Chapter 4: Full Moon

As spring deepened, the sun shone warmly, and Xiao Yao couldn’t help but feel grateful to have been born in such a mild season—neither too cold nor too hot. Her grandmother often came to visit them, holding and kissing each child in turn. Xiao Yao could clearly sense that her grandmother favored her fifth brother, always holding him first and touching him again and again before leaving. However, her father, older brothers, and second aunt doted on her more. With this one-against-four balance, and perhaps counting her grandfather, Xiao Yao felt content.

Every time Xiao Jingkang returned to the room, he no longer prioritized drinking tea or changing out of his official robes. Instead, he first kissed and played with his daughter, even asking with an amused grin, “Little Ping’an, did you miss Daddy?” Only after this did he turn his attention to his son. A baby not yet a month old, what could she say in response? She could only offer a toothless smile in return for her father’s affection. Xiao Yi and Xiao Yang often shared amusing tales from outside with their younger siblings or brought back small toys to entertain them, always delighted to do so.

What puzzled Xiao Yao the most was the unusually excitable little boy.

“First Aunt, my mother has many beautiful clothes and accessories. Shall we dress Little Ping’an in them?”

“Little Five, you’ve been dethroned! I lasted until I was five before falling out of favor. Haha!”

“First Uncle, can I sleep with Little Ping’an tonight? Please?”

General Xiao, unable to visit the children often, insisted on everyone dining together every evening. This gave him a chance to hear stories about Little Five and Little Ping’an. At the dinner table, the most animated individuals were Xiao Rui, who gestured wildly as he described everything repeatedly, and General Xiao, who stroked his beard, listening intently each time.

One day, Tong Mingyu was changing her son’s diaper when Nanny Zhang entered to report, “Madam Tong has come to visit you and the young master and miss. She’s in the main house chatting with the old lady and will come by shortly.”

“My parents have returned to the capital? Why didn’t we hear any news beforehand? They’ve been gone for more than half a year. I hope their health is well. Qiao Yue, go wait at the main gate,” she instructed, leaving her son to the wet nurse’s care and ordering a servant to prepare tea and refreshments.

Seven months earlier, Tong Mingyu’s granduncle had passed away in Suzhou, their ancestral home. Tong Shangshu had decided to personally return for the memorial. The family couldn’t let him go alone, so Madam Tong accompanied him, leaving her pregnant daughter behind. Their youngest daughter-in-law traveled with them to care for the elderly couple.

Meanwhile, Tong Mingyu’s elder sister and brother-in-law returned to An’yang, their ancestral land, to renovate the family school.

Thus, when the twins had their three-day ceremony, no one from Tong Mingyu’s family could attend.

Less than half an hour later, the door curtain was lifted, and a graceful, kind-eyed woman entered.

“Mother…” With a soft call, Tong Mingyu’s eyes turned red, tears threatening to fall.

“You silly child, what’s all this for? You’re still in confinement. Be careful with your eyes,” Madam Tong said, heart aching for her daughter.

“Little Sister, are you this upset because I’ve arrived? At least spare me some dignity in front of your niece and nephew. If they refuse to let me hold them, it’s entirely your fault,” teased Tong Mingyu’s second sister-in-law, Zhang Shi, a striking beauty dressed in a honey-colored embroidered blouse and a fine white silk skirt, her hair adorned with a jade butterfly hairpin.

“I’m just so happy to see you all after so long,” Tong Mingyu admitted, a little embarrassed by the teasing.

“Let me see my dear grandson and granddaughter,” Madam Tong said eagerly, ignoring the banter.

The wet nurse carefully laid the two swaddled babies side by side, stepping aside to make room. Madam Tong gazed at her grandchildren with a smile, unable to take her eyes off them.

“I missed the three-day ceremony. Bring my gifts quickly!” she said, presenting two silver bracelets, anklets, and necklaces—one inlaid with gemstones, the other with jade.

Zhang Shi gifted a pair of jade locks.

“Twins are a sign of good fortune! Just look at these children; they’re destined for blessings. Let’s all enjoy the luck they bring!” Zhang Shi, ever eloquent, said with a laugh.

“I wish I could take them home to show their grandfather,” Madam Tong said wistfully.

“If it were Little Five, I’d dare to decide, but no one will let you take Ping’an. My father-in-law would block the door with a military rod,” Tong Mingyu joked, imagining the scene and laughing.

“Then forget it. I don’t want to embarrass myself. I’ll let your father see them at the full moon celebration. Whatever chaos happens then, I won’t interfere,” Madam Tong said.

After some heartfelt advice and tender kisses for both children, Madam Tong reluctantly left.

In the blink of an eye, the full moon celebration for the twins arrived.

Of everyone, the twins had changed the most in the past month. Xiao Jun had grown taller and chubbier, with dark, shiny hair, bright black eyes, a plump round face, and a strong, spirited demeanor. He was never still except when asleep. No matter how tightly swaddled, he would soon wriggle free, his little feet kicking the bedboards with audible thumps.

Xiao Yao, too, had grown considerably. Her hair wasn’t as dark as her brother’s, but her large, bright eyes sparkled like precious black gemstones. Her long, curled lashes looked like tiny fans, and her white jade-like face and delicate chin promised future beauty.

The Xiao estate hosted a grand banquet in the front courtyard and garden, with dozens of tables for guests. Male guests toasted and chatted, while the women enjoyed lively conversations. When the twins made their appearance, they instantly became the center of attention, garnering countless compliments.

In the men’s section, Tong Shangshu, seeing his grandchildren for the first time, proudly held one in his arms under the envious gazes of the guests. Slightly tipsy and full of pride, he proclaimed, “Look! This is my grandchild. Don’t they resemble me just a little?”

General Xiao glared at him disdainfully. “How dare you claim my granddaughter resembles you? Look at your face, full of wrinkles, and then look at Ping’an’s smooth, tender skin. How do they resemble each other at all? If you weren’t my in-law, I’d have brought out the military rod already.”

“Old Tong, be careful! Ping’an is still small. Do you even know how to hold her? Don’t drop her!” General Xiao said, his heart torn. He wanted to swap the grandchild in his arms for the one Tong Shangshu was holding but worried the drunk in-law might drop his grandson instead.

Tong Shangshu, captivated by Xiao Yao’s bright, grape-like eyes and long, fluttering lashes, paid no attention to the general’s protests. Her eyes were so big, her lashes so long, fluttering as she blinked, that his heart melted.

“I haven’t held my granddaughter for a month!” General Xiao muttered beside him. Old Tong, give her back! I know you heard me. Why won’t you respond?

“I’m holding her for the first time! You can hold her as much as you want after I leave,” Tong Shangshu retorted without any intention of letting go.

Li Yuan, observing the scene, began to worry for her daughter. The Xiao family’s obvious preference for girls made her wonder what would happen if her daughter gave birth to a boy.

After the full moon banquet, Tong Mingyu resumed managing the household affairs. No matter how busy she was, she always made time for her children. Eleven-year-old Xiao Yi studied at Songshan Academy, and eight-year-old Xiao Yang attended the Wen family school. During the day, only the young twins stayed by her side.

Despite their separate activities during the day, the family always gathered for dinner, sharing laughter and affection. Life in the Xiao family was serene and warm.