Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 454 Envy_1

Chapter 454: Chapter 454 Envy_1

Outside the door, Zhou Shuren’s mood grew progressively heavier with the passage of time. None of the children dared to stand before him, taking a step back every so often. When Zhou Shuren heard Zhulan cry out for the first time, he wanted to rush in but managed to restrain himself, fearing he would disturb the midwife.

Now that he finally heard the cry of the child, his palms were sweaty with anticipation. Seeing the midwife emerge without as much as a glance at the child, he lifted his foot to enter the birthing room.

The midwife stopped him, "Master, the midwife is tidying up after the mistress. Opening the door now would let in drafts. It won’t be too late to enter in a little while."

Zhou Shuren retracted his hand and finally took notice of the child. This child was quite obedient; at least it did not make him wait too long.

Zhou Shuren turned his attention away from the infant and questioned, "Is my wife all right?"

The midwife replied, "I have checked. The mistress’s body has no issues, but she is exhausted and has fallen asleep."

A smile finally appeared on Zhou Shuren’s face. During Zhulan’s time in the birthing room, he imagined all sorts of possibilities, ones he did not wish to consider, yet his mind couldn’t help but conjure up various fears.

Seeing the master’s gaze return to the child, the midwife carried the infant over, "It’s a little master, almost six jin in weight."

Zhou Shuren beamed with joy. A son was a fine thing, especially in ancient times where they could be more independent. He reached out to hold the baby, not telling Zhulan that he had secretly practiced holding a child, even though it was just a pillow.

Zhou Shuren was initially a bit stiff but quickly became more natural under the midwife’s guidance.

Looking down at the little one, Zhou Shuren thought the child’s appearance promising, a combination of his and Zhulan’s best features; it was a shame it still depended on the original progeny’s genes.

Zhou Shuren’s gaze softened; the little fellow clearly looked obedient, even in discomfort, merely furrowing his brows, "He’s sleeping so soundly."

The eldest Zhou brother was exceedingly jealous. He did not know if his father had held him at his birth or his younger brother, but since he had memories, he knew their father had never held the third brother, let alone the fourth, not even their sister.

Now, not only was their father holding the youngest, but his smile was also something unseen before. For the first time, he realized just how tenderly his father could smile, as though his heart and eyes were filled with nothing but the youngest sibling.

The second eldest Zhou brother pursed his lips; from his father’s attitude since his mother’s pregnancy, he knew his father had greatly anticipated this child. Seeing it with his own eyes was a punch to the heart. Given how much his parents adored the younger brother, he suspected the family’s property would probably all go to him in the future.

The second Zhou brother contemplated his own resources, deciding it was time to invest in some shops.

Chang Lian was truly envious of his younger brother, receiving their father’s affection right from birth. He then envied his father’s experience of fatherhood anew. Though his own age was advancing, his marriage had come early, but not the consummation. Many of his contemporaries were already fathers; he, too, yearned to be one.

Chang Lian couldn’t help but think that, should he become a father, he would not treat his sons as their father had treated them, allowing no child to feel as though they had a stepfather.

Chang Zhi, being absent, would not have cared even if he had been present; a little brother was of less interest to him than a book.

Xue Han was pleased; her mother was fine, and she now had a little brother. She was no longer the youngest, "Father, I will definitely help Mother take good care of my brother."

Zhou Shuren looked at his little daughter and said with a smile, "Good."

Lady Li felt indifferent about the birth of the younger brother. She was simply delighted that her mother-in-law was safe and well.

Lady Dong couldn’t resist taking a second look at the little brother, such a well-behaved child. It was rare for a woman of the mother-in-law’s age to give birth so smoothly. Lady Dong’s face flushed, partly envious that her own chamber lacked children.

Soon the midwife came out, and Zhou Shuren said to Xue Han, "I leave it to you."

With that, he entered the room, cradling the child.

Xue Han handed the prepared red envelop to the midwife and instructed Steward Ding to inform the servants that, in celebration of this great joyous event, they would receive three months’ worth of reward money—all arrangements made in consultation with her mother.

Zhou Shuren settled the child and grasped Zhulan’s hand. Inhaling the bloody scent in the room, his grip tightened. It was hard to tell how long it would take for today’s blood loss to be replenished, "I’ll wait for you to wake."

Zhulan had a beautiful dream. In it, she witnessed her child grow from being able to roll over to becoming an adult, about to see her son’s marriage when she was awakened by the sound of the child’s crying.

Zhulan awakened; it had been more than three hours since childbirth. Her throat hurt from shouting too loudly during labor, but after drinking the water Zhou Shuren offered, the pain subsided somewhat. Then Zhulan inquired, "Where is the child?"

The midwife carried the baby over. Zhou Shuren took hold of the child, "Here, a boy, nearly six jin in weight."

Zhulan, having become a mother for the first time, forgot all labor pains at the sight of her child. Her eyes widened in awe. She marveled at how miraculous life was and gently touched the baby’s face with a silly, joyous smile, "Son, I am your mother."

She had truly become a mother.

Zhou Shuren cheerfully joined in, "Son, I am your father."

Zhulan couldn’t help laughing, "Look at how silly you are."

Zhou Shuren retorted, "You’re not much better yourself."

Zhou Shuren was genuinely thrilled. Orphaned, with no relatives other than Zhulan, this child became his only concern. His heart swelled with emotion, as if he wanted to shout out his passionate feelings.

Zhou Shuren held Zhulan’s hand, and together they gently placed their hands on the child. Zhou Shuren chuckled again; they were a family of three now.

Zhulan’s eyes also curved in a smile, only for her stomach to emit a growling hunger, "I’m hungry."

The midwife was ready, and after Zhulan had some noodles, she felt much better. Having eaten, she estimated the time, "It’s so late now, you don’t need to stay with us anymore. Go and rest."

Zhulan had specially prepared the birthing room to serve also as a place for postpartum recovery, so it meant she could not share it with Zhou Shuren for a while.

Yet Zhou Shuren didn’t want to leave, "I’ll stay with you and the baby."

Zhulan, "...."

No, she really didn’t want that. Truly, she feared that in a few days, she would reek, and even though Zhou Shuren wouldn’t find her repulsive, she dreaded her own scent.

Zhou Shuren gave Zhulan no chance to argue, making his way onto the bed and signaling to the midwife to take the child out.

Watching Zhou Shuren feign sleep with narrowed eyes, Zhulan was speechless. She lacked the energy to argue with him after filling her belly and felt her eyelids growing heavy. Zhulan was very confident in leaving her child with the midwife, who could take good care of even a little servant girl, let alone a healthy baby.