CH56; 4th baby
After several months,
Finally, Zhang Lian's delivery was about to take place. Her cheeks hurt as she lay on a big bed with red silk covers covering it.
Flickering lamps softly filled the space, illuminating the wooden walls with a glow.
While incense filled the air with a soothing aroma as incense burnt in the corners, the tension was not much reduced.
A group of skilled midwives around her, their expressions serious as they performed their tasks.
The oldest woman with a strong presence leaned in with her hands extended, ready to help with the birth."Your Highness, please push!" urged the midwife.
The other midwives murmured back what she had said, quickly adjusting Zhang Lian's pillows and wiping at her sweat.
Zhang Lian clenched her grip on the blankets, her body trembling with the effort.
She was covered in sweat.
Zhang Lian could feel her power fading away every second. She was not as powerful as she had been during the months of rest.
Her blue eyes were firmly closed, and her long white hair stuck to her warm cheeks.
"You're almost there, Your Highness," the old midwife said in a supporting tone.
With her hands ready to catch the baby, she leaned in. "Just one more push!"
Zhang Lian experienced a burning sensation across her entire body. Her feet were placed against the edge of the bed, her legs spread wide and trembling from the struggle.
She was supported up with pillows by the midwives. With every movement, she could feel the baby moving inside of her ready to come out.
Her body felt as though it were being torn apart, with her bones hurting, her mind was on the verge of passing out.
"Push, your highness ! The midwife urged, her eyes focused on the baby's head that was starting to show.
"Now!"Zhang Lian gathered all of her might and let out a loud scream, pushing the baby forward.
Her thighs shook badly, She squeezed her eyes shut and pushed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
She felt as though she could shatter apart due to the intense pain.
There was a noticeable nervousness in the room, as if people were holding their breath.
With careful movement, the midwife assisted the baby's head in turning and moving during its birth.
With a last push, Zhang Lian released a sticky fluid with a baby, and the chief midwife hurried to grab the baby.
Still joining mother and child, the umbilical cord. The midwives moved swiftly; one used a sharp knife to cut the cord, and the other covered the infant with a soft towel.
Silence fell over the room for a minute, suspended in that thin air between birth and the first breath.
Zhang Lian was lying there, her eyes half-open and blurry from labor, her chest rising and falling.
Her hands had finally relaxed from their tight grip on the blankets, her body relaxed, her legs shaking.
Then there was a cry, high and sharp, the distinct sound of a baby. The sound of a baby filling its lungs for the first time broke the tension in the room.
With a sigh Zhang Lian leaned her head back on the pillow. Her body shook with exhaustion, but there was a strange relief in her face.
The midwives exchanged a swift glance. Zhang Lian was shown the baby by the midwife.
The little child struggled moving its little arms and legs and let out a loud cry.
"It's a girl!" the midwife announced, holding the tiny, moving baby for Zhang Lian to see.
The baby was tiny with soft skin. Her head was covered with brown hair, and her eyes, when they opened, were of red color.
Her small hands extended out, fingers moving and twiddling as her sobs filled the room.
[Ding! Ding! Congratulations, host! You have successfully given birth and earned 1 normal point.]
[Ding! Host, the baby, has a spiritual root. You have earned an extra 2 normal points.]
When Zhang Lian heard this, a smile appeared on her face.
But tiredness took over as the adrenaline rush wore out. Her strength began to fade and her vision became blurry. She threw herself back into the bed and lost consciousness.
A cat nearby gave a disappointed shake of its head."Nya, I warned you," Cat complained, sounding concerned as well as criticizing."
"You had to work out. You would still be well if you did workout and kept your body strong."
"The baby got cleaned gently by the midwives, who then wrapped her in a soft cloth & took her away to get her breastfeed and other things.
---
/ [ System: Baby-Making System
Host: Zhang Lian
Cultivation: None
Skills: None
Passive Skill: Ability to get pregnant with one shot, but limited by host bearing capacity - currently 0.8, rounded of to 1
Normal Points: 4
Special Points: 4
] \
—
A few days later
Zhang Lian was up and trying to get her strength back. Her outfit was a simple, flowing blue robe that was both durable and lightweight enough for her to walk around in.
Her arms, tight from the workouts she had been doing, were visible when her sleeves were tied back.
She moved beautifully through a series of exercises, bending and twisting, her muscles showing through the thin robe.
She began with stretches, bending to touch her toes and then forming a nice back curve.
She advanced to more difficult workouts, making sudden movements and choosing different fighting postures.
With her lovely white hair falling behind back, her feet swept across the ground.
She felt a sense of strength and replaced the stress in her muscles as she rehearsed.
Cat watched her, its tail drooping idly. It said casually, "Nyaa, looks like it's time to bring that boy, Chen Gou, back."
"Zhang Lian gave a nod without pausing, her eyes following her every step. "Yes," she replied.
After a few more minutes of her practice, she stood up straight and let out a slow exhale. She approached Lan, who was standing close by and carrying a towel.
Zhang Lian took the towel to wipe the sweat from her face.
A new maid stood next to Lan, holding a glass of water & jug. She was young, with black hair and a black eyes.
Her robe was similar to Lan's but hung loosely on her average curves. Zhang Lian picked up the cup from the tray and drank deeply before returning it to the maid.
Zhang Lian's life went on as usual. Chen Gou returned to the palace, and they were together again. They moved together in the dim room and did xx thing's.
Afterward, Chen Gou lay next to her, his skin filled with sweat. He breathed heavily, a mix of tiredness and wonder on his face.
Zhang Lian, also sweating and seeming blank, glanced at the ceiling, already considering the points she would gain.
Both were nude, their clothes scattered on the floor. Zhang Lian's white hair spread across the pillow, her blue eyes half-closed as she heard the familiar sound of the system alert.
[Ding! Ding! Congratulations, host! You are pregnant. You have received 1 normal point.]
A cat floated nearby her, "Congrats, nya. You're pregnant again," it said in an excited tone.
Zhang Lian nodded slightly, shutting her eyes. "Yes," she replied softly.
---
6 months later a son was born & she got 1 point for giving birth and 1 Point for a baby having spiritual roots.
---
6 months more later,
As the midwives assisted with the delivery, Zhang Lian remained strong this time. She had maintained her body for this moment.
"Push, Your Highness!" the midwives encouraged again. Zhang Lian clenched her teeth and pushed, her focus sharp, her breathing steady. This time, the birth was faster, her body more capable. Soon, a loud cry filled the room.
The midwife lifted the newborn, a healthy baby boy. "It's a boy!" she declared, her voice showing respect for the queen who had given birth 4th child.
Zhang Lian leand back, breathing heavily but feeling tired. Then, a familiar sound rang in her mind.
[Ding! Ding! Congratulations, host! You have successfully given birth to a baby and earned 1 normal point.]
[Ding! Host, it has been detected that the baby possesses a spiritual root. You have gained an extra 3 normal points.]
Zhang Lian smiled softly. This child has a lv 3 spiritual root, even stronger than the Zhang shu her only daughter. Her hard work was finally paying off.
The old maid's exchanged glances. This was the fourth baby they had helped deliver for the queen, and they couldn't help but wonder why the queen wanted to give birth to so many kids.
One mid pondered, glancing at the baby and then back at the queen. Does the queen truly enjoy giving birth, or is there another reason?
But they kept their thoughts to themselves, knowing it was wise not to question the queen. Their role was to assist and support.
/ [ System: Baby-Making System
Host: Zhang Lian
Cultivation: None
Skills: None
Passive Skill: Ability to get pregnant with one shot, but limited by host bearing capacity - currently 1
Normal Points: 12
Special Points: 4
] \