Chapter 25: Ancient Production

Tears welled up in Ding Youcheng's eyes. "How wonderful it would be if Midwife Feng were still alive. Auntie Wang, if only one can be saved between mother and child, save the adult."

Since his parents were not around, he was the first to say it. If he had said it in front of them, they would have beaten him.

Auntie Wang remained silent.

One would save whichever was easier to save.

Passing a steamed bun shop at noon, Ding Youcheng got off the cart to buy several white flour buns, and the group ate while they traveled.

They entered Guang'an Gate in the early hours of the afternoon (Shen hour), and after walking for another fifteen minutes, they reached the entrance of an alleyway.

The alley was narrow; though not quite a slum, the residents were not wealthy, and the crowd was a mixed bag of all sorts.

The Ding residence was a single-entry courtyard house with an old elm tree in the center. Several opened oil-paper umbrellas were laid on the ground, and all the doors and windows were wide open.

A couple in their forties paced back and forth anxiously, while a young woman in her twenties busied herself inside and out.

Auntie Ding stepped forward and said, "Is it Midwife Wang? Quick, my second daughter-in-law can't even cry out anymore."

Just as she finished speaking, an old woman was seen carrying out a basin of bloody water to pour it out.

This old woman was Midwife Sha.

She was very displeased. If Midwife Feng had been there, she would have been helpless, for the woman's midwifery skills were superb. But as for this Midwife Wang, in what way was she better than her?

Auntie Ding pressed on regardless, "Midwife Sha, my second daughter-in-law was struggling to give birth, so we had no choice but to invite Midwife Wang to assist."

Midwife Sha slammed the basin down, her face darkening as she reached out her hand. "I did half the job, so I'll take half the pay. Fifty copper coins, plus ten more for the labor-inducing medicine."

Auntie Ding tried to haggle, "You didn't finish the delivery, so take a little less."

Midwife Sha said impatiently, "Sixty coins. Not a single word less."

Old Man Ding said irritably, "Give it to her."

Reluctantly, Auntie Ding went inside and counted out sixty copper coins for her.

Midwife Sha packed her things into a large basin and shot a fierce glare at Midwife Wang.

As she walked out of the courtyard, she cursed, "It's because your daughter-in-law has a narrow backside and happened to be carrying a debt-collecting spirit; no one could deliver this child."

Fuming, Auntie Ding pointed at her son and scolded, "You said she was slender and beautiful. She might be beautiful, but if she can't give birth, what's the use of marrying her into this house?"

Ding Youcheng hung his head, not daring to speak.

Feng Chuchen knew that when they said "narrow backside," they actually meant a narrow pelvis. One of the criteria for finding a wife in ancient times was having wide hips—meaning a wide pelvis—to facilitate childbirth.

She directly pulled her work uniform over her clothes, put on her mask, and wrapped a piece of blue cloth around her head.

Auntie Ding pointed at Feng Chuchen and asked, "She's just a young girl, what is she doing in the delivery room?"

Auntie Wang said, "She is the niece of the late Midwife Feng and her successor. She won't participate in the delivery, but if an accident occurs between the mother and the infant, she can provide medical aid."

Auntie Ding emphasized, "If she isn't treating the patient, we won't pay her."

Auntie Wang replied, "That goes without saying." She then handed a pair of scissors to Old Lady Ding. "Boil them in water for fifteen minutes. Prepare a bowl of egg in sugar water for the mother, and boil more hot water."

Auntie Ding handed the scissors to her eldest daughter-in-law. "The egg and hot water are ready, but the second daughter-in-law is in too much pain to eat."

Midwife Wang said expressionlessly, "She must eat, even if she can't."

Old Man Ding added, "It would be best if both mother and child are safe. If only one can be saved, save the little one first."

Ding Youcheng said with grief and indignation, "Father!"

Old Man Ding roared, "You bastard! Your mother said back then that she was difficult to bear, but you insisted on marrying her anyway. Since she can't give birth, of course we save the little one!"

Feng Chuchen glanced at the small window; the woman in labor would surely hear these words. If this were a modern wife, she would definitely divorce after giving birth.

But for a woman of this era, hearing this meant she could only endure it.

The delivery room was the bedroom of Ding Youcheng and his wife.

Upon entering, a stench hit them in the face.

The smell of blood, amniotic fluid, and excrement.

A large basin sat in front of the heated brick bed (*kang*), and a heavily pregnant woman sat on a chair beside it.

She was utterly exhausted; her disheveled hair was matted to her head with sweat, and her face was a mess of tears and perspiration. She wore only a long tunic without trousers, her eyes closed.

If not for Auntie Xin holding her waist, she would have collapsed.

The *kang* was covered with thick layers of straw, and a mattress was laid over the straw. When a woman lies down after giving birth, one must absolutely not get blood on the *kang*.

It was bad luck.

There was also a wooden pole hanging from the ceiling.

Feng Chuchen stood a few steps away from the woman.

Auntie Wang walked over and said, "Have her stand up."

Auntie Xin helped Mrs. Wu stand. Mrs. Wu gritted her teeth and opened her eyes, grasping the wooden pole with both hands. To save strength, she even rested her chin on the pole.

Auntie Wang felt her belly, then leaned down to lift her tunic to check her lower body.

Turning to Feng Chuchen, she said, "The pelvis is narrow, and the baby's position is malpresented. There's nothing to be done about the pelvis; we'll try to correct the position first."

Auntie Xin said, "Even when Midwife Sha tried to correct the position, the woman was in agony and it still didn't work."

Auntie Wang had Mrs. Wu sit down again. "Once your energy is spent, you won't have the strength to give birth. Eat something now while the pain isn't at its peak."

"It hurts... I can't eat..."

Her voice trembled, bubbling in her throat.

Auntie Wang said, "To stay alive, and for the baby in your womb, you must eat even if you can't."

Tears flowed from the corners of Mrs. Wu's eyes again. "Can the child be born?"

"Why wouldn't the child be born? You've only been in labor for two days and two nights; some women labor for four days and four nights and still deliver."

Before long, Auntie Ding brought in a bowl of egg in sugar water.

Mrs. Wu could not eat by herself, so Auntie Ding fed her.

Auntie Ding comforted her, "Midwife Wang is the apprentice of Midwife Feng; she will surely be able to deliver the child..."

After Mrs. Wu finished eating, she was given a bowl of the labor-inducing medicine brought by Auntie Wang.

Not long after, Mrs. Wu clutched her belly and screamed, "It hurts! It hurts so much..."

Auntie Wang said, "Stand up. Grab the pole."

"I have no strength... I can't hold on..."

"Standing is better for birth. Think of the child in your belly."

Mrs. Wu had no choice but to use all her strength to grasp the pole, while Auntie Xin held her tightly from behind.

This position was extremely agonizing for the mother. But Feng Chuchen had to admit that this made it easier for the child to emerge than lying down.

Auntie Wang squatted to wipe the woman's lower body with warm water to facilitate the labor process.

More than thirty minutes passed, but there was still no change in her abdomen.

Auntie Wang stood up and said, "For the sake of the child, and so that you can survive, grit your teeth."

Mrs. Wu opened her eyes and said, "I beg you, save my child. If it's a choice between two, save him first."

Auntie Wang said, "We must save both."

She placed both hands on the woman's belly and began to massage it, occasionally using a rolling pin to press down on the large abdomen.

The force was immense; the woman wailed loudly in pain, her tears, snot, and sweat mixing as they flowed down.

"Ah~~ Ah~~ Ah~~"

The sounds were terrifying, and the large belly swayed from side to side under the pressure.

It was barbaric and crude.

This was the first time Feng Chuchen had personally witnessed such a scene; she found it even more unbearable than a horror movie from her previous life, and she felt nauseous.

It took a long while before she could adapt to the scene.

As Auntie Wang worked with her hands, her mouth was not idle, singing a labor-inducing song

*The cabinet and the chest have opened their mouths, only then does the babe dare to walk out.* *Spread the umbrella to block the eye of heaven, only then can the babe clear the path.* *The rolling pin, roll it once, roll it twice, let the babe hurry and clear the path.* *Oh, oh, clear the path.*