Changyu returned with her bags full; even Mingda couldn't resist choosing a piece of jade—a beautiful mutton-fat jade. She planned to have it made into a bracelet to wear later.
Seeing it was getting late, Manbao got up to see them out, and Zhou Lijun, belly big and round, also walked with them to the gate.
Watching their carriage go off into the distance, Zhou Lijun was just about to turn back, one hand on her belly, when she suddenly cried out, "Ah!" Manbao hurriedly reached out to steady her. "What's wrong?"
"I—I think I twisted my waist. No, no, that's not it, I think I'm bleeding—or my water broke? Little Aunt, Little Aunt…"
Manbao glanced down once and said, "Don't be afraid, you're probably about to give birth."
She added, "According to the dates we counted, it's these few days anyway. That's perfectly normal. Don't be scared; it won't come out in a moment or two. Come on, I'll help you back inside."
