Lu Yu had already prepared various medicines needed for childbirth at Madam Li's home. Sister Li, solely focused on ensuring Madam Li's safety, directly allowed Lu Yu into the delivery room to examine Madam Li. It was the midwife who advised against it for a long time.
When Lu Yu entered the room, Madam Li was already lying in bed, positioned for childbirth. The quilt covered her lower body, showing great discretion.
Madam Li had long since lost her strength, and the situation was dire. Lu Yu ordered Wu Shao to quickly go and decoct the medicine according to her prescription. She didn't idle either, directly taking out silver needles and inserting them into Madam Li's acupoints.
The first needle was an induction needle, providing him with strong stimulation. Although painful, it was effective.
At this point, if childbirth did not occur, both mother and child would be in danger, so this was the only method.
After administering the blood-replenishing and energy-boosting herbal decoction, Madam Li clearly regained some strength. With the help of Lu Yu and the midwife, the first child was soon born.
"It's a girl!" the midwife said, wrapping the baby and handing it to Li Yan, her face beaming with smiles.
Generally, families would give more money for a daughter.
After the first birth, the subsequent ones were much easier. Less than half an hour later, Madam Li gave birth to a boy.
Sister Li was overjoyed, even giving the midwife a much larger sum of money.
Childbirth was perilous, and Lu Yu had arrived just in time. By the time Shen Xuan learned of it, it was that evening, and Lu Yu told him personally.
Shen Xuan had also visited Wu Rong after his childbirth. Wu Rong's complexion had recovered quickly, and he was full of spirit, clearly having undergone patient recuperation.
Seeing Madam Li again today, one could hardly tell that she had just emerged from confinement; her recovery was excellent.
Gu Yi was busy attending to everyone, greeting one and then another.
Zisu occasionally chatted with A'da and Shen Xuan, spending the rest of the time sitting alone and drinking.
After the banquet, everyone, having eaten and drunk their fill, began to leave.
Zisu had drunk quite a bit that day, and despite Shen Xuan and Gu Yi's repeated勸阻, he did not refuse.
"Don't go, you've drunk so much. Stay here tonight to rest," Gu Yi said, not wanting to let Zisu go back alone.
"No, it's not appropriate for me to stay at Miss Gu's new home. Who would have another man stay over during their wedding?"
Gu Yi tried to persuade him several times, but Zisu refused them all.
"Then I'll escort you."
"Really, no need. Don't you trust my drinking capacity?" Zisu smiled and shook his head. "You should stay and take care of Mayor Zheng. Mayor Zheng looks quite drunk."
"But—" Gu Yi followed Zisu's gaze to Zheng Yu, who was slumped over the table muttering, and her brows furrowed, wishing she could be in two places at once.
"Er'er, Miss Zheng has indeed drunk a lot. You should stay and take care of her. Your wife and I will escort Young Master Zisu back," Shen Xuan said, preventing Gu Yi from worrying too much.
"Master, I'll go escort him. Master has also drunk. I've had the least to drink here," Wu Shao interjected at the opportune moment. "The roads are dark and slippery. If you go, you'll have to return. After I escort Young Master Zisu, I can go straight home, which is on the way."
Indeed, this was not a bad idea.
Regardless of Zisu's refusals from the other side, everyone had made arrangements for him. Zisu, helpless, could only nod.
Soon, everyone left, leaving only Zheng Yu and Gu Yi in the room.
Gu Yi laboriously helped Zheng Yu up, preparing to escort her to the guest room.
"Er'er, Er'er—" Zheng Yu, in her drunken state, was restless, muttering and calling out Gu Yi's childhood nickname, making one's face flush and heart flutter.
"Keep your voice down," Gu Yi didn't know what else to say to stop her, only hoping she could still understand and keep her voice down.
Zheng Yu seemed to have thought of something and suddenly broke free from Gu Yi's support, staggering forward quickly. Gu Yi was startled and hurried to catch up.
"Don't rush, slow down," Gu Yi said urgently. The weather was cold and the roads slippery, with ice on the ground; she was afraid she would fall.
As if to prove her fears, Gu Yi rushed from behind and reached her side. Just as she touched Zheng Yu's arm and before she could steady herself, she stepped on the ice beneath her feet, accidentally causing both of them to fall to the ground.
Zheng Yu was relatively fine, but Gu Yi was not so lucky. With a thud, she landed flat on her back on the ground, with Zheng Yu still on top of her.
The fall suddenly sobered Zheng Yu. She scrambled to her feet in a panic, then crouched on the ground, like a child who had made a mistake, wanting to help Gu Yi up but afraid of being scolded, she cautiously extended her arm.
"Hiss—"
The fall was solid. Gu Yi cried out in pain and, after a long while, slowly stood up, supporting herself with one hand on the ground.
Zheng Yu remained crouched on the ground, not looking up, fiddling with the ice shards on the ground like a child who had made a mistake.
Gu Yi found Zheng Yu's behavior somewhat amusing. "I'm fine. Get up quickly, and I'll help you inside."
There was no response. Standing there, she could only see the top of Zheng Yu's fluffy head shaking from side to side.
Not getting up?
The winter night wind was very cold, and when it blew on her face, it felt like a knife, stinging her skin.
To better support Zheng Yu, Gu Yi had not worn her cloak. Now, standing under the eaves and being blown by the cold wind, she shivered uncontrollably. The person in front of her was still squatting on the ground.
Gu Yi wanted to squat down and help her up, but her waist had been injured in the fall. As soon as she bent slightly, a sharp pain shot through her.
With no other choice, Gu Yi resorted to the magic of words again, trying to persuade Zheng Yu to go inside.
But Zheng Yu remained stubborn, squatting there and refusing to get up, no matter what Gu Yi said.
The pain in her body, combined with the biting cold wind, made Gu Yi angry. It was the first time she had lost her temper.
"If you don't go inside, then don't come in when you get cold later. Just sleep here."
After speaking, Gu Yi turned and walked away, not bothering to see if she was still squatting in the snow.
Hearing Gu Yi's retreating footsteps, Zheng Yu finally reacted. She raised her head and looked in the direction Gu Yi had gone, until Gu Yi entered the house.
The night wind grew colder, and soon it penetrated her clothes, tightening around her warm skin through her collar.
"Wuwu— I'm cold."
Drunk, Zheng Yu was like a child, squatting in the snow and pitifully crying out in the cold.
After entering the room, Gu Yi had been watching from the doorway, afraid she would leave. Seeing her curled up in a small ball, she couldn't help herself. She opened the door and laboriously walked to her side.
"Cold, cold—" Seeing the person arrive, Zheng Yu seemed to have found a warm stove. She nudged closer and hugged Gu Yi's leg, continuously complaining about the cold.
"If you're cold, then come back inside with me, be good."
This time, Gu Yi's tone was not as harsh. Like coaxing a child, she softened her voice, gritted her teeth, and gently bent down, taking Zheng Yu's ice-cold hand.
"Okay."
Frozen, Zheng Yu learned her lesson. She no longer resisted, obediently holding Gu Yi's hand as they walked into the room warmed by charcoal.