Chapter 816: Little Tiger

After lunch, the group went to Ni Manxue’s courtyard.

After all, Xia Tingfeng wasn’t home.

Even if he was, he probably wouldn’t come to the backyard at this time.

Lady Wen was also there, and everyone gathered on the kang to drink tea and chat.

Xia Ruqing glanced at her little nephew.

The seven-month-old baby was nearly as big as her eight-month-old Little Bun.

White, chubby, and with features similar to Xia Tingfeng, he was incredibly cute.

Holding him, Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but sigh.

"He looks so robust! Almost as big as my two!"

Ni Manxue laughed.

"You have twins, how can we compare?"

"After a year, he’ll grow even better!"

Boys should definitely be as sturdy as possible!

The little boy didn’t mind strangers and let her hold him.

His big eyes, much like Xia Tingfeng’s, stared at her curiously but without fear.

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but laugh and played with him for a long time.

The baby seemed to enjoy it, giggling continuously.

The more she looked, the more she liked him, unwilling to let go.

Finally, Zi Yue reminded her.

"Madam, didn’t you prepare a gift?"

"Oh, right!"

Xia Ruqing’s eyes lit up, and she handed the child to Lady Wen.

Zi Yue brought out a sandalwood box.

Inside were a pair of little gold bracelets.

"These are for my little nephew!"

Xia Ruqing picked up the bracelets and was about to put them on the child.

Ni Manxue quickly stopped her.

"Madam, you’ve already given so much, this is just..."

"Ah! It’s our first meeting, of course, I should give something!" Xia Ruqing interrupted her.

No sooner had she spoken than both bracelets were on.

Shining brightly, they looked dazzling and beautiful!

Xia Ruqing was very pleased.

Ni Manxue had no choice but to say nothing more.

"By the way, has the child been named?"

Ni Manxue shook her head.

"Not yet!"

"The Marquis said we could wait until he turns one; it’s the same thing!"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

"That’s fine too!"

In ancient times, people believed in superstitions, fearing newborns might not survive, so they didn’t name them immediately.

They’d give them a temporary name first, and once they reached a year, they’d give them a formal name!

"What about a nickname?"

Ni Manxue lowered her head slightly, trying to hold back a laugh.

"He’s called Little Tiger!"

"We hope he’ll grow as sturdy as a tiger!"

"His father has high hopes for him, wanting him to become a Great General!"

Xia Ruqing felt a twinge of exasperation.

"Indeed, that name screams Generals Family!"

Everyone laughed at this.

Xia Caiying sat silently to the side, doting on Little Tiger with affectionate eyes.

After a while, she stood up.

"Big sister, mother, sister-in-law, I’m a bit tired; I’ll excuse myself now!"

Xia Ruqing looked up.

Seeing Xia Caiying, who had grown into a lovely young woman, she couldn’t help but feel happy.

"Alright, you go rest!"

"Yes!"

Xia Caiying politely curtsied and then left.

Xia Ruqing sighed.

"Indeed, sister-in-law’s guidance has really shaped her temperament..."

Ni Manxue blushed.

"Oh, don’t tease me, Madam, my manners aren’t that great; they’re far from those of proper young ladies!"

"How can you not be considered a proper young lady?"

"Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore!"

Xia Ruqing waved her hand and turned to ask.

"Second Mother, how are Caiying’s marriage prospects?"

Lady Wen and Ni Manxue exchanged looks and both shook their heads.

"How can that be? There are so many on the list!"

Isn’t there a single good one? That can’t be!

Ni Manxue shook her head.

"None of them are suitable!"

Lady Wen nodded in agreement.

Ni Manxue continued.

"Firstly, our family’s status is neither too high nor too low; we don’t want to marry upwards, nor look downwards!"

"With this condition, only about ten families are suitable!"

Those remaining are either too high or too low, not fitting.

"Secondly, appearance matters too!"

Xia Caiying may not be a great beauty, but her looks, like Lady Wen’s, are strikingly beautiful.

We can’t let such a fresh blossom be put to waste!

Xia Ruqing nodded again.

"Of the sons from three families, their character is unknown, and as for looks...!"

Ni Manxue didn’t finish her sentence.

"Taking those out leaves about ten."

"Furthermore..."

Ni Manxue counted on her fingers.

Some families are unsuitable, with notoriously shrewish mothers-in-law, making it impossible.

Some already have concubines with children, certainly not suitable either.

Others are dull as logs, as if they’d read themselves stupid, which is worse!

And some are sickly, as if they’d fall with a gust of wind; they’re unthinkable!

When all is considered, none are suitable.

Lady Wen started to worry.

Xia Ruqing also frowned.

"What if...we look higher up?"

"A slightly higher status is better than one too low!"

In ancient times, women already had a hard life; marrying low would mean a harder life, often at the cost of their own dowries.

That can’t do!

Ni Manxue nodded.

"That’s right; Mother and I were discussing whether to look higher up!"

"It’s just a pity that my husband is a Military General and can’t provide the backing for my little sister!"

Fear that people will look down on us.

A small Marquis’s sister, and an illegitimate child!

High-status families, literary families, might not look kindly on that.

Marrying into such families is not easy!

"If necessary, let’s have Caiying stay in the palace for a while?"

To let outsiders know.

This sister, though not born of the same mother as the Noble Consort, shares a deep affection.

Lady Wen shook her head repeatedly.

"How could that be? She lacks the discipline and might offend the Honored Lady! It would cause trouble for Madam!"

Xia Ruqing interrupted her directly.

"Second Mother, no need to decline; let’s settle it this way!"

Lady Wen felt conflicted, her eyes turning red.

"Noble Consort’s great kindness..."

"Second Mother! Caiying is my biological sister!"

Given the situation, refusing further would be inappropriate for Lady Wen.

"If this is so, then I’ll trouble you, Madam!"

"That’s more like it!" Xia Ruqing said happily.

Ni Manxue was also very pleased.

"This way, it couldn’t be better; no one will dare to belittle Second Sister anymore!"

Xia Ruqing nodded.

Her heart suddenly felt a pang:

Poor parents’ hearts everywhere, Lady Wen does everything she can just to ensure Second Sister’s future marital harmony and a life of ease.

Having a mother is truly wonderful!

And herself? Where was her own mother?

She never met her mother in her past life, and in this life, it was the same!

She wondered:

If she did more good deeds in this life, accumulated more virtue.

Could she meet her mother in the next life?

Returning to the palace from the Hou Mansion.

Xia Ruqing was listless, low in spirit.

Zhao Junyao, seeing her like this, thought she was ill.

He was about to call for the Imperial Physician, but she stopped him.

"I’m not sick!"

"Then what is it?"

"I...I miss my mother!"

Zhao Junyao fell silent.

He didn’t know how to comfort her, so he gently stroked her hair!

After a long period, he suddenly spoke.

"I have a mother, but...she probably doesn’t love me as much as yours did you!"