Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 135 Extra 8
On the twenty seventh of the first lunar month, heavy snow was falling. Just like in his past life, Chu Xun was persuaded by two letters from Lu Yan to return to the capital.
By dusk, Lu Yan, Chu Xun, and Sui Yu had gathered at the Hongxiu Tower.
Lifting the curtain, Lu Yan stepped into the private room.
Chu Xun raised an eyebrow and said, “Your two letters were so stirring they made my heart race. I galloped all the way back to the capital, only for you to leave me hanging for seven days once I arrived.”
Lu Yan replied seriously, “I’ve truly been quite busy lately.”
Sui Yu turned his head and asked, “Is Shen Zhen about to give birth?”
Lu Yan nodded. “Yes, likely within the next few days.”
Hearing this, Chu Xun took a deep breath. “Time flies. In the blink of an eye, your child is about to be born.”
Li Niang, who was kneeling nearby, poured Chu Xun a drink. “You sounded quite bitter, Lord Xun.”
“It’s only been a year since we last met, and you already forget the bond we shared?” Chu Xun pinched her waist and said, “Taking the side of an outsider?”
Li Niang brushed his hand away. “Lord Xun has countless lovers. It’s surprising you even remember me.”
“Tsk.” Chu Xun chuckled, wrapping his arm around her waist again. “Which one of us is really the bitter one here?”
Sui Yu shook his head at the scene and took a sip of wine.
Chu Xun glanced at Sui Yu and casually brought up, “You, when are you going to give me a nephew?”
Sui Yu’s hand stiffened around the cup and replied flatly, “Don’t drag me into this.”
As the topic shifted to Sui Yu, the atmosphere in the room cooled slightly.
Though outsiders were unaware, Lu Yan and Chu Xun knew well that Sui Yu had been married for three years and still had no children. One harbored feelings for a deceased cousin, and the other’s heart wasn’t even in the capital.
Chu Xun had thought that even if they weren’t deeply in love, over time feelings would naturally grow. After all, people are not made of wood—who could be truly without emotion?
But he hadn’t expected these two to be so stubborn, their lives perfectly harmonious but emotionally distant. Not a single argument in three years, silencing both families.
Li Niang, a perceptive woman, sensed the chill in the room and quickly turned to Chu Xun, saying, “Next time you come to Hongxiu Tower, don’t request me.”
Her fingers traced his jawline.
Chu Xun leaned back with a snort of laughter. “Why not?”
Li Niang whispered, “Someone’s going to redeem me. After tomorrow night, I won’t be here anymore.”
This was both the truth and a test.
In the past year, countless nobles had tried to redeem Li Niang. She was beautiful, graceful, and talented—an irresistible combination. But no one had made her heart flutter quite like Chu Xun had with his parting words:
“Miss me. Maybe if you miss me hard enough, I’ll appear.”
She had been captivated and anxious over that line. Now that he had returned, she finally understood—a man of his status would never leave his heart in a brothel.
Sure enough, Chu Xun didn’t even ask who the redeemer was. He simply withdrew the teasing from his eyes, pinched her cheek, and said, “Go then. But tonight, play me a few more songs.”
Li Niang smiled. “Of course.”
As zither music started, Sui Yu remarked, “Chu Xun, you’re going to stumble one day.”
Chu Xun was unconcerned. “If I fall, so be it. Lu Shiyan, now tell me—why did you urgently call me back to the capital? Don’t tell me it was just for the baby’s hundred-day celebration.”
Lu Yan got straight to the point. “Chu Xun, don’t return to Yangzhou. Stay in the capital. I’ll recommend you for a position in the Ministry of Justice.”
Chu Xun raised an eyebrow. “The court is calm right now. In two years, you’ll be in the central government yourself. Can’t you just train your own people? Why insist on me?”
“When is the court ever truly calm?” Lu Yan said gravely, “The Tenth Prince grows stronger by the day, and the Crown Prince’s health worsens. Do you really think the Empress will sit still? Won’t the Xu family be tempted by the throne?”
Whether the former Xu family or the current one, neither had developed such ambition overnight.
Chu Xun’s gaze darkened. “So you’re siding with the Crown Prince?”
“The Lu family is loyal to His Majesty and the nation,” Lu Yan said. “But we must also maintain court stability.”
Chu Xun looked at the cup in his hand and replied solemnly, “Lu Yan, your father-in-law is a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince. Everyone knows how fond you are of your wife. Can you truly separate yourself from the Crown Prince’s faction?”
“Last month, my father-in-law requested retirement due to illness,” Lu Yan replied. “His Majesty didn’t grant it, saying it would be reconsidered once the summer palace in Luoyang is completed.”
Chu Xun was surprised. “Lord Shen actually requested to resign?”
“Of course,” Sui Yu chimed in. “There’s Lu Yan as the Governor and Minister of Dali Temple—both in positions of real power. What do you expect Lord Shen to do?”
Chu Xun laughed. “The three Shen sisters are all something else. Who would’ve thought the once heartthrob of Chang’an, Lu Yan, would become such a devoted husband?”
Lu Yan pressed his lips together and tapped his cup on the table. “Care to explain—what kind of devotion?”
Sui Yu scoffed. “It’s just a few drinks, and you had to send your guard to inform your wife?”
Lu Yan calmly poured himself another drink. “She’s about to give birth.”
Sui Yu and Chu Xun exchanged amused glances.
The three of them had grown up together, and these words might have been the most sentimental thing Lu Yan had ever spoken.
“In that case,” they said in unison, “Congratulations.”
Just as Lu Yan raised his cup, a sharp pain struck his chest, making him frown.
It tugged at his heart as though it might split in two.
Sui Yu noticed and asked, “Lu Yan, what’s wrong? Don’t tell me you have a heart condition…”
Lu Yan inhaled deeply, but the pain didn’t subside. A thought flashed through his mind.
Chu Xun said, “Should we get a doctor?”
Lu Yan asked, “What day is it?”
Chu Xun blinked and replied slowly, “First month… the twenty-seventh.”
Lu Yan abruptly stood up. “I’m going to the Zhenguo Mansion. You two prepare gifts.”
With that, he strode out of the Hongxiu Tower, leaving the other two in stunned silence.
—
The wind howled as Lu Yan rode back to the Zhenguo Duke Mansion. Sure enough, as he entered, he saw everyone bustling around. Shadows flickered beneath the trees. The Princess stood in the courtyard, calling, “Quick, prepare hot water!”
Lu Yan approached and said softly, “Mother.”
She turned around, clearly relieved. “I just sent someone to find you. You came back just in time. She’s in labor—go see her.”
Lu Yan nodded and headed toward the Beiyuan.
Three midwives had been summoned for the delivery.
In the Jin Dynasty, women typically gave birth lying down or sitting. Due to Shen Zhen’s petite frame and limited strength, she opted for the sitting method.
The doctor had advised: The mother must sit upright, supported at the waist and ribs, held steadily to prevent leaning, so the child may be delivered smoothly.
When Lu Yan entered the room, Shen Zhen was already being supported by two attendants. At the sight of him, her eyes instantly reddened.
“How is it going?” he asked, taking her hand.
“There was a bout of pain earlier, but now it’s gone again,” Shen Zhen said, voice trembling.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll be right outside.”
She nodded, nose red, then suddenly let go of the midwives and hugged Lu Yan tightly around the neck, burying her face in his shoulder. Just the thought of the baby coming out from her body terrified her.
Lu Yan patted her back. He wanted to tell her not to cry too hard later, but in the end, he resigned himself to silence.
One of the midwives, Liu, gently reassured her. “Don’t worry, little lady. I’ve delivered over a hundred babies. Just save your strength. It might not take long.”
Another midwife called to a maid, “More hot water, and bring the scissors too.”
Suddenly, Shen Zhen clutched her stomach again and said, “It’s starting to hurt again…”
The midwife turned to Lu Yan. “It’s time, my lord. This place is unclean—you should wait outside.”
“How long will it take?” he asked softly.
The midwife gently ushered him out. “It depends. Some are done in two hours, others take all night.”
As the door shut, Lu Yan glanced back. She barely had any strength—how could she endure even two hours?
Outside Beiyuan, the old madam, the Princess and Shen Man were gathered.
Seeing how out of sorts Lu Yan looked, the Princess reassured him, “It’s alright. Every woman goes through this.”
Lu Yan sat down and nodded, but inwardly thought: Not everyone survives this.
Night fell. As torches were lit, Lu Yan closed his eyes, fidgeting with his thumb ring, anxiety rising.
An hour passed quickly. Tang Yue came to report, “The midwife says the lady saw blood before her water broke. It’s not ideal. She’ll need a labor-inducing decoction.”
Made from Euphorbia and Trichosanthes, the decoction was known for speeding up labor.
The Princess said, “Then give it to her quickly—don’t delay.”
Soon after, word came that her water had broken.
Another hour passed. Lu Yan’s face grew grim.
His chest hurt again.
The old lady noticed his pallor. “Lu Yan, you don’t look well.”
“I’m fine,” he said, massaging his brow.
The Princess frowned, recalling when Shen Man gave birth to Lu Yun. That night, Lu Ye had looked worried but still radiated excitement at becoming a father.
But her son? What was wrong with him?
The moon was high, and Lu Yan was growing weak.
At the seventh quarter of the Hai hour[mfn] (around 11:45 PM)[/mfn], news came—the baby was in the proper position and delivery would happen soon.
The Princess smiled. “Lu Yan, did you hear?”
But Lu Yan didn’t respond, his hand to his forehead.
The Princess Royal frowned, seeing sweat on his brow. He’s not the one giving birth—what’s with him?
Fortunately, Lu Yan did not hear the eldest princess’s true feelings. If he had heard it, he would have been very upset.
As the hour of midnight passed, Lu Yan suddenly began coughing, his hands trembling. He was dizzy now.
The old lady nudged the Princess. “What’s wrong with him? Have you seen him like this before?”
“Never,” she replied.
“So this is considered happiness? I see veins popping out on the back of his hands…”
The Princess turned, concerned. “Lu Yan! What are you thinking about?”
He gasped and weakly said, “Don’t touch me.”
Even his lips had turned pale.
Even Shen Man couldn’t make sense of it anymore. At first, she’d thought he was just worried about his wife—but now?
On the twenty-eight day of the first month, at the seventh quarter of the Zi hour[mfn] (around 12:45 AM)[/mfn], Lu Yan suddenly took a sharp breath.
Tang Yue rushed in joyfully. “Congratulations, old madam! Congratulations, Princess! Congratulations, Master—the lady has given birth. Mother and child are safe!”
The old lady beamed. “Safety is all that matters! Come, help me go see them!”
The Princess stood and said, “Let’s go.”
Lu Yan, leaning on the table, tried to stand—only to sway and collapse.
The Princess: “…”
The old lady: “…”
Shen Man: “…”
The delivery went smoothly, and Shen Zhen soon awoke. The Princess sat by her bed, patting her hand. “Awake?”
Shen Zhen coughed lightly. “Mother.”
“You’ve done well. Rest now.” She turned to the wet nurse. “Bring the baby.”
The nurse walked over, smiling. “This is the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.”
It was just a compliment but Shen Zhen still looked forward to it. Surely a child of theirs would be beautiful.
But when she looked… she truly learned what disappointment meant.
Wrinkled, red, squishy—this was beautiful?
The Princess laughed, eyes softening. “This baby looks just like Lu Yan when he was born. I still remember, even after all these years.”
At the mention of Lu Yan, Shen Zhen glanced toward the door.
Where was he?
The Princess’s warm smile froze. How was she going to tell her—
Your husband just fainted… and he hasn’t woken up yet.
