Qin's elderly lady gestured towards Xie Shi and said, "From the second branch, you take Pan Aunt and the others to settle the children first. Wang Shi and Mei Niang will attend to matters in the delivery room. Once everything is settled, come over to assist."
"Yes, Mother."
Qin Liuxi instructed Chen Pi to lead the people for arrangements while she and Qihuang moved Gu Shi to the prepared delivery room. At this moment, she felt a slight headache coming on.
Normally preferring tranquility and avoiding outings, she hadn't assigned many servants to the old mansion. Besides Qihuang and her sibling, there was only the Li family consisting of four people. Li Shu's wife, Li Shu, and a young lad named Li Cheng, managed household affairs and served as gatekeepers, doing a bit of everything.
With few masters in the old mansion and Qin Liuxi's dislike for commotion, this small group was usually sufficient. However, with the sudden increase in people, it felt a bit overwhelming.
Frazzled, Qin Liuxi placed Gu Shi on the makeshift bed and glanced at her, feeling a faint chill in her heart.
In just a short while, the dark aura on her third aunt's face had intensified, indicating a critical moment.
She glanced at her swollen belly and absentmindedly reached out to touch it, discovering it was twins.
Adding insult to injury.
Qin Liuxi removed the jade pendant hanging from her waist and fastened it to Gu Shi's collar. She glanced at Qihuang, who had returned, but said nothing as the latter left once more.
Upon witnessing this gesture, Qin's elderly lady and the others were momentarily stunned, looking to Qin Liuxi for an explanation.
Qin Liuxi remained composed and explained, "This is a blessed jade charm, blessed for safety in childbirth."
Qin's elderly lady's expression softened slightly, her eyes holding a glimmer of hope.
The first woman to hold Gu Shi, Qin Liuxi's stepmother, Wang Shi, spoke, "Xi'er is thoughtful. Your third aunt will surely have a safe delivery."
Though the words were reassuring, the sight of the weak woman in bed and recent upheavals in the family deepened the worry in Wang Shi and the others' eyes.
As Qihuang returned to the guest room carrying a small box, she noticed the anxious expressions on everyone's faces. She couldn't help but tiptoe over to Qin Liuxi's side, standing quietly.
Though Qihuang didn't particularly favor the Qin family members, the sudden and desolate arrival of Qin's family, coupled with the obvious premature birth of the young woman before them, quelled any animosity she might have harbored.
"The midwife hasn't arrived yet?" Qin's elderly lady grew anxious, glancing repeatedly towards the door.
Qin Liuxi's voice was cool as she replied, "With the rain outside making the roads treacherous and the suddenness of the request, it's uncertain if she's even at home. It may take some time."
Qin's elderly lady pursed her lips tighter.
Just then, several people entered from outside, Qin's second lady Xie Shi and two maids. Among them was Qin Liuxi's birth mother, Wan Shi.
As they entered, Wan Shi's gaze immediately fell on Qin Liuxi.
Qin Liuxi also looked over, meeting her birth mother's eyes.
Wan Shi scrutinized her daughter, her brow furrowing slightly, her expression carrying some dissatisfaction and perplexity.
This daughter had been a chubby little thing at birth. How had she grown into such a lean and plain appearance? Were it not for her long hair, she'd resemble a nun.
Qin Liuxi sighed inwardly. Her birth mother, at over thirty years old and having birthed two children, still retained a delicate fairness. Even without makeup, she radiated a youthful charm akin to that of an eighteen-year-old maiden—pure and enticing.
Glancing at her mother's unadorned elegance, Qin Liuxi couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy. After all, her mother had lived comfortably in the Qin household, receiving favoritism as one of the cherished ones.
Qin Liuxi inclined her head slightly in a curtsey. "Mother."
Wan Shi pursed her lips. "You're a bit ugly, not like me or your brother."