Since she had passed May, she had moved back to the small building, because you canāt give birth at your parental home. The midwife had also been found early and was now staying in the small building, recommended by Muās Clinic. They said it was arranged by Mu Shaoling before he left, which filled her with gratitude.
The midwife said twins are usually born early and seldom reach full term, giving birth at seven and a half to eight months is quite common.
Now she was already over seven months along, and it would be eight months in just a few days; she estimated the time was near.
Yet, the closer the due date approached, the more oppressed she felt. She was certain she had prenatal depression, but found it very hard to adjust.
"I donāt know when Brother An will be back, and itās already May," she mumbled every day, wondering when Ye Ziāan would return. "That bastard, wait until he comes back and see if I donāt take care of him."
Ms. Wang couldnāt help but laugh and cry at her words, "Didnāt you calculate yesterday that the examination results wouldnāt be out until April and that he still had to wait for a posting? How could he return so soon?"
"Did I say that yesterday?" Yang Chuxia asked in confusion. How could she not remember?
"Wasnāt it you who said it?" Ms. Wang shook her head.
"Mom, why havenāt I given birth yet?" Yang Chuxia began to feel anxious again. "Here in Funan, the heat starts early. If I donāt give birth this month, by next month Iāll have to be confined in July. It will be so hot, not being able to bathe or wash my hair, Iāll end up smelling bad."
"Whatās the rush?" Ms. Wang replied irritably. "Is giving birth something to be rushed? When itās time, youāll naturally give birth."
Seeing that she was sweating after walking for a while, she quickly made her rest. Then she brought out the small clothes, "These were made by Little Fourth Aunt for the child. I think the stitches are quite good."
"She made these?" Yang Chuxia took them in surprise, examining them. The clothing was made of fine cotton with tiny, neat stitches, and there were two lively bunnies embroidered on it. "Honestly, Little Fourth Auntās handiwork is really good."
"Of course it is. I hear sheās teaching Dongxue needlework these days, managing to infuriate your fourth aunt. Despite that, your fourth uncle insists on Dongxue learning from her." Ms. Wang continued, "Sheās only been here a month, and your fourth uncleās home is already changed inside and out. I think your fourth aunt is not going to have an easy time in the future."
"Mom, donāt underestimate her. Sheās very cunning, and even though her tricks arenāt always effective, every now and then she causes trouble enough to give Ms. Hong a headache. The fourth branch of the family will surely have its share of excitement in the future," Yang Chuxia scoffed and added, "I actually hope Ms. Hong comes up with something to keep her under control, so we have fewer troubles later on."
Ms. Wang sighed, "After all, it depends on your fourth uncle. Currently, heās not siding with your fourth aunt, so no matter how much she schemes, itās useless."
~~~~
Perhaps it was a motherās intuition or the child also wanting to see the world soon; during the day, Yang Chuxia felt nothing amiss, but come evening, her stomach started to ache periodically.
"Mingcui, my stomach hurts, go quickly and call the midwife!"
Mingcui and Ming Liu were always sleeping in the outer room, just in case she needed water or something to eat at night.
When Mingcui heard her speak, she threw on her clothes and hurried outside, running and shouting. In no time, everyone in the house was awakened by the commotion, including the midwife and the medicine woman, who both got up and came over.
Upon seeing the midwife, Yang Chuxia hastily inquired, "Grandma Lin, my stomach hurts, am I about to give birth?"
Grandma Lin quickly came forward to check and then said, "Madam, you are indeed about to give birth, but itās still early; the cervix hasnāt opened yet. Madam, youāll need to endure the pain and save your strength."