Transmigrated as the Villainess, Troubled by the Cuteness!

Chapter 292 - 226: The Daily Life of Slacking Off During Pregnancy (11)

In the blink of an eye, winter had arrived, and the New Year was approaching. Shen Jingxian, who was already reluctant to move around, was even less inclined to do so.

Ever since Wen Ranchen got angry last time, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor stopped voting at the brothel. Instead, they organized a midwife competition within the palace, aiming to select the most experienced and outstanding midwife!

The midwife selection lasted three months. After the initial qualification contest, it became all about experience and ability. The midwives had to deal with various issues and challenges anytime, anywhere. Especially when Shen Jingxian had issues—whoever solved them first would get 50 votes!

But generally, the midwives didn’t dare hope to get these 50 votes from Your Majesty. Who didn’t know that General Wen was there every day, quite intimidating? Would they dare to act? No, they wouldn’t.

While the midwives were trying to impress, Shen Jingxian was listlessly holding Wen Ranchen’s arm, "My belly is getting heavier, I feel so uncomfortable."

Especially in winter, even with the floor heated, Shen Jingxian wore thick clothes, fearing to catch cold.

After all, it’s not the future; the chills of this era could be deadly.

Feeling uncomfortable no matter the position, Shen Jingxian leaned lethargically on Wen Ranchen, who let her snuggle against him.

"Wen Ranchen, tell me a story."

"Why not call me husband?"

"I don’t want to."

"Feeling sleepy? Should I tell you about historical records?"

Shen Jingxian nodded while yawning, closing her eyes as she got into bed, indicating she was ready.

But before he could read a word, Wen Ranchen noticed her breathing had already become steady.

Alright, she didn’t need him at all.

Amused, Wen Ranchen touched Shen Jingxian’s belly, which had indeed become more pronounced. No wonder this little spoilt one was always complaining.

Feeling complicated, Wen Ranchen was about to remove his hand when he suddenly felt something slide across his palm.

His heartbeat accelerated instantly, even his breath paused unconsciously.

This little rascal was quite active, turning around and not settling down.

If he didn’t sleep well, what if he woke his wife up!

Luckily, Shen Jingxian was sleeping like a log, not sensing anything at all.

In the middle of the night, Shen Jingxian woke up and forcibly roused Wen Ranchen to chat with her.

"Husband, how many children do you want?"

"One is enough." Wen Ranchen held Shen Jingxian in his arms, rhythmically patting her back.

Though Shen Jingxian hadn’t said it, Wen Ranchen had seen it all.

This pregnancy was a tough one. Shen Jingxian had put in so much effort just because he said he wanted a child.

Initially, the fetus was unstable, and any inattentiveness could cause a miscarriage. Shen Jingxian lay in bed for more than a month, not daring to move easily, then fell into deep sleep, now wanting to eat but can’t.

Shen Jingxian had actually sacrificed a lot for this child.

Upon hearing his words, the knot in Shen Jingxian’s heart dissipated for some reason. She was very scared, very anxious, but thinking she’d only go through this once made her feel relieved instead.

At least for now, she only wanted to have one. Whether she’d want more in the future, she didn’t know.

With Wen Ranchen’s rhythmic soothing, Shen Jingxian quickly fell asleep again.

Time flew by, after the New Year, Shen Jingxian’s unborn child was six months old. Her feet began to swell, shoes barely fit, and walking even caused pain.

Even though Shen Jingxian hadn’t been pregnant before, she knew it wasn’t ideal to be this disproportionate at six months. She even suspected the plot had come to mess with her again.

Fortunately, the Imperial Physician assured her it was only a matter of constitution, and proper care would suffice.

"Nowadays, Your Majesty should avoid sitting or standing for long periods; when resting, keep the feet slightly elevated."

Wen Ranchen listened attentively, nodding repeatedly.

Shen Jingxian had small feet, usually fair, but now swollen; compared to her legs, they looked like two different limbs.

Moreover, with her belly growing bigger, movement, sitting, lying down, and sleep all became inconvenient, mostly sleeping on her side, turning over several times a night.

Wen Ranchen’s dark eyes surged with emotion; he didn’t realize having a child was so difficult.

Seeing other people’s children emerge in a year, he had never particularly paid attention.

After a few days of activity, Shen Jingxian felt bewildered.

Unable to sit or stand for long periods, and her feet hurt; walking outside made her feet ache painfully.

Overall, she felt uncomfortable.

Yet Wen Ranchen was busy running around for her every day, personally attending to her, so she had to bear it quietly, just wanting to deliver the baby soon.

Pan Jiaojiao and Song Yan sent cards into the palace several times, and Shen Jingxian didn’t meet them.

If those two saw her in this pitiful state, they would undoubtedly tease Wen Ranchen again furtively.

Wen Ranchen is really pitiful, being bullied one more time by them, remember only I am your friend, and I only love you, why! Why fear! (Sorry, wrong scene.)

Ordinarily, that’s one thing, but recently Wen Ranchen was also tired, so she’d help him.

Every time the Empress Dowager came for a visit, her eyes were filled with tears, but she endured it to avoid affecting Shen Jingxian’s mood.

Sometimes, when Shen Jingxian felt unbearably uncomfortable, she would irritably remind, "Wen Ranchen, I’m not having any more children for you!"

Wen Ranchen faced the question without hesitation, "Yes, just this one."

The larger the month, the worse Shen Jingxian felt. At eight months, she couldn’t even bend down to wash her hair; Wen Ranchen had to do it for her.

The midwives’ selection had concluded, with 21 midwives now standing by.

Don’t ask why there are 21; the Empress Dowager wanted 20, but Shen Jingxian named an attractive midwife, making it 21.

Which midwife would ultimately prove useful remained uncertain.

Early August, after two days of rain and cooler temperatures, Shen Jingxian went into labor.

The Imperial Hospital was quickly stationed outside the door, waiting for the midwives’ call.

The Empress Dowager stayed beside Shen Jingxian, feeding her ginseng slices, comforting her not to fear.

The Emperor was in charge of blocking Wen Ranchen outside the door, preventing rash actions, "Ranchen, men must show composure. Father knows you’re worried now, but all we need to do is stand here..."

"I don’t want to give birth anymore, it’s too painful... I’ll never do it again!"

Before the Emperor could finish his words, upon hearing his daughter’s cries, he got anxious and was about to rush inside, "Yi Fen!!! Don’t be afraid, Dad is here!!"

Wen Ranchen held the Emperor back from entering the birthing room, "Father, I know you’re worried, but men must be able to remain calm. All we need is to stand here."

The Emperor fretted anxiously. Back then, when the Empress Dowager was still the Empress, it nearly ended in disaster; how could he not worry?

"Anyway, my daughter will only give birth to this one, no more! If any of those ministers dare to propose, let them come directly to me!"

Wen Ranchen wiped the Emperor’s sweat, "Father, rest assured. If anyone dares to propose, I’ll be the first to disagree."

Shen Jingxian felt terrible; the pain of opening ten fingers wasn’t ordinary. This era had no pain-free options; she could only endure it.

Each wave of pain was worse than the last, her vision blurred by sweat; the biggest setback of her life was having a child.

"Come... out... quickly!"

"I see a head! Your Majesty, just a bit more effort!"

From holding the Emperor back, Wen Ranchen unconsciously began pacing back and forth; every time Shen Jingxian cried out, he clenched his fist with effort.

After a day and night, Shen Jingxian finally gave birth.

"Waa, waa, waa!" The child cried loudly upon emerging.

The midwife wiped her face and expertly cleaned the child, wrapping her in a prepared blanket.

The Empress Dowager was wiping Shen Jingxian’s body; she fainted as soon as the child came out, having exhausted her strength.

The midwife brought the child forward, "Congratulations, Empress Dowager! Have a look, it’s a..." Princess.

The Empress Dowager was quite impatient, "Who cares to look? I’m busy looking at my own child! Who has time to look at them!"