The Second Prince, upon leaving Su Qingyue, resolved to carefully balance the relationship between Su Qingyue and Lu Ruoyun.
His mother favored Ruoyun, and if Ruoyun and Qingyue could get along peacefully, speaking well of Qingyue before their mother more often, their mother would surely change her view of Qingyue. The three women were the most important in his life, and he wished for them to coexist peacefully, not wanting to be caught in the middle and troubled.
Qingyue was the gentlest, while Ruoyun's heart was entirely his.
The Second Prince believed he had the ability to make them as close as sisters.
He had even decided to treat them both well in the future, no longer taking concubines.
Meanwhile, Qi Zhenzhen suddenly went into labor.
She was still half a month away from her due date, and the sudden onset of labor was naturally related to the fright she had experienced.
Although arrangements had been made beforehand, Gu Sinian's face turned pale with nervousness.
Qi Zhenzhen had to comfort him, "This is the first child, it won't be born so quickly. Don't be nervous. If you're nervous, I'll get nervous too. Don't you have other things to attend to? Go to your study. Erxi and Feixu can stay with me. Besides, there are doctors and midwives. We will have a smooth delivery!"
"I'm not nervous, I want to stay with you." Gu Sinian held Qi Zhenzhen's hand tightly.
He had read many medical books on obstetrics and gynecology and was well aware of the dangers of childbirth. A single misstep could result in the loss of both mother and child.
Therefore, he wanted to stay by Qi Zhenzhen's side at all times.
No matter what happened, he wanted to face it with her.
Qi Zhenzhen felt helpless, "Then hold me gently, you're hurting my hand."
"Lord Gu and his wife have such a loving relationship," the midwife praised at the opportune moment. "In my many years of delivering babies, I've never seen a husband so nervous about his wife's delivery!"
"You are experienced. What should I do now?" Gu Sinian asked politely.
"Madam has only just started labor. The first birth is usually slow, taking at least a day and a night," the midwife mused. She deliberately overestimated the time, partly because the first birth was indeed slow, and partly because these noble ladies had weaker constitutions, making childbirth exceptionally difficult.
Gu Sinian's face visibly paled further.
"My lord, don't be afraid. If you're afraid, Madam will also be afraid," the midwife said. "At this time, if you distract Madam more, she will also feel more at ease."
Distract Zhenzhen's attention!
But how to distract her!
Gu Sinian was a bit bewildered.
Seeing his anxious expression, Qi Zhenzhen couldn't help but smile.
"Guess who the child will resemble more, you or me?" Qi Zhenzhen initiated the conversation.
"You, I like it if it resembles you," Gu Sinian replied without hesitation.
"People say daughters resemble their fathers and bring good fortune. Besides, you are clearly better looking," Qi Zhenzhen blinked. "If our daughter is as beautiful as you, she'll be a renowned beauty in the capital when she grows up."
"In my eyes, you are the most beautiful. If it resembles you, it will naturally be the most beautiful. Moreover, our daughter won't need to rely on her looks to be renowned in the capital. She is our child, and she will naturally not be ordinary in the future," Gu Sinian said.
"Then I still hope she resembles you!" Qi Zhenzhen insisted.
This was her genuine wish. She couldn't help it, as Gu Sinian was too handsome.
Whether it was a daughter or a son, Qi Zhenzhen wanted them to resemble Gu Sinian.
While it wasn't necessary to be renowned for looks, wouldn't it be a waste not to inherit good genes?
"Alright, alright, whoever you say she resembles, she resembles!" Gu Sinian could only agree, though he secretly added to himself, hoping the child would resemble Qi Zhenzhen. He wasn't just saying pleasantries to appease her; in his eyes and heart, Qi Zhenzhen was the most beautiful.