How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

Chapter 155

A family dinner was halfway through, and everyone lost interest. Xia Chu watched Aunt Xu help Jia Qingwu to sleep, and she realized she was hungry. She slipped into the kitchen, and the cook was cleaning up. When she saw her come in, she hurriedly asked, "Are you hungry, cousin? What would you like to eat? We have meat and vegetables."

Xia Chu didn't want to make things too much trouble, so he said, "Give me a bowl of noodles."

The cook asked, "Okay, noodles are coming soon. I have some chicken soup from tonight. How about shredded chicken noodles?"

"Sure." Xia Chu wanted to wait in the kitchen, but she was worried that the cook would get nervous and anxious. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly remembered that Jia Qingwu hadn't eaten much, so she ordered, "My mother didn't eat much tonight. Leave the stove on and make some porridge. I'm afraid she'll be hungry tonight."

"Okay, I'll make porridge after I cook the noodles." The cook nodded repeatedly.

After eating the noodles, she felt warm all over, and a little sleepy after eating. However, she was still thinking about Mrs. Jia's delivery. As Cui Ya collected the bowls, she asked, "How is Mrs. Jia? Did she give birth?"

When a child is born in the mansion, there is usually a reward. No one came to inform her, so she guessed she hadn't given birth yet. "No, cousin, if you want to know, I'll go over and take a look."

Xia Chu thought about it and nodded, "Let's wait and see. If it's a baby, we can see if it's a boy or a girl so we can prepare the gifts."

Normally, they should all be there for such a major event. But Jia Qingwu wasn't feeling well and had already gone to bed. Xia Chu was worried she might have a nightmare and wake up looking for her, so she didn't dare leave.

Cui Ya obeyed the order and left. From the third master's yard came the miserable cries of a woman.

Jia Kuan paced back and forth in the yard. Everyone else was sitting in the main hall, and none of the children in the family came over.

When Cui Ya heard the noise, she knew that there was probably no baby, so she walked to the door outside the hall and prepared to wait and see.

"That girl, are you from Qingwu Courtyard?" Old Lady Jia saw her at a glance, and she quickly responded and went over to pay her respects.

"I am Cui Ya from Qingwu Courtyard." She said softly.

"How is the lady? Why are you here?" asked Mr. Jia.

Cui Ya said respectfully, "In reply to Master, the eldest lady has gone to bed, and I, your cousin, dare not leave, so I came to see if there is anything I can help with."

Old Master Jia frowned and said, "What can you do..."

Madam Jia interrupted softly, "Master, let her stay here."

Old Master Jia glanced at his wife and understood what she meant. Qingwu was ill at home and couldn't come, even though it was a major event to have a new baby. But sending a servant to help out was the right thing to do, so that no one could find fault.

"Well, you go wait at the door." Old Master Jia waved his hand.

"Yes." Cui Ya bowed and retreated to the door, standing there quietly.

Mrs. Jia San was screaming in the room. The midwife advised her to save her energy to give birth to the baby. The maids were busy coming in and out, bringing water and other things.

Jia Kuan was a father for the first time, and he couldn't sit still. He paced back and forth in the yard, occasionally looking out the window to listen for any noises, a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.

Another two hours passed, and Mrs. Jia San's cries of pain gradually faded. Jia Kuan hurried over and pulled the doctor aside, "Doctor, how much longer will it take? Why is Wanwan silent?"

Jia Kuan and Lin Wanwan had a good relationship since their marriage. Jia Kuan was quiet and reserved, while Lin Wanwan was cheerful and generous. Their personalities complemented each other and they never had a quarrel. Hearing his wife's continuous screams, he was heartbroken, but he was not allowed to go in. At this moment, even the sound was gone, and he was as anxious as an ant on the hot pot.

The doctor didn't know either. He was a man after all, and couldn't enter the delivery room without other reasons. The wealthy families avoided this taboo, so they invited him in just in case. "This is the Third Madam's first child, so it's normal for her to have some difficulties."

"Mom!" Jia Kuan asked his mother for help again.

Mrs. Jia had given birth to several children, and the second and third children were also running around. This situation is actually very normal. Some women can give birth normally for a whole day and a night. But the son was anxious, "I'll go in and take a look."

When she entered, Lin Wanwan was lying on the bed with a pale face and her body was soaked. The maids were scrubbing her and changing her clothes, which was also a waste of effort, but it made her feel more comfortable.

The midwife stood at the foot of the bed and looked as if nothing was wrong.

"What happened?" asked Mrs. Jia.

"It's halfway open, almost there." The midwife replied quickly.

Madam Jia nodded, walked to the bedside and looked at her third daughter-in-law, "Wanwan, can you hold on?"

Lin Wanwan opened her eyes and smiled weakly, "Yes."

Giving birth is the most difficult and dangerous experience for women. Old Madam Jia is an experienced person. She gently stroked Lin Wanwan's forehead and said, "The third child is very worried outside, and the doctor is waiting. It's okay. Good boy, just hold on a little longer, and everything will be fine after the baby is born."

"Yeah." Lin Wanwan nodded through tears. She, too, had been pampered growing up. A scratch on her finger was rare, so she'd never experienced any pain. While she knew about labor pain, she had never imagined it would be this excruciating. It felt like she was being torn in two. This wasn't just physical pain, but the ache of bones being torn apart inch by inch. It was so painful that she wanted to faint, but the excruciating pain kept her from doing so.

Madam Jia said softly, "If you can't bear it, tell me. You can take medicine to induce labor. This method is harmful to your body. It should not be used unless it is absolutely necessary."

"I know," Lin Wanwan said hoarsely, "I can...ah!" Before she could finish her words, the next wave of pain came again.

"Bite the handkerchief and don't hit your tongue." After saying this, Mrs. Jia stepped out.

Jia Kuan was guarding the door. When he saw it open, he wanted to rush in, but Old Lady Jia grabbed his arm and said, "You can't go in!"

"Why! I'm not afraid of blood!" Jia Kuan collapsed.

"Listen to your mother. I've checked. Wanwan's fine." The blood and filth were only one factor preventing men from entering during childbirth. More importantly, the woman would lose control of her bladder before the baby was born. Few people could endure such a scene. Even a married couple, after witnessing this and later sleeping in the same bed, would inevitably harbor resentment towards their wife, creating a rift and a gradual estrangement.

This rule is also for the benefit of women.

Jia Kuan couldn't understand, but he didn't dare to disobey his mother. He squatted at the door with his head in his hands, not looking like the young master he usually is.

Old Madam Jia sighed, leaned back in her chair with her forehead supported, and a look of fatigue appeared on her face.

Madam Jia saw this and gently advised, "Dad and Mom, go back and rest first. It's getting late. We'll be guarding here."

Jia Sansi was resting his eyes. He had been busy all day and was actually a little tired. He woke up when he heard his wife's persuasion, "Yes, Dad and Mom, go back and rest first. We are here."

Jia Xu also followed suit. Mrs. Jia moved her mouth, but was nudged by Jia Xu's elbow before she uttered the words of persuasion.

"Then let's go back first and come back early tomorrow morning." Mr. Jia was a man who accepted his age. He helped his wife up and went back to rest.