The child, born before reaching full term, appeared smaller than average newborns.
However, his cries were vigorous, suggesting that the collision and premature birth had not significantly impacted him.
Currently, he was wailing in the midwife's arms, flailing his limbs, perhaps expressing his displeasure at arriving into the world in such a manner.
Seeing Song Chaoyu's joy, the midwife quickly cleaned the little one, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and handed him to Song Chaoyu. "Would you like to hold him, miss?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head. "Take him out to Grandmother and Father. This is the child my concubine risked her life to give birth to!"
She turned her head to look at Concubine Liu, who was sleeping soundly on the bed. Only after confirming with Fan Jiangyue that both the concubine and the child were well could she finally relax.
—
Meanwhile, outside, Song Yuan had been waiting anxiously.
He paced back and forth in the room. "Why haven't they come out yet? Did something happen? The child should be alright, right?"
Just then, the midwife emerged with the baby. "Congratulations, Master Song, congratulations, Old Madam. The concubine has safely given birth to a young master! Although he was born a bit early, and the child weighs less than six catties, the young master is very healthy. Listen to how loud his cries are!"
"Good, good!"
The Old Madam leaned in and gently poked the little one's cheek.
Song Yuan also came forward, eager. "Let me hold the child! Oh, this little fellow cries so loudly! He will surely be accomplished in both letters and martial arts in the future!"
The midwife naturally spoke words of congratulation, but Song Chaoyu's gaze remained fixed on the infant. Even when Song Yuan took the baby, her eyes held a hint of vigilance.
At this moment, the person most displeased in this courtyard was likely the First Madam.
She coughed lightly, wanting to get closer to see.
But with the Old Madam blocking her on the left and Song Chaoyu on the right, she could only catch a general glimpse and muttered, "He really gave birth to a son?"
Song Yuan was entirely focused on the infant and had no time to pay attention to the First Madam.
The Old Madam glanced at the First Madam. "Besides Yang'er, the household now has another son. As the matriarch, you must take good care of Concubine Liu and her child. If anything happens to either of them, I will hold you accountable first!"
The First Madam, despite her myriad dissatisfactions, dared not voice them and could only nod in agreement.
Song Yuan had already had people calculate and choose a name for the child.
Although a庶子 (son of a concubine), because this was Song Yuan's late-in-life child, the character "嘉" (Jia) was still used.
The given name was "清" (Qing), signifying a clear stream.
"Song Jiaqing."
Song Chaoyu softly murmured the name. "Father, this name is very nice."
Song Yuan smiled and nodded. "Yes, it's a pleasant name."
After returning the child to the midwife to be taken to the wet nurse for feeding, he looked at Song Chaoyu. "How is your concubine?"
Such a heartless person, only now remembering the concubine.
Song Chaoyu lowered her head, not wanting Song Yuan to see the disgust in her eyes. "Concubine is too exhausted. She risked half her life to give birth to Qing Ge'er, and has now fallen asleep."
A hint of affection arose in Song Yuan's heart. "Yes, your concubine has indeed worked too hard. Rest assured, from now on, you three, mother and children, will all have good lives! I should have brought you back from the estate much earlier."
Song Chaoyu did not believe his words about good lives; she believed that good lives had to be fought for.
Therefore, Song Chaoyu knelt before Song Yuan without a word. "I beg Father to let Qing Ge'er be raised by his mother's side! Concubine risked her life to give birth to him. If you separate mother and son, I fear Concubine will hang herself!"
In many wealthy families in the capital, after a庶子 was born, he would be raised by the主母 (first wife) to ensure the主母's absolute status.
Hearing Song Chaoyu's words, the First Madam also became somewhat displeased. "Child, why do you speak to your father like that? Even though today is a joyous occasion for the Song family, you shouldn't be so reckless. If Qing Ge'er is raised in your Huashu Courtyard, won't others say your father favors concubines over his wife? Where will my dignity as the mistress of the household be placed in the future?"
She was unwilling in ten thousand ways.
Song Yuan also looked somewhat troubled. "Indeed, your concubine has worked very hard this time. But the rules of the household..."
"Let him be raised in Huashu Courtyard!"
To everyone's surprise, the Old Madam spoke first. "If you send Qing Ge'er to the主母 now, Concubine Liu will likely cry her eyes out. Keeping him by her side will allow her to feel at ease. She risked life and death to give birth to this child today; even without merit, she has labor. She is still young and capable of raising a child."
The Old Madam glanced at the First Madam's displeased expression. "Besides, Concubine Liu has always been gentle and sensible. She will not rely on having a son to disrespect you, the First Madam."
"Yes, she has always been sensible and obedient!"
Song Yuan also spoke in defense of Concubine Liu.
The First Madam's eyes still held dissatisfaction.
However, before the First Madam could say anything, the Old Madam, while personally helping Song Chaoyu up, continued, "You are busy now. The second daughter is marrying Prince Ning, and this wedding is highly anticipated in the capital. You must pay attention to everything. Yang Ge'er's health is also recovering. Although Madam Nie is in his courtyard, you still need to worry, don't you? You are already overwhelmed with your own affairs. If you take Qing Ge'er, you might just get sick from exhaustion!"
The Old Madam also gave Song Yuan a guarantee. "I am old and I enjoy the company of my grandchildren. Since you are keeping Qing'er in Huashu Courtyard, with my care, he will certainly not be taught wrongly. What do you say?"
With the Old Madam having spoken to this extent, if Song Yuan still refused, it would be rather unreasonable.
He hurriedly nodded to the Old Madam. "Yes, Mother, you are right. Qing'er should remain in Huashu Courtyard. With Mother's help in taking care of him, there will naturally be no impropriety."
"Well, then it's settled."
The Old Madam did not give the First Madam any further opportunity. "Alright, the child and Concubine Liu are both fine. Everyone disperse! Prince Chang is still waiting outside. Shouldn't you go thank Prince Chang?"
That's right, there was also Mu Changxi!
After all, it was a birth of a Song family female member, and Mu Changxi had been waiting in the main hall of the Song residence and had not come over.
However, with Song Jiayang accompanying him, he likely wasn't treated with disrespect.
Song Yuan busied himself with straightening his robes and led the First Madam out. "Today, we must truly thank Prince Chang for his timely arrival!"
He seemed to have no doubt as to why Prince Chang had arrived so promptly.