Chapter 6: 006 Is Actually This Fast

Murong Wei cast a cold glance at the old nanny, sat up straight, and leisurely smoothed her clothes and the strands of hair falling over her shoulders. Only then did she speak in a languid tone: "Old nanny, it’s not that I don’t want to leave. It’s just that the moment I step out of this gate, my life—both big and small—will be forfeit. And you... knowing what you know of Murong Lan, do you think she will let you live?"

"You... how do you..." The old nanny was utterly astonished. Looking at the Fourth Miss before her, she felt completely at a loss, sensing that this girl had become an entirely different person—someone even more terrifying than the Eldest Miss.

"Answer my question: will she or will she not!" Murong Wei’s voice turned icy.

"This... this... Fourth Miss, please spare me! This old servant was wrong. I had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. Please, save me!" Jolted into realization by the question, the nanny collapsed heavily to her knees, kowtowing repeatedly to beg for mercy.

"Fourth Miss, I was a fool. Your words are truly eye-opening. I know I was wrong. Please, save me, Fourth Miss! The Eldest Miss has the heart of a scorpion and a viper; she will definitely silence me."

"I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse, to be at your beck and call, without complaint or regret, and to serve you with my dying breath!"

"Fourth Miss, you are a person of great magnanimity, please save me!"

...

The old nanny begged and kowtowed for a long time, but she heard no movement from Murong Wei.

Just as she was cautiously about to lift her head, a shrill scream suddenly erupted from Murong Wei, followed by cries of agonizing pain: "It hurts... ah... it hurts..."

"She’s going into labor!" The old nanny was jolted into action, the words slipping out before she could think.

"Ah... it hurts... help me!"

"Doctor! Get a doctor, quickly... 120... hurry... help! Ah... it hurts..."

Murong Wei clutched her stomach with one hand and gripped the armrest with the other, her features twisted together. This heart-wrenching, helpless pain was something she would never forget for the rest of her life! The old nanny was in a panic, unable to understand what Murong Wei was saying.

There is no pain in this world more agonizing or terrifying than childbirth.

"Hurry and find a doctor, hurry! I can’t hold on, hurry!"

"Nanny, hurry! If this child doesn't survive, you won't survive either! Everyone in this entire courtyard will lose their lives! Do you understand me!"

...

At Murong Wei’s warning, the old nanny finally snapped back to reality and said urgently, "Fourth Miss, hold on. This place is too remote; there’s no time to find a midwife. I’ll have them boil water right now. Just wait."

With that, she hurried out the door. She was the only maid serving in this courtyard; the other four were guards who would be of no help.

Murong Wei’s screams continued to echo out. The old nanny summoned everyone, gave all the necessary instructions, and then rushed back inside.

By now, Murong Wei was already lying flat on the bed, clutching the silk quilt tightly, about to roll over from the pain. The old nanny rushed forward to hold her down. "Fourth Miss, you mustn't! Lie still, it will pass soon. Just endure it!"

The old nanny had no experience in midwifery, but she had been through it herself. She pressed down on Murong Wei’s body with all her might to steady her, and just as she was about to speak, "Bang!" the door was kicked open!

"Ah..." Murong Wei couldn't care about anything else; she was screaming until her throat felt like it was tearing. Having undergone special training since childhood, what kind of suffering hadn't she endured? Even when she had been mauled by tigers and had large patches of skin torn from her legs, she hadn't cried. But now, she was weeping, helplessly begging for help.

This was a pain that life could barely withstand.

Under the primitive medical conditions of this ancient era, giving birth was like wandering at the gates of hell. One careless move meant death; there was no room for negotiation.

At this moment, the old nanny’s hands, which had been pressing firmly on her legs, let go, and she collapsed to her knees with a thud.

The person who had entered was none other than the Eldest Miss of the Murong General’s Mansion, the eldest daughter of the Second Concubine: Murong Lan!

Her long eyebrows arched toward her temples, and her "soul-stealing" eyes were incredibly bewitching. A long, water-colored silk dress accentuated her enchanting figure as she swayed her delicate waist and walked in with grace.

The servant who had kicked the door open was a burly man with a thick beard and a bronze earring in his left ear. He retreated to the side of the door, head bowed in deep respect, treating his mistress as if she were a queen.

On the bed, Murong Wei was still screaming in pain, her voice already growing hoarse.

Murong Lan’s fox-like eyes flickered casually, paying no mind to her sister who was in labor. Her gaze fell upon the old nanny, and it suddenly turned sinister.

The old nanny knelt trembling, not daring to lift her head. The guards who had rushed over with hot water arrived at the door, saw the scene, and immediately retreated.

"What exactly is going on? Speak!" Murong Lan suddenly demanded sharply, as if none of this had anything to do with her.

The old nanny continued to tremble, not daring to answer.

"Didn't you say she was sick? How have you been taking care of her? To think... to think... how am I supposed to explain this to Father!" Murong Lan shouted in anger, her chest heaving.

The old nanny looked up, about to defend herself, but Murong Lan snapped, "Someone, drag her away and give her a severe lashing!"

"Eldest Miss, you are so heartless, it was clearly you who..." The old nanny’s words were cut short as the burly man at the door had already grabbed her by the throat.

The old nanny struggled desperately, but she couldn't break free. Her face turned purple, and just as she was about to lose her breath, the man didn't let go, dragging her away with long strides.

Inside the room, only Murong Lan and Murong Wei remained. The room fell silent, save for Murong Wei’s heart-wrenching screams that filled the space, sounding utterly miserable.

Murong Lan gave a cold laugh and slowly walked toward the bed, looking down at the disheveled, sweat-drenched Murong Wei with cold, haughty eyes.

Murong Wei’s hair was a mess, plastered to her face with sweat. She gripped the pillow tightly, biting her teeth to keep from screaming, glaring at Murong Lan. She had heard every word spoken between her and the nanny.

"Fourth Sister, how could you do such a thing?" Murong Lan shook her head with a look of disappointment and helplessness. She sat slowly on the edge of the bed and placed her well-manicured hand gently over Murong Wei’s hand, which was clutching the pillow, patting it lightly. "To think you would do something so shameless. Who is that man?"

Murong Wei didn't answer, clenching her teeth even tighter, the rage in her eyes intensifying.

"Fourth Sister, do you know that you are the future concubine of Prince Qi? How could you steal a man and even leave behind his seed?" Murong Lan maintained her tone of lament, unhurried. She grabbed a handful of Murong Wei’s long hair and, without warning, yanked it hard!

"Ah..." Murong Wei cried out, her eyes twitching from the pain.

"How old are you, to be so fond of men? Couldn't you wait?" Murong Lan sneered, letting go, only to immediately grab Murong Wei’s delicate chin.

"Let go of me!" Murong Wei shouted, though her voice was weak; she was already exhausted.

"Fine!" Murong Lan smiled, then gripped Murong Wei’s wrists, pinning her arms down as she clutched the pillow, and placed her other hand on Murong Wei’s stomach.

"Ugh... get away!" Murong Wei shook her head incessantly, struggling.

"What do you think? Fourth Sister, are you that impatient for a man? Are you satisfied with the one I gave you?" Murong Lan laughed, leaning over Murong Wei, looking so elegant and noble, as if she were the only legitimate daughter of the Murong Mansion.

This was the first time she had called Murong Zi "Fourth Sister." Before, she had at most called her "Ah Zi." "Fourth Sister" was the affectionate name their father gave her, representing her unique status in the Murong Mansion. Even if the Second Concubine was in charge, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate remained. The one betrothed to Prince Xuanyuan Qi could only be her!

"Whatever you want... I... I will give it to you... just save this child... I... I will no longer be a threat to you, including the position of Prince Qi’s concubine!" Murong Wei managed to finish the sentence. She was in so much pain she no longer had the strength to resist; she was terrified she wouldn't be able to deliver the child.

"Give it to me? Hahaha, Murong Zi, can you even afford to give it now? Huh? Let me tell you, what I want, I don't need you to bestow upon me. You clearly don't know what kind of person Prince Xuanyuan Qi is! Only when you are dead can I be at ease as his concubine!" Murong Lan’s delicate face suddenly turned ferocious, and she pressed down harder on Murong Wei’s stomach.

"Ah..."

A shrill, piercing scream erupted, so miserable that it was impossible to tell whose voice it was.

The guards outside, the burly man, and the dying old nanny were all stunned. There was no questioning the Eldest Miss’s ruthlessness; the Fourth Miss would likely die along with her child.

Prince Xuanyuan Qi had never met the Fourth Miss. When the concubine was sent to the Xuanyuan kingdom in the future, who would know the difference?