The bell of Wan Fo Temple echoes sonorously, penetrating the tranquility of the rear mountain, yet it seems to be unable to soothe the fluctuations in Xuan Ji's heart.
In a mansion near Baichuan Academy in Lotus County.
The sunlight filters through the sparse clouds, casting a patchwork of light and shadows on Yun Yao's increasingly round belly, reflecting the radiance of motherhood.
Time quietly slips away, her belly grows like a balloon, and soon it's been eight months.
Just a few days away from the full ninth month.
She had always given birth to a dragon and phoenix baby about nine months ago.
Based on her past experience, she had invited two experienced midwives to stay at home several days ago. Both were highly experienced midwives in Lotus County.
The maternity ward and all the necessary items for childbirth, including those needed for the baby after birth, were all prepared well in advance.
"Madam, how do you feel today?"
Zhou Auntie approached with a bowl of warm chicken soup, quietly asking.
The lady treats her family very well, never treating them as servants, and also with great respect.
Living here, Zhou Auntie feels very secure, having made it her home and treating the lady as her daughter, taking care of her with great care.
Of course, Zhou Auntie is aware of her status and won't break the rules.
Yuyao smiled and took the bowl of chicken soup from Zhou Auntie's hand, sipping it gently. The warmth was not too hot to burn her mouth, just right in temperature. The rich and savory taste was not cloying, and it tasted extremely good, clearly indicating that it had been stewed for a considerable amount of time.
"I'm fine, Zhou Auntie, there's no need to worry too much. It seems that the two little guys in my belly are more active than usual."
Dou Dan, with wide-open eyes, curiously stared at her belly, gently stroking her hand as if she could feel the rhythm of life inside.
"Madam, can they really talk? I heard Grandpa say that twins are especially intelligent."
She laughed at Dou Dan's innocence and gently touched his head. "Yes, they can talk and even call you. But now they are still growing, and when the time comes, you will hear their clear calls."
Dou Dan tilted his head and looked bright-eyed, "Madam, when can they come out? I want to see them as soon as possible."
Then, with a face full of anticipation, he said, "Once they're out, can I play with them together? I'll give them my favorite little wooden horse to play with."
After saying that, he revealed a face full of innocent and bright smiles.
Children's smiles are the most innocent and pure. She seemed to be infected by Dou Dan's smile, "Soon, once they come out, you can play with them. They will definitely like your little brother."
After drinking the chicken soup, Yuyao felt a bit lazy.
The sky was already nearing dusk, and a beautiful sunset was spreading across the sky.
She didn't want to stay in the house all day, so she said: "Dou Dan, let's go for a walk in the yard."
Dou Dan obediently nodded, carefully supporting her to walk into the yard.
The yard in the evening was enveloped by gentle twilight, and the breeze gently swept through, bringing in wafts of floral fragrance.
She gently stroked her prominent belly, and involuntarily thought of the father of her child, Xuan Ji.
She knew that Xuan Ji's seclusion was for atonement and to forget the entanglement between him and her.
This man, he likely doesn't know that she is pregnant and that the child is about to be born.
What if he knew that he was going to be a father, what kind of expression would he have?
Will it be helpless, terrified, or full of surprise?
Or maybe he would clasp his hands together and mutter repeatedly: "Ahemyofo, shame, shame?"
Yuyao doesn't know.
She will not go to Wanfo Temple to tell Xuan Ji about the child on her own, for fear of adding psychological burden and affecting his practice.
Of course, if Xuan Ji were to descend the mountain at some point and inadvertently discover it, she would not hide it either.
Xuan Ji is a high-level monk in the Buddhist faith, whose roots have been deeply planted. He has always been committed to the practice of subduing demons and expelling evildoers for several generations, and it is almost impossible for him to renounce his vows.
Yuyao has never dreamed of it either and certainly does not want to force it.
Let it all be as it may.
When the children of both are born or grow up, she will tell them the truth about their father.
If they want to go to Wanfo Temple to identify the relatives or see their father, she will not interfere.
Standing in the yard, Yuyao gazed at the evening glow fading on the horizon, her thoughts as complex as the changing clouds.
Dou Dan watched quietly by her side, obediently without speaking.
He was young, but he could sense that his lady had something on her mind.
After a while, she snapped back to reality, gently patting Dou Dan's shoulder, "Let's go back inside."
The two of them returned to the house together.
Yuyao remembered the remaining chicken soup in the kitchen and said to Zhou Auntie, who was busy, "Zhou Auntie, you can have the leftover chicken soup from the kitchen. Don't waste it."
Zhou Auntie stopped what she was doing and looked at her, quickly waving her hand, "Madam, that's not allowed. This is specially prepared for you."
She shrugged indifferently, "It's okay, I don't want to drink it today."
She sat on the bed and read a few pages of a novel before seeing that it was already late outside. She then washed up and went to bed.
As the days passed by, Yuyao felt her belly starting to drop, and she realized that she was near her delivery.
"Zhou Auntie, has the bedding been fully exposed to the sun? And those mugwort plants, they need to be burned in the delivery room again."
This body may be a demon, but it is the first time giving birth, and yet she has plenty of experience in childbirth. She doesn't panic at all, and commands quite calmly.
"Madam, don't worry. Old servant has checked several times, everything is fine."
Zhou Auntie replied with a smile, holding a few pieces of baby undershirts. The fabric was soft and the stitching was very fine, all made by the lady herself. Now that the sun was shining well, it was just right to take them out to dry.
Yuyao nodded slightly, feeling a bit more at ease in her heart.
She gently patted her belly, feeling the movements of the two little ones, as if she were communicating with them silently.
The days grew increasingly urgent, and the atmosphere in the mansion became more and more solemn.
The midwives were on standby at all times, and Dou Dan obediently watched by her side, making no loud noise.
Now she seldom sat still. Whenever she had a chance, she would hold her belly and walk around the yard, so that the delivery would go more smoothly.
As the night deepened, the moonlight was like water, gently casting its glow on the windowsills of the house.
Yuyao lying on the bed, sideways, closed her eyes to sleep. She heard a faint sound in the middle of the night, as if something had broken.
Following that, the bottom bedding became wet in large areas.
Realizing that the amniotic fluid had broken, she didn't panic and shouted out loud to the outside, "Zhou Auntie, I think I'm going to give birth."
Zhou Auntie lived next door, so she could hear if the sound was slightly bigger.
She was afraid that she would suddenly give birth in the middle of the night, and it would be too late.
Hearing the sound from the next room, Zhou Auntie was startled.
In a hurry, she got up, put on her clothes, and opened the door to run out. While running, she shouted, "Midwife, midwife, come quickly! The lady is giving birth!"
The two midwives, upon hearing that the child was on the way, scrambled out of their warm blankets and rushed over to Yuyao's side.
"Madam, don't be afraid, the old woman is here," one of the midwives said while checking her condition.
Immediately, she ordered Zhou Elder and Zhou Auntie to prepare hot water and clean cloths.
The two midwives carefully examined her fetal position. Seeing that the child's position was quite right, they felt relieved.
Yuyao, seeing that the time was about right, secretly took a painless delivery pill.
As the pill was taken, she could feel that the pain was greatly reduced.
The two midwives guided her from the side and shouted loudly, "Madam, push hard..."
Outside the delivery room.
Zhou Elder and Zhou Auntie were pacing outside the delivery room in worry and anxiety.
Dou Dan was crouched on the threshold, his eyes glued to the door of the delivery room. His little eyes were filled with fear.
"Grandma, do you think Madam will be fine?"
Dou Dan's voice shook slightly, though he may be young, he knows that childbirth is very dangerous for a woman.
There were often cases of women giving birth to younger siblings in the village.
"Buddha bless, as a good person as Madam is, she and the child will surely be safe and sound."
Zhou Auntie closed her hands together in prayer and muttered something, her expression full of worry.
Inside the delivery room.
A crisp cry pierced the night sky as the first child was born quickly.
The midwife joyfully picked up the baby, cut the umbilical cord, cleaned it with warm water, and wrapped it in a blanket.
She smilingly told Yuyao, "Madam, it's a healthy boy!"
She weakly smiled, and then, with a sharp pain in her belly, another cry echoed, and the second child was also born smoothly.
It's a girl, with delicate facial features.
Both midwives were overjoyed.
One of the midwives held up the baby to show her, surprised and delighted, "Madam, it's a pair of healthy dragon and phoenix twins. They are both very beautiful; what a good fortune."
However, in her heart, she was thinking, although the children looked good and healthy, they had no father at birth and would depend on their mother alone to raise them. She couldn't predict what their future would be like.
Fortunately, the family was wealthy and prosperous, at least they wouldn't worry about eating and wearing.
