Chapter 438: Chapter 438

No matter what schemes those people in the palace might have, with a formidable mother-in-law in front, swiftly sweeping away all obstacles, and a delicate husband behind, constantly providing emotional support, all the outside commotion couldn't affect An Ning's pregnancy life in the slightest.

However, unlike the difficulties of the first few months, after six months, this child visibly and palpably grew stronger.

Although it still wasn't very fond of moving, whenever Xie Huai or An Ning herself reached out to touch, the little one's kicks were anything but gentle, and the force even seemed to be increasing.

Appreciating flowers, listening to music, painting, sketching... occasionally strolling around the manor. Just as the couple's little life had finally settled into a routine, time quickly arrived at August, the beginning of the month, when the sunlight was at its warmest, yet not as scorching hot as midsummer.

In the small courtyard, beneath the osmanthus tree several people tall, the sandalwood long chair carved with crabapple flower branches was already layered with several soft woolen blankets. Carefully helping his wife sit down, Xie Huai then cautiously took a seat beside her.

Soon, a maid brought freshly warmed milk tea.

When Zhou Yun arrived, this was the scene she witnessed. Her gaze swept over her younger sister's face, and the Eldest Young Lady Zhou finally let out a deep sigh of relief, immediately speaking with a smile:

"Fifth Sister's complexion has finally improved a bit. I imagine this child will be obedient and sensible, considerate of its mother."

Truly good. Thinking back to that earlier scene, not only Xie Huai was startled all day, even the two sisters who came to visit were shocked.

Hearing the implication in her words, An Ning couldn't help but smile. Actually, other aspects were fine, but... the possibility of this child being obedient and sensible truly wasn't very high.

Casually accepting the shelled nuts Xie Huai had just peeled for her, An Ning then remembered something and instinctively glanced behind her:

"By the way, Eldest Sister, why did you bring A-Yue today?"

A-Yue, the eldest daughter born to the Eldest Young Lady Zhou half a year ago. At that time, An Ning was feeling unwell and could only regretfully miss the little one's full-month celebration.

Because of this, as the aunt, she hadn't spared any effort recently in enriching the little one's small treasury.

Thinking of her lively and adorable precious daughter, the Eldest Young Lady Zhou also couldn't help but smile:

"It's all because of this child. Who knows who she takes after, but she's just too active. How could I dare bring her here?"

No choice. Even though she can't even roll over smoothly yet, the little one, as soon as she arrives, clamors to throw herself at Fifth Sister.

Other times it might be fine, but under these special circumstances, how could I dare allow that? It always scares Zhou Yun into a cold sweat.

"Look at what Eldest Sister is saying, your younger sister isn't made of crystal!"

Even as she said this, she didn't insist on having the little one come over, after all, her current persona was truly the delicate type.

"By the way, I almost forgot to tell Fifth Sister some good news. Originally, Third Sister was supposed to come with me today, but unfortunately, just now, she was discovered to be pregnant, which delayed things a bit."

"Really! That's truly wonderful."

Hearing this, An Ning was also pleasantly surprised. According to the timeline, Zhou Zhi got married much earlier than An Ning, yet there had been no news until now.

Not to mention the subtle inquiries from the Chen family's hometown.

Third Miss Zhou had always been an impatient person. Biting into the milk cake handed to her lips, An Ning thought to herself, if she still didn't conceive, Third Sister would probably be heading to the temple to pray by now.

"By the way, how is Third Sister's health now?"

"Fifth Sister, rest assured, she's full of energy right now!" If not for her own genuine concern, she would have come herself.

Subtly glancing at the brother-in-law beside them who absolutely refused to leave, as if fearing something would happen the moment he looked away, the Eldest Young Lady Zhou found it amusing but tactfully didn't linger. The two sisters chatted a while longer before Zhou Yun took her leave.

Later, Third Sister, who felt she had safely passed the dangerous period and whose pregnancy signs were quite good, also specially came for a visit. Only after personally seeing that An Ning was truly fine now did she completely relax.

Time passed slowly. Amidst the increasingly tense atmosphere at the Grand Princess's Residence, the day of An Ning's delivery soon arrived.

Early in the first lunar month, these days were particularly cold.

Inside the delivery room, An Ning's expression remained relatively calm. She even had the presence of mind to have someone prepare a bowl of small wontons to eat after giving birth. However, outside, with no sound coming from within for a long time, Xie Huai's face was as pale as paper.

His already considerably thinner figure from recent times seemed even more precarious, appearing exceedingly frail and delicate.

With a disdainful glance at her unlucky son beside her, followed by her attendants, the Grand Princess stepped forward, about to say something, when a loud infant's cry suddenly rang out from inside the delivery room.

Grand Princess: "......"