Chapter 181 - 181: Approaching Labor
Li Yuanyuan had been trying to find an opportunity, but after waiting for so long, Jiang Ning seemed like a hard-shelled turtle. Ever since she had a big quarrel with the Prince of Yu, she had not left the Crystal Clear Manor.
The door of the Crystal Clear Manor was tightly guarded, and apart from Huang Ying and a few senior maids like Xiaoman, no one else was allowed to enter or exit.
Not to mention anyone else, but even Li Hongyuan had not been inside.
However, whether it was because he didn’t want to go in or couldn’t get in, no one really knew.
In short, Li Yuanyuan and Nanny Mo’s plans fell through completely.
Huang Ying and Chunlai, along with the other maids, were dowries brought by Jiang Ning from Jiang Family, and they were deeply loyal to her, so it would be impossible for them to be instigated by others. As for Xiaoman, although she was not very clever, she was single-minded and only cared about Jiang Ning, so she would not pay attention to others’ words.
This made it impossible for Li Yuanyuan to find an opportunity to strike.
It wasn’t until the first snowfall in Chang’an City in December that Jiang Ning, having eaten breakfast that morning, heard Xiaoman say that it was snowing outside and asked someone to push her out to take a look.
Her belly was already very big, abnormally so.
But everyone’s pregnancy is different. Some people don’t show much, with small bellies, while others show a lot and have very large bellies.
As long as the baby is fine, there is nothing wrong with it.
Jiang Ning stretched out her hand and caught a snowflake, watching the delicate white flake melt in her palm.
Having been confined in the courtyard for more than two months, she was initially very uncomfortable, but now she was almost calm.
“Your Highness, it’s cold outside. Let’s go back to the room after looking for a while,” Huang Ying gently said as she draped Jiang Ning with a cloak.
“The New Year is almost here,” Jiang Ning said as she watched the snow.
“Yes, there are just over twenty days left.” Huang Ying smiled and said, “The Prime Minister’s Mansion must miss you dearly. They keep sending people to inquire about you, especially the Madam. The Third Master has also sent gifts several times. Nowadays, the Third Master is working in the Imperial Academy and will surely be as successful as the Prime Minister.”
“I know they miss me, and I miss them too. But… let’s take care of the baby inside me first. I don’t want to experience another assassination attempt,” Jiang Ning said before suddenly feeling a pain in her stomach.
She frowned and reached out to grasp Huang Ying’s hand, “Huang Ying, my stomach hurts.”
Huang Ying hurriedly called, “Chunlai, come quickly!”
A few maids rushed out.
“What’s wrong?” Xiachu asked.
“Her Highness has stomach pain,” Huang Ying said. “Xiachu, you’re fast on your feet. Hurry to Misty Cloud Pavilion and ask the Prince to summon the Imperial Physician. Dongxie, go call the midwife.”
Chunlai was a little flustered, “It’s not time yet, how can she give birth?”
“There’s no fixed time for childbirth. Sometimes it’s a few days early, sometimes a few days late,” Huang Ying urged. “You go inside and prepare, make the bed ready. Xiaoman, come and help me get the Princess Consort back.”
Xiaoman immediately came forward to help and supported Jiang Ning to the birthing room they had already prepared.
Jiang Ning lay on the bed and said, “Don’t panic, everyone. It won’t happen so soon.”
Although she had never given birth before, she still knew some basic knowledge. She had to wait for regular contractions and intensifying pains before the actual delivery began.
As expected, the pain was only occasional at first.
She didn’t stay in bed after that but got up and walked around.
Walking more would make the birth faster.
Huang Ying brought her honey water to drink.
She also gave Jiang Ning eggs to eat, saying that eating more would give her strength for the delivery.
While Jiang Ning looked calm on the outside, she was extremely anxious on the inside. This was her first time giving birth, and she didn’t know what to expect. It was impossible not to be scared and worried.
Her mind was extremely tense, and she couldn’t eat anything at all..