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Lu Man’s tear-streaked face was close to her baby’s soft, fragrant face, and she couldn’t help but shed tears of joy. After living two lives, she had finally become a mother and now had a precious, gentle, and sweet-smelling baby. Seeing her child, she didn’t mind at all that the baby resembled Jiang Zhanwei—like father, like daughter, a blessing.
The baby was weighed and measured at six pounds and one ounce.
Outside the room, Second Madam, Third Madam, eldest Young Madam, He Mingzhu, and He Cheng were all waiting.
The midwife brought the baby out, and He Mingzhu tearfully exclaimed, “My grandson!”
Young Madam Han, upon seeing the baby, laughed and said, “Oh, this child looks exactly like Third brother-in-law.”
Delighted, she thought even more joyously. The old Marquis had mentioned that if Lu Man had a daughter, he would dote on her to the heavens. Now, with a daughter who looked so much like Jiang Zhanwei, would he still spoil her to the skies?
Second Madam and Third Madam, after seeing the child, remarked, “Truly resembles Zhanwei, it’s uncanny.”
He Cheng, who had never seen Jiang Zhanwei, smiled and said, “I think she looks like brother Zhankui, really handsome.” Although he felt a twinge of regret—since they say nephews or nieces resemble their uncles, why didn’t the child look more like him?
Third Madam joked, “Those two brothers do look quite alike.”
Young Madam Han instructed someone to go to the Crane Hall and report to Princess Changting if she was awake. She also mentioned Jiang Zhankui, that mischievous child who surely wouldn’t be sleeping soundly, eagerly awaiting news from this side.
Exhausted, Lu Man fell asleep soon after being cleaned up. When she woke up, the first light of dawn was filtering in, and the baby was being cradled by the wet nurse. Initially, Lu Man had wanted to breastfeed the baby herself and not hire a wet nurse, but Princess Changting disagreed. She said, “My descendants, even if they are distant, are still noble. How can I let my granddaughter-in-law breastfeed herself and invite ridicule?”
In a household where everything could be linked to legitimacy, Lu Man had no choice but to compromise.
He Mingzhu helped Lu Man up to sit and chuckled softly, “Yue has just had her milk. Oh, what an appetite she has, feeding from one side to the other.”
Lu Man reached out to hold the baby. The baby’s head was nestled in a red swaddling cloth, with dark, slightly curly hair. Her eyes were closed, with long, curved eyelashes, and her skin was rosy, her small nose upturned, her chubby lips pouting slightly, and dimples visible at the corners of her mouth—a sight that melted hearts.
Lu Man’s heart melted as she kissed her baby’s soft cheek, trembling as she whispered, “Yue, my dear Yue, in this lifetime, you must be happy, safe, and healthy…”
This was Lu Man’s heartfelt wish for her child’s life. As long as her child was happy, safe, and healthy, all the things her father had strived for would pale in comparison.
The baby’s eyes opened, clear and peaceful, gazing quietly at Lu Man.
Lu Man’s heart skipped a beat as she kissed the baby’s little nose, smiling, “Little Yue is awake, looking at Mother…”
Suddenly, urgent footsteps were heard outside, entering the room, followed by Jiang Zhankui and Jiang Jiu bursting in through the door.
Both children had flushed cheeks, especially Jiang Jiu, who was out of breath, clearly having run over. Jiang Jiu was even carried by Lanzhi part of the way when she couldn’t keep up.
The two little ones rushed to Lu Man, fixating their gaze on the baby.
Lu Man gently placed the baby on the bed for them to admire.
The joy on their faces was undeniable.
Jiang Jiu climbed onto the bed, sniffed the baby, then gave her a few kisses before exclaiming, “Oh, little niece looks so pretty and smells lovely. Yue, little Yue, I’m your auntie, hehe.”
Jiang Zhankui smiled broadly, gently pinching Jiang Yue’s cheek and said to Lu Man, “Sister-in-law, I’ll write to Third Brother later and tell him that you’ve given birth to a beautiful niece who looks a lot like her Eighth Uncle, hehe.”
Seeing his proud expression, Lu Man couldn’t help but smile.
He Mingzhu tried to resist but eventually gave in, laughing and saying, “They say Yue looks like her father, so you should write that she looks like Third Young Master.”
Jiang Zhankui shook his head stubbornly, saying, “I think Yue looks more like me.”
Understanding He Mingzhu’s concern, Lu Man whispered, “It’s fine, he’s just a child.”
Later on, Princess Changting and the old Marquis arrived in a hurry after finishing their meal, followed by Jiang Zhanyu.
However, the grandfather, Second Master Jiang, did not come. Upon hearing that a girl was born, he was extremely disappointed and went straight to the yamen.
Although Princess Changting had hoped for a son from Lu Man, she still cherished the birth of a daughter. As for the old Marquis, upon hearing that Lu Man had a daughter, he was overjoyed, nearly jumping with happiness. If Princess Changting hadn’t persuaded him to stay, he would have rushed over with Jiang Zhankui and his siblings.
The baby was taken to the main hall by Mama Li, and Princess Changting laughed, “Oh, this child is truly a Jiang through and through, looks so much like the old Marquis.”
The old Marquis was ecstatic upon hearing this, but when he saw the baby, his smile faded, saying, “Changting, I’m not that ugly, am I? This child looks wrinkled like a dumpling, even a bun is fairer and plumper than her, she won’t be easy to marry in the future.”
Jiang Jiu burst into tears immediately upon hearing this.
Jiang Zhankui was also upset, saying, “Little Yue is so beautiful, how can Grandfather say such things about her.”
Lu Man heard this from the bedroom but couldn’t come out to argue with the stubborn old man.
Princess Changting quickly interjected, “Oh, all babies look wrinkled at first. Little Yue is fine. As she grows, she will become even more beautiful…”
The news of Lu Man’s delivery was also sent to the Lu family. Old lady Lu didn’t dare to come and disturb, instead, she sent Mrs. Ding to deliver gifts.
Mrs. Ding took a few glances at the baby, smiling, “Oh, she really resembles the master.”
After praising the baby for a while and realizing no one was paying much attention, Mrs. Ding left.
Later in the afternoon, Second Madam, Third Madam, and eldest Young Madam, who had rested after staying up with Lu Man during childbirth, returned, bringing along several of their own children.
The hall was bustling with activity.
Jiang Yue was once again carried away by He Mingzhu to the main floor. Third Madam and eldest Young Madam took turns holding and kissing her.
As Jiang Yue was held by her mother, the older children and grandchildren all glanced at her and gently touched her with their small hands.
Young Madam Han kept reminding everyone, “Be gentle, don’t make the baby cry.”
Jiang Yue was calm and composed, not prone to tears, looking around quietly with one eye open, one eye closed.
Madam Lin then took the baby and He Mingzhu smiled, saying, “Yue, your grandmother is holding you. As you grow up, may you be as wise and graceful as your grandmother, exuding elegance and charm.”
Jiang Yue gazed serenely at Madam Lin, her eyes clear as a spring. Madam Lin felt a slight ripple in her heart, her eyes even moistening. Holding this child, she felt relaxed and content, a feeling she hadn’t experienced since holding her own two children.
At that moment, Miss Rou unexpectedly entered the room. She gracefully greeted the Second Madam, Third Madam, and the eldest Young Madam with a bow, softly saying, “I heard Third Young Lady gave birth to a daughter, so I came to see.”