Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 756 - 757: Passing Away (2)

"You shouldn’t have." Xiqiu was taken aback, "This... is too precious." It was a jade sculpture of a Jade-faced Green Pine: "How could I accept this?"

Madam Ruan shook her head and said, "Why should we concern ourselves with what’s precious? Besides, my son likes it, and giving such a small item shouldn’t be considered too precious."

Xiqiu sighed, "You’re too kind." On the other side, Madam Qian also brought out her gift, smiling, "It completes a pair." It was another jade piece, seeming to be carved from the same rough material, yet depicting a Longevity Star, unlike the one Madam Shen had sent before, showing the Longevity Star in peaceful joy, surrounded by divine light.

"Did you notice?" Madam Qian saw that Xiqiu recognized it as a carving from the same material, and laughed, "This was once obtained by my father when he accompanied the late Emperor on an expedition to Liaodong. He brought it back and had many things carved from it. When I got married, my mother distributed them, so each of us siblings got one." She laughed, covering her face, "This is from my brother’s and my share, not too precious, just a token of my thoughts."

Something may not be the best, but it can indeed be better. However, this pair of gifts held the Old Marquis’ memories, so Xiqiu hesitated to accept them, feeling uneasy, "Initially, I felt they were too precious, but after what you just said, I feel even less able to accept them."

The three sat by the bedside, politely declining each other; in the end, Xiqiu accepted them, jokingly lamenting, "What should I give in return in the future?" She showed a distressed expression.

Madam Qian and Madam Ruan laughed, and they sat chatting for a while longer. Madam Huang, First Young Madam Tang, and Madam Xu came as well, and Xiqiu had Mrs. Zhou bring Zhi over. They gathered to chat about childbirth and the recent engagement of Madam Huang’s sister-in-law last month. Finally, they all headed over to greet the Grand Dowager, who wanted Zhi brought over, saying Old Madam Tang and Old Madam Lou wanted to see him.

With the room quieting down, Nanny Cen brought beef bone soup, and Xiqiu drank during the break. Soon, Madam Qian and Madam Huang arrived, though Qian Wenzhong and Huang Da along with Han Cheng had yet to return from Jiangnan and Wei Hui.

Xiqiu chatted for a while, just seeing a few ladies out, when Wenyu came to report, "Madam, First Young Madam Ren has arrived."

Xiqiu was taken aback upon hearing this. The First Young Madam of the Wujin Bo Mansion?

She had sent the invitations for the baby’s custom celebration, expecting no visitors due to their past refusal to see Mrs. Zhou and Tong Xiyang. Unexpectedly, First Young Madam Ren arrived!

"Let her in." Xiqiu nodded, and Wenyu went to fulfill the task. Shortly after, First Young Madam Ren lifted the curtain and entered.

Wearing a burgundy overcoat, she looked much slimmer and worn compared to the last time they met, as if she aged several years; Xiqiu greeted her with a smile, "Please sit down, Sister-in-law," following Tong Xiyang’s address.

"Fourth Madam." First Young Madam Ren smiled as she approached the bedside, searching around, "Where’s Zhi? Why haven’t I seen him?" She sat beside Xiqiu’s bed.

Xiqiu replied with a smile, "He’s next door. Old Madam Lou wanted to see him, so I had him taken over."

First Young Madam Ren smiled and nodded, handing over her gift to Xiqiu, "Just a token!" Xiqiu smiled and had Bihuai accept it.

First Young Madam Ren looked at Xiqiu with hesitation, about to speak, when two midwives cheerfully announced, "Madam, the auspicious hour has arrived," interrupting her.

Xiqiu nodded in agreement, sending for the ladies in the next room, while First Young Madam Ren gathered her thoughts, agreeing, "I truly arrived at just the right time."

Madam Qian, Madam Ruan, Madam Xu, and several others gradually entered. Upon seeing First Young Madam Ren, they were all taken aback, but considering the familial ties between the two families, it seemed reasonable. The room was set with a screen, and Zhi lay completely bare, his chubby hands flailing. During his bath, he neither cried nor fussed, eventually relieving himself in the tub. Dressing him was no easy task, as his restless little legs couldn’t be held still, causing everyone to watch and laugh heartily. Seeing a thick layer of gold and silver ingots thrown into the tub, the midwives spouted auspicious words.

With the ceremony complete, voices called from outside to commence the banquet... everyone headed out, but First Young Madam Ren remained seated, clearly having something to say to Xiqiu. Madam Qian noticed and came forward with a laugh, "Let’s go, those arriving late today must drink a penalty cup." She pulled First Young Madam Ren toward the door.

The Ren Family was highly sensitive, like a pair of shoes waiting to fall from the rooftop, causing everyone to avoid them whenever possible. Being at Xiqiu’s place today left little room for avoidance, leaving everyone to feign ignorance and discuss trivial matters.

In the afternoon, everyone gathered in the spacious hall to listen to an entertainer. Recently, a female storyteller arrived in the Capital, claiming expertise in astronomy, geography, history, and future predictions. Within just two months, she became popular among the ladies, hired by families hosting joyful events to come and narrate stories, and occasionally sing opera when she was in high spirits.

Everyone listened with keen interest, while Xiqiu stayed in her room to rest with Zhi, calling over Nanny Cen to ask, "What did they say with Zhi? What did they talk about?"

"All praises, especially Old Madam Lou held him and kissed him several times, claiming he is the spitting image of Fourth Master when young, and also resembles the Master... truly a culmination of the Xiao Family’s best traits, strikingly handsome."

Xiqiu chuckled, imagining Old Madam Lou’s playful expression while saying that; the Grand Dowager must have been pleased conversing with her. She inquired, "And the Grand Dowager, did she take her medicine both morning and noon? As for Sister Jingliu, why haven’t I seen her today?"

"The Grand Dowager took her medicine, and I kept watch," Nanny Cen confirmed, then hesitated with puzzled eyes, "Regarding Nurse Zhang, I haven’t seen her all morning either; she didn’t mention leaving..."

With deep thought, Xiqiu paused.

"Since no one’s around," Nanny Cen suggested with a smile, "try again, since you drank those two large bowls yesterday and today; perhaps it’s worked by now."

Nanny Cen was very trusting of folk remedies.

Feeling it was logical, Xiqiu loosened her bodice; though Zhi had eaten after his bath, many hours had passed, he must have been hungry, and as soon as he latched on, he didn’t let go, causing Xiqiu beads of sweat from the pain... Nanny Cen kept her eyes fixed on Zhi, suddenly enlightened, "Madam, do you see, is he swallowing?"

Xiqiu was taken aback, leaning to observe, realizing Zhi was indeed swallowing and excitedly looked to Nanny Cen, "Is it possible there is milk?"

"It’s certain," Nanny Cen exclaimed with joy, "Try the other side as well." Following Nanny Cen’s words, Xiqiu had Zhi switched and again began sucking joyfully...