"I say, can you at least let me have a look at my granddaughter?" Qi Tianming's anxious voice came from outside. "So you all get to dote on her, and I don't even get to see her?"
He had come directly from the yamen after finishing his duties. By the time he arrived, Qi Zhenzhen had already given birth, and both mother and daughter were asleep.
Not wanting to disturb them by entering the room, he could only wait patiently outside. This was his first grandchild, and he cherished her dearly. Especially after hearing them inside praising how beautiful the little girl was, he wanted to see her too.
"The baby is too young to be held and moved around so much!" Madam Qin the younger said first. "You can wait until the 'three-day' ceremony to see her!"
After saying that, she remembered Qi Zhenzhen mentioning that the weather was cold and the 'three-day' ceremony wouldn't be held. She quickly added, "When she's a month old, you'll naturally be able to hold her and see her."
"They say grandparents are especially fond of their grandchildren. It's true. When I gave birth to Mingzhu, I don't recall your father being this eager," Madam Qin the younger grumbled. "That's right, when your mother gave birth to you, your father wasn't there either."
"You, you, you!" Qi Tianming was both angry and anxious.
"A'nian, Sui'an is awake now. Carry her to the outer room so your father can have a look," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile.
Gu Sinian carefully cradled the child.
"A'nian, be steady," Madam Qin the elder cautioned him with concern.
"Son-in-law, perhaps I should hold her?" Madam Qin the younger also chimed in.
Gu Sinian's face was tense, and he gently shook his head. "I won't drop An'an."
Madam Qin the elder and Madam Qin the younger followed behind Gu Sinian to the outer room.
Yun Shi sat by the bed and took Qi Zhenzhen's hand. "Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"
Qi Zhenzhen shook her head. "Mother, I'm fine. Everything is good. The doctor has also examined me. I'm well, and the baby is well too."
Yun Shi finally breathed a sigh of relief and gently patted Qi Zhenzhen's hand. "You are blessed, and your son-in-law is also a good man."
"Mother, we will all be well in the future," Qi Zhenzhen held Yun Shi's hand back. "Sister Hongdou will be well, and Yi'er will also be well."
Qi Zhenzhen knew that Yun Shi was thinking of the past and worrying about the future.
In the past, her experiences were not good.
Although Hongdou was now by her side, even if the Marquis of Changping recognized her as an adopted daughter, in the eyes of outsiders, she was still somewhat illegitimate. Hongdou had already passed her coming-of-age ceremony, and many suitors had ulterior motives.
Therefore, Yun Shi was worried.
"Mother, I consider Sister Hongdou my own sister," Qi Zhenzhen said earnestly. "I won't abandon her, and A'nian won't either. Moreover, Yi'er won't abandon her. We will all be Sister Hongdou's support. And Sister Hongdou is not without her own capabilities."
Qi Zhenzhen's words were not just to comfort Yun Shi. Gu Sinian had mentioned before that Hongdou's ability to stand out from training proved she was not ordinary. After all, those who could survive in combat, whether in terms of talent or character, should not be underestimated.
Yun Shi was worried because she didn't know what Hongdou had been through.
And Hongdou didn't want to make Yun Shi sad, so some things were kept from Yun Shi.
Yun Shi managed a smile. "Mother doesn't have any unrealistic expectations. I just hope she can find a husband who truly cherishes her, and live a peaceful and harmonious life. Mother doesn't expect her to marry into a prominent family."
During the years she was lost, she had been self-pitying, and in any case, her guidance for Hongdou was insufficient.
Later, they lost contact for several years.
Yun Shi felt that if Hongdou married into a prominent family, she might not be able to adapt.
Therefore, Yun Shi truly did not expect Hongdou to marry into a high-status family.