Chapter 6: Promotion

In an effort to meet General Xiao’s expectations as soon as possible, Xiao Yao had been going through quite a bit recently. Her wet nurse frequently carried her out for sunbathing, and the maids helped with massages to ensure her comfort.

One day, during a day off, the graceful young Xiao Yi earnestly proposed an idea he had carefully devised: feeding Ping An goat milk and custard.

“Not yet. You can start feeding her some in five months.” Xiao Yao, amused, thought her son was overly concerned—an ideal big brother indeed.

“Mother, Xiao Wu can already roll over, but Ping An is so lazy,” remarked the serious Xiao Yang, believing he had pinpointed the real issue. How should they address this? Girls were proving to be quite troublesome. Ping An, you’re already causing a fuss at such a young age; being your brother isn’t easy.

“Boys and girls develop differently. Girls tend to develop a bit later, so it’s probably nothing,” Tong Mingyu mumbled to herself, unsure if her reasoning made sense.

It was the hottest time of the year. Xiao Yao was dressed in nothing but a pink bellyband with a design of a fish playing among lotus leaves. She wanted to explain to her mother and brother that she could roll over but wasn’t as obsessed with practicing it as her fifth brother, who made it a daily task, flipping dozens of times a day. It was too hot for that kind of effort! She wasn’t foolish enough to exert herself unnecessarily.

“This weather is unbearable! Sister-in-law, I’ll bring Qi over so the maids can cool the room with some ice and reduce the heat,” said Second Lady Li Jiaoying. She appeared fresh and graceful, adorned in a light green magnolia-patterned gauze outfit and a jade-leaf-and-golden-cicada hairpin.

“Come in quickly. Place Qi on Ping An’s left side. Yes, farther from Jun. Look at him—so restless despite the heat, sweating profusely,” Tong Mingyu exclaimed, sympathizing with her son’s exhaustion.

Xiao Yao silently griped. Mother, aren’t I your biological child? How could you heartlessly put me in front of the little chubby boy? Aren’t you afraid he’ll hit me? Clearly, Xiao Wu can take a hit better—why do I have to be the one in danger?

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu was dressed in a sleeveless top, practicing his rolling over with loud determination, while Xiao Liu twisted his round head and squirmed like a silkworm cocoon. Life wasn’t fair.

“Sister-in-law, why do Xiao Wu and Ping An look less and less alike as they grow? Little Ping An will surely grow into a stunning beauty. I’ve never seen a child with such beautiful eyes,” praised Li Jiaoying after entering the room. She completely forgot about her son, hovering over Xiao Yao and marveling at her large, bright eyes, fair skin, and rosy lips.

Xiao Yao felt a tinge of shyness. Second Aunt, if you keep complimenting me, I might really get embarrassed.

Mothers love hearing their children praised, even if it’s exaggerated. “She’s still so young; how can you tell if she’ll be beautiful or not? As long as she grows up healthy and free of illness, I’m content,” said Tong Mingyu. While extraordinary beauty could bring trouble, appearance mattered for women. She hoped her daughter would be pretty but not overly striking and could live a happy and peaceful life.

“I have good news to share with you,” Tong Mingyu said, brushing aside her mixed thoughts and pulling her sister-in-law to sit on a rosewood chair. “Stop gawking—you’re almost drooling on my daughter’s face.”

“Oh? What’s the news?” Li Jiaoying asked reluctantly, still wanting to admire the child.

“Third Sister-in-law is pregnant. She’ll come back to rest and care for herself after the first trimester.”

“That’s wonderful! Little Ping An, can you guess if your third aunt will have a boy or a girl? I hope she has a boy to match my son. If I have a boy and she has a boy, that’s only fair. Don’t you agree?” Li Jiaoying returned to Xiao Yao’s side as she spoke.

Tong Mingyu left to handle household affairs, shaking her head. Her sister-in-law clearly wasn’t here for her but had come to dote on her daughter instead.

Even Xiao Yi and Xiao Yang were dismayed. Their second aunt, who only had one day off every ten days, seemed oblivious to their presence. She should’ve been paying attention to the chubby Xiao Liu, not fighting them for their sister.

Li Jiaoying continued fussing over Xiao Yao, thoroughly admiring her from head to toe. The onlookers felt as though she had found a long-lost, cherished toy. Eventually, the exhausted Xiao Yao dozed off, prompting her wet nurse to muster the courage to retrieve her. Disappointed, Li Jiaoying returned to her room for a nap, leaving her sleeping son behind.

Xiao Yi and Xiao Yang sighed in resignation. Their aunt had played to her heart’s content and left, while they had spent the day as mere spectators. With Xiao Jun still full of energy, they settled for playing with their fifth brother instead.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jingkang was busy hosting guests. A few days ago, the emperor had decreed an expansion of the royal retreat. Though unrelated to Xiao Jingkang’s role as a fourth-rank commissioner, his well-known expertise in weaponry and fine woodwork had made him a sought-after advisor.

“Brother Xiao, I apologize for the repeated disturbances from the Ministry of Works lately,” said Ji Shuhuai, the assistant minister and a long-time acquaintance.

“You should apologize—you’re delaying my time with my daughter,” Xiao Jingkang replied with a hint of self-deprecation.

Ji laughed. “Are you referring to your twins? My son is three years old—how about we become in-laws?”

“If your daughter wants to marry into my family, I’d be thrilled. But if your son wants to marry my Ping An, it’s out of the question.”

“Why not? My son is handsome and intelligent. Think it over,” Ji insisted.

“We’re planning to take a live-in son-in-law.” Xiao Jingkang valued his daughter’s happiness above all else. With no financial or reputational concerns, he preferred keeping her close, where he could ensure her well-being.

The emperor soon caught wind of the Ministry of Works’ reliance on Xiao Jingkang and summoned Ji for clarification. After confirming the matter, the emperor appointed Xiao Jingkang as a department head within the Ministry of Works, responsible for materials in the royal retreat’s expansion.

Though unexpected, Xiao Jingkang embraced his new role, finding it preferable to idling away his days. His family was thrilled, especially his wife, Qin Shi, who attributed the good fortune to their blessed twins.

The promotion brought a fulfilling sense of purpose to Xiao Jingkang’s life. At home, Xiao Yao’s days were enriched by growing bonds with her siblings. Her brother Xiao Jun, particularly, became increasingly attached to her, eagerly seeking her out wherever he went. The two little ones, drooling as they teether, often communicated in their own indecipherable language, much to the amusement of those around them.