Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 48.2

Chapter 48.2

Shen Qingqing cuddled in Li Zhi’s warm embrace, and whenever she felt a surge of pain, she’d instinctively bite his other arm. 

By this time, she had stopped worrying about Old Lady Zhu’s feelings. After all, she was married to Li Zhi, and the baby was theirs. As long as Li Zhi loved her, she didn’t care what the rest of the Li family thought.

“If you need anything else, just let me know,” Li Zhi said softly, concerned that she might still be upset.

Shen Qingqing shut her eyes and replied, “I still want a son.” 

She wanted their first child to be a boy to quiet Old Lady Zhu, and then she hoped for a daughter who would be just as beautiful as her.

“Alright, let’s have a son then,” Li Zhi whispered while placing a gentle kiss on his wife’s forehead. 

With someone around her who truly cared for her, Shen Qingqing found that the labour pains felt a bit more bearable.

Before long, Mrs. Chen arrived.

Knowing his mother-in-law’s arrival, Li Zhi stepped out to welcome her.

Seeing this, Old Lady Zhu felt a twinge of discomfort. She remembered that ever since her eldest grandson took over as head of the family, he hadn’t shown her such courtesy. ‘Was he raised by me or someone else?’

With her daughter about to give birth, Mrs. Chen didn’t notice Old Lady Zhu’s expressions. After exchanging a few words with her son-in-law, she hurried inside to be with her daughter.

Seeing Li Zhi also going inside, Old Lady Zhu stopped him, saying, “Zhongchang, a man shouldn’t be present when a woman is giving birth. Head to the front yard and wait there.” 

It seemed the old lady was thinking she was doing Li Zhi a favour. 

Li Zhi couldn’t help but think about his young wife, who was likely crying in silence. ‘Silly girl. She always respected her elders and would rather endure hardship than speak up. What if she actually wanted me by her side?’

“Grandson will stay here with my grandmother,” he said with a smile as he settled next to Old Lady Zhu. He figured he’d let his mother-in-law accompany Shen Qingqing first, and when his wife truly needed him, he’d go in. 

‘The eldest grandson is quite clever.’ Old Lady Zhu clenched her fists in secret. Her excitement about having her great-grandson fated a bit. 

‘They say a man forgets his mother once he gets married, but it seems my eldest grandson has forgotten the grandmother who raised him. It is all Shen Qingqing’s doing. That little temptress!’

As the sky grew darker, the labour pains increased.

“Mom…” Shen Qingqing looked at her mother with tears streaming down her face. 

Mrs. Chen was also in tears. As a mother, any pain her child felt was a deep hurt for her, especially the pain of childbirth. 

“Don’t scream, sweetheart. Save your energy for the delivery,” Mrs. Chen said, gripping her daughter’s hand tightly. 

It wasn’t until midnight that Shen Qingqing was ready to give birth and the midwives eagerly began to instruct her on how to push the baby out.

Shen Qingqing was in so much pain that her mother’s presence just wasn’t enough anymore. She missed Li Zhi, but the last thing she wanted was for him to see her in such a rough state. Instead, she found herself feeling really jealous of him. It wasn’t fair that Li Zhi could have a child without any struggle, while she was stuck dealing with this intense agony. 

As the pain increased, she couldn’t hold her thoughts anymore. In a moment of frustration, she couldn’t help but shout, “Li Zhongchang, you son of a b*tch!” 

Shen Qingqing was a lady of a prominent family, and ladies like her weren’t supposed to curse. But growing up, she had heard boys use all sorts of swear words, and out of them all, she thought “son of a b*tch” was the most fitting for her situation.

After that, she kept yelling “son of a bi*ch” while tears streamed down her face. 

Mrs. Chen: ‘… It must be my youngest son who led his sister astray!’

In the hall, Old Lady Zhu’s expression darkened. ‘How can she  insult her husband like that?’

She glanced over at her eldest grandson, who was standing by the delivery room door. 

Li Zhi’s sharp eyes fixed on the curtain in front of him. His lips were pressed together, and his face was as cold as ice. 

But Old Lady Zhu understood that her grandson was just worried about Shen Qingqing and wasn’t actually angry.

‘Beautiful women are indeed troublemakers.’ At that moment, Old Lady Zhu thought of Jiang Yiyue who was staying in Wanfu Hall.

‘Jiang Yiyue is also beautiful, but she is well-behaved and sensible, and never asked for anything by relying on her favour. If Jiang Yiyue could catch the eyes of my grandson, then Yiyue could take away Shen Qingqing’s favour and slowly help me win back Zhongchang’s wholehearted respect. Just wait and see. Once the court is stable, I will make careful plans.’

“Mom, why don’t you go back first?” It was already past midnight, and the Second Madam Li gently urged her mother-in-law. “You’re getting older, and staying up late isn’t good for you. You can meet your great-grandson tomorrow morning.” 

Old Lady Zhu took another look at her grandson. 

Li Zhi heard his aunt’s words and turned to send his grandmother to her backyard. 

‘At least the grandson has some sense.’This thought made the old lady feel a bit better. Just as she was about to rise with the help of her crutches, the midwife’s surprised voice suddenly rang out from the delivery room. 

“It’s coming! Madam, push!” 

‘Born?’ Old Lady Zhu was startled and stood up alongside the Second Madam Li.

Li Zhi clenched his fists, nearly rushing in. 

Moments later, a loud cry of a baby filled the air, and the midwife exclaimed, “Congratulations! Madam, it’s a little girl!” 

‘A daughter?’Li Zhi felt a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, but it quickly turned to joy. Whether it was a son or a daughter, the baby was finally here. 

Behind him, Old Lady Zhu’s expression immediately soured upon hearing that her granddaughter-in-law had given birth to a girl. 

“I’m tired; you all take care of the baby,” Old Lady Zhu said wearily, signalling for the maid to assist her in leaving. 

Li Zhi turned at the sound of her voice and noticed the old lady’s tense demeanour. 

His lips moved slightly, but he held back his words. 

Although it was a son or daughter, it was his own flesh and blood. He thought that the old lady’s attitude not only embarrassed his wife and mother-in-law but also showed a lack of respect for him.

“All old people are like this, Zhongchang. Don’t blame your grandmother.” Second Madam Li saw that he was unhappy, and smiled to smooth things over.

“It’s getting late, Second Aunt. You should head back to your room and get some rest,”  Li Zhi nodded and said,

Second Madam Li peeked inside and smiled. “It’s fine, I just want to see my little niece.”  

Talking about his daughter made Li Zhi feel both anxious and excited.  

The midwives were thoughtful, and after they got the little girl all cleaned up, they brought her out for the Marquis to see.  

Li Zhi looked down and saw a tiny baby girl in the cradle. She had thick, dark hair and a soft, fair face. She was even cuter than the two nieces born in the palace.  

This was his daughter.  

Li Zhi felt a wave of tenderness and gently picked up the swaddling clothes.

End of chapter 48

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