Minister Su, known for his upright and incorruptible governance, was overjoyed to welcome a son. Many common folk brought homemade eggs and local produce, things they would normally be reluctant to eat themselves, to the gates of the Minister's Residence.
Father Su instructed the gatekeepers to accept all offerings from the common people that weren't overly valuable, and in return, to give them a red packet and red eggs.
Soon, it was the day of the Third-Day Bath Ceremony.
On this day, Su Li arrived at the Main Courtyard bright and early. Looking at her little brother, dressed like a small auspicious doll, she found him incredibly cute. Cradling him in her arms,
she realized that in just three days, this little nursling seemed to have grown a bit. His skin, which had been a little wrinkled at birth, had now smoothed out, making him appear even fairer, softer, and more adorable.
"Mother, Yu-ge'er seems to have gained weight again," Su Li said, smiling.
The baby's given name was Su Xiao, with the courtesy name Huaiyu.
Mother Su, wearing a forehead band, leaned against the headboard, smiling as she looked at her son and daughter, feeling her life was complete.
"This boy has a big appetite; he's growing so fast," Mother Su chuckled. The child changes by the day; just looking at him brings joy.
Su Li held her brother, chatting with her mother.
Wang Xia rushed in, glancing at Yu-ge'er before whispering, "Madam, Miss, Old Madam Wei has personally arrived!"
Su Li exclaimed in surprise, "Grandmother has come herself?"
"Yes, she's on her way here now," Wang Xia replied.
Su Li quickly pulled a cotton quilt over Mother Su, tucking her in. "Mother, quickly cover yourself, otherwise Grandmother will surely scold you."
After giving birth, Mother Su had been constantly breaking out in cold sweats. The weather had also been hot these past few days, so she wasn't wearing or covered much. Originally, it was said that one must stay completely bundled during postpartum confinement,
but Su Li had advised that as long as she didn't catch a chill, there was no need to wrap herself so tightly, which had made Mother Su feel a bit better. However, with Old Madam Wei's arrival, they would certainly have to put on a show; otherwise, neither of them would have any peace and quiet.
Su Li, holding the baby, stood by the door and saw Old Madam Wei approaching with Madam Wang and Wei Yuanyao.
"Oh dear! Li'er, quickly take your brother inside, don't stand in the draft!" Before Su Li could speak, Old Madam Wei exclaimed loudly upon seeing the siblings standing at the door.
Su Li chuckled, "Grandmother, the weather is lovely today, and besides, Yu-ge'er is warmly dressed and wrapped in a small blanket!"
As the three approached, Old Madam Wei glanced at her grandson in Su Li's arms, her eyes instantly crinkling with delight. "Come, come, let's go inside," Old Madam Wei said.
Su Li nodded and walked inside with the baby.
"Mother, Grandmother and Aunt have arrived."
Old Madam Wei quickly stopped her daughter, who was about to rise. "Stay lying down! You must rest well during your confinement, otherwise, if you contract a postpartum ailment later, it will be troublesome."
Mother Su helplessly leaned back to her original position. "Mother, is it really that exaggerated?" Mother Su said helplessly.
Madam Wang laughed, "Why not? When I was in confinement, I lay in bed for a whole month before Mother allowed me to get up and move around."
While the others were chatting, Wei Yuanyao came closer to Su Li. Su Li smiled, "Cousin, would you like to hold him?"
Wei Yuanyao's eyes sparkled with eagerness. "Can I? He's so tiny, I'm afraid I'll drop him."
Su Li chuckled, "How could you? He's wrapped in a little blanket, making him very easy to hold. Look, you just put one arm around him and support his bottom with the other."
Following Su Li's instructions, Wei Yuanyao carefully took the baby, her movements stiff beyond belief. "Little Yu-ge'er, I'm your cousin; you must remember me!" Wei Yuanyao said, her arms rigid, afraid to move an inch.
"Mm-mm..." The little one made a sound.
"Cousin! Quickly give him to the wet nurse!" Su Li quickly urged.
Wei Yuanyao was still excitedly saying, "He understood! He answered me!" Su Li was about to remind her again, when Wei Yuanyao felt a sudden warmth on the hand supporting the baby's bottom.
Su Li let out a little 'pfft' of laughter. This little guy, always giving a surprise when he meets his elder sisters. Wei Yuanyao froze, her already stiff hand becoming even more rigid.
The wet nurse smilingly took the nursling, going to change his diaper. Looking at the wet stain on her clothes, Wei Yuanyao belatedly realized, "Did he pee?"
Su Li chuckled, "Come on, let's go to my courtyard so you can wash up and change your clothes." Mother Su and the others, who had been talking, also noticed the situation. Madam Wang couldn't stop laughing.
"That child looks like he's growing so well, he could almost rival Li'er when she was little. His personality is also like Li'er's when she was young," Madam Wang chuckled.
Mother Su was both amused and exasperated, saying, "This boy is definitely going to be a little rascal when he grows up."
Wei Yuanyao followed Su Li out of the room, declaring, "When this little guy gets bigger, I'm going to spank his little bottom!"
Su Li chuckled, "You got off easy; the welcome gift he gave me was even better than yours."
Wei Yuanyao's eyes widened, then she burst into laughter.
Su Li led Wei Yuanyao back to her courtyard. Si Qin went to fetch water, and Mo Hua found a set of Su Li's clothes.
"Young Miss Wei, allow this servant to help you," Mo Hua offered.
Wei Yuanyao refused, "No need, I can manage myself."
After Wei Yuanyao had washed up, the two sat in the small courtyard, drinking tea.
"Li'er's courtyard is still the most peaceful," a clear, mellow voice drifted in from outside the courtyard.
Su Li looked towards the courtyard gate and saw Jun Mo entering with a smile, followed by Wei Yuanling and Ji Huaizhou.
Su Li had Si Qin add more cups and poured tea for them. "There are too many people in the front hall, so we're taking a little break here," Su Li said, smiling.
The group sat in the courtyard, chatting. Before they had chatted for long, they saw Zhi Shu enter with Qu Zhirou.
"Sister Qu, did you follow the scent of the tea?" Su Li chuckled, inviting her to come and sit down.
Qu Zhirou greeted Jun Mo, then sat beside Su Li and took a sip of tea. She smiled, "Li'er's tea is indeed excellent tea!"
Su Li smiled, "If you like it, take some back with you later."
Qu Zhirou didn't refuse, saying, "Alright."
The courtyard was bathed in bright spring sunlight, with green trees providing shade, and an occasional gentle breeze carrying faint wafts of floral fragrance. The group sipped tea and chatted, completely at ease.
Qu Zhirou looked at this scene, a faint melancholic feeling in her heart. Su Li noticed her sudden silence and asked, "Sister Qu, what's wrong?"
Everyone looked at her. Qu Zhirou sighed, "I might be leaving the capital soon."
Su Li was startled. "So soon!"
Wei Yuanling said, "Spring Imperial Examinations have already concluded; we're just waiting for the results to be posted. Is Duke Qu preparing to leave the capital?"
Qu Zhirou nodded.
Wei Yuanyao looked at Qu Zhirou and asked, "Does Young Master Ji know?"
Qu Zhirou shook her head gloomily.
Ji Huaizhou was puzzled. What did this have to do with his elder brother? Then he looked at the expressions of the young women, and a look of delight spread across his face. Could it be that his elder brother, the 'iron tree', had finally bloomed?
Su Li held Qu Zhirou's hand, saying, "Don't think too much. There are still several days until the results are posted."
Qu Zhirou, seeing that she had spoiled the pleasant atmosphere, felt a pang of apology. "Alright, let's not talk about me. Even if I leave, we can still correspond by letter."
Su Li also nodded.
Wei Yuanyao quickly changed the subject, looking at her brother and asking, "Brother, the results will be posted soon. How do you think you performed?"
If this were in the past, Wei Yuanling would have undoubtedly boasted that the top three ranks were no problem, but recalling his nonsensical essay, he decided to be humble for once. "The first list should be no problem!" Each list had twenty people, so being on the first list was still quite remarkable.
Su Li chuckled, "Cousin is already the top martial scholar. When the time is right, earning some military merits would be quite good."
Wei Yuanling chuckled, "It's a pity that ever since the war with Northern Yan, the Tianqi Dynasty hasn't had any battles."
Ji Huaizhou gave him a sidelong glance. "You're still hoping for war?"
"Of course not. While these days might be dull, I still hope they remain dull," Wei Yuanling said.
At this moment, Wang Xia entered from outside. "Miss, the Third-Day Bath Ceremony has begun."
Su Li rose. "You all can stay seated for now; I need to go to the main hall."
"Let's go together! I've never seen a 'Third-Day Bath Ceremony' before." At Wei Yuanyao's words, everyone stood up.
Su Li nodded. "That's a good idea. After the Third-Day Bath Ceremony, the feast will begin, so let's go together."
With that, the group moved in a grand procession towards the main hall.
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