Chapter 33: The General’s Little Pampered Wife 33

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: The General’s Little Pampered Wife 33

"There’s another one in Lady Xiao’s belly!"

The midwife’s startled cry made Mother Ji’s hands tremble as she held the baby.

Mr. Ji quickly took the child, holding it securely. Xiao Shen, however, was frozen stiff, not daring to move an inch.

Even though he had practiced with all sorts of dolls thousands of times during Ji Xiaosong’s pregnancy, he was still completely helpless when it was time to hold his own child.

"What are you standing there gawking for? General, come take a look. This is your son!"

As befitting a father of four, Mr. Ji was an old hand at holding children.

Xiao Shen’s hands trembled. He still didn’t dare take a step forward.

"Father, Song still has another one in her belly. I... I... I’ll wait."

His mind was completely filled with the thought of Ji Xiaosong giving birth to so many children, and whether she would be all right.

’Two sons are already safe, and the whole Ji family is here. I’m not afraid.’

’I’m not panicking!’

’That’s right, I’m not panicking!’

He repeated these reassurances to himself, his eyes glued to the delivery room door. Beads of sweat as big as beans rolled down his forehead, yet he remained completely oblivious.

Looking at his state, Mr. Ji shook his head helplessly. "Don’t be afraid, General. Song will definitely be safe."

Xiao Shen nodded mechanically, his lips trembling slightly. "Yes, yes, she’ll definitely be safe."

His gaze darted about, shifting from the child to the delivery room. His feet seemed nailed to the floor; he desperately wanted to get closer but didn’t dare.

Just then, another one of Ji Xiaosong’s pained cries echoed from the delivery room. Xiao Shen’s body jolted, and his hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"One more push, My Lady!" the midwife’s voice called out.

Xiao Shen took a deep breath, trying to steady his breathing, but his heaving chest betrayed his inner panic.

"I’m fine. I can hold on."

He muttered to himself, as if doing so could give him some courage.

Everyone around him was bustling about, but Xiao Shen just stood there, stunned. He looked composed, but his mind was in utter turmoil.

The third son was carried out by the second sister-in-law. She had intended to give him to Xiao Shen, but seeing the state he was in, she handed him to the second brother instead.

"There’s another one in Lady Xiao’s belly!"

This time, the midwife’s exclamation was even louder than before. Everyone simultaneously turned to look at the delivery room.

Mr. Ji’s expression instantly turned grave, and his arms, holding the child, tightened.

Mother Ji, meanwhile, pressed her palms together, ceaselessly chanting, "Bodhisattva, please protect her. Bodhisattva, please protect her."

Xiao Shen swayed, his eyes filled with tension and worry. He took a small step forward and stopped again, looking like he wanted to rush inside but was forcing himself to hold back.

’My wife doesn’t want me to go in! She doesn’t want me to go in!’

Eldest Sister-in-law Ji and the second sister-in-law exchanged a look, their eyes full of anxiety.

The third sister-in-law bit her lip, unconsciously twisting the corner of her robes.

Inside the delivery room, Ji Xiaosong’s screams grew more and more harrowing, and Xiao Shen’s heart twisted even tighter in his chest.

Veins throbbed on his forehead, and his hands were clenched into white-knuckled fists.

"Push, My Lady!" the midwife’s voice urged, tinged with desperation.

Xiao Shen couldn’t bear it any longer and shouted, "Song, you have to hold on!"

Just then, the delivery room suddenly fell silent. Xiao Shen’s heart leaped into his throat, and time seemed to stand still.

A moment later, a loud, clear cry broke the silence. The midwife shouted with joy, "It’s a young master! Mother and son are both safe and sound!"

Xiao Shen went limp with relief and collapsed to the floor, tears bursting from his eyes.

He couldn’t even remember how many years it had been since he’d last cried. He just sat there on the floor, tears streaming down his face, completely heedless of his image.

This iron-willed General, who had slain countless enemies on the battlefield, was now crying like a child, his shoulders trembling without end as suppressed sobs escaped his throat.

Mr. Ji watched Xiao Shen, a flicker of emotion in his eyes. He walked over and gently patted his shoulder. "Shen’er, get up now. Song is safe. This is a joyous occasion."

Mother Ji wiped her own tears away and said with relief, "Yes, son-in-law. Our Song has great fortune and a strong destiny. Don’t be so overcome."

That was the last child. Only after the midwife had confirmed multiple times that the womb was empty did she begin directing the maids and serving women to tidy the delivery room.

Once the room was tidy, Xiao Shen eagerly entered.

His steps were a little unsteady, his eyes full of eagerness and concern.

Ji Xiaosong’s face was pale, yet that couldn’t hide the gentle joy of a new mother.

Xiao Shen hurried to the bedside, slowly knelt, and took Ji Xiaosong’s hand. His voice, trembling and full of emotion, said, "Song, you’ve worked so hard. Thank you for bearing me these children."

Ji Xiaosong smiled weakly and said softly, "Husband, they are our children. There is no need for talk of hardship or thanks."

She had, in fact, expended a great deal of energy just to make it look like she had struggled through labor.

Seeing how worried her family was for her, she felt a pang of guilt.

But only a little.

"Husband, have you seen all four of our sons?"

"I... took a quick look."

How could he have looked at them closely? Once he knew the children were safe, he hadn’t bothered to get a good look. His mind was completely filled with thoughts of Ji Xiaosong.

The four women of the Ji family came over, each holding a baby. Xiao Shen looked at them one by one. The eldest was sleeping peacefully in Mother Ji’s arms, his small face pink and tender.

The second son was in the arms of Eldest Sister-in-law Ji, his eyes shut tight and his little face rosy.

The third son slept peacefully in the second sister-in-law’s arms, his tiny nose twitching.

The fourth was being held by the third sister-in-law; his little mouth puckered occasionally, as if he were about to cry.

Xiao Shen looked at his four children, his face full of paternal love, and said to Ji Xiaosong, "Wife, every one of our children is so adorable. They are truly a gift from the heavens."

Ji Xiaosong smiled gently. "Husband, we’re going to have our hands full with these little ones in the days to come."

Xiao Shen squeezed Ji Xiaosong’s hand, his gaze resolute. "Rest assured, Wife. For all of you, I am willing to endure any hardship."

Mother Ji leaned closer. "Song, dear, you focus on getting your strength back. We’ll help you look after the children."

Eldest Sister-in-law Ji added, "Yes, little sister, just rest and recover."

The second and third sisters-in-law nodded in agreement.

*

The news that Lady Xiao had given birth to four sons—and that mother and children were all safe—spread throughout the Capital City in less than a day.

Upon hearing the news, Song Yuxi sent three separate groups of men to the gates of the Xiao Mansion to gather information.

The Xiao Mansion’s steward stood before the great vermilion gates, holding a red-lacquered tray piled high with red eggs, which he was handing out to the citizens of the Capital City.

The Song Family’s servants collected three basketfuls but were still not satisfied.

"So Lady Xiao really gave birth to four sons?"

The steward had lost count of how many times he’d answered this question. Seeing the Song Family servant approach yet again, he showed not a shred of impatience, his expression remaining pleasant as he answered patiently.

"That is correct. Lady Xiao is truly the greatest benefactor of the Xiao family. In one hundred days, the General Mansion will host a banquet for the four young masters to celebrate their hundred-day milestone. We hope you will all grace us with your presence at that time to share in the grand occasion."

The Song Family servant was so angry he wanted to throw something and start cursing, but out of consideration for the red eggs in his hands, he managed to hold back.

Not far away, the Second Prince’s carriage was parked by the side of the road.

"Go, quickly. Bring me an invitation to the Xiao Mansion’s hundred-day banquet."