The Fall of Wei and Shu
Chapter 8
Shang Xiang tore through the woods, ignoring the sharp sticks that slashed at her face, jumping over roots and puddles. She gasped for breath, her lungs screaming in protest as she forced herself to keep running.
I can't stop. It's my fault she's out there by herself with the baby trying to come early! I never should have suggested sneaking out!!!
When the house was in view, she started screaming at the top of her lungs and ran for the stables. She felt a tingle of relief when she saw lanterns being lit and servants running toward her from the house and the stables.
"What's wrong?"
Shang Xiang pointed over her shoulder to the woods, taking a ragged breath.
"Ai Rong…in the woods… we snuck out… baby…"
Ai Rong's governess/maid snapped around and shouted for a few of the servants to make a gurney to carry their mistress home on. Shang Xiang threw Father Lu an apologetic look before dashing in front of the men carrying the rough gurney and leading them into the woods.
………
Ai Rong managed to pull herself to her feet and walk a short way while leaning on the trees for support before hitting her knees again.
Shang Xiang, please hurry! Oh, the pain is getting worse!
She shook and rolled off her knees so that she was sitting with her back against a tree, sweat pouring off her face as she tried to take long slow breaths. She remembered that her middle-aged cook and the ancient woman who was the head of housekeeping had told her what she should do if she felt like she was going into labor.
Slow breaths…calm down… Oh, I can't!
"Make it stop!"
She hadn't intended to scream, but the words tore themselves from her throat as she leaned slightly and held her belly. Startled by her cries, the birds in the trees took sudden flight. Then she heard the voice of her sister.
"Ai! I'm coming!"
She shouted Shang Xiang's name, and heard other voices along with her sister's. She was doubly relieved when she heard the voice of her governess/maid, Olan.
"Olan! I'm here!"
She felt the comforting rough hands of Olan hoisting her gently to her feet and then lifting her into the air and placing her on a hammock. As she was carried back, she felt a warm dampness soaking through her leggings.
"Unh…Olan…"
"Hush, my girl, we'll be there soon."
Ai Rong quieted and waited for the next rush of pain, turning her head when she heard Shang Xiang apologizing for making her come out into the woods.
"Not your fault… I agreed…"
As she was carried into the special room where she was to give birth, Ai Rong wondered if she would die this day, as she had in so many of her dreams. Shang Xiang chewed her thumbnail as she settled herself by her older sister's shoulder, her face lined with worry. Then Olan nodded to the midwife, who put a hand on the blind woman's knee and smiled.
"Alright, you're ready. Start pushing."
