Women in childbirth are said to have one foot in the Ghost Gate, and this is no mere exaggeration. Qin Liuxi listened to the commotion coming from the delivery room and closed her eyes.
Qi Huang glanced at the hourglass; they had been toiling all night and dawn was about to break. Basins of blood were continuously brought out, yet not a single cry of a newborn was heard, and the sounds inside were growing fainter.
"Miss, I fear that..."
Before Qin Liuxi could even take a step, someone stumbled out from inside; it was her Aunt Qin Meiniang, who had been sent back home because of a scandal in the Qin family, looking utterly exhausted with dark circles under her eyes and a pale face.
"Can't give birth, where, where is the doctor?" Qin Meiniang's lips were crusted with dried blood, completely at her wit's end.
Qin Liuxi quickly stepped inside. The midwife saw her and, as if seeing a savior, hurriedly said, "Eldest Miss, the Lady has fainted."
Old Mrs. Qin's body swayed as if it might fall at any moment; biting her tongue tip again, she said to Qin Liuxi, "What is a young lady like you doing here? Quickly go out and call a doctor to administer acupuncture to your Third Aunt."
Mrs. Wang had not expected Qin Liuxi, a young lady, to be so bold. Exhausted, she said, "Xixi, the delivery room is unclean, heed your grandmother's words and go outside."
Ignoring the pervasive smell of blood, Qin Liuxi walked up to the birthing bed, felt Mrs. Gu's wrist, and then let go. Seeing the earrings she wore, Qin Liuxi took them off: "These belong to Third Aunt? Consider them my fee."
Everyone watched as she pocketed the earrings, and they were dumbfounded.
Old Mrs. Qin's anger rose rapidly, pointing at her, "You, you're such a—!"
She took deep breaths, so furious she looked ready to faint at any moment. Which of her granddaughters was ever so out of line?
"Xixi, quickly apologize to your grandmother," Mrs. Wang said, seeing Old Lady Qin was seriously agitated. Though surprised by Qin Liuxi's behavior, she did not want to add fuel to the fire and said to Old Mrs. Qin, "Mother, the child is probably scared silly. Please forgive her!"
"Big sister, I don't think so. Look how pale her eyelids are," Mrs. Xie said mockingly, taking pleasure in the catastrophe.
"Second sister-in-law!"
Qin Liuxi, finding the noise bothersome, glanced at them and said, "All of you stop making noise and wait outside, except for the midwife—if you want to see Third Aunt give birth safely."
Everyone was stunned. What did she mean by that?
Mrs. Xie snorted. Now this really does look like someone has gone foolish!
"Qi Huang, light the incense, prepare the talisman."
Qin Liuxi had already taken out a box from the chest, opened it, and inside were a series of Golden Needles of various sizes. Seeing everyone still standing around, she looked over, "Aren't you going out yet?"
Her tone was indifferent, showing no respect for the elders present.
Old Mrs. Qin scolded her sternly, "What are you trying to do? This is not the time for your nonsense, go out and call for a doctor immediately."
"There is no doctor."
Old Mrs. Qin was taken aback. What?
"She wants to give birth safely, and I am the only one who can help her." Qin Liuxi was already holding a Golden Needle.
Old Mrs. Qin looked at the needle shimmering in the candlelight, her heart skipping a beat, "You, you want to perform acupuncture on your Third Aunt?"
"Xixi, you know medical skills?" Mrs. Wang and the others were also doubtful; they had never heard of this.
"Nonsense, what medical skills do you know? This is utterly absurd!" Old Mrs. Qin was incensed, blocking Qin Liuxi, full of disbelief.
The girl was still young, always nurtured in the ancestral home; when had she ever learned medicine?
She was playing with the lives of her Third Aunt and her child!
Qin Liuxi's patience was gone, they didn't believe her?