Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1238 With the Year Approaching, Dong Bai Experiencing Difficult Childbirth

Winter in Chang'an was always a bit warmer than elsewhere. Along the banks of the Wei River, newly constructed irrigation canals stretched out like silver ribbons through the fields. The achievements of Yang Xiu and Zhong Hui in dredging the waterways bore their most tangible fruit that year—a rare bumper harvest in Guanzhong. The granaries were piled high with grain, and people pushed wheelbarrows home, the sound of the wheels grinding against the frozen earth mingling with the sounds of laughter rising and falling—laughter more genuine than the warm sun basking under the eaves.

The peace and tranquility of Xiliang added a touch of reassurance to this joy. The recuperation and development strategy that Ma Chao set out last year has already shown its effects this year: although Yan Liang and Wen Chou's troops are lingering on the border, they are firmly blocked outside Bingzhou by Xu Rong and Gongsun Zan, and even the smoke from the beacon towers has become much less frequent; Yangping Pass is still besieged by Zhang Ren, but they are only facing each other from a distance, and no major battle has been fought; the other prefectures are busy with land reclamation, weaving, and water conservancy projects, and even the sounds of military drills in the camps have a sense of unhurried composure.

The General's Mansion was filled with joy. The three princesses, Dong Bai, Zhen Mi, and Zhang Fubao, were all pregnant. Their increasingly prominent bellies made the maids walk on tiptoe and speak softly, afraid of disturbing them. Dong Bai was the most worrisome. Already slender, her belly was now alarmingly large. She was pampered by Ma Chao all day long. Even when she went out to bask in the sun, she had to be wrapped up tightly and supported by Ma Chao himself, moving slowly step by step.

"Slow down, slow down, watch your step on the ice." Ma Chao frowned and reached out to adjust the collar of Dong Bai's cloak. The tension in his voice made the maids standing nearby lower their heads and chuckle.

Dong Bai glared at him reproachfully, "How can you be so delicate? It's you who's always around me, neglecting everything in the army and at home?"

“You are the most important thing.” Ma Chao held her hand, the warmth of his palm coming through the brocade. “The doctor said the due date is in the twelfth lunar month. When our child is born, it will be just in time for the New Year, which will be a great joy.”

Just then, Ma Yue lifted the curtain and came in from outside, still clutching the military academy's workbook in his hand. Upon seeing Dong Bai, he smiled and stepped forward, bowing respectfully: "Mother, you look so good today! I overheard the cook in the corridor saying that she had stewed bird's nest, so I came to urge her to hurry it up before it gets cold."

Dong Bai pulled his hand over, and it was ice-cold to the touch. He quickly wrapped his own hand around it and said, "This child, why are your hands so cold? Your father is the same. In this freezing weather, he insists on making the children of your Youlin Army train extra. Be careful not to let them get cold."

Ma Chao's face stiffened, and he secretly glared at Ma Yue—this kid had once again dragged trouble into his own hands. Ma Yue, however, shrank back, pretending not to see, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards Dong Bai's belly, his eyes filled with the expectant anticipation of a little adult, as he whispered, "Mother, when will my little brother and sister come out? I've already prepared a small bow, and I'll teach them archery in the future."

Dong Bai chuckled and tapped his forehead: "You're so clever."

This peaceful atmosphere was further enhanced by a serendipitous event. Years ago, Yang Biao and Zhong Yao, fleeing the chaos of war in Xuchang, had traveled to Chang'an to seek refuge with Ma Chao. Upon their first meeting, they discovered that Yang Xiu, who had been instrumental in controlling the floods, was actually Yang Biao's son, and Zhong Hui was Zhong Yao's eldest son. Ma Chao was both surprised and delighted by the remarkable talents of these two young men from prominent families, and he truly appreciated the value of such a gathering of capable individuals.

Just as Yang Xiu and Zhong Hui finished controlling the floods, Ma Chao invited them to work with Xun Yu to research papermaking. Xun Yu had already produced a rough draft of paper, but it was uneven and produced in low quantities, making widespread use difficult. Looking at the mountain of bamboo slips piled on the table, Ma Chao said to the three, "If we can make paper cheap and readily available, more students will have the opportunity to study, and the copying of government decrees will be much easier. This matter concerns the people's livelihood and education, so I entrust it to the three of you."

Yang Biao and Zhong Yao, both veterans of the literary world, readily agreed upon hearing the suggestion; Yang Xiu and Zhong Hui, young and ambitious, were eager to achieve more; Xun Yu, skilled in practical matters, immediately led everyone to the workshop.

Shops gradually appeared on the streets, the aroma of wine wafted from taverns, mingled with the sounds of drinking games; colorful silks hung outside cloth shops, swaying gently in the wind; even the laughter of children chasing and playing in the alleys was louder than in previous years. Looking at the surplus grain in the granaries, gazing at the festive atmosphere in the general's mansion, and thinking of the peace on the border, the people all held one thought in their hearts: these days will surely get better and better.

As the sun set, it bathed the outline of Chang'an in a golden-red hue. Ma Chao stood atop the city wall, watching the flow of people returning home through the streets and alleys, listening to the distant evening bells. The tolling pierced through the smoke from chimneys, landing on the eaves of countless homes, carrying a comforting warmth. He suddenly realized that, more than the thrill of battle, this tranquility amidst the everyday life was perhaps what he truly wanted to protect.

As the year draws to a close, the festive atmosphere in Chang'an grows stronger, but an unusual solemnity prevails within the Liang Prince's residence. Dong Bai's due date approaches each day, and Ma Chao's heart tightens with each passing day. Apart from handling necessary affairs, he stays by her side almost every step of the way.

That afternoon, Ma Chao was helping Dong Bai take a leisurely stroll under the eaves when a servant rushed in to report: "Your Majesty, there is good news from the workshop! The improved paper made by Lord Xun and the two gentlemen Yang and Zhong is complete!"

"Oh?" Ma Chao's eyes lit up. A few days ago, Xun Yu and others said that there had been a breakthrough in papermaking. The paper made from hemp and other raw materials was not only strong, but also solved the problem of ink bleeding, making it extremely convenient for writing. He didn't expect it to be done today. He rubbed his hands together happily and said to Dong Bai, "I'll be right back to see how the new paper is."

Dong Bai smiled and pulled him back, turning to have a maid bring him a thick cloak. She carefully fastened his collar, saying, "It's windy outside, go early and come back early, don't catch a cold." As she spoke, she was about to take a few steps to see him off when suddenly her brow furrowed, and she instinctively pressed her hand to her stomach, her face turning slightly pale. "Hiss..."

"What's wrong?" Ma Chao immediately became nervous and quickly helped her up.

"My stomach... my stomach hurts a little..." Dong Bai's voice was tinged with panic.

The experienced maidservant beside him saw this and quickly said, "Your Majesty, the Queen is about to give birth!"

One sentence caused an uproar in the mansion. Several of Chang'an's best midwives, who had been waiting in the mansion, rushed over upon hearing the news and escorted Dong Bai to the inner hall. The maids busied themselves preparing hot water and towels, and the once peaceful mansion was suddenly shrouded in tension.

Ma Chao's heart leaped into his throat. He followed her into the outer room, but was stopped by the midwife inside the palace: "Your Majesty, please wait outside. It is not appropriate for men to enter the delivery room."

He could only anxiously wait outside the door, listening to Dong Bai's suppressed cries of pain coming from inside the hall, each sound like a whip lashing at his heart. He paced back and forth, his palms sweating profusely; he had never felt this flustered, even when facing thousands of troops on the battlefield.

Before they knew it, evening had arrived. Ma Yueyue returned from outside, covered in dust – the Young Lin Army had extra training today, and he was wearing a small suit of armor with a short sword at his waist. His face was covered in mud and ash. As soon as he entered the room and heard that Dong Bai was about to give birth, he rushed outside the hall and followed Ma Chao, pacing around the door.

"Father, how is Mother?" Ma Yue looked up at his father, his eyes filled with worry.

Ma Chao shook his head, his voice tight: "They're still inside..."

The father and son, one tall and burly, the other thin and wiry, both looked like helpless children, circling the tightly closed palace door. The occasional cries of pain coming from inside the palace made their hearts clench again and again.

As night fell, the sounds within the palace grew fainter, and Dong Bai's breathing seemed to quicken. Suddenly, the palace doors creaked open, and the head midwife emerged, her face filled with sorrow. She knelt before Ma Chao with a thud: "Your Majesty... the Queen... she's probably having a difficult childbirth!"

"What?!" Ma Chao's mind went blank for a moment. He rushed forward and grabbed the midwife's arm. "Difficult labor? How could it be a difficult labor?"

Upon hearing the news, Dong Min (Dong Bai's grandfather) and Li Ru, who had been waiting nearby, were also anxious. Dong Min was so angry that his beard trembled: "Aren't you the best midwives in Chang'an? How could such a thing happen!"

"Quickly! No matter what, you must save them, mother and child!" Ma Chao's voice was filled with suppressed anger. "What's the use of you coming out here and telling me all this? Go in and deliver the baby!"

The midwife trembled with fear, her face contorted with worry, and said, "But...but the princess has been working so hard all day, she's exhausted..."

"What should I do?" Ma Chao felt his mind was in complete chaos, the veins on his forehead were throbbing, and his clenched fists were trembling.

Ma Yue was so anxious that he slapped his thigh: "Quickly go to the medical school and ask for Master Hua Tuo and Master Zhang Ji! Their medical skills are divine, they must have a solution!"

Ma Chao then seemed to snap out of his daze, abruptly turning around and shouting outside, "Dian Wei! Hu Che'er!"

Two towering figures entered the palace in response: "Your subordinate is here!"

"Quickly! Go to the medical school and invite Mr. Hua Tuo and Mr. Zhang Ji. Don't delay for a moment!" Ma Chao's voice trembled, but it revealed an undeniable urgency.

"Yes, sir!" Dian Wei and Hu Che'er didn't say a word, turned around and rushed out like arrows released from a bow. Their heavy armor made a rapid sound as it hit the corridor, and they quickly disappeared into the night.

Ma Yue stood to the side, her little face tense. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she tugged at Ma Chao's sleeve: "Father, I remember Mother saying that you used a kind of miraculous medicine at Zhang Tianshi's mansion back then, right? She said that you were seriously injured and on the verge of death, and it was that medicine that saved you. It should be able to restore your strength! Should we ask Zhang Tianshi to give us another dose? Maybe Mother will have the strength after taking it!"

Ma Chao was startled, a look of surprise and gratitude flashing in his eyes as he looked at his son. He had been so anxious that he had forgotten about this! Although the child was young, he was so calm in this crucial moment, much more composed than himself.

"Good! Good lad!" Ma Chao patted Ma Yue's shoulder forcefully, then turned and shouted to the crowd, "Hu Chi'er!"

Hu Chier, who was outside the palace, was also a clever man. He had been listening intently to the commotion inside. Upon hearing this, he immediately rushed in: "What are your orders, Your Majesty!"

"Go to the Celestial Master's Mansion immediately and beg Celestial Master Zhang to bring over another portion of the divine medicine from back then. Just say... just say that the Princess is having a difficult childbirth and urgently needs this medicine to save her life!" Ma Chao's voice was pleading. "You must go and return as soon as possible!"

"I'll go right away!" Hu Chi'er didn't dare to delay. He bowed and darted out, his figure quickly disappearing into the deep night.

Outside the palace gates, only rapid breathing could be heard. Ma Chao paced back and forth, his gaze fixed on the tightly closed doors, as if trying to see through them. Ma Yue stood beside him, her small hands gripping the scabbard of her short sword at her waist. Though nervous, she uttered no more panicked words, simply waiting with her father.

The night wind swept through the corridor, carrying the chill of winter, but it couldn't dispel the anxiety that filled the courtyard. Everyone prayed in their hearts, praying that the two divine physicians would arrive soon, that the so-called miraculous medicine would truly work, and even more so, that the princess inside the gate, who held everyone's attention, would safely weather this calamity.