Twins are usually smaller than normal babies, and this pair of twins was no exception, with the girl being even smaller. So General Xiao decided not to hold a grand ceremony for the third day's celebration, simply enjoying the family's excitement. Unexpectedly, the news spread like wildfire, and the next morning, a steady stream of people arrived, some sincerely wishing well, some hoping to share in the good fortune... Some even subtly inquired about how to have twins, a rather amusing prospect.
The mansion, which had been bustling all day, gradually quieted down as the sun set.
Ninghe Hall was filled with rosewood furniture, and a faint aroma wafted from a three-legged purple gold incense burner. Lying on the warm kang, a noble lady, who looked slightly tired but had a peaceful face, was wearing a filigree brocade dress with a cloud pattern and a set of gold filigree and gemstone jewelry on her head. She was being massaged on the shoulders and legs by three or four little maids, and she had her eyes closed, as if she was half asleep and resting.
"Why do you look more tired than I did the day before?" General Xiao joked.
"I've never been this tired before. I'm really looking forward to my eldest daughter-in-law's full month." Qin, who never managed the household, was a bit overwhelmed by this situation. With her eldest daughter-in-law in confinement and her second daughter-in-law about to give birth, she couldn't rely on either. At the end of the day, her face was so stiff from smiling that it was really unbearable.
"Not only is my home bustling with activity, but I've also been congratulated by my colleagues all day. I'm practically breaking my back." Just thinking about their envious and jealous faces made him feel refreshed. "The Emperor even summoned me for questioning and gifted me with a pair of jade ruyi," General Xiao boasted like a child.
"The emperor knows everything. Well, the two children are so blessed." Qin was very excited. There were only a few children in the capital who could receive the emperor's personal favor, but her own children could. Isn't that a blessing!
"Chunlan, go tell each courtyard to have dinner in the upper room tonight so that we can share in the joyous occasion together." Qin directed the maids and old women to get busy again.
The Xiao family has never been one to talk while eating at the dinner table. Now the atmosphere at home can be summed up in two words: happy.
The only missing members of the family were the third son, his wife, and the youngest son. Xiao Rui, the five-year-old son of the third wife, had reached the age of enlightenment and had just been sent back to the mansion after the New Year. At this moment, he was blinking his big eyes and dancing with his hands, describing "Xiao Wu is this tall, and Da Mei is this big."
"Ari, do you like your younger brother and sister?" His second uncle Xiao Jingtai teased him.
"I like it." In order to show that he really liked it, he nodded like a chick pecking at rice, and everyone was amused.
"Arui, how long and how big do you like your younger brother or sister to be?" Xiao Lang, the eleven-year-old eldest brother who looks very similar to Xiao Jingtai and always has a smile on his face, picked up a piece of fish, picked out the bones on it, and put it in his bowl and asked.
"Hmm..." This really made him feel awkward. Could he describe "liking" with a certain length or size? He was so anxious that he scratched his head.
"In short, it can be as long or as big as you want." Xiao Rui said proudly and imposingly after finally figuring it out.
"You can even say anyway." Are you amazing! How much longer, how much bigger? These funny childish words made everyone at the table burst out laughing.
While the children were laughing and playing, the adults were discussing much more practical issues.
"Brother, isn't it time to give the brother and sister a name?" Xiao Jingtai said as he thought about it.
Xiao Jingkang looked at his father and touched his nose. He had no say.
"Just call it..." General Xiao pondered.
"Father, how about calling him Xiao Jun?" Xiao Jingkang decided to rescue his old father.
"Okay." General Xiao picked up the chopsticks again. Naming was more tiring than fighting a war. Fortunately, his father had thought of it.
What about the girl? "Brother, we want one, and we want two. We can't let us call them Xiaowu and Dajie every day. Think of them quickly.
"Why are you so anxious? Think carefully." General Xiao was unhappy. He was not even going to let me eat. How could I have the energy to think if I wasn't full? What could I say? ...
"I'm going to the study." I can't eat anymore, my tactless son. I'll settle the score with you when I have time.
Qin glared at her son, "Can't you bring this up after dinner? Look how anxious your father is. He deserves a beating."
"Father has to choose the name of our eldest sister himself." Xiao Jingkang kindly explained to him.
"Ah, why didn't anyone tell me? Now I'm in trouble." Father, I hope you can come up with the name smoothly, otherwise, what will be the consequences... Xiao Jingtai imagined the scene of his father chasing him around the yard with a military stick in front of the whole family. He couldn't imagine it, he couldn't imagine it!
From that day on, General Xiao spent most of his time in his study except for attending court and eating.
On the fourth day, at dinner time, General Xiao confidently showed the fruits of his labor to his family.
"Xiao Mingzhu"
"Father, my eldest sister's mother's maiden name contains the word 'Ming', which is inappropriate." The eldest son shook his head in objection.
"Xiao Yuyan"
"This is too vulgar and unworthy of our eldest sister." The second daughter-in-law Li Jiaoying expressed her disagreement. How could we use such vulgar words to describe our little sister's little appearance? It definitely couldn't work.
"Xiao Huier"
"Master, my name is better than this one." Qin couldn't help but retort.
…
General Xiao turned around angrily and returned to his study.
Xiao Jingkang told this to his wife as a funny story.
A few days later, the children's skin was no longer swollen and wrinkled, but white and long. Xiaowu was lively and active, while the eldest sister was still lazy.
The baby on the bed defended himself in his heart, "I don't want to be lazy, can't speak, can't walk, and can't see clearly. Dad and Mom, please don't have such high expectations, okay? And dear grandpa, you must give me a name that is nice and easy to remember, please!"
Two days later, several fresh names were placed on the table.
"Xiao Jiabao", "Xiao Yafang"...
"How about picking one?" I have been looking through books and consulting dictionary for several days. This time it should be almost done.
The father of the person involved stood up, wanting to leave but not daring to, and not knowing what to say if he stayed. Qin picked up the teacup and said, "Drink your tea, or else someone will say something and cause trouble."
"Isn't it enough?" General Xiao saw that no one spoke, and he didn't understand anything. His eyes were wide open and he was on the verge of going berserk.
"Father, how about choosing one as a nickname first?" In view of the somewhat tense atmosphere, Xiao Jingkang proposed a compromise.
"Bang" General Xiao slammed the table and stood up.
"Call you Xiao Yao, nicknamed Ping An, that's it." If you don't like the name I chose, you won't even have the chance to change it. Xiao Yao, what a nice name. Humph, it's useless for anyone to object, and then he walked away.
"Boss, this..." Qin thought that if Xiao Wu called her Xiao Yao, it would sound nice, but it wouldn't be appropriate for a girl. The master wouldn't listen to anyone now, so what should she do?
"My son thinks this name is good," Xiao Jingtai said. "Firstly, there are more boys than girls in our family. If we give her this name and put her among the boys, maybe she will be as easy to raise and healthy as the boys. Secondly, we only need to change one character. The pronunciation is the same but the characters are different. Yao means beautiful jade, which means peace and beauty."
Xiao Jingkang nodded happily. "As long as my daughter is healthy and safe, it's more important than anything else. Second brother, you are talented, quick-witted, and extremely gifted... After listening to your explanation, I feel that the name "Xiao Yao" is perfect for my daughter."
The baby also likes her new name very much. It sounds so elegant and pleasant. She was really afraid of having a name like "Hua" or "Ling". Grandpa, you are so awesome.
"Ajun, Ayao, those sound nice. You have names now, aren't you happy?" Xiao Rui approached his younger brother and sister hoping to get their response.
"No, it's Ajun and Ping'an." Xiao Yang usually doesn't talk much, but since it concerns his younger brother and sister, he had to explain.
"Why?" That's not right. Why is my sister different from everyone else?
How could it be the same? That's the girl the whole family had waited so long for, so naturally she's different. If it feels wrong now, there will be many differences in the future! Ari, it's not obvious in you yet. The one lying next to Ping An on the bed deserves more sympathy!
Xiao Yao glanced at the swaddling baby beside her. Her brother was still as lively as ever. "Fifth Brother, did you hear that? The public's eyes are sharp. My future is bright. What about you?" Hehe...
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