Yan Zhili's expression softened considerably after hearing this.
Liu Qin pursed her lips, glanced at Xu's belly, and said gently, "This is good news. Having many children and grandchildren is a blessing."
Baojie's eyes flickered, she fiddled with her fingers, and said crisply, "Then don't tire yourself out. Although I don't like you, the baby in your belly is my little brother or sister, and I still like him/her. Little brother, you won't be the youngest anymore, are you happy?"
Gui-ge glanced at Madam Xu, then at his sister, before finally saying, "Yes."
Liu Qin said, "Then let Madam Xu rest well, and have the servants take good care of her."
Yan Zhili nodded: "Go and rest. Tell the kitchen what you want to eat."
After saying that, he picked up Baojie and led his wife towards the main courtyard.
Baojie nestled in Yan Zhili's arms, looking at Xu Shi standing behind her. Her eyes were calm, but her words carried a hint of coquettishness: "Father, I'll tell you a secret."
Yan Zhili was in a good mood and asked, "What does Sister Bao want to say?"
“I like little brothers or sisters, but… I prefer the ones born to my mother.” Baojie sighed like a little adult: “But I can’t say that to her face. After all, they are my father’s children. What if the Goddess of Fertility thinks I don’t like them and takes the children away?”
Yan Zhili felt a warmth in his heart. He didn't think there was anything wrong with his daughter's words, after all, she was young and had grown up away from home: "Dad knows, in Dad's heart you are the most important."
Gui Ge, holding Liu Qin's hand, said, "Little Fatty isn't allowed to study with the teacher anymore because he has a younger brother. Dad, if I have a younger brother, will I also be unable to study?"
Yan Zhili replied without hesitation, "No, whatever Brother Gui wants, Father will give him."
Gui Ge then nodded and made his request: "Then I want a book."
"Dad will buy it for you." Yan Zhili felt overjoyed upon hearing his son's words. He had also studied before, but unfortunately, the taxes levied by the previous dynasty were too heavy, and his family simply couldn't afford any extra money. That's why he stopped studying and went out to find work. "Dad will buy you whatever you want."
The main courtyard was the best courtyard in the entire mansion. After getting out of bed, Baojie took her younger brother around and asked, "Father, do we all live here?"
“No.” Yan Zhili stayed by his wife’s side and carefully explained the situation in the yard to her: “This is where Dad and Mom live. You two also have your own yard.”
Baojie exclaimed with delight, "I have my own yard too?"
Yan Zhili said, "That's right, Baojie and Guige can choose for themselves. They can choose whichever courtyard they like. If there are any things they're not satisfied with, they can just find someone to fix them. Our family is rich now and can live very comfortably."
Baojie exclaimed, "Dad is so amazing!"
Looking at her daughter's adoring eyes, Yan Zhili couldn't help but laugh: "Your uncle and I work so hard so that you can have a good life."
Gui Ge couldn't hold back his laughter either, and said, "Dad, I want a study. The Master's house has a study, and it's full of books."
Yan Zhili agreed without hesitation and looked at Liu Qin, saying, "Qin's mother, this will be our home from now on, so I'm entrusting it to you."
Liu Qin did not agree immediately, saying, "I know my husband values me, but... things are different now, and I'm afraid I'll embarrass him."
Yan Zhili said, "Don't worry, I'll ask my sister-in-law to arrange for a few nannies to come to the house to help manage things. You can learn from them, okay?"
Liu Qin said, "Good, my husband is very thoughtful. It's a good opportunity for Bao Jie and me to learn those rules as well."
Baojie looked up at Yan Zhili and said, "Father?"
Yan Zhili said, "No need to learn. I risked my life for this so that you could be free. Do you think that after overthrowing the previous dynasty, we should learn all its rules and regulations?"
Liu Qin already had a plan in mind, but she did not refute Yan Zhili's words: "What my husband says is true. Then please ask the doctor to check Bao Jie's health. Bao Jie has suffered a lot over the years, and I am a little worried."
After all, given Baojie's age, she'll be menstruating soon. If she really harms her health, what will happen to her in the future?
"Let me show you all," Yan Zhili said seriously. "The imperial physicians in the palace know how to prepare medicinal cuisine. I'll go ask my brother for some, and you can all take good care of yourselves."
Liu Qin said with a smile, "And Xu Shi, she has your child after all, so you should take good care of her."
Yan Zhili said, "Don't worry about her, she has people taking care of her."
Liu Qin nodded and said nothing more.
Chapter Seventeen
Liu Qin and Yan Shujin stayed in the palace for lunch. Liu Qin stayed to talk with Chen Qiu, while Yan Shujin went home first, as she had to go to Mr. Du's place to study in the afternoon.
Yan Shujin took a carriage back. She opened the carriage window and peered out. During her time in the capital, she hadn't had a chance to properly enjoy herself or see the city's prosperity. She hoped to bring her mother, younger brother, and grandmother along sometime when she had more free time.
Grandma went straight to the palace as soon as she returned to Beijing, and didn't get a chance to have a proper time to play. I heard there are lots of delicious food and fun things to do in the capital.
Yan Shujin suddenly saw several people blocking a simply dressed girl from leaving the street. The girl was holding her basket tightly with her head down, and it was unclear what she was saying. Behind the group of people, a young man was holding a fan and pointing at things from time to time.
Yan Shujin vaguely heard that the man's words implied that he was humiliating the girl. It seemed that the girl's family had some status in the previous dynasty, but they had fallen from power. The two families used to know each other, and it was likely that the young man's family was among the first to seek refuge with his uncle.
Yan Shujin had no idea what happened to that girl.
Yan Shujin frowned and said, "Stop the car."
Just as Yan Shujin said, if doing good deeds would implicate herself and her family, then Yan Shujin would not do it. However, helping this girl would not hinder Yan Shujin in any way, so she would choose to do it.
The guards stopped the carriage, and without anyone helping her, Yan Shujin got off the carriage herself. Just as she was about to walk over, she saw another young man in brocade robes leading a group of people past.
The young man in brocade robes was arrogant, but only because he was so good-looking, his demeanor didn't make people feel disgusted; instead, it made people feel that he deserved to be that way.
Yan Shujin stopped in her tracks, wanting to see what the young man in brocade robes was going to do, as he walked toward the group of people with fans.
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