"Husband, please refrain from entering..."
Ren An had just reached the entrance when he heard Song Huaying's plea echoing from within, her voice tinged with frailty.
Perplexed, he inquired, "Ying'er, what's the matter?"
"Husband, when a woman gives birth, she undergoes a transformation that may not be aesthetically pleasing. I don't wish for you to witness..."
"Fear not, Ying'er. Regardless of your appearance, in my eyes, you remain as beautiful as ever."
"Husband, I implore you to grant me this one indulgence..."
Song Huaying's voice was filled with desperation.
Throughout their marriage, she had always presented herself as a refined and elegant lady in front of her husband.
Even during intimate moments, she maintained her poise and grace without any hint of ambiguity.
She simply couldn't bear the thought of her husband witnessing her unattractive state during childbirth, for fear of tarnishing her flawless image in his mind.
Seeing his wife's unwavering resolve, Ren An could only surrender, saying helplessly, "Very well, I will abide by your wishes, Ying'er.
If I don't enter, I will wait outside the door with you."
"Thank you, husband..."
Song Huaying's voice overflowed with gratitude from within the room.
Soon, a melodic voice filled the air, carrying the essence of youth.
"Oh, Ying'er."
"Let's get started."
"One."
"Two."
"Three."
"Push!"
"Ouch! It hurts—"
Under Ava Zen 's guidance, Song Huaying exerted herself tirelessly to bring forth her child.
Being a first-time mother, the delivery process wasn't exactly smooth.
Bringing a child into the world is always a challenge.
Throughout the ordeal, Song Huaying cried out in pain multiple times, causing Ren An to feel anxious and hesitant outside the room.
"Su, please come in and assist me!"
Ava Zen 's intelligent voice echoed from within the room once again.
Su Chen responded, promptly opening the door and entering.
Ren An wanted to follow suit and check on the situation, but ultimately decided to keep the promise he had just made to his wife.
"One."
"Two."
"Three."
"Push!"
"Wen... Sister Wen, it hurts so much!"
"Ouch! It hurts—"
The sounds of pain intermittently filled the room.
Ren An leaned against the door, his heart heavy with worry.
He was deeply concerned about his wife's well-being.
In this world where cesarean sections didn't exist, it was unfortunately common for ordinary women to lose their lives during childbirth.
A single hour elapsed before the sound of a weeping infant resonated through the room.
The cries were vibrant and alive, filling the air with their crispness.
Ren An, upon hearing the baby's lament, could no longer contain his anticipation.
With haste, he pushed open the door, eager to catch a glimpse of his newborn child.
As he entered, he noticed a tinge of sadness in Song Huaying's expression, who then spoke: "Husband, our union has proven fruitless, as I have failed to bear a son for you."
Concerned, Ren An rushed to Ava Zen 's side and examined the baby in her arms using his spiritual senses.
The child, a healthy baby girl, displayed no abnormalities.
Furthermore, she possessed spiritual roots, albeit of a miscellaneous nature.
Though lacking potential, these roots were far superior to a mere mortal body.
Confused, Ren An turned to Song Huaying, who lay on the bed with a pale countenance, and inquired about the situation.
In a feeble voice, Song Huaying apologized to her husband: "I am sorry, husband, for my inadequacy. Once I have recovered, I promise to give birth to a son next year, to carry on our family lineage."
Ren An had a deep understanding of his family's expectations.
His wife, was upset because she couldn't give birth to a son, and felt the need to apologize to him.
It seemed that the world of cultivating immortals mirrored the ancient times, particularly in its adherence to patriarchal values, which were prominently displayed in the secular world.
Lost in thought, Ren An gently cradled the newborn daughter that Ava Zen handed to him.
He then approached the bedside where Song Huaying lay, took a seat beside her, and gazed at her with pure joy before speaking.
"Our daughter is beautiful. As a husband, I find great happiness in having daughters. One is not enough; it would be wonderful to have even more daughters."
Touched to her core, Song Huaying's heart nearly melted.
When she first discovered that she was carrying a daughter, she had worried that her husband would reject her.
However, she soon realized that his love for her transcended gender.
It didn't matter whether their child was a boy or a girl. To have a husband who loved her unconditionally was a blessing she believed she had earned over countless lifetimes.