By a twist of fate, the illegitimate son of the Marquis's family marries the county princess.

Chapter 260 Wei Shi Gives Birth to a Son

A few days after Pei Shirong's wedding, Wei went into labor.

Pei Rujing happened to be at the Princess's residence and witnessed Wei Shi clutching her stomach, sweating profusely from the pain.

The delivery room was prepared long ago, and the midwife and wet nurse were ready to go at any time.

Seeing that Madam Wei was going into labor, everyone quickly took her to the delivery room. The midwife immediately checked on Madam Wei's condition: "Prepare ginseng soup; the young mistress needs it all."

Pei Rujing looked at Wei Shi lying on the bed, her hair already soaked with sweat, and she did not make a sound.

Because she was about to give birth, the midwife told her to conserve her energy.

The eldest princess instructed, "Have the kitchen cook a bowl of porridge and send it over, so I won't be too weak later."

The eldest princess, having been through it all, knew that even when someone seemed close to giving birth, it could still be an hour or two away. She still needed to eat, otherwise things might go wrong when it came time to give birth.

Giving birth is like passing through the gates of hell; all sorts of situations must be considered, and there is no room for the slightest mistake.

A short while later, the kitchen brought in the porridge.

Wei actually had no appetite; she was experiencing intermittent cramps in her lower abdomen. However, in order to ensure a smooth delivery, she forced herself to finish the porridge. Even as she began to gag, she still forced herself to swallow it down.

Pei Rujing watched from the side, her heart trembling.

"Mother, have you sent someone to inform my eldest brother?"

The eldest princess nodded: "I've already sent someone."

Before Pei Shizhao returned, Lady Wei began to give birth.

"ah--"

Wei's shrill screams startled Pei Rujing, who turned pale. It was the first time she had ever seen Wei so ferocious. She could feel the force she was exerting even from the side.

The midwife was still calling out, "Young mistress, push harder, push harder—"

Isn't that enough force?

Pei Rujing was puzzled.

Noticing that her complexion was off, the princess took her hand and said, "If you are not feeling well, you can go outside and wait."

Pei Rujing shook her head: "I'm right here."

If she wants to have a child with Wen Zongji, she will inevitably have to go through this ordeal; avoiding it won't solve the problem.

The eldest princess understood this and didn't try to persuade her further.

Two hours!

Two whole hours!

Wei was exhausted several times, and was kept going only by ginseng soup, and continued when he had the strength.

It took Wei two whole hours to give birth to the child.

Seeing her child born safely, Ms. Wei smiled with relief, but before she could even offer a word of concern, she fainted.

The eldest princess immediately stepped forward: "Quickly, take a look at the young mistress."

The midwife, being experienced, reassured her, "Princess, don't worry, the young mistress has just fainted from exhaustion; she's perfectly fine."

The princess breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at the baby who was already wrapped in swaddling clothes.

The wet nurse smiled and congratulated, "Congratulations, Princess, it's a little prince!"

The princess's smile widened. She knew how long Pei Shizhao and his wife had longed for this eldest son. She waved her hand and said, "Let's send him out for Shizhao to see."

Pei Shizhao had arrived long ago, but he couldn't get into the delivery room and could only wait outside.

The wet nurse carried the child outside.

"Jing'er... Jing'er—"

The eldest princess was startled when she saw Pei Rujing's deathly pale face.

Pei Rujing's legs were already weak, and she was only supported by Qinghe: "Mother, childbirth is too scary."

She watched helplessly as Wei Shi endured the pain for two whole hours.

And so, the midwife said after the child was born that the birth went very smoothly.

Because the baby is in the correct position, there is no need to worry about correcting the position, and there is no risk of severe bleeding or dystocia.

But the pain of childbirth for Ms. Wei was real, and no one could take her place.

Pei Rujing turned to look at the eldest princess, swallowing hard. "Mother, can I not have children?"

She was pampered by the eldest princess since childhood, and the princess would be heartbroken if she bumped or hurt herself even slightly.

The greatest hardship she ever endured was being tricked into marrying Wen Zongji, but now she sees it as a destiny arranged by heaven.

But the scene of Ms. Wei giving birth today really frightened her.

The eldest princess sighed and pulled her out of the inner room: "Let's talk outside, so your sister-in-law can get some rest."

Upon entering the outer room, the two sat down. The eldest princess grasped Pei Rujing's hand: "Of course, I won't force you, but Zongji definitely needs to have offspring. If you don't want to have children, do you want someone else to bear them for him?"

"How is that possible!"

She couldn't even stand a maid glancing at Wen Zongji a little too much, let alone let someone else have a child for Wen Zongji, unless she died.

The eldest princess watched her quietly.

Pei Rujing slumped her shoulders: "I'm scared, it hurts too much."

The eldest princess pulled Pei Rujing into her arms, gently stroking her long hair, without saying anything more.

Pei Rujing was bound to go through this eventually, and no matter how much she said, it wouldn't change that.

Pei Rujing knew in her heart that she was just frightened for a moment and subconsciously wanted to seek comfort from the princess.

……

When Wen Zongji returned home after his shift, he learned that Lady Wei had given birth to a son.

Pei Rujing pulled Wen Zongji aside and told him everything she had seen in the delivery room that day: "My sister-in-law was in pain for two whole hours, and in the end she had no strength left."

Wen Zongji saw the fear in her eyes and took Pei Rujing's hand: "My lady, were you frightened?"

Pei Rujing's face stiffened, and she said stiffly, "No, I'm healthier than my sister-in-law. When I give birth, it will definitely be easier for me than for her."

Wen Zongji stroked Pei Rujing's hand: "We're not in a hurry."

Pei Rujing nodded.

"My older brother was very happy. Although his expression didn't change much, he stared at the child for a long time. When Mom asked him to hold the baby, he froze and didn't know what to do. It was really funny."

"My sister-in-law had a tough childbirth, but she's been taking good care of herself during this time. She even has an appetite when she wakes up. As long as she takes good care of herself during her postpartum period, she'll be fine."

"My second brother and sister-in-law also came. My second brother complained that my nephew was too ugly, saying it was a waste that my eldest brother and sister-in-law were so good-looking. My mother scolded him severely, saying that he was already married, but he still spoke without restraint."

"My second sister-in-law praised my nephew's nose for looking like my eldest brother's, and my mother said she thought so too... It's ridiculous. My nephew's face is red and wrinkled, and I don't know how they could tell that his nose looks like my eldest brother's."

Pei Rujing recounted to Wen Zongji what had happened at the Princess's residence that day, and Wen Zongji listened attentively.

"Perhaps my mother-in-law and second sister-in-law have better eyesight?"

Pei Rujing rolled her eyes: "I suspect they're talking nonsense."

Wen Zongji smiled: "Shall we go to the Princess's residence together tomorrow to see my little nephew?"

Pei Shizhao's eldest son was born, and a grand full-month celebration was definitely in order. However, since they were close, there was no need to wait until the full-month celebration to offer their congratulations.

Pei Rujing said, "Okay."

"By the way, did your mother-in-law say where the full moon celebration will be held?"

Pei Rujing said, "Mother didn't say, but it should be held at the Duke of Pei's residence."

Wen Zongji nodded without saying anything.

This child is the eldest grandson of the Duke of Pei's family, and his status is extraordinary. It is indeed appropriate to hold the ceremony at the Duke of Pei's mansion.

Although the eldest princess and Duke Pei were not on good terms, she never lost her sense of proportion on matters of principle.