Wаvе аftеr wаvе оf pain hаd numbеd Zhоu Shаоjin's senses. Bу thе time the midwifе plaсеd а sоft wооden bloсk in her mouth and urged her to рush, shе no lоnger knеw whеrе hеr strength wаs bеing ехеrted. Yеt cheers еruрted in thе room: "It's born, it's bоrn! It's a little mаster!"
Zhou Shаоjin hаd just brеаthеd а sigh of reliеf whеn her hеаrt tightеned аgain. Shе аsked reреatеdly, "Is the child wеll?"
"Very well!" thе midwifе lаughed. Тhen camе а shаrp "slар," fоllоwеd bу the bаbу's loud, wаiling crу.
"Look аt this child, сrуing sо vigorоuslу!" Маdam Qiu wiped thе sweat-drenched Zhоu Shaojin's forеhead with а warm сlоth, her fаce unable to conceal a smile. "He'll surely grow into a big, sturdy boy who eats and sleeps well."
Tears streamed down Zhou Shaojin's cheeks.
Having lived two lifetimes, she had finally given birth safely and smoothly, becoming a mother.
Propping herself up halfway, she smiled and reached out toward the midwife. "Let me see him!"
The midwife replied with a smile, "Please wait a moment, Madam," then deftly began cleaning the baby.
Madam Fan Liu and the others were not idle either. They helped Zhou Shaojin wash, change clothes, and wrap her head. Only after Zhou Shaojin was tidied up did they bring over the baby, now clean and neatly swaddled.
The child was a reddish bundle, eyes closed, with beautiful, elongated eye lines, a delicate upturned nose, full red lips, and glossy black hair—exceptionally lovely.
Zhou Shaojin felt her heart melt.
Madam Qiu exclaimed, "Oh, my precious! How can he be so beautiful! Who knows which family's daughter he'll charm when he grows up!"
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but smile softly, gently stroking her son's soft hair as if caressing the most precious thing in the world, moving with utmost care and holding her breath.
A commotion arose outside.
Zhou Shaojin and Madam Qiu turned toward the sound just as the curtain was lifted. Old Madam Guo hurried in, taking three steps in two.
"Where's the child?" she asked, joy evident between her brows. "Quick, let me see, let me see!"
Madam Qiu carefully picked up the baby and placed him in Old Madam Guo's arms.
"This child is truly beautiful!" Old Madam Guo beamed, her eyes crinkling with delight. "He looks exactly like Si Lang did when he was little!"
"Really?" Zhou Shaojin looked up at the child.
It was still unclear whom the child resembled. But if he took after Cheng Chi, he would surely be handsome.
"He's the spitting image of Si Lang," Old Madam Guo stated with certainty. "If you don't believe me, just wait. In a few days, when his features become more distinct, you'll see."
Zhou Shaojin smiled faintly.
A maid entered with some fermented glutinous rice wine.
Madam Qiu personally fed it to her.
How could Zhou Shaojin trouble Madam Qiu like this?
She struggled to sit up.
Madam Qiu immediately supported her, saying, "What's the matter? By seniority, I'm your second sister-in-law. By age, you're even younger than A Sheng. It's only right that I take care of you."
Old Madam Guo nodded slightly upon hearing this and said to Zhou Shaojin, "There's no need to be so polite with your second sister-in-law. Just remember her kindness, and in the future, if A Sheng or the others ever need help, be generous with your assistance."
Zhou Shaojin took these words to heart.
Old Madam Guo's gaze returned fondly to the child's face as she asked Nanny Lu, "Has someone been sent to deliver the news to Si Lang?"
Cheng Chi would not be able to hand over his duties and return to the capital until the end of the sixth month. He had not made it back in time for Zhou Shaojin's delivery.Nanny Lu hurriedly smiled and said, "As soon as the young master was born, we sent someone with an urgent eight-hundred-li express message to Kaifeng Prefecture."
Old Madam Guo nodded in satisfaction.
Nanny Lu then busied herself announcing the happy news to relatives and friends, including Zhou Chujin from Apricot Grove Lane, Double Elm Lane, and Elm Tree Lane, as well as Cheng Zheng's in-laws, the Xu family, Cheng Xiao's in-laws, the Yuan family, and Cheng Sheng's in-laws, the Peng family.
In less than an hour, Zhou Chujin arrived holding Guan Ge, followed closely by Cheng Sheng carrying Rui Ge'er.
Soon after, Cheng Zheng and Cheng Xiao also arrived with their children.
A Ren and Guan Ge'er were running back and forth in the room,
making the place instantly lively.
Even from behind the screen, Zhou Shaojin could imagine everyone's expressions. Though it was a bit noisy, it felt warm and familiar to her.
She kissed her son's soft, pink little face and fell asleep contentedly.
The days that followed were somewhat chaotic.
The first time breastfeeding, the first time holding the baby, the first time soothing him to sleep... Even with maids and nannies helping, she couldn't help but worry and couldn't just leave everything to them.
Just as she finally got things under control, Cheng Chi's letter arrived.
He named the child "Yun" but didn't mention when he would return.
Zhou Shaojin secretly worried.
Old Madam Guo, however, nodded repeatedly and said, "This is a good name. 'Jade hidden within stone brings radiance to the mountain.' Our Cheng family is now in a time when we must conceal our brilliance and bide our time."
Zhou Shaojin also thought the name was well chosen.
This was her and Cheng Chi's first child, and moreover, their eldest son. If he could grow up with a gentle and tolerant nature, capable of embracing his younger siblings, that would be even better.
Old Madam Guo then discussed the full-month celebration with her: "...Why not just invite the family over for a lively gathering? We can hold a banquet for relatives and friends when the child reaches one hundred days. By then, Si Lang will have completed his official duties."
Zhou Shaojin smiled and nodded, saying, "I'll listen to Mother!"
Old Madam Guo chuckled heartily, very pleased.
Now that her youngest son had an heir, she could face the Cheng family ancestors in the afterlife with a clear conscience.
Old Madam Guo went to prepare for Yun Ge'er's full-month celebration, while Zhou Shaojin played with her son, who was not yet a month old.
Unfortunately, Yun Ge'er spent most of his time sleeping, occasionally opening his eyes for a brief glance before dozing off again.
Zhou Shaojin never tired of watching him. She would kiss his little face one moment and touch his small hands the next, playing with him and devoting all her attention to her son. She didn't concern herself with the full-month celebration at all.
On the day of the full-month celebration, she only invited family members over for a meal and hired a female storyteller to entertain them.
Cheng Jing even took half a day off for this, asking Madam Yuan to bring Yun Ge'er for him to see.
Yun Ge'er's wet nurse, surnamed Ye, was found by Zhou Chujin. She was a cousin of Guan Ge'er's wet nurse, young, fair-skinned, plump, and gentle-natured, which pleased Zhou Shaojin greatly.
She carefully wrapped the child in fine cotton cloth and showed him to Cheng Jing.
Cheng Jing was utterly delighted. He wanted to hold the baby but was afraid of hurting the soft little bundle. Smiling at Old Madam Guo, he said, "This child is truly beautiful, exactly like Fourth Brother when he was little!"
"He does resemble him!" Cheng Shao smiled and touched the child's small hand.
Cheng Wen also squeezed over, saying, "Let me see, let me see!"
Nurse Ye raised her arms to show the child to Cheng Wen.
Cheng Wen cheerfully tucked a longevity lock inlaid with various jewels into Yun Ge'er's swaddling clothes.
Cheng Jing, in high spirits, teased Cheng Wen with a smile, "Are you planning to give this as a treasure for the child's dowry chest?"Even among wealthy families, they wouldn’t let their children wear such flashy items. Firstly, it’s considered vulgar, and secondly, they fear it might catch the eye of those with ill intentions, leading to the child being kidnapped or sold for the sake of a longevity lock.
Cheng Wen chuckled and said, "The gift may be small, but the sentiment is great, the sentiment is great!"
"So this is what you call 'the gift may be small, but the sentiment is great'?" Cheng Jing remarked, pointing at the pigeon egg-sized ruby embedded in the longevity lock. "Next time I have a grandchild, you don’t need to send anything too extravagant. Just something like this will do."
Everyone laughed.
Madam Ye took the opportunity to carry the child back inside.
Cheng Jing then asked Cheng Wen, "Why haven’t I seen Cheng Nuo? He must be twenty-one this year, right?"
Cheng Wen’s expression grew slightly uneasy at the question.
He knew his son and daughter-in-law didn’t get along, but as a father-in-law, how could he interfere in their private matters?
Perhaps he should send his son and daughter-in-law back to Jinling?
The thought crossed his mind, but he immediately dismissed it.
Madam Wen herself was rather muddle-headed. If she tried to mediate between the couple, it would be a miracle if she didn’t end up pushing them toward divorce!
At this moment, Cheng Wen missed his mistress even more.
He could easily send his son and daughter-in-law back to Jinling and bring his mistress here instead!
The more Cheng Wen thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and he soon grew distracted. He replied, "Since his Fourth Uncle Chi has welcomed a son, he’ll definitely come no matter what. He’s just running a bit late—two months ago, he met a few merchants who specialize in Western Region trade and bought several thousand taels’ worth of tea from our shop. They’ve returned now, and Cheng Nuo is showing them some tea samples. He’ll come as soon as they leave."
This was the first time Cheng Jing had heard about this, and he laughed, saying, "It seems your tea shop business is doing quite well!"
"Just so-so, just so-so," Cheng Wen replied, though a hint of pride flickered in his expression. "It wasn’t much before, but fortunately, I made a decisive move and bought the neighboring teahouse. Cheng Nuo has also been diligent, securing a couple of deals. Although we haven’t recouped the investment yet, we’ve managed to cover the expenses for the past two years. This child might just follow in his Fourth Uncle Chi’s footsteps someday!"
Everyone fell silent.
Madam Qiu quickly signaled to her son.
Cheng Rang hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and saying, "Uncle, Uncle Wen, the banquet is about to begin. Let me escort you to the dining hall!"
With that, the topic was finally changed.
Madam Qiu gave Cheng Rang a thumbs-up.
Cheng Rang smiled sheepishly and followed them into the hall.
Cheng Zheng also noticed Cheng Nuo’s absence and asked Wu Baozhang, "Is Cheng Nuo very busy?"
Wu Baozhang smiled and replied, "He happened to land a big deal these past few days. If it goes through, it could sustain us for a year or two. He had no choice but to see the merchants off first."
In truth, when she heard Cheng Nuo couldn’t attend, she had laughed heartily behind closed doors.
Zhou Shaojin’s son was celebrating his full-month ceremony, and Cheng Nuo, as a cousin, was in the capital but didn’t attend.
It was like a slap in the face for Zhou Shaojin.
So not only did she not stop Cheng Nuo from leaving, but she also encouraged him to prioritize the business, assuring him that she would explain things to Zhou Shaojin…
Cheng Xiao, however, was displeased and quietly said to her sister Cheng Zheng, "I never expected Fifth Uncle to become so ruthless in business that he doesn’t even feel the slightest bit embarrassed about Cheng Nuo missing Yun Ge’er’s full-month ceremony."Cheng Zheng said indifferently, "But at least Uncle Wen can support himself now!"
That was true.
Cheng Xiao couldn't be bothered with Cheng Wen's affairs anymore and smiled at Cheng Zheng, saying, "I'm going to see Little Aunt. Do you want to come along?"
"Let's go together!" Cheng Zheng smiled and went with her sister to the inner chamber.
Yun Ge'er, having eaten his fill, was lying in Zhou Shaojin's arms, blowing bubbles and playing.
"This child is really mischievous!" Cheng Zheng laughed as she took Yun Ge'er into her arms.
Suddenly, Yun Ge'er stopped blowing bubbles. He opened his clear, blue eyes wide and stared at Cheng Zheng, not moving for a long while.
※
Dear readers, here is today's update.
My side is acting up again...
(>_<)
PS: I have a check-up tomorrow morning and might need an injection in the afternoon. Today's two chapters were written in a hurry. I'll take a break tomorrow, no extra updates. The next update will be around 10 p.m.
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel