Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 932 932: Extra Story 05: Labor

Meng Qianqian went into labor in her sleep.

She was dreaming of her childhood, walking with her parents on the bustling streets of West City—her parents holding her small hand, and she hopping along behind them, followed by her brother, who pretended to be calm.

The family of four, amidst the busy crowd, were happy, peaceful, and blissful.

A wave of pain shattered her beautiful dream, bringing her back to reality, where she realized something was off.

Being a doctor, her first reaction was, of course, not panic; the saying that doctors can't treat themselves didn't seem to apply to her.

After ten months of pregnancy, she knew her body better than anyone, and realized that it was indeed time for her to give birth.

She had been in a coma for some time, and hadn't immediately realized she was about to go into labor.

Fortunately, even during her coma, her mother had been taking care of her, and had used the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles to protect her heart and fetal energy just in time.

Thus, she did not feel too weak.

The first to notice her labor was Ban Xia.

Ban Xia had just brought over a bowl of white fungus soup, wanting to ask if she was hungry, only to see Meng Qianqian clutching her stomach, frowning in pain, with the bedding wet.

Ban Xia was startled: "Miss, you... you..."

Meng Qianqian took a deep breath and calmly said, "My water broke."

"Ah, the wa-water broke... I almost thought..."

Ban Xia was so agitated she almost dropped the bowl, "I'll go call Nanny Li!"

"Nanny Li! Miss is in labor!"

Nanny Li was in the courtyard tending to the flowers with Nanny Wan and Nanny Hu.

Upon hearing this, the three dropped everything and rushed to the main room.

Miss Du, who was brewing soup in the small kitchen, came rushing out with a spatula, asking repeatedly, "Is Miss really going to give birth? Is it happening now?"

Nanny Li took a deep breath and told everyone, "You all wait outside, I'll go in and take a look."

Nanny Wan immediately responded, "I'll go call the midwife!"

And with that, she disappeared in a flash.

Nanny Li: "Be careful! Don't fall! Remember to inform Madam!"

"Got it! Got it!"

Nanny Wan's voice trailed off into the distance—it was evident how urgently she was moving.

Nanny Hu interjected, "I'll go boil hot water."

Miss Du added, "Prepare hot water and scissors too!" And with that, she and Nanny Hu went off to busy themselves.

The midwife arrived along with Shang Jue.

As soon as Shang Jue heard his daughter was in labor, he put everything down and used Qinggong to enter the courtyard.

The midwife was startled by the sudden appearance from above, clutching her chest, "You scared me to death! Sir, could you please use the front door next time?"

Shang Jue anxiously replied, "It's me. Don't bother about me, hurry and check on my daughter!"

"Yes, yes!" The midwife quickly entered the house.

Lu Yuan and Chen Long arrived at the courtyard one after the other.

The two men, usually at odds, miraculously reached a consensus at this moment.

But it was only for an instant.

"It's all your fault!"

Chen Long said coldly.

Lu Yuan was completely baffled: "What are you going crazy about now?"

Chen Long: "You caused my sister so much pain."

Lu Yuan: "..."

For the first time in his life, he had no rebuttal.

People say childbirth is very painful for women, surely she must be suffering too.

Lu Yuan charged inward.

Nanny Hu quickly blocked him.

Lu Yuan: "You intend to stop me?"

Nanny Hu: "No, please follow me."

She had no intention of stopping him, but Nanny Li was insistent on keeping rules.

"Hmm."

Lu Yuan nodded.

Nanny Hu led Lu Yuan around to the back door.

Unbeknownst to them, Nanny Li had anticipated these men wouldn't follow the rules and was already waiting at the back door.

She maintained a stern face, giving Nanny Hu quite a fright.

"Hehe."

Nanny Hu scratched her head and chuckled awkwardly.

Nanny Li: "Gentlemen, please go back."

"Gentlemen?"

Nanny Hu turned around, baffled.

What she saw gave her yet another shock!

How on earth?!

Wasn't she leading just the son-in-law?

Since when did she have such a long entourage?!

Her stunned gaze swept over Chen Long, Shang Jue, Yu Zichuan, Qing Shuang behind Lu Yuan...

Chen Long: "She's my sister."

Shang Jue: "Little Nine is my daughter."

"Ah."

She nodded in understanding.

A brother worried about his sister, a father concerned for his daughter—it made sense, but what about the rest of you?

"Yu Guard, what are you doing here?"

She was nearly outraged.

"Oh, I came with her."

Yu Zichuan pointed innocently at Qing Shuang, then turned to Qing Shuang and said, "I said we should have just taken the rooftop."

Qing Shuang nodded earnestly: "Yes."

Nanny Hu: "..."

Nanny Hu turned her attention to the two prominent figures behind them, and with a forced grin asked, "Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine."

The emperor and his favored concubine—what were they doing stirring up trouble here too?!

She wouldn't dare scold them even if she wanted to!

Nanny Hu protested, "Nanny Li, I didn't bring them here..."

As if she would dare...

Or rather, as if she'd have any sway.

Nanny Li maintained her composure, "Childbirth takes time, please return to your own quarters for now."

Lu Yuan turned and raised an eyebrow at the others, "Well then, I shall go accompany Little Nine."

Nanny Li stayed calm, "The same goes for you, son-in-law."

Lu Yuan: "..."

Zhou Nanyan stepped forward, "It seems I'm the only one who can accompany Sister Meng now!"

Nanny Li: "Noble Consort, please return."

Zhou Nanyan: "..."

Zong Zhengxi: "How dare you stop even the emperor's concubine!"

Lu Yuan gave Zong Zhengxi a slap on the head: "What are you barking about?"

Zong Zhengxi, like a child chastised by his father, rubbed his head in grievance, "It hurts... I'm already ruling on my own, treating me like this is quite embarrassing..."

Zhou Nanyan said worriedly, "But I'm really worried about Sister Meng."

Shang Jue complained, "Who's idea was it to leave us outside? Can't we at least wait at the doorway if not inside?"

"It was my idea."

Zhongli Yuan approached, holding a milk-drunk little tiger cub.

Shang Jue immediately softened, eyes full of tenderness, "Ah Yuan."

Zhongli Yuan said to Nanny Li, "You go to Little Nine, leave this to me."

"Yes, ma'am."

Nanny Li bowed and retreated.

Zhongli Yuan addressed everyone, "You're not allowed in because you'll only get in the way, rather than help."

She was very candid.

Sometimes things have to be addressed directly.

She turned to Zhou Nanyan, "Yan'er, don't worry, I will take care of Little Nine."

Though her voice was gentle, not commanding, it carried an inexplicable sense of reassurance.

Zhou Nanyan nodded, "In that case, I'll wait in the flower hall."

Zhongli Yuan smiled slightly, "Having a friend like Yan'er is Little Nine's good fortune."

"Nonsense, it's clearly my own."

Zhou Nanyan said, eyes brightening suddenly, "I'm going to inform Sister Lin and Sister Wang!"

Zong Zhengxi: "Hey! The baby hasn't even been born yet!"

As Zhou Nanyan walked away, Zong Zhengxi followed suit.

Shang Jue turned back sternly to Lu Yuan and the others, "Didn't you hear my wife? Hurry up and leave, and stop causing a fuss!"

Lu Yuan, Chen Long, Yu Zichuan, and Qing Shuang left expressionless.

Three seconds later, they skulked back, lurking behind the rockery.

Shang Jue tugged on Zhongli Yuan's sleeve, "Just let me wait inside. I promise I won't cause any trouble. I'll stay in the courtyard and not wander around."

"No."

Zhongli Yuan firmly refused.

She had no superstitions about the delivery room being an inauspicious place.

But the delivery room required absolute quiet and sanitation.

Shang Jue tugged at Zhongli Yuan's sleeve and pleaded, "Ah Yuan sister..."

Behind the rockery, the four were startled, crashing down to the ground like a collapsing heap.