When Li Yao got home, the entire Wang family had come, at least several dozen people. The first little baby of the Wang family's fourth generation was being born, plus it was Li Yao's family, this was a top priority big event.
Old Mr. Wang was about to become a great grandfather, he was so happy his mouth couldn't even close, Wang Xueshi was even more in control of everything, organizing things in an orderly fashion.
The water in the pot was already boiling, two midwives had also been invited, the forceps had been boiled in hot water and placed on a clean towel for use.
Seeing Li Yao come back, Wang Xueshi opened a cloth bag and took out several sets of small clothes and little shoes.
"I know you don't normally have time to make these, so I had them prepared in advance," Wang Xueshi said. "The clothes were made by my second daughter-in-law and I, the shoes were made by my third daughter-in-law. There are also small blankets that my fourth son bought back from Yizhou Prefecture."
Li Yao really hadn't thought about preparing these things. After all, she didn't have much experience herself and certainly didn't know how to make them. She had only prepared money and silver, planning to have them buy whatever was lacking.
Now that her mother-in-law had arranged everything, she naturally felt more relaxed.
"How's the situation?"
"It's going okay, the midwife says it should be a smooth delivery," Wang Xueshi said. "But your invented forceps, the midwives all have one, so even if the baby is in the wrong position or something, there won't be big problems."
The forceps really were a great invention. Before there were these, giving birth was like going through ghost gate.
Li Yao walked into the room and saw Chun Ning and Du Xiao Hui guarding the door of the little maid, while Da Zhuang was pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pot.
It seemed like there was nothing more for her to do.
Not long after, the county magistrate's wife also arrived in a carriage.
"Madam, why did you come too?"
"I was worried, so I came to see."
"Then come sit in my room, you must be tired today too."
The two went back to Li Yao's room and chatted for a while. Soon shouts came from outside.
"She gave birth!"
Li Yao hurried out to see the midwife holding a bundled up little baby, having already come out.
"Congratulations, Mistress Li."
Li Yao did not reach out to take the child.
Even without relevant experience, she knew that a newborn baby was extremely fragile and it was best not to pass them around being held by different people.
"Quickly take her to get washed."
"Oh, okay."
The midwife gently sighed. She hadn't even said it was a girl yet, so why was Mistress Li so unhappy that she didn't even hold her own granddaughter for a moment.
The eldest daughter-in-law of this Wang family will probably have difficult days ahead...
After standing at the door for a while, waiting for Chun Ning to help He Xiaoya wash the baby, Li Yao only then went into the room.
Other than being a little weak, He Xiaoya was fine. The forceps didn't even need to be used, this was pretty good news.
After properly comforting her for a bit, the midwife had already come back in carrying the washed baby.
Li Yao took her and saw that the little bundle was pink and tender, having inherited her mother's good features. Her eyes were big like Da Zhuang's, looking very cute.
She took out a prepared small gold clasp and put it on the baby's leg, feeling a bit complicated.
She was only in her early 30s, yet was already a grandmother... Her seniority was getting higher and higher.
Seeing her slightly frown, everyone's hearts thumped.
Especially He Xiaoya, her heart sank to the bottom of the valley.
Mother had always said boys and girls were the same before, but in the end still didn't like a granddaughter, and said such a cute baby was ugly.
Da Zhuang took his daughter from her and only knew to foolishly smile, completely oblivious to Li Yao's expression.
The midwife read their expressions and quickly took the child back, gently placing her next to He Xiaoya, "When she cries, you can try feeding her."
"Alright, Chun Ning stay here, everyone else out. Don't disturb Xiaoya resting."
Everyone obediently left. The midwife cleaned up and prepared to take her leave. If it had been a big fat baby boy, tonight's reward would definitely have been bigger.
But having birthed a girl, she could only say her luck wasn't good.
"Mistress Li, I'll take my leave then."
"Okay."
Li Yao signaled to Du Xiao Hui, who immediately handed over a red envelope.
The midwife took it in her hands. Feeling it didn't have much weight, she was even more disappointed. But opening it, she saw it didn't contain coins, but several broken silver pieces. She was stunned on the spot.
This was at least two taels!
"Mistress Li, this...this much?"
"It's late and you worked hard, you deserve this."
"Thank you, Mistress Li."
After the midwife left, except for Da Zhuang and Chun Ning staying to care for He Xiaoya, Li Yao sent everyone else to go sleep.
As long as the mother and child were safe, naming and celebrating could completely wait until tomorrow.
Da Zhuang was too tired from the day to stay up all night, and soon went to sleep as well. The only ones left in the room were He Xiaoya and Chun Ning, plus the now sleeping baby.
"Chun Ning," He Xiaoya couldn't sleep at all, "Mother really doesn't like girls after all."
Chun Ning sighed. She didn't respond.
What elders didn't like grandsons over granddaughters?
She had also seen those who would pay lip service, saying granddaughters were just as liked. But ultimately it was just talk.
When a girl really came out, many would show their disappointment on the spot. Mistress Li was still good in comparison.
"It's all because I'm not good enough," He Xiaoya said through tears. "Mother treats me so well, yet I couldn't give her a first grandson."
"Sister Xiaoya, don't be like this," Chun Ning consoled. "Mistress Li treats you very well too. A month ago she had dozens of wild chickens caught and raised, saying it was to nourish you."
He Xiaoya lightly sighed. The more Chun Ning said this, the worse she felt, her nose turning sour, her chest tight with distress.
...
The next day Li Yao exercised outside and came back. Da Zhuang and Chun Ning were already making breakfast in the kitchen.
Da Zhuang had to work during the day, so he needed to eat his fill in the morning, making steamed buns and rice porridge. Chun Ning was simmering chicken soup on a small stove.
Li Yao lifted the lid to look, seeing the soup was light and clear. She asked, "Did you not stir fry it before stewing?"
"Mistress Li, one can't eat too oily during the postpartum month, so I didn't stir fry."
"Chicken soup that isn't stir fried isn't fragrant. Remember to add more oil and stir fry next time," Li Yao said. "As for not eating oily foods postpartum, don't worry about that. As long as Xiaoya likes eating it, let her eat it."
"Understood."
"Don't just eat chicken either," Li Yao thought and said, "I've heard carp soup is good for milk production, and blackfish is good for healing wounds. I'll go catch some in the reservoir this morning, you come help me later."
Chun Ning was stunned. "Mistress Li is going to the reservoir herself to catch fish?"
"Why, is that not allowed?"
"No, but...but..."
"You think I can't catch them huh?" Li Yao smiled. "Don't worry, as long as it's good for Xiaoya's health, there's no fish I can't catch."
Once breakfast was cooked and the chicken soup simmered, she couldn't come out to eat while confinement, so Da Zhuang served it to He Xiaoya's room.
The county magistrate's wife also hadn't gone back last night, so ate breakfast with Li Yao's family this morning.
Li Yao had eaten most of a steamed bun before realizing that this morning's breakfast table was especially quiet. Even the usually chatty Song Zhe only kept his head down eating.
"What's with you all?" Li Yao asked. "Why is no one talking?"
Everyone was stunned. They thought, we want to talk but don't dare!
Big sister-in-law gave birth to a girl, everyone knows you elders aren't happy. Who dares to touch on this taboo?
Seeing there was still no response, Li Yao asked again, "Oh right, did Xiaoya give birth to a son or daughter?"
Everyone present was shocked.
After all this, she still didn't even know?
Whether it was a son or daughter was a world of difference. Which family didn't confirm that first thing?
