Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 48.1

Chapter 48.1

Feeling uneasy, Shen Qingqing sat rigidly in the chair, biting her lips.

Old Lady Zhu and Madam Li arrived, along with two midwives. 

Under everyone’s comfort and encouragement, Shen Qingqing managed to force a smile, but inside, she was really struggling. All she wanted was some solitude and her mother’s company. 

She shot a glance at Yu Chan.

Yu Chan, who understood her master’s gaze, called the Old Lady Zhu with respect. “Old Madam, Madam is about to give birth. Should I send someone to let the Third Madam know?”

Old Lady Zhu smiled at her granddaughter-in-law and replied, “Qingqing has just started labour; it’s still too early for the baby to arrive. We might as well wait until tomorrow morning. It’s not urgent to share the news until after the baby is born.”

Old Lady Zhu thought that since Shen Qingqing was now part of the Li family, there was no need to call her mother right away. Plus, she had never heard of anyone inviting their mother immediately when their daughter-in-law was in labour.

When Shen Qingqing heard this, another wave of pain hit her, and she lowered her head to hide her frustration. 

Feeling sympathetic towards her, Yu Chan spoke up, trying to keep her composure, “But the Third Madam specifically told me the day before yesterday that as soon as I got any news…”

Before Yu Chan finished her words, Old Lady shot her an annoyed look. 

Yu Chan bit her lip, eager to keep talking, but Shen Qingqing suddenly looked up and said, “Never mind, let’s just discuss it after the baby arrives.” 

With that, Yu Chan had no choice but to keep her mouth shut. 

Noticing her granddaughter-in-law’s slight frown, Old Lady Zhu paused for a moment and reassured her, “Don’t worry, Qingqing. We’ve all been through this. Just listen to us, and we promise you’ll have a smooth delivery.” 

Shen Qingqing smiled, glancing toward the inner room, and said, “Grandma, I’d like to lie down for a bit. I’m feeling a bit worn out from sitting.” 

Old Lady Zhu quickly instructed the maids to help Shen Qingqing inside. 

Meanwhile, Li Zhi rushed home and entered the backyard, only to find all the elders gathered in the hall, but his young wife was missing. 

“Grandma, is Qingqing in there?” he asked, slightly out of breath as he stepped into the hall. 

It was the first time Old Lady Zhu had seen her eldest grandson so flustered. Ever since he took over the family responsibilities, he had always been so composed and self-assured. 

“She’s resting inside, go check on her,” Old Lady Zhu replied with a smile. 

Li Zhi nodded and headed in. 

Yu Die and Yu Chan were standing just outside the screen. They looked like they wanted to say something to him but held back.

Li Zhi frowned and quickly moved around the screen. Through the sheer curtain, he spotted his little wife lying on the bed, facing away from him. One of her small hands was gripping the pillow tightly, and her shoulders were shaking. 

She was crying. 

Li Zhi gently pulled back the curtain and sat down beside her. His gaze fell on Shen Qingqing’s round belly. He softly placed his hands on her shoulders and asked, “Are you in pain?” 

Shen Qingqing nodded with tears brimming in her eyes. 

Li Zhi wiped her tears away and suggested, “Should we call the midwife? Maybe they can help ease the pain.” 

Shen Qingqing shook her head. “No, they said this is just the start, and it’s going to get worse.” 

Tears continued to stream down her face, and Li Zhi felt a surge of frustration. A husband shouldn’t let his wife suffer, but when it came to childbirth, he felt helpless. 

“Don’t cry, I’m here with you,” he said, lying down next to her and wrapping his arms around her. 

Shen Qingqing thought, ‘It won’t change the fact that I’m still in pain!’

Before she could finish that thought, another wave of pain hit her, causing her to grip Li Zhi’s hand tightly. 

Li Zhi could only watch as she winced and struggled to breathe, feeling utterly powerless. 

Once the pain subsided, Shen Qingqing let out a loud cry, resembling a little girl who had lost her mother. 

Li Zhi realized that words might not help much right now, but he needed to say something to distract her. So he softly said, “Don’t cry. Once you give birth, I’ll get you anything you want.”

Shen Qingqing sulked and cried even harder, saying, “I just want my mom…”

Li Zhi was taken aback for a moment but quickly regained his composure. He turned to Yu Chan and asked, “Where’s the Third Madam? Why hasn’t she shown up yet?”  

Yu Chan, who had been holding in her frustration, replied immediately, “The Old Madam said we should wait until Madam has the baby before we inform the Third Madam.”  

Li Zhi finally understood why his little wife was curled up in bed, sobbing.

Anger bubbled up inside him as he glanced toward the door. ‘What was grandma thinking? Having a baby is a huge deal, and she wants to see her mother.’

“Go get my mother-in-law right away,” Li Zhi said, trying to keep his temper in check.  

Yu Chan hesitated, “But what about the old lady…”  

Li Zhi cut her off sharply. “Just let Arong handle it.”  

Feeling satisfied, Yu Chan hurried out of the room. When she spotted Old Madam Zhu watching her, she lowered her gaze and said calmly, “Madam, the Marquis has asked Arong to fetch the Third Madam.”  

Old Madam Zhu pursed her lips. It was obvious to anyone that it was the grandson’s wife who had asked him to do that.

Though she was unhappy about it, she didn’t want to go against her eldest grandson, so she nodded in agreement.

Have a nice day!