Starting with a daily divination to build an immortal clan

Chapter 17 Giving birth
“Father, the teacher said that I can start practicing swordsmanship next spring.”

As soon as Shen Yuan entered the courtyard, Shen Wenyan excitedly ran over.

Practice sword?

Shen Yuan pinched his cheek, stood up, and bowed slightly to Lu Zhiyuan who had followed behind him.

After returning the greeting, Lu Zhiyuan said, "A gentleman should cultivate the Six Arts."

"These six arts are rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics."

"In addition, the sword is a gentleman's weapon, symbolizing integrity, benevolence, righteousness, loyalty and courage."

“Anu is my student, and he is destined to be a virtuous man of the world.”

With just a few words, Lu Zhiyuan made Shen Yuan realize the high hopes he had for his son. Shen Yuan immediately cupped his hands and said, "I'll leave it to you, sir. I'll go to town and buy him a sword later."

It's fortunate that teachers have high expectations for their students.

With a great Confucian scholar like Lu Zhiyuan wholeheartedly nurturing her, he believed that Anu would surely achieve great things in the future.

"That's not necessary."

"I will take care of the matter of the sword."

Lu Zhiyuan waved his hand, whether knowing that Shen Yuan's family was struggling financially or out of affection for his only student, he directly took on the task of providing the sword.

Shen Yuan did not argue further.

He knew very well that even a basic sword cost at least several dozen taels of silver, and the best ones were priceless and unavailable.

"Thank you sir."

Lu Zhiyuan took two steps forward and came to Shen Wenyan's side, gently stroking his head and saying, "Starting today, I will also give you a few days off. Come back after the New Year's Eve."

"But you must not slack off on your studies. After the annual sacrifice, I will test you properly. If you cannot answer, you will know my methods."

Upon hearing the word "methods," the little fellow's face changed slightly in fright, and he quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Master, rest assured, Anu will not slack off."

"Yes, go back with your father."

The little fellow took a step back, stood up straight, and respectfully bowed deeply to him: "Master, Anu is leaving."

……

People often say that once you have children, the sun seems to fly by as they chase after them.

In this life, Shen Yuan truly felt it after the child was born.

The busy and fulfilling life passed quickly, and before we knew it, it was autumn of the following year, and my wife was about to give birth.

In the past six months, with the help of Uncle Ya, the entire five acres of mountain forest have been planted with fruit trees.

Following the advice of the mute man, the fruit trees needed careful care in the early stages. After much deliberation, Shen Yuan finally found Fu Gui and made him his long-term worker. He built a simple dwelling for him in the orchard on the mountain and asked him to take care of the five acres of orchard.

This day marked the annual tax payment day.

The fifteen mu of land owned by Niu Erzhu was essentially purchased by Lu Zhiyuan, and Shen Yuan was a tenant. Therefore, the taxes should be paid by Lu Zhiyuan.

However, Lu Zhiyuan only charged him rent for one shi of fine rice per mu, which was not enough to cover his taxes.

Shen Yuan wanted to discuss with him the possibility of paying half of the taxes on the fifteen mu of land, but Lu Zhiyuan said that he was a great Confucian scholar of the Imperial Academy and did not need to pay taxes, so Shen Yuan did not need to worry about it.

At the entrance of the village head Yang Changlin's house, Shen Yuanzheng was queuing to pay taxes when Zhao Shuan's wife, Wang Ying, rushed over in a panic.

"Ah Yuan!"

"Ah Yuan!"

"Yu Fen is about to give birth, you should go back quickly!"

Upon hearing the shouts, Shen Yuan hurriedly entrusted the tax payment to Zhao Shuan beside him and ran home amidst the congratulations of his neighbors.

"Sister-in-law, could you please go and invite Aunt Sun?"

Shen Yuan turned around and called out.

Sun Fuchun, a village doctor, was anxious because his wife was a midwife who delivered babies. He could only ask Wang Ying to help him invite the midwife over.

As soon as Shen Yuan entered the house, he heard Hu Yufen screaming in pain inside.

"Miss..."

He came to the bedside, looked at his wife who was covered in sweat from the pain, and held her hand tightly.

Hu Yufen forced a smile: "Husband, I...I'm fine."

Shen Yuan gently wiped the sweat from her face and said softly, "My sister-in-law has already gone to fetch the midwife. Please bear with it a little longer, my wife."

After a period of agonizing waiting, hurried footsteps could be heard from inside the courtyard.

"Yufen, Yufen, Aunt Sun is here!"

Wang Ying, covered in sweat, helped an elderly woman into the room.

Shen Yuan hurriedly went to greet her: "Auntie, please take a look."

The woman surnamed Sun came over, glanced at the baby, and said, "She's about to give birth."

"Don't just stand there, go boil some water!"

"Yingzi, come and help."

After pushing Shen Yuan outside, the two began to busy themselves. Shen Yuan came to the courtyard and, hearing his wife's heart-wrenching screams, felt a pang of pain in his heart.

"Boiling water... Yes!"

He hurriedly ran into the kitchen, lit firewood, and started boiling water.

A moment later, Wang Ying came in carrying a wooden basin, quickly scooped up some hot water, and left.

Shen Yuan wanted to go in and take a look, but he was blocked at the door.

"Yufen, put in a little more effort!"

"Yes, the head is out!"

"Quickly, push harder!"

Hu Yufen's heart-wrenching screams, mixed with the words of Mrs. Sun, came from inside the house. Shen Yuan was so anxious that he was like an ant on a hot pan, and could only pace outside the door.

Time passed bit by bit.

Zhao Shuan had already paid the taxes and driven the oxcart back.

"Ah Yuan, how is it?"

Upon arriving in the courtyard, Zhao Shuan asked with concern.

"do not know……"

Shen Yuan looked at the door with a worried expression.

"It's okay, it's okay..."

"Wow--"

As Zhao Shuan was comforting her, a loud baby's cry suddenly came from inside the room.

"gave birth!"

"Judging from that voice, he's definitely a guy!"

Zhao Shuan spoke with a smile.

At the same time, the door opened.

Wang Ying, her hands covered in blood and looking somewhat exhausted, approached Shen Yuan.

"Ah Yuan, congratulations! Mother and daughter are safe and sound. It's a girl."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, instantly settled back into his stomach, and he grinned.

Stop grinning like an idiot and go inside.

When Wang Ying spoke, Shen Yuan finally realized what was happening and hurriedly ran into the house.

Zhao Shuan, who was standing to the side, also craned his neck to try to peek into the house.

"What are you doing?"

Wang Ying glared at him and said, "The older generation always says that whoever is the first stranger a child meets besides their own parents will determine who they resemble when they grow up."

"Don't you dare ruin someone's daughter."

Zhao Shuan chuckled and scratched his head.

"Ah Yuan is just as lucky as me. We have two sons, and now we have a daughter. We're all grown up now."

Shen Yuan came to the bedside, looked at his wife who was almost exhausted, and felt a pang of heartache as he leaned in and took her hand.

"Miss..."

Hu Yufen turned her head, forced a smile, and suddenly her expression changed slightly, revealing a look of pain.

"My wife, what's wrong?!"

Upon seeing this, Shen Yuan's heart leaped into his throat.

"Auntie, what's wrong with Yufen?!"

Upon hearing this, the woman surnamed Sun hurriedly came forward to check.

After touching Hu Yufen's abdomen, she said with a strange expression, "It seems there's another one..."

"Let Yingzi in quickly!"

"You go out first!"

She hurriedly pushed Shen Yuan out, and then called out, "Yingzi, come and help!"

Hearing the calls from inside the courtyard, Wang Ying, despite her exhaustion, rushed in again.

"Oh my god, Yufen is pregnant with twins!?"

Wang Ying's startled cry came from inside the house.

Shen Yuan, who was in the courtyard, became even more anxious.

With current medical conditions, having one child is already very dangerous; having twins is practically a matter of life and death.

Hearing Hu Yufen's hoarse voice from inside the room, his worry was self-evident.

(End of this chapter)