Chapter 52: Qihua Midwifery

Another month passed, and the orc team led by Qi Bai from the Mo Qi tribe returned, bringing news that Qi Xiao and Luan Jing had passed away five years ago. They left behind only a young female named Qi Yue, who had been banished from the tribe a year prior. Upon hearing this, Qi Hua broke down in tears, collapsing into the arms of her partner, Qi Zhong.

Qi Bai went on to recount in detail the ordeals Qi Yue had endured over the years and the events of the elder Zhong Pan’s rebellion night. To ensure the accuracy of his information, he had even sought verification from the Hu Yue couple, who held differing opinions. He claimed Qi Yue was his cousin; tracing their lineage, Qi Yue’s progenitor beast was the elder brother of his own father’s progenitor beast, meaning their ancestral beasts were siblings.

As Qi Bai spoke, the gathered listeners were filled with outrage. This was sheer injustice! How could such cruelty be allowed? In their own tribe, female members were cherished above all else. To think that their kin had suffered such mistreatment in a place beyond their sight was unbearable.

Two days later, the two orcs led by Qi Jue returned, but Qi Jue himself did not come back. One of the accompanying orcs, Qi Tao, informed the clan leader, “We journeyed westward for about a month and spotted a pattern identical to the one over our tribe in the sky above a valley near the Fire Vein. It was slightly smaller, though. Within the valley, we found Feng Yu, whose female Qi Yue’s progenitor beast is indeed Qi Xiao. We also saw the Mo Qi talisman now affixed to Qi Yue’s abdomen. She is unconscious due to pregnancy, and Qi Jue said he is the son of Qi Xiao’s sister—that is, Qi Yue’s cousin. He intends to stay by his sister’s side, so he sent us back first.”

“How can pregnancy cause unconsciousness? None of the pregnant females in our tribe have ever fainted,” Qi Hua asked anxiously.

“Her mate said that when she first conceived, she also fainted and did not regain consciousness even through the birth of their first child,” Qi Tao explained.

“Do you know how long Qi Yue has been unconscious?” Qi Hua inquired.

“About six months now,” Qi Tao estimated.

“Clan leader, the Kirin tribe’s gestation period is a year. She should be giving birth around late autumn to early winter. I wish to go assist her delivery. Please grant your permission,” Qi Hua requested.

Qi Song agreed, “Go ahead. She carries your brother’s bloodline, after all. I will arrange for several orcs to escort you. When do you plan to leave?”

“About four months from now, when autumn begins. I might spend the winter there. In case anyone in the tribe falls ill, I need to prepare more herbs, and if there are injuries, Qi Zhong can handle them first,” Qi Hua considered. Her partner Qi Zhong could not accompany her; as an elder responsible for the tribe’s defense, his winter duties were vital. Fortunately, their son lived in that valley, allowing for easy communication. Qi Hua had yet to take on an apprentice, so the medical responsibilities could be managed temporarily. The journey would not be long, and she hoped for no major casualties.

Five months later, Qi Hua arrived at the valley where Qi Yue lived. She explained her purpose and their familial connection to Feng Yu, who then allowed her to enter the cave. The orcs accompanying her greeted Qi Jue before returning.

At this time, Qi Yue’s abdomen was very large—two sizes bigger than that of a pregnant female about to give birth in their own tribe. Their offspring, Feng Chi, was nearby, keeping her company. Qi Hua gently patted Chi’s head, reassuring him not to worry, then carefully examined her niece’s condition. She found that Feng Yu had done an excellent job caring for Qi Yue, whose bodily functions were all in optimal condition. Qi Hua felt relieved and was pleased with Feng Yu, her nephew-in-law. Though he was more than ten years older than Qi Yue, it was clear he truly held her dear.

So far, Qi Yue had been unconscious for eleven months, with only one month left until delivery. Qi Hua told Feng Yu and his son, “Qi Yue is in good health; you need not worry. I will stay here until she has given birth.” Then she instructed Feng Yu on the supplies needed for the birth and asked him to prepare them.

After giving her instructions, Qi Hua reached out to touch the stone talisman affixed to Qi Yue’s belly, reminiscing about the happy times with her brother during their childhood. Since their mother passed away when she was twelve, their father had been heartbroken and left the tribe to wander. Her brother, eight years her senior and already an adult, had been chosen as an apprentice to a shaman from a young age, so their father left without worry.

Her brother had never chosen a mate within the tribe. After she and Qi Zhong paired, he let go of his responsibilities toward her and set off on his travels. Three years later, he returned with his wife to visit, saying they had decided to settle in Lu Yu.

Lost in these memories, Qi Yue looked up and saw the concern in Chi’s eyes. What a thoughtful child—perhaps her somber mood had startled him.

She took Chi’s hand. “Chi, come outside with me and have a look.” When she arrived, she noticed many herbs growing near the cave, of various kinds.

“Alright! What would you like to see, Azu?” Chi, who had heard from his father that this elder who had visited once was his mother’s aunt, asked eagerly.

“Azu wants to see the herbs by the stream,” Qi Hua said with interest.

“Oh! Those were transplanted from the jungle last year before Mother passed away. Father said that when Mother was expecting Chi, she tended to them every day. So Chi asked Father how she did it, and now Chi cares for them daily when there’s time. But I don’t know when they mature. Azu, do you know? Could you teach me?” Feng Chi knew Qi Hua was a shaman; the last time they passed through the Mo Qi tribe, they had sought her medicine once.

“Of course. Winter is coming soon. Although it’s warmer here than outside, many herbs won’t survive the frost, and most here have already reached maturity.” Qi Hua led Feng Chi in gathering the herbs she recognized.

Qi Yue, having a sense of these plants, had transplanted many medicinal herbs from the jungle, but she only knew their properties, not their specific uses. She had intended, upon leaving, to harvest them to see if they could be bartered with other tribes.

The two of them spent three days harvesting all the herbs they knew. But what of those they didn’t recognize? After some thought, they decided to gather those as well, to ask Qi Yue later what they were. They did not know when she would awaken, but it was better to harvest now than waste them.

Had there been so many herbs when Qi Yue transplanted them? It took them three days to harvest just over half. Mainly because last autumn, the family of three had been away, so the herbs’ seeds had naturally scattered, expanding the growth this year.

The vegetables and seasoning plants followed a similar pattern. However, Chi knew when to harvest; once mature, he stored them in their space. Especially the amethyst fruit, which Mother loved dearly; Father had even traveled far to transplant two large bushes.

Because the valley was lush and rich in species, whenever she had time, Qi Hua had her son take her and Chi into the jungle to collect herbs.

Though Chi was reluctant to gather herbs, he was happy to accompany them, mainly to catch small prey for his mother’s meals and to find fruits and vegetables.