Not Your Typical Villianess

The Dukes mansion

Throughout the carriage ride from the palace to the Duke's mansion, Su Liya could barely seat still. Her foot shook quickly loud enough to draw attention to her. Lu Yaozhu glanced at her foot and grabbed her hand silently, he tightened and loosened his hold on her hands to calm her but that only lasted the few seconds it took her to glance at him seated next to her on the cushioned seat. 

He smiled softly and squeezed her hands gently, "the imperial physician has been invited, there won't be any mistakes".

She signed and nodded "okay, you are right. I should try to have hope I guess but I keep getting worried especially since the child came early. The mortality rate of women and children during childbirth is higher at premature birth and given the present development health practices of this time... No Fengyin won't face any difficulties".

Lu Yaozhu held her chin up, "don't worry my love, mother and Yingjie already arranged for sister-in-law to receive the best care possible. She is in safe hands".

She glanced at his calm expression and smiled, nodding silently she leaned back on the back of the seat. Lu Yaozhu leaned closer, gave her a peck on the cheek, and sat straight. Minutes later the carriage arrived at the mansion gate, Su Liya rushed out of the carriage as the moving half step was set. She jumped down from the carriage and rushed to Zhu Fengyin's courtyard, turning a deaf ear to the greetings from Duke Wu mansion servants she met as she rushed in. Su Liya stepped aside for two maids who hurried out the door carrying a full basin of bloodied water at the entrance of the courtyard.

Everyone ran around to ensure that the labor went safely, She ran up the stairs leading to the balcony, pushed the door open, walked in, and shut the door behind her. She ignored the greeting from the maids and ran towards the bedroom, Madam Lu sat straight and glanced backward at the bedroom door as she heard the hurried footstep.

"Liya", her brows furrowed as her gaze fell on Su Liya's sweaty face. "You should be careful, why run. Fengyin just went into labor a short time ago, it will take some time before the baby is out", she said to the maid standing by the wall, "get a seat for the Princess consort".

Seconds later a comfortable cushioned seat was placed next to Madam Lu's seat. A maid reported to madam Lu that Lu Yaozhu was standing in front of the Pavillion. Madam Lu stood and walked outside to meet Lu Yaozhu while Su Liya stood guard outside the bedroom door. Lu Yaozhu didn't waste any time, he reported the result of his arrangements to his mother. They conversed for some minutes before he left and Madam Lu went inside the room.

Hours later, the sound of a loud cry was heard from the bedroom, Su Liya and madam Lu stood and looked at the bedroom door expectantly. Minutes later, the door was posted open and the midwife walked out with a baby swaddled in blankets. "Congratulations Madam, it is a boy", she carefully handed the baby to Madam Lu.

Su Liya moved closer to her mother-in-law who gazed lovingly at the baby in her hands. Su Liya's heart sorted at the sight of the baby's wrinkled Little face. The baby was just born at didn't open his eyes fully, "he is so beautiful, congratulations mother".

Madam Lu smiled at her and brought the child closer to Su Liya, "he looks quite healthy, one could hardly tell he was for weeks earlier. Do you want to carry him?"

"No no, not yet. He looks so delicate, I don't want to hurt him" she touched his cheeks softly, "I will go check on Fengyin".

"Okay, Fengyin did well. You go first, you must have a lot to catch up on. Giving birth is very stressful, she should rest, I will visit her after her nap" Madam Lu said holding the baby close to her chest.

Su Liya glanced at the baby, "but the baby.... Won't it be hungry".

"Don't worry, I will take care of him. It takes a while for the mother's breastmilk to flow, Yaozhu already called in the wet nurses, I will get him fed and asleep while Fengyin sleeps".

"Alright but if you need any help let me know"

"I will... Oh and Liya. Thank her for me"

"Yes, mother".

Su Liya opened the room door a little and walked in, the maids already cleaned Zhu Fengyin up and dressed her in a loose gown. The bed was cleaned up and set so Zhu Fengyin was helped gently up the bed. They went about cleaning the room and setting up a heater close to the bed as Su Liya walked in. Zhu Fengyin lay by her side while covered in layers of blankers, she was too tired and could barely raise her legs without missing in pain. She smiled as Su Liya walked closer, flexing her fingers gently.

The maids quickly packed up and left, closing the door behind them as they left. The midwife before leaving had given them strict instructions to let the young madam rest.

Su Liya rushed to the side of the bed and sat at the edge of the bed, she grabbed Zhu Fengyin's hands and squeezed gently. "I just saw your son Yin'er, you did well. He is beautiful, he looks a little like you but most of his features are similar to his father's".

"Thank you", she whispered, smiling softly. She glanced at Su Liya's ceremonial silver threaded Phoenix gown, "you did not get changed, I hope I didn't interrupt?"

"You didn't, we were already done with the dinner when we were called over. Even if you interrupted, I don't mind. You are family, no one else matters when it comes to family."

"Even the Emperor?"

She scoffed, "especially the Emperor, who cares about that paranoid old man. I was begging for someone to save me from that horrid dinner, you are lucky you weren't invited or you might go into labor earlier due to anger".

"That bad?"

"You have no idea, it must have been painful".

"Yes but that doesn't matter because the pain was worth it, Yingjie would be beyond the moon. Although I don't know how he will feel when he finds out it wasn't a daughter. He kept calling the baby Yin Yin, so silly".

Su Liya chuckled, " Yin Yin? Really? He better not let mother hear that, she was so happy that the Ku family now has an heir".

"I am glad that she is happy", she yawned.

"You must be exhausted, I will let you rest".