Chapter 1563: Chapter 1570: Going into Labor (5)
It is unknown to many that the same marriage, managed by different people, will yield entirely different results. If Nangong Yi had married someone else as Empress, he’d probably be no different from other emperors by now, with Three Palaces and Six Courtyards full of seventy-two concubines. However, he encountered Cai Wei, and only then did his worldview and philosophy on life experience such a dramatic shift, willingly dedicating his entire life to being good to one person only.
Amid the envy of the crowd, Cai Wei, supported by Xiao Zhi and Chun Liu, left Duke Li Guo’s Mansion and boarded Nangong Yi’s Dragon Carriage. As soon as she got on, Cai Wei couldn’t help but complain, "Why did you call me out so early? I haven’t even seen my father and Wen’er yet!"
Nangong Yi said, "Little ancestor, can you calm down? Hurry back with me. If you want to see your father and younger brother, I’ll summon them to the palace tomorrow. That’s no big deal. There are so many people in Duke Li Guo’s Mansion, what if one of them carelessly bumps into you? What would we do then?"
Cai Wei listened to Nangong Yi’s nagging and couldn’t help but laugh, saying, "Who would’ve thought that the cold, aloof young master of the Snow Mountain’s peak from back then would, in just one year’s time, turn into a rambling old granny? It’s truly hilarious!"
When Nangong Yi heard himself being likened to an old granny, his handsome face darkened, and he said, "How do I resemble an old granny? You’d better explain this to me!"
Cai Wei examined him for a moment and playfully said, "If your back were a little hunched, your face had a few more wrinkles, your hair turned a bit whiter, and you lost a couple of front teeth when you opened your mouth, haha..."
She couldn’t help but imagine Nangong Yi transformed into a rambling old granny, the amusing scene making her laugh uncontrollably. Who would have thought that her laughter would be so intense that she suddenly felt a pain below her abdomen, causing her laughter to abruptly stop.
Nangong Yi was clenching his teeth over her teasing portrayal, but soon realized something was amiss because her laughter had halted too conspicuously. He quickly asked, "What’s wrong? Is something the matter?"
Cai Wei didn’t respond immediately but carefully felt her condition. Another sharp pain followed, as though something was pressing downward. Sweat began to bead on her forehead as she said in panic, "Yi, I think I’m really about to give birth!"
Nangong Yi was startled, immediately yelling instructions outside, "Quick! Return to the palace immediately, the Empress is about to give birth!"
The coachman upon hearing this snapped his whip, and the Dragon Carriage sped forward. Nangong Yi held Cai Wei in his arms, his heart racing with tension. His voice trembled slightly, "How are you feeling? Is it very painful? Are you really about to give birth? Is it truly happening?"
At this moment, Cai Wei was still clear-headed, gritting her teeth as she nodded, gazing at her enormous belly. It was said that when a woman gives birth, she walks through the Ghost Gate, a brush with near-death. Now that the moment had arrived, she began to worry – what if something went wrong?
Medical conditions in ancient times were far inferior to those of modern times; cases of mother and baby dying together were all too common. She tightly grasped Nangong Yi’s hand, sweat appearing on her face and neck from her anxiety.
Looking at him with unease, she said, "Yi, if something unexpected happens later, you must save the child. I beg you..."
"Nonsense! You will be fine, both you and the baby will be safe!"
Nangong Yi, sweating profusely with tension, interrupted her before she could finish speaking. He was absolutely unwilling to let such a thing happen. He wanted her to be well, and he wanted their children to be well. Their family of five still had many happy days ahead to cherish.
"What if such a situation arises? Promise me, will you?" Cai Wei stared intensely at Nangong Yi as she spoke. These three little ones had been growing in her womb for nearly ten months; she had developed deep feelings for them and couldn’t bear to lose them.
She had posed a severe dilemma for Nangong Yi. He couldn’t agree to her demand but instead looked at her with slightly furrowed brows. Without answering her directly, he solemnly said, "We live together as a family, and if it comes to it, we die together as a family!"