Chapter 303 The Full Moon Celebration Adds to the Distress
The night before her postpartum period ended, Sheng An was so excited that she didn't sleep for half the night. The next day, she got up before dawn to take a bath and wash up, changing the water three times before coming out of the bathroom.
After a month of staying indoors without seeing the sun, and being meticulously cared for every day, Sheng An had a rosy complexion, glowing white skin, and was in excellent spirits and condition.
Compared to before her pregnancy, Sheng An's figure has become fuller, and her every smile and frown exudes a charming allure, like a beautiful rose in full bloom.
Xu Jinnian, who was waiting outside with his child in his arms, was stunned when he saw his wife walking over.
"What are you looking at?"
Sheng An smiled and waved her hand in front of the man's eyes. Her bright and lively eyes seemed to be filled with stars in a summer night, dazzling and radiant.
Xu Jinnian snapped out of his daze, his handsome face beaming with smiles. Ignoring his daughter who was crying in his arms and Hongliu who came out carrying clothes, he leaned down and placed a kiss on Sheng An's lips.
Seeing this, Hongliu's face turned bright red, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to look any longer, but inwardly she was screaming wildly.
Oh my, the master and his wife are so loving!
A little embarrassed, Sheng An glared at the man reproachfully: "Give me Zhuozhuo quickly, you should go to the front yard to greet the guests."
Xu Jinnian pretended not to hear, kissed her forehead and cheeks a few more times, and then handed the baby, who was whimpering for milk, to Sheng An.
"After you finish feeding, let Hongliu hold you. You've just finished your postpartum period, so you shouldn't hold her for too long, or you'll develop joint pain."
Sheng An had heard these words no less than a hundred times during her postpartum period, and her ears were practically calloused from hearing them: "I know, I know, you're getting more and more nagging."
Xu Jinnian couldn't resist and lifted his hand to pinch her peach-like face: "I was afraid you'd forget."
Sheng An ignored him and took her daughter back to her room to breastfeed.
Xu Jinnian had no choice but to stand at the door and look into the house for a while before turning around and going to the front yard.
Firecrackers went off outside the courtyard, indicating that guests had arrived.
The first to arrive were Tan Zhenlin and his sister. As soon as they entered, Tan Zhenlin patted Xu Jinnian's shoulder several times forcefully.
"I'm finally going to see my niece! You have to let me hold her a lot in a bit!"
Xu Jinnian's smile faded: "Since you like children so much, you should get married and have a few more as soon as possible."
Something struck a nerve, and Tan Zhenlin suddenly blushed: "It's not even close to being settled yet, don't talk nonsense!"
Xu Jinnian raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Tan Qingrou who was suppressing a laugh: "Is your brother getting married soon?"
In a moment of panic, Tan Zhenlin lunged forward to cover his younger sister's mouth, but Xu Jinnian raised his hand to block him. Tan Qingrou seized the opportunity to "betray" her brother completely:
“My brother is in love with the young lady of the Cheng family in the General’s Mansion. He went out a couple of days ago hoping to bump into her, but he didn’t. After he came back, he lost his appetite and made my mother very worried.”
Miss Cheng from the General's Mansion?
Xu Jinnian searched his mind for this person, and vaguely recalled the girl he met on the night of the Lantern Festival when he was admiring lanterns and competing with Tan Zhenlin to guess lantern riddles and win lanterns.
It seems the other person's surname is Cheng.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Don't ruin Miss Cheng's reputation!"
Tan Zhenlin got angry and looked at his younger sister as if she were a traitor: "You have a loose tongue and you dare to say anything. When have I ever been unable to eat or drink?"
Upon hearing this, Tan Qingrou wanted to roll her eyes at him in an unseemly way.
How could someone who used to be unable to eat or drink and could eat two large bowls of rice at every meal suddenly lose their appetite?
If he didn't admire Miss Cheng, why would he go out early in the morning hoping to bump into her and secretly ask her about girls' preferences?
This hypocritical behavior is unbearable to look at!
Tan Zhenlin, defeated by his sister's disdainful gaze, touched his nose and said to Xu Jinnian with a forced smile, "It concerns Miss Cheng's reputation. You can just keep it to yourself and don't tell anyone else."
Xu Jinnian was speechless: "Do you think I'm bored?"
He doesn't even have enough time to spend with An'an and her daughter every day, so how could he have the leisure to gossip about this kid to everyone?
Just as I invited the brother and sister to the front hall for tea, the noisy sound of firecrackers came from outside the courtyard.
This time, it was Song Zhihang who came.
Before Xu Jinnian could come out to greet him, he came over as if he knew the way well, his face beaming with a bright smile that didn't suit his usual demeanor.
"Where's my goddaughter? Where is my goddaughter? Bring her out so I can see her!"
Xu Jinnian pretended not to hear, grabbed Song Zhihang's arm and pressed him down into a chair, afraid that his loud voice would carry to the backyard and frighten the little dumpling who was still eating and making a fuss.
Seeing Song Zhihang's anxious look, Tan Zhenlin's lips twitched: "He only has one daughter, he loves her enough, why would he need you to be his godfather? You should save your breath."
If someone makes such sarcastic remarks, Song Zhihang will not hesitate to retort.
Facing his brother-in-law Tan Zhenlin, he toned down his arrogant and unrestrained manner in his speech:
“It’s alright. When Qingrou and I have children in the future, we can recognize Mingyu as our godfather. Neither of our families will suffer a loss.”
Tan Zhenlin raised an eyebrow: "You two aren't even married yet, what nonsense are you spouting?"
Tan Qingrou blushed and quickly got up: "I'm going to the backyard to see Sister An'an and Zhuozhuo."
After saying that, he left in a hurry.
Song Zhihang watched her figure disappear, then turned around and glared at Tan Zhenlin: "You're such a hypocrite, still single."
He and Qingrou have already settled their relationship and will get married at the end of the year. Having children is only a matter of time.
Tan Zhenlin was speechless for a moment, and glared fiercely at Song Zhihang.
You really know how to bring up the most sensitive topic!
Xu Jinnian watched from the sidelines as the two bickered back and forth.
As long as they don't try anything with his daughter.
Not long after they sat down, several of Xu Jinnian's colleagues from the Hanlin Academy arrived with their families, including Lord Meng.
With more people, the atmosphere in the lobby becomes lively.
At this moment, Sheng An, dressed up with light makeup and a light green gauze dress, came to the front hall with her child to greet everyone.
Xu Jinnian stood up and stepped forward, skillfully taking the hand of Zhuozhuo, whose eyes were wide open, amidst the surprised gazes of the guests.
"Let me see this quickly!"
Song Zhihang rushed ahead of Tan Zhenlin, taking three steps at a time to reach Xu Jinnian, his eyes fixed intently on the baby in his arms.
With just one glance, envy, jealousy, and hatred surfaced on his face: "You're so lucky, kid. Not only does your daughter look like you, but she's also so well-behaved and adorable!"
Seeing this made him want to have one himself.
Upon hearing what Song Zhihang said, the ladies couldn't sit still any longer and all got up to come and look.
Upon seeing the baby's features, everyone expressed the same envy.
This child is indeed very beautiful, inheriting all the best features of both Master Xu and his wife. Even though she is only a month old, it is clear that she will grow up to be a beauty.
The baby, just a month old, wasn't shy at all. Surrounded by so many people, he didn't cry, and his eyes would follow the sounds of everyone talking, showing a cleverness.
Hearing everyone praise their daughter, Sheng An's smile never faded.
As soon as Zhuozhuo fell asleep, she carried the child back to her room when the gatekeeper rushed in to report: "Sir, several guests have arrived at the gate, claiming to be your fourth uncle and aunt."
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