Chapter 2

In the northern region of Yunyuan Kingdom, at Liuxi Town, Liuhua Village, it was early spring in March.

This was a small fishing village surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea on one side. The villagers lived by farming and fishing. Due to heavy taxation, most families were not wealthy. At this moment, it was dinnertime.

The old Song family at the east end of the village was particularly busy because the fourth daughter-in-law, Liu, wife of Song Futian the fourth son, was about to give birth.

With the daughter-in-law in labor, it was inappropriate for the father-in-law to stay inside, so Old Master Song was pacing outside the courtyard, waiting for news.

The old lady, Madam Zhou, was in the yard burning incense and praying, hands clasped, muttering prayers.

“Goddess of childbirth, please bless my fourth daughter-in-law, please let her have a girl, I beg you.”

In farming families of this era, grandmothers usually wished for grandsons. It was rare to see a grandmother like Madam Zhou who prayed for a granddaughter.

There was a reason for this: the Song family for generations had never had daughters. Old Master Song had six brothers, and he himself had five sons.

The eldest son had three sons, the second son three sons, the third son two sons, the fourth son one son, and the fifth son was not yet married.

When something is abundant, it often loses favor. Madam Zhou had five sons and a bunch of grandsons, and every day, seeing these boys gave her endless worry.

Children are like that — one child is precious like a pearl; ten children are just so-so.

Seeing the neighbors’ daughters returning home to visit their mothers, Madam Zhou was envious. Daughters were considerate, attentive, and could share their hearts with their mothers.

Her own sons, when she chatted with them, were all like slow responses, not thoughtful or attentive. Daughters were like warm cotton-padded jackets; Madam Zhou envied that.

Unfortunately, she never bore a daughter herself. So she hoped for at least a granddaughter — to dress in pretty clothes, tie two little braids, just like the kids in New Year paintings, so cute.

She bore five sons; if each son had five children, statistically there should be daughters eventually.

But fate did not comply — the four sons had nine grandsons altogether, and Madam Zhou felt as if her sky had fallen.

Not only Madam Zhou, but Old Master Song also wished and wished for a granddaughter, a little girl — but his wish had not come true.

Now, the chance had come again. The fourth daughter-in-law was about to give birth, and Madam Zhou had long been burning incense, hoping for a granddaughter.

The whole family was anxiously awaiting. If the fourth daughter-in-law bore a girl, everyone would be delighted; if it was a boy, then oh dear, Madam Zhou would be displeased with everyone again.

The sunset clouds filled the sky, casting the small mountain village in red. Many people looked up, feeling today’s sunset was exceptionally brilliant, lighting up half the sky.

“Waaah…”

A baby’s soft voice sounded. The midwife inside was puzzled and exclaimed, “Usually babies cry when they are born, why is this one talking?”

Actually, Song Tiantian (the baby) was saying a swear word, but her tongue was tangled and couldn’t really form words. As for crying, she simply didn’t bother.

“Giggling…” Song Tiantian smiled sweetly, or at least she thought it was sweet.

Now it was the midwife’s turn to be shocked and want to say a swear word herself. After so many years of delivering babies, this was the first time she met a baby who didn’t cry but smiled at birth.

They say such children have extraordinary destinies — could this be one?

The weak fourth daughter-in-law Liu asked, “Midwife, is it a girl or a boy?”

The midwife had delivered babies for the Song family before and knew they hoped for a girl. This time, their wish had finally come true.

“Congratulations, it’s a girl! A little girl who smiled instead of crying at birth.”

Liu’s face immediately lit up with joy. This was the wish of the whole family, and now she had both a son and a daughter. The Song family had finally had a daughter.

Hearing the baby’s noises inside, Madame Zhou hurried inside. Seeing Liu was fine, she quickly asked if it was a boy or a girl.

The midwife smiled and said, “Old sister, this time your wish is fulfilled. It’s a little girl. Not only is she beautiful, but she didn’t cry at birth — she smiled. She’s definitely destined for greatness.”

Madam Zhou slapped her thigh, “Oh wow, this really is what I wished for, I’ve been hoping and praying, and a girl has really come.”

“Quick, let me see, let me see!” Madam Zhou eagerly wanted to see the long-awaited little granddaughter.

The midwife quickly handed the child to Madam Zhou, who was so happy she almost squinted her eyes from smiling. She looked down at the little granddaughter.

This child was indeed very beautiful, with fair skin, big eyes, long eyelashes, a small nose and mouth — not at all like a newborn baby.

Her gaze was clear and lively, rolling around looking at Madam Zhou, who felt her heart melting from the cuteness.

“Oh, my little baby, my baby, old lady, my wish has come true.”

Madam Zhou spoke while tears glistened in her eyes and she played with the baby. Normally, babies this young don’t respond to teasing.

But this baby was different — when Madam Zhou played with her, she smiled with eyes squinted, incredibly cute.

Thinking of the midwife’s words, this baby didn’t cry but smiled at birth. She was probably a celestial fairy descended to earth. Could she really be a little goddess born into their family?

Song Tiantian looked at Madam Zhou, who was clearly dressed as an ancient farming family grandmother. In this era, it was rare to find an old lady who wasn’t biased against girls.

“Grandma is really kind. Other grandmothers would show a bad face when they had a granddaughter, but grandma is really good, kind-eyed and gentle-looking, clearly kind-hearted.”

Song Tiantian thought these words silently in her heart, but just then she felt Madam Zhou holding her hand stiffen. Madam Zhou looked at Liu with confusion.

Liu had also heard the baby’s sweet voice speaking a swear word. But how could a newborn baby speak?

Looking at the midwife, she saw no reaction, as if she hadn’t heard anything.

The daughter-in-law and mother-in-law exchanged glances, realizing the truth: this little girl who smiled instead of cried, with the sky full of colorful clouds, must be a little goddess.

A little goddess who couldn’t yet speak but could let the family hear her thoughts — this was not just a long-awaited girl, but a little goddess.

Madam Zhou wished she could immediately kneel and kowtow to the Bodhisattva. What a great blessing, a heavenly blessing!

Right, what did the little granddaughter just say?

She praised her kindness and gentle appearance. Madam Zhou’s smile stretched almost to her ears, and her heart felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey.

In a soft voice, Madam Zhou said, “Little baby, first go to your mother for a hug. Grandma will go tell the old master the good news and make your mother some delicious food.”

Madam Zhou handed the child back to Liu. The midwife watched Liu, worried she might be uncomfortable, while Madam Zhou hurried out.

The sky was filled with sunset clouds, burning half the sky red. Such a scene was rare, lighting up Old Master Song’s square-faced hall in red.