Ch 118: Reborn to Raise My Husband

In the second month, when spring thunder stirs the earth—
it was the day of Jingzhe.

That morning, after many days of cold rain, the sky suddenly cleared.

Xiao Yuanbao rose early, pleased by the sunshine, and ate a full bowl of porridge with an easy appetite.

Not long after, though, he felt something amiss. A sudden heaviness pressed low in his belly.

Startled, he grabbed Qi Beinan’s hand, his delicate brows tightening together.

“I think—it’s today. My belly hurts.”

“What?”

Qi Beinan froze for half a heartbeat, then moved at once, sweeping Xiao Yuanbao up into his arms and carrying him straight to the birthing room.

As he walked, he kept his voice steady. “Don’t be afraid. Everything’s prepared. Just breathe and keep calm. The physicians all said your health is strong—you’ll deliver safely.”

Sweat soon beaded on Xiao Yuanbao’s brow. It was his first childbirth; no matter how much he had prepared, fear still rose when the moment came. The pain made his heart race faster.

Sensing something wrong, Xiao Hu immediately sent servants running to fetch Bai Qiaogui.

Qin Jiang dashed out like the wind, while Jiang Fulang arranged for the midwife and attendants to prepare inside, urging the kitchen to boil water without delay.

The midwife, who had been staying in the household since the New Year, hurried in with the birthing assistant.

They had gone through such alarm once before—when false pains came and passed—but this time, the tension was real. The household dared not relax; every heart was caught in the throat.

“Sir, your husband truly is in labor now. You shouldn’t remain inside—please, step out.”

The birthing attendant, seasoned from long experience, checked Xiao Yuanbao and knew the time had come.

But turning back, she found Qi Beinan still gripping Xiao Yuanbao’s hand beside the bed, unwilling to let go, and had to urge him again to leave.

Qi Beinan could hardly bear it. Just that morning, Yuanbao had been smiling, full of life—and now he lay sweating, body twisting in pain.

He knew it must hurt terribly. His own heart felt pierced with needles. Still, he refused to loosen his grasp.

“I’ll be all right,” Yuanbao said between breaths. “Go on. I promise—I’ll give you a beautiful, healthy child.”

He himself was trembling, but seeing how pale and stricken Qi Beinan looked, he found the strength to soothe him instead.

“Go out, quickly. If you stay here, I can’t concentrate.”

“Then I’ll wait right outside the door—just there. If anything happens, call me at once.” Qi Beinan’s voice broke. “Xiaobao, all I want is for you to be safe.”

He repeated the words several times, before finally, urged by the midwife, he forced himself to back out—looking over his shoulder again and again.

Jiang Fulang stayed close, able to go in and out to check.

Qi Beinan and Xiao Hu, however, could only wait. One stood by the door, the other paced the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back.

When cries of pain came from within, both men flinched as if burned.

Bai Qiaogui arrived panting, just as the servants were carrying in hot water.

“Please—go see him!”

The moment Qi Beinan saw her, he rushed forward, desperate. “He sounds in such pain—what if something’s wrong?”

Bai Qiaogui glanced at his furrowed brow, so tight it could crush a fly. Even in the chill of February, sweat shone on his temples.

The man usually so composed now looked utterly undone. She remembered his mother had died giving birth, and so chose her words carefully, avoiding anything that might worsen his dread. Translated on Hololo novels.

“Lord Qi, don’t worry. Bao-ge’er will deliver safely. Every birth brings pain—it’s natural. I’ll watch over him myself.”

Qi Beinan nodded quickly.

Time blurred after that. Bowls of clear water went in, and red-stained ones came out.

No one knew how long the hours dragged; by the time the sun began to set, the courtyard had gathered five or six anxious onlookers.

Ming Guanxin, newly arrived in the capital, came soon after Bai Qiaogui, followed by Gu Yanshu.

Morning turned to afternoon. None outside had the heart to eat—only cup after cup of tea, cooling in their hands as they waited.

At last, as dusk fell, a clear infant’s cry rang from within the room.

The sound cut through the long silence like light through clouds.

Qi Beinan’s whole body went weak; after so many hours of fear, relief nearly made him collapse.

“Was that—was that the baby? He’s born?”

Ming Guanxin, flustered, echoed him, but before anyone could answer, Qi Beinan had already shot through the doorway like an arrow.

“It’s done—it’s done! Both husband and child are safe!”

The midwife emerged beaming, announcing the words everyone had prayed for.

At last, the household’s hearts settled.

“Congratulations, Uncle Xiao,” Ming Guanxin and Gu Yanshu said together, bowing to Xiao Hu before hurrying toward the birthing room. “Our Bao-ge’er is remarkable—four hours and the child’s safely born!”

Inside, Qi Beinan was already kneeling by the bedside.

Xiao Yuanbao lay pale and utterly spent, his hair damp with sweat and plastered to his cheeks, his face drained of all color.

Qi Beinan bent over him, pressing his face against his shoulder, holding back the sting of tears that welled despite himself.

When he finally lifted his head again, his voice was hoarse.

“You’ve suffered enough.”

Seeing the look of raw relief on Qi Beinan’s face, Xiao Yuanbao reached up with trembling fingers to touch his cheek. His strength was nearly gone; even his voice came faint and slow.

“Look at you… all in a panic. Go on, see the child. I want to see him too.”

At once, Qi Beinan went to fetch the small bundle already wrapped in soft swaddling cloth.

The newborn, who had cried heartily just moments before, was quiet now.

Qi Beinan held the tiny, warm body with the utmost care and carried him to the bedside. “It’s a boy.”

“A boy?”

Xiao Yuanbao was taken aback. He gazed at the little creature nestled in the blankets—skin as tender as new flesh, lips slightly parted, eyes still closed.

His heart melted. He turned his face close to the baby’s downy quilt. “All through the pregnancy he was so calm and gentle. I thought for sure it was a quiet little daughter or son-girl. Never imagined it’d be a boy.”

“So long as he’s close to his xiao die’s heart, he’s a good child,” Qi Beinan said with a smile. “He’s born on a fine day—how about calling him Jingzhe?”

Xiao Yuanbao nodded. “Good.”

The attendants, who had been holding back so as not to intrude, stepped forward now, all smiles and laughter. After half a day’s waiting, the household was finally filled with joy.

“Bao-ge’er, you’re amazing—what a lovely little one you’ve brought into the world!”

“Come now, let me hold him too! I need to borrow some of that baby luck…”

Ming Guanxin and Gu Yanshu took turns fussing over the infant, while Bai Qiaogui, exhausted after hours of strain, finally sat down and drank three cups of tea in a row.

Jiang Fulang rewarded the midwives and attendants with heavy red envelopes for their work.

Xiao Hu, after checking that Yuanbao was safe, had been itching to hold the baby as well. Several times he reached out, but others got there first. Finally he stood up and said, half laughing, “Let Ahzu have a turn!”

The remark set the whole room laughing—Qi Beinan and Xiao Yuanbao among them.

Amid the cheerful bustle, Xiao Yuanbao turned his head toward the window.

In the garden, the magnolia tree was in bloom again. In the early spring of the second month it was all soft pink and lavender, radiant in the sun. By May the petals would fall, giving way to green leaves; by midsummer it would stand thick and full once more.

Year after year, the same cycle repeated—quietly, endlessly.

And yet, looking closer, the trunk that had once been thin as a wrist was now sturdy as a child’s leg.

“Xiao Die,” a small voice piped beside him, “the tree’s grown big enough to climb!”

“The tree has,” Yuanbao said with a smile. “But have you grown?”

“I have! I’m almost up to your waist already!”

Under the flowering tree stood a bright-eyed boy, explaining himself with solemn seriousness.

Yuanbao couldn’t win an argument with him. He reached out and pinched the soft round cheeks of his little son. “Qi Jingzhe, you rascal—just wait till your father’s off duty. I’ll tell on you!”

“I’m not being naughty,” the boy protested, holding up a small bird’s nest. “This is the prettiest tree in the garden, so I want the hurt bird to live here. Then it’ll get better faster.”

Yuanbao leaned in to look. Inside the nest was a tiny bird, eyes bright as beads, its wing bent awkwardly. He stroked its feathers—they were fine and smooth as silk. “Where did it come from?”

“It flew to the study window while I was practicing writing.”

Yuanbao tapped his son’s nose and took the nest, meaning to set it on a branch, but even on tiptoe he couldn’t quite reach.

Seeing this, little Jingzhe hurried to the trunk, crouched down, and patted his own back. “Step on me, Xiao Die.”

Yuanbao burst out laughing. “If I step on you and your Ahzu sees it, he’ll scold me half to death!”

He pulled the boy upright and took his hand. “We’ll wait till your father’s home—he can do it. He’s been gone in the southwest long enough. Once he’s back, we’ll make him do all our chores.”

“When will he be home today? I miss him.”

At that, Yuanbao also glanced toward the courtyard. “Probably not yet for a few hours—it’s still morning court.”

He took his four-year-old’s hand and led him back inside. “The sun’s strong already; let’s not stay out and catch the heat. Come inside and have a piece of cold melon.”

“Another summer come and gone,” he murmured as they walked. “Hard to believe—it’s already the thirty-fifth year of Kaide…”

Meanwhile, under the blazing light pouring through the palace gates, morning court had just ended.

Officials filed out of the great hall in neat procession. Their layered robes, heavy and stifling, clung to their backs with sweat as the air grew warm.

But spirits were light: after four long years, the cleanup of the southeastern salt smuggling was at last complete. The work had been done cleanly, His Majesty was pleased, and though few had been promoted, the emperor’s good mood was reward enough.

Pairs and trios of officials murmured among themselves—whether to go to Anhua Lou for the new-season fruit, or to Hantian Pavilion for chilled wine and ice.

Before they could decide, a brisk figure passed them by, the motion stirring a faint breeze.

“Lord Qi looks radiant today—so that’s what true success must feel like!”

“He worked with the duke to bring the private salt case to a clean resolution. Not only did the duke himself recommend him, even His Majesty spoke highly of his conduct. Now he has been promoted from the Hanlin Academy to the Ministry of Personnel as Vice Minister—barely past thirty.”

“Boundless prospects indeed! If even now his face isn’t bright with spring cheer, then I truly don’t know what kind of honor could please him.”

After leaving the palace, Qi Beinan stepped straight into the waiting carriage. “Home,” he told the driver.

“Yes, my lord.”

The carriage rolled smoothly through the city streets, turning into the familiar lane before long. Lifting the curtain, Qi Beinan caught sight of the courtyard ahead.

“Father!”

A small head popped up, peering eagerly toward him.

Before Xiao Yuanbao could stop him, their son had already bolted across the courtyard, and he could only call out after him, “Slow down—watch your step!”

Qi Beinan climbed down from the carriage just in time to catch the little boy flinging himself into his arms.

He lifted him high, turning to Xiao Yuanbao, who was coming over with a smile. “Have you been waiting long?”

“It’s Jingzhe who insisted on waiting. I was just about to nap.”

Qi Beinan kissed his son’s cheek. “So it’s my little Jingzhe who knows how to love his father. Your xiao die doesn’t care about me at all, isn’t that so?”

Jingzhe shook his head solemnly. “Xiao die does care about you! I wanted three pieces of cold melon and he wouldn’t let me—he said he had to save them for you. All morning xiao die’s been talking about you, lots and lots!”

“How many times exactly?”

The boy spread both hands. “Ten times!”

Qi Beinan laughed. “You’re not just saying that, are you?”

Xiao Yuanbao watched them with a quiet smile. “How was court today?”

“I was promoted,” Qi Beinan said. “From now on, I’m Vice Minister of Personnel.”

He squeezed Xiao Yuanbao’s hand. “This time, I should be able to stay in the capital for a while.”

That made Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes light with joy. “And how is it you came home so early? The duke helped you so much—shouldn’t you go thank him?”

“No rush. He’s holding a banquet in a few days; we’ll go together as a family. After so many years dealing with the southwest, His Majesty granted a few days’ leave. I can finally rest.”

Talking and laughing, they entered the house and shared a comfortable lunch together.

After eating, little Jingzhe grew drowsy, and the two of them put him to bed.

The afternoon sun glowed bright and warm.

In the small garden, banana leaves stood broad and green against the wall, and twin rows of bamboo cast mottled shadows across the ground.

Qi Beinan sat beside the reclining chair where Xiao Yuanbao rested, fanning him slowly.

“I’ve five full days of leave,” he said. “Tomorrow, I’ll take you and Jingzhe to Little Dragon Hill for some cool air. We can stay two days.”

“That would be nice. Jingzhe’s been wanting to go out. He’s still talking about the time you took him to the country estate to catch rice fish last year.”

“The weather’s hot,” Qi Beinan said. “Let him play in the stream—catching fish and shrimp will be just right. The water up the mountain is cool and clear.”

“Then I’ll listen to you.”

Xiao Yuanbao gazed at the vivid green of summer, feeling utterly at peace.

He laid a hand on his belly, smiling softly. “There’s something else I ought to tell you.”

Qi Beinan paused, lowering the fan, curious. “What is it?”

Xiao Yuanbao’s voice was quiet. “I’m expecting again.”

The fan slipped from Qi Beinan’s hand and hit the ground. “Truly?”

Seeing his astonished face, Xiao Yuanbao gave him a sidelong look. “Sister Gui took my pulse—how could it be false?”

Qi Beinan broke into a laugh, his eyes gleaming. For a moment he could only stare at him, then he threw back his head and laughed outright.

“My little Bao, how can you be so good to me? This news makes me happier than any promotion ever could!”

Xiao Yuanbao chuckled. “You’re already a father once. Still so excitable.”

Sunlight shimmered through the leaves; the air was gentle with breeze and birdsong, their shadows swaying softly together.

Such an afternoon—such a life—one could live it forever and never tire of it.

—End of Main Story—

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