Chapter 47: Lin Shu

Lin Yang had hired a midwife directly, waiting here for two months. During these two months, he cultivated in the room next to Wang Ling’er’s, so that he could respond immediately to any issues.

Recently, Yun Ting’er, seeing Wang Ling’er’s swollen belly, also desired a child, and so she found various ways to torment Lin Yang. He suffered, but was happy.

Suddenly, Lin Yang heard Wang Ling’er’s muffled cries of pain. He rushed out of his room and ran to hers, seeing Wang Ling’er in great distress. He shouted, “Midwife, hurry!”

“Master, Xiao Hong has already gone,” said the maid beside Wang Ling’er.

Lin Yang looked at Xiao Lu. These two maids were usually tasked with chores, but now, given the circumstances, he had them guard Wang Ling’er at all times. As for their names, Lin Yang had made them up; they had their own real names. He simply gave them nicknames—one always wore green, the other red. Not knowing their real names, he called them by color.

“Once this is over, I’ll return your deed of sale,” he told the maid. Maids were bought for service, but Lin Yang granting her freedom was his way of repaying her for months of diligent care.

“Thank you, Master, thank you!” Xiao Lu said, kneeling with joy.

“Stand up. Don’t kneel every time—go hurry things along.”

“Yes, Master.” Xiao Lu was about to leave.

“The midwife is here!” The midwife hurried to the bedside, instructing the maids to assist her and promptly ushering Lin Yang out.

Lin Yang paced anxiously outside. Yun Ting comforted him.

“Don’t worry, my husband—good fortune favors the righteous.”

“I don’t think Sister Wang will be in danger.”

“I’m just afraid,” Lin Yang replied. Two quarters of an hour passed, and then a piercing cry of a newborn echoed from the room. The midwife emerged, loudly congratulating him, and carried the child wrapped in a red blanket, his tiny head exposed, crying fiercely. Carefully, she handed the baby to Lin Yang, who was overjoyed.

“Go and collect your reward,” Lin Yang said happily, taking the child and gazing at his wrinkled little face. The newborn was so fragile, needing constant protection.

He carried the child back to the small house and handed him to Wang Ling’er. After all, it was their child together. Lin Yang was moved by Wang Ling’er’s exhausted appearance; her face was pale, sweat-soaked, drained by blood loss. Knowing how weak mothers can be after childbirth, Lin Yang had specially prepared a restorative pill to gently replenish her energy.

“Look, our big healthy boy,” Lin Yang said joyfully, passing the baby to Wang Ling’er and preparing a bowl of water to help her take the medicine.

Wang Ling’er took the baby, gazing at him with maternal tenderness. Lin Yang fetched the gentle, restorative pill he’d prepared from his pouch, fed it to her, and then offered a sip of cool water to help her swallow.

After Wang Ling’er took the pill, her complexion became warmer and healthier. Looking at her adorable child, she realized they hadn’t named him yet and asked Lin Yang to do so.

“Husband, please name our child.”

“Ling’er, do you hope for him to be renowned for his literary talent or martial virtue?”

“I hope for literary brilliance,” she replied, envisioning her son as handsome and cultured.

“May his talent be exceptional, his legacy unparalleled—let’s call him Lin Shu.” Thus, Lin Yang decided his firstborn’s name.

“Good, Lin Shu it is,” Lin Yang declared happily.

“Husband, I think that’s a wonderful name too,” Wang Ling’er agreed.

“Then I’ll go find a wet nurse; you should rest well.”

“All right, husband, go ahead.” Wang Ling’er, exhausted from childbirth, agreed to Lin Yang’s suggestion.

“I’ll be off, then.” Lin Yang took the baby outside to the courtyard and asked the maids to summon the wet nurse. The courtyard, once small, had grown into a large one as Lin Yang’s household expanded over the years.

“I’ll go right away,” said the maid.

Soon, the maid returned with the wet nurse. Lin Yang handed Lin Shu to her and had another maid assist, for sometimes one person couldn’t manage alone.

After feeding, the wet nurse carried the baby back to the room, gently placing him in the prepared cradle, covering him with a small quilt, and installing a warm, glowing stone above. The light was soft, not harsh.

Lin Yang, seeing Wang Ling’er sleeping peacefully, felt a pang of tenderness and lay beside her, holding her hand. The two drifted quietly into sleep.

…

But Lin Yang slept only an hour before being abruptly awakened by the baby’s cries. Lin Shu was hungry. Lin Yang hurried to take him to the wet nurse, but his movements woke Wang Ling’er. Seeing Lin Shu crying, she quickly got up, took him in her arms, and opened her blouse to nurse him. Little Lin Shu, though small, cried loudly, but quieted once he began feeding.

Lin Yang, watching the peaceful mother and child, left to instruct the servants to prepare some meat porridge. He also brought Yun Ting inside.

The three watched Lin Shu in happiness. After eating his fill, Lin Shu looked curiously at those around him.

“Shu’er, call me ‘father’!” Lin Yang, seeing Lin Shu’s curious gaze, said on a whim—then remembered newborns couldn’t speak.

“Mm, mm,” Lin Shu mumbled, then began to drift back to sleep. Babies sleep most of the time, and the younger they are, the longer they rest. Lin Shu, having been awake for a while, couldn’t stay awake any longer and fell asleep.

Lin Yang, admiring his adorable son, hung a longevity lock around his neck—a protective charm he’d crafted himself, meant to safeguard life and nurture the body. It would not only help Lin Shu develop intelligence early and strengthen his health, but also held cultural significance.

Bored, Lin Yang weighed Lin Shu—he was a robust seven pounds eight ounces, a very healthy child.

…