“May you be like this ever-flowing stream, and may you also possess boundless knowledge and wisdom in the future.”
"The little longan is round and bright. I wish you success in high school and great success in the future."
"First, I clean the baby's head, hoping that you will enjoy a life of prosperity and wealth. Then, I clean the waist, hoping that future generations will have talented people..."
These actions and words embody the elders' most sincere and beautiful wishes for their children.
After such a carefully prepared baptism, many new gold and silver jewelry were added to Baoger's little body.
Even the occasional loud and clear cry was seen by adults as a sign of sufficient energy and vitality, and everyone praised it highly:
"Listen to that cry, it's so loud! It shows how strong our little treasure is!"
There were constant cries of admiration from the crowd, and everyone was sincerely happy for this vigorous vitality.
The Duke's wife showed an extraordinary fondness for such an innocent and lovely little grandson. Only after she was sure that Baoger had fallen asleep peacefully did she reluctantly hand the baby over to the care of the wet nurse beside her.
Afterwards, all the relatives and friends who came were invited to dine together and spent a happy and peaceful afternoon in conversation and laughter.
Zhao Manxiang's mood at this moment was extremely complicated and contradictory.
Although on the surface she was smiling in response to everyone's congratulations and greetings, deep down she seemed to be shrouded in an indescribable melancholy.
Although people were coming and going around her and laughter was heard everywhere, for her, today's celebration was actually more like a heavy interrogation and test of her own heart.
From now on, the little life that was just born, Baoger, will grow up in Xuanheyuan, away from the care of his parents.
The Duke's wife told her that the wish she had prayed for for so long had finally come true, and she wouldn't have to go there every day from now on.
But in fact, the real meaning of this sentence is that he is afraid that she will have an adverse influence on Baoger.
After watching all the female guests leave one by one, Zhao Manxiang felt dizzy and her steps were a little weak. She had no choice but to sit down under the pavilion of Xuanhe Courtyard and gently rub her temples with her fingers to relieve her fatigue.
At this time, Sheng Shuyan walked over slowly, holding an exquisite gold ring in her hand, and carefully placed it on the table in front of Zhao Manxiang, "Sister-in-law, did you drop this thing there when you were washing your hands just now?"
"Ah, it really was me. I was so happy that I forgot to take it."
As she spoke, Zhao Manxiang picked up the ring from the table and put it back on her hand, but a hint of imperceptible loss flashed in her eyes.
"Big brother's first son wasn't born to his wife. No wonder some relatives keep gossiping about him behind his back. When I think about it, I feel especially sorry for you."
As the emotion in her words gradually deepened, Sheng Shuyan finally sighed and slowly sat down next to her, as if she also regretted her inability to change the current situation.
"If anyone dares to laugh at me, I'll show her how powerful I am!"
After hearing this, Zhao Manxiang immediately raised her voice, her eyes widened, and her eyebrows almost stood up, looking extremely angry.
"Those people naturally wouldn't dare to laugh at us openly. At most, they'd just gossip about us behind our backs. I wanted to stand up for you, but then I realized I'm just an unwelcome concubine's daughter, completely insignificant in the family. It's best to stay out of such matters, lest you end up getting yourself into trouble and earning the resentment of your stepmother."
Having said that, Sheng Shuyan couldn't help but lower her head and pick up a handkerchief to wipe away a tear that was about to fall from her eye.
Zhao Manxiang just glanced at the other person coldly and did not say anything to comfort him.
At this moment, her heart seemed to be blocked by an extremely heavy rock, which made it difficult for her to breathe. Her limbs also became extremely weak and she could only barely support her body.
"Wen Zhu should be able to get promoted to a concubine as she wished, right? She's finally made it after all these years. Alas, although I'm filled with resentment for the injustice you've suffered, what can my opinion alone change?"
With a bit of reluctance and helplessness, Sheng Shuyan said the last sentence and stood up and slowly left here, leaving behind a series of small and lonely footsteps echoing in the air.
Zhao Manxiang coughed forcefully several times, feeling the already heavy pressure in her chest become even more unbearable, and her entire mind sank into a deeper silence.
Miyou hurried over and patted Zhao Manxiang's back gently: "Young Madam, don't be angry. The Second Miss is deliberately trying to sow discord and make us fight among ourselves."
Her tone was filled with comfort and worry. "You see, she always speaks in a sarcastic way, just to upset you and make you lose your mind and do something bad to yourself."
"I know what's going on."
Zhao Manxiang replied while trying to suppress her emotions.
She felt as if a fire was gradually spreading within her. "What else do I have now? I must keep my power as the housekeeper, otherwise no one will look down on me as the mistress."
After saying this, even though she still felt unwell, she gritted her teeth and stood up, intending to deal with the affairs in the backyard immediately. She would establish her own prestige through a series of measures and would not allow others to tell her what to do.
At dusk, Mother Su returned to Chunhuayuan with some carefully selected jewelry and soft and smooth silk.
"Miss Wen Zhu, these are the new treasures we got at today's third birthday banquet. Our distinguished lady specially asked me to bring you a few of these as gifts."
She introduced it to the person sitting in front of her with a smile.
"Thank the lady for me."
Wen Zhu smiled slightly as he took the things and responded, "I will remember your kindness."
That smile contained both gratitude and recognition and appreciation of the other person's actions.
Mother Su responded, put the things in place, and was about to leave to go to the small kitchen to help cook dinner.
"Mammy, please wait," Wen Zhu stopped her and continued, "Now that the young master has been born safely, why should I bother you so much? In my opinion, taking good care of the lady is the most important thing. So please return to Xuanhe Courtyard and accompany the lady."
There was a genuine concern in her voice.
Upon hearing this, Mother Su turned around and gave her a similarly kind smile. "Madam once said that you were a great contributor to the family! She specifically ordered me to stay here with you through this important confinement period and to ensure your recovery. I will return to serve Madam after the full month."
Hearing this, Wen Zhu felt a warm feeling in his heart, and tears unconsciously moistened his eyes. It turned out that the lady still had some real feelings for me, and was not as cold-blooded and ruthless as the rumors said...
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