Chapter 72 Trivial Matters

One week after Cen An was born, he showed no signs of weakness and cried loudly. All the wet nurses said that his little hands and feet were very strong and that he was a healthy baby.

In addition, when Zhuang Dongqing called out Zhuangzhuang's name (well, in private, the biological father was secretly trying to get the child to accept it), An'an cried for a long time, and even her grandmother couldn't soothe her.

On the third attempt, Cen An's wailing was deafening. Even Grandma was sweating slightly from trying to soothe him. Just as Cen Yan was wondering again if something was wrong with little Cen An and was about to ask Master Zhao to give him a couple of acupuncture treatments... the old father, who had been hiding under the covers trying to stay out of sight, finally felt a pang of guilt. He grabbed the child's father and stammered out the whole story.

After she finished speaking, as if her grievances had been revealed, little An'an finally stopped crying.

Cen Yan: "..."

Zhuang Dongqing was still unable to get out of bed; it hurt, and she had a long scar on her stomach.

Apart from necessary post-operative recovery activities, he now wishes he could stay in bed 24 hours a day.

On the fourth day after the surgery, once the wound was confirmed to be healing, the priest from the southern border cruelly took away the overworked and weak pain-relieving insect, leaving without looking back under Zhuang Dongqing's hesitant gaze.

Cen Yan helped Zhuang Dongqing sit up against the headboard. Zhuang Dongqing felt a little embarrassed by Cen Yan's gaze.

Cen Yan didn't blame him, but instead hesitated and asked, "Do you like this nickname that much?"

Zhuang Dongqing's ears twitched slightly, and she raised her eyes a little, sensing a hint of indulgence.

Little Cen An'an also burped, and her little hands and feet twitched a few times, as if she felt uneasy.

"Is...is it okay?"

Zhuang Dongqing asked in a very low voice.

Cen Yan: "If you really like it..."

Zhuang Dongqing poked the lower half of her face out from under the covers, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Cen Yan said against his will, "They say it's easier to raise a child with a humble name, so calling him Zhuangzhuang is fine. Hmm, it's quite cute."

"Wow--"

The keyword was triggered again.

Little Cen An'an can't stand hearing the name "Zhuangzhuang".

Zhuang Dongqing collapsed and buried her head in Cen Yan's arms, trying to block out the continuous piercing noise. Grandma was also stunned for a moment, and at Cen Yan's prompting, she quickly took the child out to comfort her.

As the crying faded into the distance and gradually disappeared, Zhuang Dongqing nestled in Cen Yan's arms, her eyebrows drooping in embarrassment, and said, "Let it go."

"Don't you like it?"

"I don't...like it that much."

Zhuang Dongqing complained: "And look at your son, he cries as soon as I mention him, it's obvious he doesn't want him. He kicked me when he was in my belly, and after he came out he cried twice and then said, 'Never mind, never mind, I don't want him anymore.'"

Cen Yan laughed, patted Zhuang Dongqing's back, and said slowly, "Actually, it's fine once you get used to calling him that."

Zhuang Dongqing's restless thoughts fluttered for a moment, but were quickly extinguished by the harsh reality of the past.

"Forced relationships don't work out, and besides, he's quite healthy, so it's better not to."

Zhuang Dongqing: "At this rate, if he keeps crying every time, I'm afraid I'll be driven crazy by his noise before he even accepts it."

Cen Yan's smile widened. Hearing that Zhuang Dongqing was already disheartened by the nickname, he didn't continue to persuade her.

After waiting quietly for a while, Cen Yan asked, "Does your stomach still hurt?"

"pain……"

Her voice weakened, sounding pitiful.

"It's about time he took his medicine, shouldn't I ask Liufu to go check on him?"

Okay.

*

After about half a month, the wound healed quite well, and Zhuang Dongqing was able to get out of bed and walk around without any problems.

I still gained weight after giving birth.

My face and waist feel a bit chubby.

But when he transmigrated, the original body didn't have much flesh on it to begin with. If he had been a little fatter, he would have looked more like Zhuang Dongqing in modern times, appearing more balanced.

Master Zhao said that once Zhuang Dongqing recovers, the fat will gradually go down.

Whether the fat goes down or not, Zhuang Dongqing is actually fine; she just hopes the sweating problem will pass soon.

Before giving birth, she had severe edema. After giving birth, she felt her body recover and started to expel excess fluid. During the first week, Zhuang Dongqing changed her clothes more than twice a day.

He had a series of problems, big and small, but after two weeks of recuperation, he was able to eat and sleep well. The baby's skin had lost its red and yellow spots and he looked increasingly fair and chubby, which everyone praised.

"Suckling".

Zhuang Dongqing was teasing the little one. Cen An'an had already opened her eyes. The child's eyes looked particularly clean, with clear black and white and a moist appearance.

"Ah ah."

He grabbed Zhuang Dongqing's fingers.

The child's strength was all in his hands. Even though Zhuang Dongqing was holding him, he didn't try to pull away. Instead, he nudged Cen An'an with his face. The two of them, one big and one small, went back and forth. Little Cen An'an quickly became happy and smiled, revealing her toothless gums.

After half a month of care, Cen An'an's grandmother, who had raised many children, had pretty much figured out her temperament.

He's not one to cry easily; he usually stays quiet unless he has a need.

They are easily amused, enjoy being teased, and like to be held.

I don’t know if the baby has any memory. Zhuang Dongqing didn’t take care of him much, but for some reason, he was still very attached to Zhuang Dongqing (except when Zhuang Dongqing called him by that nickname), and he also liked Zhuang Dongqing to hold him.

"Ara~"

Zhuang Dongqing made a face, and when he opened his hand, Cen An'an giggled again.

She's a baby who loves to smile!

When Cen Yan went back into the inner room, Zhuang Dongqing was already asleep, lying peacefully on the bed.

My fingers were still being held by little Cen An'an, who had fallen asleep.

This was some time before the afternoon nap. Grandma said that Cen An'an had eaten her fill of milk and was very well-behaved, so she put her in their room to stay with Zhuang Dongqing for a while.

When Cen Yan entered, he saw the two children, one big and one small, fast asleep, and his heart softened inexplicably.

After pulling the blanket up for Zhuang Dongqing, I picked up An'an, and the little girl opened her eyes and blinked at Cen Yan.

"Ahhh~"

She also recognized Cen Yan and reached out to grab him.

Just as Cen Yan released Zhuang Dongqing's fingers, he replaced his own fingers with those of little An'an in her chubby fist.

The child smiled again after catching the object.

Cen Yan, fearing he would disturb Zhuang Dongqing's rest, shushed her several times and carried Cen An'an out.

The little one was very well-behaved throughout the journey, his eyes fixed on Cen Yan.

Cen Yan teased him in the outer room, and the toothless smile reappeared on An An's face.

The little brat is attached to Zhuang Dongqing, and then to Cen Yan and his grandmother.

This feeling is hard to describe. Looking at the little brat laughing carefree, it seems that Cen Yan can already experience some of the scenes that Zhuang Dongqing once described to him, without even having to wait until later.

Cen Yan felt that a part of her long-term absence during her growth seemed to be filled in another form because of the arrival of this child.

"Come here, Grandma will hold you. Let's go back to sleep, An'an."

Once outside, the baby was handed back to his grandmother, who was skilled at childcare. She gently rocked him a few times until he was sleepy.

Cen Yan touched An An's chubby little face and said in a low voice, "You're really growing fast. You've gotten so fat in the blink of an eye."

It was considered mild when she was just born.

But this is how it is in their tribe when babies are born; the baby's weight is usually lower. In addition, Zhuang Dongqing was worried that the baby would be weak, so Master Zhao didn't dare to tell Zhuang Dongqing about this. He only discussed it with Cen Yan and found a few more wet nurses to prepare.

Grandma said scarely, "Being able to eat and sleep well is a good thing."

"Many people would beg for this, but if you encounter someone who cries all the time, both adults and children will suffer."

Cen Yan laughed, "He does take after Qingqing in that respect."

Grandma smiled and said, "The young master is very handsome."

The afternoon sun shone into the main courtyard, illuminating Grandma's silvery hair. Grandma was smiling, and the little boy was already fast asleep, blowing bubbles. It was an ordinary scene, but Cen Yan remembered it for a long time.

Many years later, when he looked back, Cen Yan thought that this was probably what people meant by a peaceful and tranquil life.

*

An'an is one month old.

The petition requesting the title of heir apparent had already been submitted, and the Prince's residence had held a full-moon celebration.

There are many rumors about Cen Yan's suddenly appearing son. The most common theory is that he was born to one of his concubines, and that the concubine died in childbirth.

When Zhuang Dongqing heard this, he was speechless, but he also felt that this lie was quite appropriate.

The perfect explanation for An'an's lack of a mother comes from the perspective of the world.

The full moon banquet was arranged a few days after the full moon to ensure that Zhuang Dongqing could eat, drink, and enjoy the fresh air before it was held in a grand manner.

The Prince's Mansion sent invitations to all officials of high rank in Jiangnan, including the prefects, governors, military commanders, and even the county magistrates of Suzhou, who would inevitably have dealings with Cen Yan in the future. Everyone brought gifts to offer their congratulations.

Even Li Yang, who had never understood what Cen Yan was busy with, finally realized it at this moment.

It turns out it was a major event: having a baby.

The slight resentment I had towards Cen Yan silently disappeared.

On the day of the full moon banquet, feasts were held in both the inner and outer residences. Zhuang Dongqing sat at a table in the inner residence, while most of the officials were in the outer residence.

But Zhuang Dongqing knew Li Yang, so he had to meet with him and have a chat.

Li Yang... isn't very good at speaking.

Upon meeting Zhuang Dongqing for the first time, he said, "Brother Dongqing, it's been a long time. It seems you're doing quite well at the Prince's residence."

Zhuang Dongqing asked curiously, "How do you know?"

"Look at you... you've gained a lot of weight. I guess you have fewer worries and are eating and sleeping well."

Zhuang Dongqing: "..."

Zhuang Dongqing pretended not to know that Li Yang was saying that she had gained weight.

After a long time apart, Li Yang talked about a lot of things. Zhuang Dongqing, who was in the officialdom, couldn't understand them, but Li Yang was probably just venting to him, complaining that there were seasoned veterans everywhere, taking advantage of him, a newcomer to the officialdom, who knew nothing and was fooling him very well.

He nodded even when he didn't understand, and the conversation continued until—

"Oh right, Your Highness asked me what I thought of the nickname Zhuangzhuang. At the time, I thought the Prince's mansion was keeping some cats, dogs, or hunting dogs. Who would have thought that Your Highness had an heir and was thinking of a nickname for the child? No wonder Your Highness ignored me that day."

Zhuang Dongqing: "..."

Speaking of this, Zhuang Dongqing really had to explain, "How did Zhuangzhuang become a cat or dog?"

Li Yang said sincerely, "Who would give a child such an offensive nickname?"

Zhuang Dongqing: "..."

He's starting to hold a grudge!

"ah--!"

The two sat on the bench. Zhuang Dongqing stood up and deliberately stepped on Li Yang's instep!

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't see it," Zhuang Dongqing said insincerely.

"Oh right, I remembered I have something to do, I'll go in first..."

Li Yang was left standing there, grimacing and completely oblivious to what was going on. He yelled, "Hiss—it's nothing, wait, Brother Dongqing, why are you leaving? I haven't finished talking yet... Brother Dongqing?!"

Looking down and then up, Zhuang Dongqing was nowhere to be seen.

Li Yang tried moving her toes.

hiss--

It hurts, it hurts,

It's firmly planted!