Chapter 112: The Problem with Kneeling Arises

“Hiss,” Bai Xi looked at Chen Rui, momentarily stunned, then a bright smile spread across her round little face, and she seemed to radiate warmth all over.

“Good, not bad, thoughtful. Here, let your auntie give you some candy,” Bai Xi said, personally grabbing a handful and placing it into Chen Rui’s hand. Though her small hand could only hold three or four pieces, it was enough to make everyone envious of her.

This girl was so clever; no wonder her auntie often kept her by her side. She was bound for great things in the future.

The auspicious greetings went back and forth, always the same few phrases repeated, but Bai Xi never grew impatient. Yet Chen Rui’s quick-witted remark was refreshing and truly touched Bai Xi’s heart.

Receiving Bai Xi’s praise, Chen Rui smiled, tucked the candy away, and obediently stood to the side, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Bai Xi.

The New Year’s visits continued.

“Greetings, Auntie. Today is the first day of the year. I come with my family to pay respects and wish you, Auntie, and the pines to remain evergreen and everlasting…”

Bai Xi nodded with a smile but silently wondered if “evergreen” wasn’t a euphemism for something less flattering in the mortal world.

Was that right?

The last to pay respects was the family of Old Chen.

There were only four of them: sixty-year-old Old Chen, her heavily pregnant youngest daughter-in-law, and the ten-year-old eldest grandson left behind by her deceased eldest son.

Old Chen’s youngest son had gone to serve in the army a few years ago. He had returned briefly this year but would soon be away for another half year or more.

The family usually survived on the village's help, supplemented by the frugal savings and allowances sent by Old Chen’s son, enough to keep them from starving even though they had little labor power.

Bai Xi had initially exempted them from kneeling out of consideration for the daughter-in-law’s condition, but Old Chen refused.

How could others pay respects properly while they were not allowed? Did Auntie dislike them?

“Auntie, my son’s name was given by our revered ancestor, Chen Hongbing. If you won’t let us kneel, does it mean you don’t like our family?”

“If we have done anything wrong, Auntie, please just scold or punish us, but don’t grow weary of us.” Without Auntie’s favor, life in the village would be unbearable.

“That’s not the case. It’s because your daughter-in-law is heavy with child that kneeling was excused. Don’t take it the wrong way,” Bai Xi replied. The daughter-in-law’s complexion was paler than even Li Jia’s had been.

Recently, she had complained of faint abdominal pain and a trip to the city doctor revealed the fetus was unusually large, suggesting childbirth would be difficult.

Of course, Bai Xi had only heard this from Xiao Shunzi and a few others.

“That won’t do. Paying respects to Auntie is a must.”

Everyone knew that Auntie was a person blessed with great fortune. Besides, all the elders had knelt earlier. If the mother and daughter-in-law didn’t kneel, what kind of message would that send?

Either they were disrespecting Auntie, or Auntie disliked them.

Neither outcome was one they wished to see.

“Yes, Auntie, thank you for your concern. I’m fine,” the daughter-in-law said.

Seeing Old Chen’s stubborn expression and her daughter-in-law’s hopeful eyes, Bai Xi could only nod in consent. “Take it slow; don’t move too much.”

She sat down, only handing out red envelopes and smiling was tiring enough, especially since they had come early, pregnant, and waited so long.

If there was trouble, it would be a real headache.

Bai Xi didn’t want to be a goddess of childbirth, but she certainly didn’t want to be a bringer of misfortune.

Yet, no sooner had Bai Xi spoken than trouble arose during the kneeling.

After the auspicious words were said, the daughter-in-law struggled for a long while to get up, brow furrowed, mouth open as if to say something, but only beads of sweat emerged, and no words came out.

“What’s wrong?” Chen Daliu asked quickly.

Old Chen was also puzzled and hurriedly reached out with the grandson to help her up.

The daughter-in-law seemed to regain composure, exhaling deeply, but soon frowned again. Gasping, she looked at Bai Xi and stammered, “I... I’m sorry, Auntie. I didn’t mean to… I think I’m going into labor.”

Bai Xi was speechless.

What was there to apologize for? Childbirth was beyond anyone’s control.

Those around were stunned.

“Why are you all standing there? Hurry and take her home to give birth!”

Bai Xi’s sharp command snapped everyone back to reality.

The once lively and warm scene turned somewhat chaotic.

“Auntie, we’re so sorry…” Old Chen apologized anxiously, but seeing Bai Xi was unbothered, she hurried after those escorting the daughter-in-law home.

Clutching tightly to the red envelope and milk candy Bai Xi had given her, the daughter-in-law whispered anxiously, “Mother, will I be alright? Will Auntie blame me?”

Old Chen’s face was full of worry but her voice steady: “No, no, don’t worry. Just focus on giving birth safely. You heard Auntie say it will be peaceful and healthy.”

“Yes, Auntie said so.” Though she had been suffering from stomach pain since the night before and it only got worse, she had endured it all to pay her respects.

Since returning from the hospital over half a month ago, she hadn’t slept a full night. Night after night, she dreamed of a difficult birth, fearing something might happen to the child and disappoint the hardworking man in the army.

When Auntie initially forbade kneeling, she thought the world was collapsing. Like her mother-in-law, she worried if Auntie disliked them.

Fortunately, Auntie relented, but now her body betrayed her at the worst possible moment.

“Mother, if anything happens to me, just focus on saving the baby,” the daughter-in-law said tearfully.

Old Chen sharply cut her off, “Don’t think nonsense. Prepare yourself for the birth. Everything will be fine.”

The midwife nearby quickly reassured her, “Focus on conserving your strength for the delivery. Don’t get distracted by worries. This baby will need you to nurse them. You can’t slack off.”

The daughter-in-law gave a faint smile, knowing it was meant to encourage her not to let go of that breath.

“Don’t worry, I will, I will…” But the pain surged again, and she winced and cried out.

At the treehouse, Chen Rui sensed Bai Xi’s concern and quietly moved the beams and posts aside. Whispering a few words, they both nodded and ran off.

“Auntie, please rest assured, nothing will happen.”

“Yes, Auntie, don’t worry.”