Chapter 190: Chapter 90 His Knife_2

Qiong Ying couldn’t help frowning, "How could Doctor Lu speak like this?"

The medical officers always found ways to comfort the patients with pleasing words, to cheer them up and dispel their worries, for fear that Pei Yunshu’s fright would disturb the fetus. Yet, this doctor seemed to wish the Princess Consort were more anxious, with every word feeling like a piercing stab.

"I am here to treat the Princess Consort, not to amuse her like an entertainer,"

Lu Tong replied indifferently, "Besides, I believe that understanding the true situation at hand will help with the upcoming delivery."

Qiong Ying: "You..."

Pei Yunshu stopped Qiong Ying from saying more, forcing a smile: "Doctor Lu is right. Even without having been poisoned, nobody can guarantee that there won’t be complications during delivery." She quietly clenched the bedding beneath her, trying hard to appear relaxed, "In this life, I, Pei Yunshu, have not done a single bad thing. I trust that the heavens will not treat me harshly, and today everything will surely go smoothly."

These words, meant to comfort herself, sounded rather grating to Lu Tong’s ears.

Just because one has never done anything bad in life, does that mean the heavens will not be cruel?

Her Lu Family, with parents loyal and upright, a sister kind-hearted, and brother righteous, had ended up with their household destroyed.

And those full of misdeeds basked in success within the Imperial City, rising rapidly and revered by all.

The belief that good is rewarded with good and evil with evil is nothing but self-comforting nonsense uttered by losers against an unfair fate. It’s a fallacy. Rather than placing all hope in the elusive ’heavens’ or ’karma,’ it is better to rely on oneself.

The atmosphere in the room gradually grew tense. Amidst this silence, Pei Yunshu’s freshly changed clothes were again soaked with sweat. She furrowed her brow, enduring pain and beginning to feel uneasy, touching her belly: "Doctor Lu, I... I think I’m feeling a bit unwell."

Lu Tong’s expression changed.

The labor-inducing medicine had taken effect.

She stood up to get the hot water that Yin Zheng had prepared. Fangzi and Qiong Ying shook visibly, both looking at her somewhat helplessly.

It was Pei Yunshu who, seeing this, calmed herself with a smile: "Doctor Lu, just do what you must, and even if... even if something goes wrong, I will protect you. I’ll prove that this has nothing to do with you, and that it was my own decision."

At this critical moment, the Princess Consort was still concerned with the safety of others. Lu Tong saw her sweat-drenched hands, the bedclothes beneath her crumpled, and those beautiful eyes, desperately trying to conceal panic and helplessness.

Pei Yunshu was afraid. No matter how calm and composed she appeared, deep down, she was terrified.

The bedding beneath her was wet with a large patch, and perhaps due to the "child’s worries," the labor-inducing drug was taking effect faster than usual. Pei Yunshu’s complexion turned pale, and she began to emit painful whimpers. The fresh sweet fragrance of osmanthus recently picked could no longer mask the other sticky odors in the room.

On a late autumn afternoon, in a room with closed doors, there was no refreshing breeze. It was like a stagnant mud puddle trapping everyone inside.

"Don’t be afraid." After a moment of hesitation, Lu Tong took the hand of the woman on the bed.

Pei Yunshu was startled.

After a pause, she leaned in close to Pei Yunshu’s ear, her tone still calm.

"I know Pei Yunmeng."

For a moment, Pei Yunshu froze.

Tears suddenly welled up in Pei Yunshu’s eyes, and with a strength that seemed to come from nowhere, she grabbed Lu Tong’s hand, urgently asking, "Ah Ying? Are you one of Ah Ying’s people?"

Fangzi and Qiong Ying were also startled and turned towards Lu Tong. In their memories, Pei Yunmeng had never mentioned arranging the presence of such a female doctor.

But for Pei Yunshu, it was like finding a solid support in the face of desperate, drifting fate. Her gaze swept away the restrained panic of earlier, becoming trusting and reassured. She took a breath, sweat sliding down her cheeks, still smiling at Lu Tong.

"Doctor Lu, so you are one of Ah Ying’s people. That’s wonderful," she said, holding back the pain, tears in her eyes, "I trust you, truly."

She had been trembling with fear just moments before, yet upon hearing the name Pei Yunmeng, she was instantly infused with boundless strength.

Lu Tong remained silent. In dire situations, one can only rely on oneself, but in addition to self-reliance, thoughts of loved ones can lessen the pain of the ordeal.

The effects of the medicine became increasingly intense, and Pei Yunshu could no longer suppress her pained groans, her breathing ragged. Lu Tong talked to her while instructing Fangzi to give her some sweet soup to drink.

If too much time elapsed, Pei Yunshu would be left without any strength.

Just when the atmosphere in the room turned very tense, suddenly there came a violent knocking from outside, accompanied by the loud scolding of a midwife: "Princess Consort, please open the door! A thief has entered the house; someone has poisoned the offspring of the Wangfu!"

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