A'jiao was dazed, overwhelmed by the sudden mess of milk.
*What is this? What happened? What’s wrong with me?*
Looking utterly bewildered, A'jiao was carried aside by Nanny Jin. Old Madam Chen quickly ordered the servants to fetch water.
Wei Kang furrowed his brows, nearly losing his temper, but he managed to restrain himself. He followed Jinyu, the Old Madam’s head maid, to clean up.
Seeing the Old Madam’s darkened expression, Nanny Li stepped forward and took A'jiao directly. "Old Madam, this old servant will take the Young Mistress to change her clothes."
Chen Yang was also caught off guard. He merely said he would go apologize to his cousin. Although Chen Yang felt Wei Kang shouldn't have been poking the child like that, Wei Kang was, after all, a guest.
Nanny Li carried A'jiao into a small side room and instructed Chunlan to fetch water before unfastening A'jiao’s swaddling.
The weather was still somewhat warm, and A'jiao wasn't wearing much; the outer layers were soaked through. Nanny Li placed a dry cloth inside the garment to separate it from her skin while cooing softly to soothe her.
A'jiao finally snapped out of it and let out a couple of timely whimpers.
*How did I just spit up?* A'jiao felt incredibly embarrassed.
Chunlan arrived with the water. Nanny Li undressed A'jiao, placed her gently into the basin, and began wiping her body with a soft cloth.
Soaking in the warm water, A'jiao felt quite comfortable.
"Nanny, I was scared to death just now. Did you see? The Old Madam’s face changed instantly. I thought that Young Marquis was going to start shouting."
*I saw it too,* A'jiao agreed in her heart.
"I only thought that since there were so many guests today and everyone would want to see the Young Mistress, I had the wet nurse feed her a bit more so she wouldn't get hungry. Who knew the Young Marquis would tease her so aggressively? The Young Mistress’s face turned bright red from holding it in."
"Exactly. Look, Nanny, her cheek was pinched red." Chunlan blew on the spot tenderly, her heart aching for the child.
Once washed, A'jiao was changed into a fresh set of clothes and bundled up again.
When they stepped back out, A'jiao heard the sounds of laughter and conversation once more, as if nothing had happened. Many people were still trying to crowd around Wei Kang.
A'jiao closed her eyes and went back to sleep.
She wasn't sure if it was because she had become a child, but she felt she had been exceptionally lethargic lately.
When the auspicious hour arrived, Nanny Li gently woke A'jiao and handed her over to the midwife who had delivered her. Following custom, the midwife performed the rituals of the Third-Day Bath one by one.
Chen Yang was accompanying Wei Kang in a toast when a young servant suddenly entered. Chen Yang recognized him as Fuman, one of Wei Kang’s attendants.
Fuman walked straight to Wei Kang, bowed, and said, "Young Marquis, someone has come from the Eastern Palace. They say the Crown Prince has obtained a new treasure and invites the Young Marquis to come and appreciate it."
The guests at the tables grew animated, whispering excitedly among themselves.
Wei Kang looked slightly conflicted. "Didn't the Crown Prince summon my second brother this morning? Why is he calling for me now? I have matters to attend to here!"
Old Madam Chen thought for a moment and hurriedly said, "Kang’er, the Crown Prince’s affairs are more important. You should go!"
A look of feigned bashfulness appeared on Wei Kang’s face. "Since Grandmother says so, I shall take my leave. I will come to visit Grandmother again when I am free."
Old Madam Chen beamed with maternal affection. "Good, good. Such a filial child."
As Wei Kang took his leave, the crowd swarmed the Old Madam with flatteries.
The Old Madam simply smiled. "Please, everyone, drink! Enjoy the wine."
***
Once the Third-Day Bath ceremony concluded, the subsequent banquet had nothing to do with A'jiao.
Chen Yang was outside entertaining guests, while Ruan Qing remained in bed, unable to get up yet.
The Ruan couple had also attended, and currently, Madam Ruan was in the room keeping her daughter company.
Xiazhu stood by, assisting Ruan Qing with her meal, while Nanny Li held A'jiao nearby, playing with her.
Ruan Qing looked at the room, which was nearly overflowing with gifts. After a long moment, she picked out a cloth tiger from the pile and handed it to A'jiao.
"Qingqing, didn't you say the Chen family’s paternal aunt had three sons? Why did only one come? And the eldest young madam didn't come either?" Madam Ruan blew on the bird's nest porridge to cool it before handing it to Ruan Qing.
Ruan Qing took a sip. "The eldest young madam is pregnant. She hasn't reached the three-month mark yet, so she didn't dare come out. I heard the second young master was summoned by the Crown Prince, and the third young master is ill and can't get out of bed."
"Pregnant? No wonder! Speaking of which, it’s been over half a year since they finished their mourning period. Sigh, Qingqing, how has the son-in-law been treating you lately?"
A blush crept onto Ruan Qing’s face. "Husband treats me exceptionally well."
Xiazhu couldn't help but chime in, "It’s true. The Eldest Young Master has been sleeping in our courtyard every night these past few days!"
Hearing Xiazhu’s words, Madam Ruan nodded slightly. "That’s good. Qingqing, don't be anxious. You are still young; you’ll surely give birth to a son next time. By the way, has she been named yet?"
A'jiao, clutching the cloth tiger, pricked up her tiny ears.
Ruan Qing sighed. "Not yet. Originally, the Old Madam had drafted several names, but they were all for boys. They’re useless now."
*Oh boy!* A'jiao sighed for herself in her heart. It seemed she wasn't exactly the "expected" one.
This was a situation she had never experienced before!
Madam Ruan comforted her, "It’s fine. You see that your mother-in-law and the Old Madam haven't said anything. Just focus on nursing your body back to health and be obedient."
After they finished eating, Chunlan and Xiazhu cleared the table. Only the mother and daughter remained in the room, along with Nanny Li holding A'jiao.
Only then did Madam Ruan pull her daughter close to ask, "Has anyone been serving the son-in-law during this time?"
"There’s Xiazhu. Mother-in-law also bestowed a maid named Huo’er, but Husband hasn't used her. She’s still stationed in my room for now."
"That’s good. Although Xiazhu is a bit blunt, she is pretty and loyal. Use her carefully." She sighed. "Originally, of your two bridal attendants, I wanted you to give Chunlan to the son-in-law. Though her looks are plain, she is clever and steady. Who knew she would be scouted by Nanny Jin from the Old Madam’s side? Fortunately, she’s marrying the son of the Head Steward. She’ll be able to help you even more in the future."
"Don't worry, Mother. I understand."
A'jiao listened, absentmindedly gnawing on the cloth tiger. Nanny Li noticed and used a handkerchief to wipe the drool from the corner of A'jiao’s mouth. Babies had no teeth and loved to drool.
When A'jiao had entered the palace in her past life, she had also brought four head maids as part of her dowry. They had grown up with her since childhood.
She hadn't given a single one of them to Liu Che!
*Hmph, why should I?*
Back then, when she was forced to nod her head and allow Liu Che to take concubines, both her grandmother and mother had urged her to choose one of the more obedient maids to give to Liu Che, so they could support her.
She refused. Instead, she turned around, struck them from the servile registry, and married them off outside the palace.
In any case, none of the four wanted to serve the Emperor. They were truly the maids she had raised; their temperaments matched hers perfectly.
Later, when she was sent to Nagmen Palace, they had wanted to come and serve her, but A'jiao refused. She was afraid of dragging them down with her.
Liu Che had even picked a fight with her over it back then.
He rambled on about how the bridal attendants of other men's primary wives were always given to the husband, yet Chen A'jiao was the only one who didn't. He went on and on.
But she never felt that Liu Che actually liked any of them.
Liu Che then complained that all his brothers had them and only he didn't, sounding exactly like a little brat who had been denied his New Year's money.
A'jiao had found him annoying and kicked him out.
The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became. A'jiao took a fierce "om-nom" bite out of the cloth tiger.
Madam Ruan was startled and pulled the cloth tiger away. "Good child, that’s dirty!" She then turned back to Ruan Qing. "You just focus on resting your body. Don't overwork yourself. If there’s anything you don't understand, ask Nanny Li. Also, settle on a name with the son-in-law soon. Even if it’s a girl, it’s no way to go on without a name!"
