Why am I, a cook, always involved in cases?

Chapter 173 Unsolvable Problem

"Yo, this little baby is active again."

Imperial Concubine Yuyao gently stroked her round belly.

As autumn approaches, a thin shawl gently covers her shoulders, adding a layer of hazy beauty to her.

Caiwei always remained vigilant. Once Concubine Yuyao showed signs of catching a cold, her usually gentle face would immediately become cold and awe-inspiring.

Princess Ai Ling saw her mother's belly rising and falling gently and let out a series of crisp laughs.

At the same time, the kitten Rongrong quietly came to the soft carpet and became the princess's new friend.

Lin Zhiruo regularly trims Rongrong's sharp claws and patiently teaches it not to hurt others. Unless the princess's actions are too rough, Rongrong always treats her gently.

However, the world of children is always full of unpredictable changes.

Lin Zhiruo sat on the carpet, staring at the princess to prevent her from mischievously covering her belly that was nurturing a new life.

If Rongrong showed signs of attacking, Lin Zhiruo could quickly grab its neck and gently lift it away.

"Speaking of which, although this child is still young, he has already demonstrated a unique personality."

Imperial Concubine Yuyao's gaze fell on the beating abdomen again.

"When I was pregnant with Ai Ling, she was always kicking in my upper abdomen, but this little one prefers to move around in the lower part."

“Is it always active down there?”

Lin Zhiruo raised her eyebrows slightly, then gently picked up Rongrong and placed it in the basket.

The princess grumbled in dissatisfaction, stretching her little hands in vain towards the basket in the air.

Lin Zhiruo placed the basket on the table so that the princess couldn't reach it, then slowly approached Concubine Yuyao, her figure as light as catkins in the wind.

"Can you let me feel it? Let me touch this miracle of life?"

"Of course, but why are you so eager?"

Imperial Concubine Yuyao looked puzzled, while Lin Zhiruo gently touched her abdomen with her fingertips.

The powerful kick came from the lower abdomen, and Lin Zhiruo's expression froze slightly.

"Did the birth of Princess Ai Ling go smoothly?"

Lin Zhiruo asked softly.

"It went very smoothly, not like a first delivery."

Imperial Concubine Yuyao smiled and replied, "Perhaps it was because the princess was small in stature that she did not encounter too many difficulties during childbirth."

Caiwei added on the side, and the princess wanted to reach the basket on the table, but Caiwei protected her tightly.

Rongrong peeked out curiously from the crack in the basket.

"Who delivered the baby that day?"

Lin Zhiruo continued to ask, and Caiwei's expression became complicated.

"It's me. The food officials here are really hard to trust, so I taught myself and managed to get by."

Caiwei sighed, "It's just..."

"Just what?"

Lin Zhiruo asked.

"I had originally asked an experienced elderly woman to assist me, but she suddenly became unwell."

Caiwei looked helpless. "I had no choice but to do it myself. Fortunately, everything went well. But it seems that Imperial Concubine Pinglan hired another midwife."

Lin Zhiruo nodded when she heard this, and thought to herself that perhaps the harem would welcome a new midwife this time.

However, there was one thing that made her feel suspicious.

Imperial Concubine Yuyao seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled, inviting her, "Do you have any questions? Feel free to share them."

Lin Zhiruo finally mustered up the courage to confess her concerns: "I'm just worried that if this child is born in reverse order, will the midwife be able to handle it?"

"Anterior birth?"

Concubine Yuyao's hand unconsciously touched her abdomen. Perhaps because the fetus kicked again, her expression was slightly distorted.

"This baby is always kicking downwards. If it's kicking instead of flapping, it means the baby's head is facing upwards."

Lin Zhiruo explained.

During delivery, it is safest to have the fetus's head come out first, because the head is the largest part of the body, and if the head comes out first, the delivery will be smoother.

On the contrary, if the feet come out first, the danger increases greatly.

"Have you concluded that it was an adverse birth?"

Concubine Yuyao asked.

"No, I'm just suggesting this possibility. To truly understand the situation, a more thorough palpation is necessary."

Lin Zhiruo answered.

"Can you?"

Imperial Concubine Yuyao asked.

Lin Zhiruo was speechless for a moment.

Although her father was well versed in food arts, he only taught her knowledge of medicine.

She learned skills such as palpation from her father's daily operations.

Imperial Concubine Yuyao looked at Lin Zhiruo quietly, seeming to realize that her question was a bit abrupt.

"You come and perform palpation for me."

She changed her words.

Lin Zhiruo looked up at the ceiling, took a deep breath, and then slowly walked to Concubine Yuyao.

"This method may be a little offensive. I wonder if Your Majesty can accept it?"

Lin Zhiruo briefly explained the steps of palpation.

"really?"

Upon hearing this, Concubine Yuyao covered her mouth.

For a lady from a prominent family, this behavior was a great humiliation.

But if you are considered rude because of palpation, it would be more trouble than it is worth.

"Compared to childbirth, this is nothing. Please do it for me."

Imperial Concubine Yuyao said firmly.

"As ordered."

Lin Zhiruo secretly admired Concubine Yuyao's strength and courage, and then began to prepare for the palpation.

(This is unpredictable.)

After the palpation, Lin Zhiruo washed her hands.

Although I knew in advance that I would need to touch my private parts, I still felt reluctant when I actually did it.

What's more, she is not an expert and it is difficult for her to make an accurate judgment when the fetus is still small.

However, after careful diagnosis, Lin Zhiruo believed that there was an 80% chance that the baby was born in reverse order.

She deduced the position of the fetus based on clues such as the feeling of kicking and the sound of the heartbeat.

Although the fetus will sometimes turn naturally as it grows, considering that Concubine Yuyao's pregnancy is nearing its end, the fact that the fetus is still in an abnormal position is really worrying.

In less than two months, it will be the day of delivery.

"What should I do?"

Concubine Yuyao returned after changing her clothes, and Caiwei followed closely behind her with a worried look on her face.

"It is said that more physical activity and moxibustion can help correct the fetal position.

As for how to exercise, perhaps I need to consult someone outside the palace. As for sweet therapy, I do know a thing or two."

Lin Zhiruo answered.

"That's great. Then tell me some other treatments."

Imperial Concubine Yuyao said.

"I'll trouble you, Lin Zhiruo, with the sweet therapy."

Imperial Concubine Yuyao spoke again.

She gently stroked her abdomen, and suddenly seemed to remember something and asked Lin Zhiruo, "What will happen if the fetal position cannot be corrected?"

"In the worst case scenario, I'm afraid a caesarean section will be needed to deliver the baby."

Lin Zhiruo was reluctant to mention this possibility because even with a midwife present, the risk was still extremely high.

Although cesarean section is the last resort, once it is implemented, Concubine Yuyao's life will be in danger.

What's more, in this deep palace, if an emergency occurs, there will be no reliable food and living officials by your side, which is indeed a major hidden danger.

(It would be better if Wang Dahai could be more reliable.)

However, this is just a futile fantasy.

Wang Dahai may be kind-hearted, but his cooking skills are really hard to praise.

It is even more difficult to invite another talented person into the harem.

Since the system stipulates that only eunuchs can enter the harem, it means that they must give up their dignity and identity as men.

Is it easier to change the system, or is it more realistic to make Wang Dahai suddenly become a master of food?

This is really an unsolvable problem.