I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 144 Ye Shiyun also gave birth
...

Over here, Li Chun had just put on her carefully prepared battle robe, even wearing the accessories that Zhang Chun hadn't used yet, ready to please Zhao Yu and have a surprise night to get rid of her reputation for being unable to conceive.

Meanwhile, Li Qingzhao's maidservant rushed over to report to Zhao Yu that Li Qingzhao was about to give birth.

Li Chun wanted to cry but had no tears.

Although her family was not as illustrious as Han Yu's, it was still a family of officials. Her grandfather, Li Qingchen, although not as high-ranking as Han Zhongyan, had served under five emperors—Renzong, Yingzong, Shenzong, Zhao Xu, and Zhao Yu—making him a veteran of the Song Dynasty.

At home, she was the apple of her family's eye and never suffered the slightest grievance.

Moreover, she had been skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood. She could compose poems with ease. Although she was not as famous as Li Qingzhao, she was still a renowned talented woman in the capital.

Back then, if it weren't for the fierce battle between the new and old parties, and the fact that her grandfather, Li Qingchen, was a "traitor" who switched from the new party to the old party, and would certainly not have a good ending if he lost the struggle, her family would not have been willing to send her into the palace.

Even after entering the palace, she remained confident and even fantasized about becoming empress one day. She believed that her talent and family background would be enough to win Zhao Yu's heart and secure her a place in the palace.

Unexpectedly, the harem was too complicated. If she hadn't followed her family's arrangements, she didn't know how long she would have had to wait to serve the emperor.

However, it was precisely because she had become the bedchamber attendant that she fell into an even bigger predicament—she was unable to conceive.

Seeing that all the women who had served her in bed had become pregnant, while her belly remained still, and even Zhang Chun, who had difficulty conceiving like her, eventually became pregnant, she really didn't care about anything anymore.

In order to conceive, she would seize every opportunity, like Mu Guiying leading the charge, never missing a single battle, and always being at the forefront, receiving Zhao Yu's fiercest bombardment.

But each hope was met with disappointment.

The only saving grace was that Zhao Yu was always willing to give her a chance. It could be said that as long as she participated in the war, Zhao Yu would give her one.

This time, Zhao Yu even made her serve him alone in bed.

Honestly, if she still can't get pregnant, she won't blame Zhao Yu.

Of course, she definitely wanted to get pregnant.

Therefore, she went to great lengths to use this meticulously planned night to reverse the long-standing criticism she had suffered for failing to bear children.

However, life is unpredictable, and fate always seems to love to play tricks on people. Just as she was full of anticipation and preparing to welcome the possible change, Li Qingzhao's maid brought the news that Li Qingzhao was about to give birth. This was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing all her enthusiasm and hope.

She felt a mix of emotions: envy for Li Qingzhao's impending motherhood, helplessness about her own ill-fated destiny, and fear of losing this precious opportunity.

Just as Li Chun was feeling bitter and lamenting the injustice of fate, Zhao Yu stroked her fox tail and said to her, "My beloved concubine, do not worry. I will be right back. If you are not able to serve me tonight, I will teach you to serve me in bed tomorrow night."

Li Chun was overjoyed, as if a ray of dawn had suddenly appeared in the darkness, illuminating the gloom in her heart. She held back the tears welling up in her eyes, lest she lose her composure and become a laughingstock for Zhao Yu.

"I will accompany Your Majesty. Consort Li is a close friend of mine, and I would like to witness her successful delivery."

Zhao Yu nodded in agreement.

So the two of them started changing their clothes.

When it was the fox's tail's turn, Li Chun tried to pull it off.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yu whispered in Li Chun's ear, "Just wear it like that..."

……

Soon, Zhao Yu and Li Chun arrived at Li Qingzhao's residence.

Because her cervix was not dilated, Li Qingzhao had not yet entered the delivery room.

It is worth mentioning that the reason Li Qingzhao had not yet entered the delivery room was because she was waiting for Zhao Yu.

Yes.

Li Qingzhao remained stubborn and refused to admit that Zhao Yu was her man.

But when it really came down to it, the person Li Qingzhao most wanted to see was Zhao Yu, not her "fellow cliques" in the palace.

Therefore, seeing that Zhao Yu arrived so quickly, Li Qingzhao immediately felt relieved.

Zhao Yu came to Li Qingzhao's side, took her hand and comforted her, saying, "My dear consort, rest assured, if it is impossible, I will definitely protect your life and will not let you be in danger."

Li Qingzhao had heard people say that Zhao Yu would always choose to save the mother or the child when faced with the choice, and he never disappointed the woman who bore his children.

At that time, Li Qingzhao also felt that Zhao Yu's actions were quite rare and not something that ordinary men could do.

But that's about it.

Now that it was her turn to have a child, Li Qingzhao deeply understood the weight of this promise, and the emotions surging in her heart could not be simply summarized as being moved.

It could be said that Zhao Yu's words were like a ray of warm sunshine in winter, piercing through all her unease and fear, and making the cold delivery room seem to be filled with a gentle atmosphere.

Looking into Zhao Yu's firm yet gentle eyes, Li Qingzhao felt a mix of emotions. She had once thought that she was nothing more than a lonely figure in this deep palace, out of place in this bustling world. But now, this sudden care and promise made her feel a sense of reliance she had never felt before.

"Your Majesty, your concubine... your concubine..."

Li Qingzhao's voice trembled slightly. She had wanted to put on a brave face and say something like that Zhao Yu didn't need to worry.

But the words that came out of her mouth transformed into a different kind of tenderness and determination: "Your Majesty, I will definitely give you another son!!!"

Before long, Li Lin and Ye Shiyun were also carried over in sedan chairs.

Unlike in the past when it was convenient for Li Lin and Ye Shiyun to attend, this time it was truly remarkable that Li Lin and Ye Shiyun, especially the latter, were able to attend in person.

Because Ye Shiyun is also about to give birth, her due date is in the next few days.

It's truly commendable that Ye Shiyun still came in person under these circumstances.

Before Li Qingzhao could say anything polite, Ye Shiyun smiled and said to her, "We have passed on all the skills we know to the midwives and doctors. Even if we don't come, everything will be fine. You don't need to worry."

Having delivered so many babies, Ye Shiyun had long since passed on her knowledge of childbirth to these professional midwives and female doctors.

Because these midwives and female doctors already possessed excellent delivery skills, their techniques had long surpassed those of their predecessors.

To be honest, Ye Shiyun's dedication to teaching midwifery techniques is partly driven by ulterior motives.

After all, she was about to give birth, and if she didn't train a group of "disciples" she could trust, how could she lie there and give birth with peace of mind?

However, on the other hand, a person's name is like a tree's shadow; Ye Shiyun's arrival will surely put Li Qingzhao at ease.

Li Qingzhao wanted to properly thank Ye Shiyun and Li Lin.

But just then, Li Qingzhao's cervix dilated. Instantly, Li Qingzhao broke out in a cold sweat from the pain.

Upon seeing this, the midwives, female physicians, and attendants quickly helped Li Qingzhao into the delivery room they had prepared.

Inside the delivery room, the flickering candlelight illuminated Li Qingzhao's resolute face, her teeth clenched. She gripped the brocade quilt beneath her tightly with both hands, each exertion seemingly pouring all her strength into the continuation of life.

Zhao Yu paced back and forth outside the delivery room, his heart rising and falling with every soft moan coming from inside. His usually calm and composed eyes were now filled with worry and anticipation.

Emperor Zhao Yu was proud to have gotten Li Qingzhao, who had never been able to conceive in her entire life, pregnant.

One day, if one of the five women of Zhang Chun discovers that Zhao Yu is also a time traveler, Zhao Yu will even boast to that woman about his unparalleled archery skills.

But if something were to happen to Li Qingzhao while giving birth to his child, then Zhao Yu would be seen as a historical sinner.

If one of the five women ever found out that Zhao Yu was also a time traveler, wouldn't they condemn themselves for it?
Time seemed to freeze at that moment; the half-hour wait felt like an eternity to Zhao Yu and the others.

Finally, a clear and loud cry of a newborn broke the silence of the delivery room. Immediately afterward, a female official rushed out to announce the good news: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations! Consort Li has given birth to a prince, and both mother and child are safe and sound!!!"

Zhao Yu was overjoyed and immediately prepared to reward all those involved, as was customary.

But just then, Ye Shiyun cried out "Ah!"

Zhao Yu turned his head and saw that Ye Shiyun's water had also broken.

Zhao Yu hurried over and asked with concern, "Is my beloved concubine about to give birth?"

To Zhao Yu's surprise, Ye Shiyun grabbed his arm.

Without even looking at Ye Shiyun's pale face, just by feeling the strength of her grip on his arm, Zhao Yu realized that Ye Shiyun was more nervous than any of the women who had given birth to his children before.

Zhao Yu didn't mind the amniotic fluid on Ye Shiyun's body. He immediately hugged Ye Shiyun and comforted her, saying, "Ten people have already given birth to children for me, and none of them have been in danger. You are beautiful and kind-hearted. All the gods and Buddhas in heaven will surely help you give birth to this child safely. Mother and child will be safe. You can trust me."

Zhao Yu was eloquent, and the examples he used were just right.

It must be said, Zhao Yu was really lucky.

At least up to now, all eight sons and two daughters that Zhao Yu has given birth to are alive and well, and the women who gave birth to these eight sons and two daughters for Zhao Yu are also safe and sound.

This is actually quite convincing.

Moreover, although Ye Shiyun has a sharp tongue, she is not a bad person. Over the years, she has saved and helped many people.

The problem is that Ye Shiyun knows that, according to some scholars' research on ancient population history, the mortality rate of women due to childbirth may be around 5%-15% under relatively backward medical conditions.

While there was some development in the economy and culture during this period, medical standards remained relatively limited. Therefore, the probability of women dying from childbirth was likely within this range.

Ok.

Ye Shiyun has already taught the midwives and female physicians effective disinfection measures and methods for dealing with emergencies such as dystocia, which should reduce the maternal mortality rate considerably.

The problem is that all of Zhao Yu's first ten children were safe and sound.

Judging solely from the cold, hard probability, Ye Shiyun felt that she and her child were in great danger.

Ye Shiyun was always afraid of death, especially after the car accident before she transmigrated.

Ye Shiyun hugged Zhao Yu tightly, her fingers almost digging into his flesh. In a trembling voice, she whispered in Zhao Yu's ear, "Zhao Yu, I'm scared!"

Zhao Yu knew that Ye Shiyun was genuinely afraid, otherwise she certainly wouldn't have called him by his full name.

At this moment, Zhao Yu felt a pang of regret for letting Ye Shiyun get so involved in things related to childbirth.

Sometimes, ignorance is the greatest courage. When people know nothing, they are fearless and forge ahead. Once they know the dangers and unknowns ahead, that youthful, fearless courage may vanish, replaced by deep worry and fear.

Just like Ye Shiyun now, having learned of the hardships of childbirth, the fear in her heart is like an uncontrollable tide.

Zhao Yu gently stroked Ye Shiyun's back and said to her tenderly but firmly, "My dear consort, do not be afraid. I will always be here with you and will never let you be in any danger. Moreover, there are midwives and physicians here whom you have carefully trained. We have made full preparations and will definitely ensure the safety of you and your child."

Upon hearing this, Ye Shiyun felt somewhat relieved, but the fear lingered like a leech, difficult to completely dispel. She knew all too well that even in a world with highly advanced medicine, childbirth was still a life-or-death struggle, let alone in this era with limited medical resources.

Ye Shiyun whispered in Zhao Yu's ear, "Zhao Yu, there are some things I'm afraid I'll never have the chance to say if I don't say them now."

Zhao Yu wanted to stop Ye Shiyun from saying such unlucky things.

Unexpectedly, Ye Shiyun didn't give Zhao Yu that chance at all. She said to Zhao Yu as if leaving her last words: "Zhao Yu, you are the only man I have ever loved in my two lifetimes. Even if it costs me my life to have your child, I will have no regrets. If we have an afterlife, even if you are still a womanizer, I will still be with you!"

Zhao Yu was truly surprised that Ye Shiyun would say such a thing.

Zhao Yu feigned ignorance and asked Ye Shiyun, "What two lifetimes? What womanizer? What are you talking about?"

Even someone as shameless as Zhao Yu couldn't say such things when Ye Shiyun was expressing her true feelings. He could only pretend not to understand what Ye Shiyun was saying and continue to offer irrelevant comforts...

Once Ye Shiyun's cervix dilated, Zhao Yu personally escorted her into the delivery room.

Zhao Yu really wanted to stay and accompany Ye Shiyun to give birth to this child.

But no one wanted Zhao Yu to stay.

Later, even Ye Shiyun advised Zhao Yu to leave.

Even after leaving the delivery room, Zhao Yu remained extremely worried!
This concern far surpassed Zhao Yu's concern for Li Qingzhao.

To be honest, if Zhao Yu had to choose between Ye Shiyun and Li Qingzhao, he would choose Ye Shiyun without hesitation.

This was not only because Ye Shiyun was much more useful than Li Qingzhao, but also because Zhao Yu had a stronger emotional bond with Ye Shiyun.

The problem is, this wasn't a multiple-choice question, nor did it give Zhao Yu a choice.

What worried Zhao Yu was that before Ye Shiyun entered the delivery room, it was as if they were facing a life-or-death separation. Zhao Yu was afraid that this was a bad omen.

Moreover, Ye Shiyun's childbirth was not very smooth.

More than half an hour has passed, and the baby still hasn't been born.

This made Zhao Yu extremely annoyed.

Just as Zhao Yu's patience was wearing thin and he was about to tell the female physician inside, "If Ye Shiyun really can't give birth, then we'll have to perform an episiotomy," a loud cry of a newborn baby rang out:
"Wow……"

……

(End of this chapter)