

Half an hour later, Ji Xiaosong’s labor began as predicted.

"Wife, don’t you worry. I’m right here beside you. I’m not going anywhere."

Xiao Shen held Ji Xiaosong’s hand, trembling uncontrollably.

His anxious state made Ji Xiaosong laugh. "Husband, what are you afraid of? I’m the one giving birth, not you. You’re shaking like a leaf in the wind."

In reality, Ji Xiaosong didn’t feel any contractions. By using a little Spiritual Power to soothe herself, all the issues typically caused by childbirth were no problem at all.

Although she was soothing the pain with Spiritual Power, she still pretended to be in agony and cried out to avoid suspicion.

When Mother Ji and her three sisters-in-law arrived at the delivery room, they quickly gathered around her. Mother Ji gently patted Ji Xiaosong’s hand and said warmly, "Song, don’t be afraid. Mother is here with you. I will definitely keep you safe."

Her eldest sister-in-law dabbed the sweat from Ji Xiaosong’s brow with a handkerchief, her face full of concern. "Song, just relax. The daughters of the Ji family are all blessed. It will surely be a smooth delivery."

Her second sister-in-law coaxed her softly, "Little sister, giving birth is like fighting your way through an army. Just grit your teeth and you’ll get through it. Your sisters-in-law are all here cheering you on."

Her third sister-in-law quickly chimed in, "That’s right, little sister. Just focus on pushing. Everything will be all right."

Meanwhile, outside the door, her three brothers from the Ji family were pacing anxiously like ants on a hot pan, while Mr. Ji stood to the side with a solemn expression.

The eldest brother paced back and forth, muttering, "Why hasn’t the baby come yet? This is killing me. Please don’t let our little sister suffer."

The second brother stood with his arms crossed, his brow tightly furrowed. "May the heavens bless our little sister with a safe and smooth delivery."

The third brother shouted toward the door, "Song, your third brother is out here watching over you! You have to be strong!"

Mr. Ji took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, "All of you, be quiet. Don’t disturb Xiaosong."

The whole family was running around in a tizzy, each more anxious than the last.

Before long, the first baby was about to emerge. The midwife shouted, "General, the delivery room is a bloody place! It’s no place for a man. Get out and wait!"

But Xiao Shen refused to listen, gripping Ji Xiaosong’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

The midwife stamped her foot in frustration and raised her voice. "General, these are the rules passed down from our ancestors! If you stay here, you’ll bring bad luck to the mother and child! Get out!"

Mother Ji also hurried to persuade him, "General, please go outside for now. We are here. Nothing will happen to Song."

Pushed toward the door by the crowd of women, Xiao Shen couldn’t help but look back at Ji Xiaosong.

’How could I possibly rest easy!’

Ji Xiaosong seemed to force a smile and said to Xiao Shen, "Husband, please go outside. I don’t want you to see me in such a state. I will definitely deliver our child safely."

This imposing man, who had fought through seas of blood without his expression changing one bit, was now terrified beyond measure as he watched his wife about to give birth.

After all, multiple births were inherently difficult, and he was truly afraid something terrible would happen to his wife.

Xiao Shen’s eyes grew red, his voice choked with emotion. "Wife, I’m not afraid. I just want to be with you."

Ji Xiaosong panted heavily and said, "Husband, please listen to me. Having you here will distract me. Go outside and wait for me."

Xiao Shen gritted his teeth and finally nodded. He said slowly, "Wife, then you must be all right. I’ll be waiting for you outside."

With that, Xiao Shen reluctantly left the delivery room.

The moment he was gone, Mother Ji quickly shut the door.

As a woman, she knew this all too well.

If a man were to see his wife in the state she was in during childbirth, it would be inevitable for a rift to form between them later.

If it were to affect the harmony between husband and wife, it would be a disaster.

Although some men might not mind, Mother Ji couldn’t take that gamble.

She couldn’t possibly wager her own daughter’s future happiness on it.

"The head is out! It’s out!"

The midwife shouted excitedly, "My lady, just one more push! The baby’s almost out!"

Ji Xiaosong took a deep breath and pushed with all her might.

The midwife worked skillfully, offering a constant stream of encouragement. "Almost there, almost there! I can see the shoulders!"

"Song, you can do it!" Mother Ji and her sisters-in-law shouted anxiously from the side.

Finally, with a loud, clear cry, the first baby was born.

The midwife deftly cut the umbilical cord, wrapped the baby in a clean cloth, and brought him before Ji Xiaosong, her face beaming with joy. "My lady, it’s a little young master! He’s fair and plump, and so handsome!"

’Song, that’s the War God.’

Rongrong floated closer. She had never seen the War God from this close before.

At that moment, the loving affection in Mother Ji’s eyes was nearly overflowing.

"Song, look at this child. He’s absolutely perfect. In all my years, this is the first time I’ve ever seen such a beautiful baby."

Ji Xiaosong looked up and saw the baby boy. He had a round little face and skin as pink and tender as a freshly peeled lychee.

His small, straight nose twitched with each breath, and his rosy lips were slightly pursed as if murmuring in his sleep.

His tiny body was wrapped in swaddling clothes, peaceful and serene.

Though his eyes were closed, his long eyelashes curled upward. On his forehead was a faint, bean-sized red birthmark in the shape of a crescent moon, adding a unique touch to his appearance.

Even as a newborn, he already possessed an extraordinary air that was hard to forget.

Before Ji Xiaosong could get a better look, a powerful contraction seized her. The second baby was eager to come out.

Seeing this, the midwife quickly shouted, "My lady, the second baby is coming too! You need to push again!"

"It’s another young master!"

Her lucky money today was sure to be a hefty sum. The midwife wished her feet could move as fast as the wind.

"Quick, take the first and second young masters out for the General to see."

Mother Ji and the eldest sister-in-law each took a baby. They had just opened the door to let the men, who were waiting outside with bated breath, have a look when the midwife suddenly cried out in shock.