After that, Xi Zirui's memory becomes woozy.
He's faintly aware of Han Yu carrying him in his arms, of being deposited somewhere and being given something to drink and smell, probably the source of his confusion.
His body feels light, disconnected from itself, and Xi Zirui feels as if he's drifting above it all.
He can't even be worried about his babies with how light and woozy his head is.
Han Yu is by his side, holding his hand and petting his hair, he says something but Xi Zirui can't make out any of his words.
The same elderly doctor who told Xi Zirui he was pregnant now cuts a small incision a little below his bellybutton. The skin splits like a ripe peach, but no pain comes.
Han Yu's fingers tighten on Xi Zirui's hand as the doctor carefully takes out one baby and then the other, handing them to the servants attending to him.
Xi Zirui watches this all happen with a detached sort of awareness.