Difficult Birth
Mrs. Feng gave him a stern look and patted her younger son's bottom. "Alright, go to sleep with your sister." "Don't make too much of a fuss tonight, and get up early tomorrow to work in the fields."
Although the courtyard was connected, the presence of houses separated the area, causing the family to subconsciously divide the yard into two parts.
The kitchen, storage room, and chicken coop were all located on this side, where the adults primarily spent their time. Zhou Erlang would occasionally take the split bamboo strips to the adjacent area to dry.
However, Mrs. Feng and her family rarely visited that place.
The younger children, including Zhou Sanlang, preferred to spend their time on that side. As the evening approached, if there were no meetings, they would return to that side to relax, catch fireflies, sit on a stool in the yard, and feel a sense of ease.
Once Mrs. Feng gave permission, her younger son rushed over to the adjacent side as if he were a calf let out of the pen after being closed in for ten days.
Er Ya quickly followed.
As the two were about to run over, the main gate of the Zhou family's house was suddenly pushed open. It was already dark, and the silence of the night startled the two children.
But the daughter-in-law of the Qian family, who burst in, didn't pay attention to the two children and nearly bumped into them.
Zhou Erlang couldn't help but stand up. "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"
"Erlang, also known as Lao San," said Qian's daughter-in-law in a deep voice. "Zhou Hu's wife is experiencing a challenging childbirth." We need to take her to Dali Village. You and Lao San will push the cart there.
Mrs. Feng was shocked and quickly asked, "How could it be a difficult birth? Is this her third child?"
The Qian daughter-in-law replied, "The baby is breech and can't be turned." Let's not discuss this now; just get the cart out.
Zhou Erlang went to knock on Lao San's door and brought the cart from the storage room.
The sounds had reached the room, and Man Bao and Zhou Xi came out. Seeing that Mrs. Qian was not feeling well, she forced a smile and said to Man Bao, "Tonight, your mother and I don't have time." "You will follow your older sister, understand?"
Man Bao had been studying medical books lately, so naturally, she knew what a difficult birth was. She asked with concern, "Will Sister-in-law be okay?"
"She will be fine," Mrs. Qian replied.
Zhou Xi asked, "Sister-in-law, should I help?"
"What will you do?" Mrs. Qian said without looking back, "In the village, there are many experienced elderly women and senior daughters-in-law who have given birth." "You and Man Bao stay at home," she then turned to Mrs. Feng, who had come up, and said, "Later, you and I will go together to fetch my third sister-in-law." As night approached, I didn't dare to let her come back with me because she is currently pregnant.
Mrs. Feng agreed.
The commotion in the neighboring courtyard led everyone to run over to see what was happening. However, Zhou Silang and Fang also intended to go, but they were all forced back into the courtyard by Qian's daughter-in-law. "Why are you joining in the excitement?" "You're too young to know anything." "Stay at home and take care of the children; don't let them run around."
Zhou Dalang and Lao Zhoutou also emerged. Lao Zhoutou leaned against the doorframe and said, "Take some money with you. If it's really bad, you may have to go to the county."
This was a very bad outcome.
The city gates were now closed, so if they had to go to the county, it would have to wait until dawn. If she still couldn't give birth, she might not survive.
Lao Zhoutou went inside to get some money. He had only received money from Zhou Erlang tonight, and it was difficult for him to take it all out, so he only took two strings for Mrs. Qian and said, "You go with them, let your mother come back. Her health is not good. She can't run around like this.
He also said to Mrs. Feng, "Go and bring your mother back." Dalang, go with them.
Zhou Dalang and Mrs. Feng agreed.
Zhou Sanlang also prepared three torches in the kitchen. Zhou Erlang pushed the cart while following Lao San, with someone lighting the way for him and another person leading in front. They pushed the cart quickly, with people running alongside them.
Aside from the young and strong, some experienced women from the village also joined in. Zhou Dalang dragged Zhou Hu behind, comforting him, "Don't worry, our main doctor from the big market has delivered many babies." It should be fine. We have already sent someone to notify them. "We should be close to Dali Village now."
"We should be ready when we get there."
Zhou Hu responded with a grunt.
Mrs. Qian and the midwife ran alongside the cart, occasionally checking on the pregnant woman's condition. When the road became difficult to traverse, others would take the torches and lift the cart, continuing at a rapid pace.
With many torches, they were able to light up the path they needed to take without fear of falling into a pit.
Dali Village was not far from Qili Village. Despite traveling at night, they continued running and soon arrived at their destination.
The main doctor's house had received a message in advance and was prepared. Once the pregnant woman arrived, she was immediately taken to a room where hot water had been prepared, and the midwife had selected two experienced women to assist.
Although the head doctor had already inquired about her symptoms, he had prepared herbal medicine in advance. Upon arrival, he quickly checked her pulse and confirmed that the medication was correct. He then instructed them to administer the medicine and stated, "We need to adjust the fetal position and administer a blood-stopping injection."
He didn't say another word, but it was clear that they had arrived a little late. The baby's condition was severe, making it difficult to do much at this point.
In Qili Village, Mrs. Qian and the elderly women who had come to help supported Mrs. Feng. As they slowly made their way back. Zhou Dalang stood on the side, holding torches for them.
After a while, Mrs. Qian spoke, "Dalang, how is your injury?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore," Zhou Dalang replied.