One Month Later

Yang Haiyan finally finished her month-long confinement.

Although one could technically get out of bed during the confinement period, the main focus was on recovery, making it less comfortable than being out of it.

However, it must be said that she had managed to sit through the month fairly comfortably, while Qin Fang was utterly exhausted.

Ever since he discovered that his daughter had turned into a son, he had been the one changing every diaper.

He preferred to do it himself rather than let his wife handle it.

Though he often expressed annoyance, his actions were tender.

Yang Haiyan understood that he was also fond of their son.

Today, the general’s household was particularly lively because Yang Haiyan was out of confinement, which also meant their child was a month old.

They were going to hold a celebration.

The Qin family were not locals of Yunxiang County, so the guest list for the full-month banquet wasn’t extensive—at most, it would just include some officials from the county office, as well as Lieutenant Lü and Lieutenant Yang’s family.

However, the exact date hadn’t been set yet because Uncle Qin and his family were on their way but hadn’t arrived.

Yang Haiyan had no objections to this.

After all, it was about choosing an auspicious date, and it would be better for everyone to be there when Third Uncle Qin and the others arrived for a lively gathering.

Yang Haiyan hadn’t had a proper bath in a month.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t bathe; she just chose to wipe herself down with warm water to be cautious during her confinement.

Now that it was over, she could finally enjoy a good bath.

After finishing her shower and drying off, Granny Lian called from outside: “Madam, we have guests.”

Yang Haiyan was curious.

Guests at their home?

Could it be someone sent by the Du family from the capital? “Who is it?”

Mama Lian replied, “It’s Second Master and Second Madam with Miss Erya, as well as Second Madam’s nephew from her family, and the eldest lady’s family has also come.”

What?

Yang Haiyan was stunned.

Second Aunt Qin had brought her nephew over?

Was she going to ask Qin Fang to arrange a livelihood for him?

And who was the eldest lady?

Liu Xin Courtyard

After Second Uncle Qin’s family and the eldest lady’s family arrived, they first went to Liu Xin Courtyard to see Grandpa Qin and Grandma Qin.

To be honest, Second Aunt Qin felt a bit nervous, especially when Grandma Qin’s gaze lingered on Li Duogu, the name of Second Aunt’s nephew.

In contrast to the nervousness of Second Uncle and Second Aunt Qin, the couple from the eldest lady’s family were very happy, especially the eldest lady herself, who was so delighted to see her family that she cried.

Mother Qin was also glad to see her daughter and took her back to their little courtyard, while Father Qin called for his son-in-law.

The eldest daughter had given birth at the end of last year, but since the journey was long this time, the child had been left with her in-laws, so only the couple had come.

After the couple from the eldest daughter family was led away, Second Aunt Qin spoke up: “Mother, I…”

She was just about to explain when Grandma Qin interrupted, “The children have traveled a long way and must be tired. Let them rest first. You and your husband stay behind and tell me about things at home.”

Second Uncle Qin swallowed hard: “Ah.”

To be honest, he hadn’t agreed to Li Duogu’s matter, fearing his parents would scold him, but his wife insisted on agreeing, and by the time he tried to stop it, it was already too late.

Once only Grandpa Qin, Grandma Qin, Second Uncle Qin, and Second Aunt Qin were left in the room, Grandma Qin directly asked, “Second Daughter-in-law, what are you planning to do by bringing your nephew here?”

There was no need for her to beat around the bush when speaking to Second Aunt Qin; she preferred straightforwardness since the subtleties might go over her head.

Second Aunt Qin was nervous but still spoke honestly: “Mother, I’ve arranged a marriage between Er Ya and Duogu.”

She spoke cautiously while glancing at Grandma Qin.

Seeing that Grandma Qin didn’t say anything, she grew more anxious and explained, “Mother, I thought about it. Rather than marrying our daughter off to someone else’s family, wouldn’t it be better for her to marry into my own family? With me here, they won’t dare bully Er Ya. If she were to marry into a stranger’s family, what if she gets bullied in a place we can’t see?”

Indeed, the marriage of Qin Erya had been settled, but it was entirely Second Aunt Qin’s own decision.

The match was with her honest nephew, Li Duogu.

Second Aunt Qin felt that instead of giving her daughter to an unknown family where they might take advantage of the Qin family’s fortunes, it would be better to marry her back to her own family.

At least she knew their characters, and with her around, who would dare bully her daughter?

Plus, her daughter would have a decent dowry, so letting her marry back into her maternal family would be more beneficial.

Therefore, Second Aunt Qin had unilaterally arranged her daughter’s marriage, selecting her most honest nephew from her maternal family.

However, Second Aunt Qin hadn’t discussed this matter with Grandma Qin or Grandpa Qin before.

She worried they wouldn’t agree, so she had set up the engagement in advance, planning to bring it up during this month’s banquet and thus brought Li Duogu along.

Now that she had spoken her mind, she waited for Grandma Qin’s response.

In any case, she had made up her mind; the engagement was already set, and even if Granny Qin objected… there was nothing she could do about it.

Unexpectedly, Granny Qin nodded and said, “Alright, let’s settle it then.”

She knew the Li family’s temperament; they were quite timid, just like their daughter-in-law.

Moreover, Li Duogu was an honest man.

As long as the second family had no objections, she wouldn’t either.

Besides, since this engagement was their own decision, she wouldn’t be blamed for it regardless of what happened in the future.

If Granny Qin had no objections, then Grandfather Qin wouldn’t either.

He was comparatively more concerned about his grandson’s marriage.

As for his granddaughter’s engagement, as long as his wife didn’t mind, he wouldn’t have any objections.

Though Granny Qin’s agreement surprised Second Aunt Qin, it also relieved her.

While feeling relieved, she became more talkative. “Mother, since Ah Fang’s wife has given birth, I’ll go see the baby.”

Granny Qin replied, “You look…” She wanted to say that she looked a bit travel-worn and suggested that she clean herself up first, but just then, she heard Yang Haiyan’s voice.

“How fortunate! I brought the baby to see Aunt Er,” Yang Haiyan said, walking in front, with a woman carrying the child following her.

As soon as Grandma Qin saw her great-grandson, her face broke into a smile. “The little dumpling is here? Is he awake?”

Yes, the baby’s nickname was “Little Dumpling,” given by Grandfather Qin.

He didn’t want to give him a name that sounded too derogatory, so he chose this name, hoping the child would never worry about food and clothing in the future.

Yang Haiyan replied, “That’s right; he just woke up just as Aunt Er arrived. It seems he couldn’t wait to meet his guests.”

Upon hearing this, Aunt Qin Er exclaimed with delight, “Oh my, such a small child already knows how to be considerate!”

As she spoke, she moved closer to the woman carrying the baby, gazing into the child’s bright, lively eyes. “Look at these eyes, they’re so smart. This child will definitely be clever in the future.”

Second Aunt Qin Er’s words weren’t just flattery; there was a saying in the countryside that if a child had lively, alert eyes, they would grow up to be intelligent.

No mother dislikes hearing such compliments.

Although Yang Haiyan sometimes felt that new mothers were overly sensitive, she still enjoyed hearing others praise her son.

She smiled and said, “Our Qin family’s children are all smart.”

She didn’t modestly say how the child would turn out; instead, she included all the Qin family’s children, which naturally included Tiedan.

Granny Qin added, “That’s right, our Qin family’s children are all clever.”

Yang Haiyan wasn’t clear on how other families’ one-month-old babies were, but her little dumpling was indeed quite active.

After sitting down, the dumpling was placed in her lap.

Though his head didn’t move much, his eyes were indeed lively and bright.

Second Aunt Qin Er also sat down, and they began reminiscing about their hometown.

Before long, Qin’s mother arrived, having heard that Yang Haiyan was there.

She came to see her precious grandson.

Along with Qin’s mother came Da Ya(Eldest Daughter), who, compared to March of last year, looked a bit plumper.

With the family doing well, Da Ya’s status in her husband’s family had risen, and she no longer needed to work in the fields.

With a lighter heart, she naturally looked more plump.

Seeing Yang Haiyan, Da Ya shyly smiled, “Elder sister-in-law.” Since they had only met once before, she felt a bit reserved.

However, because Yang Haiyan had given her gifts, she felt quite close to her.

“Ah,” Yang Haiyan replied. “I was just waiting for you to come! Everyone is here, and you were the only one missing. Mother was worried about you.”

Da Ya said, “I missed all of you too. I’ve wanted to come for a long time, but the journey was just too far. This time, I learned from Uncle Er that you all were coming, so we came along.”

After a few sentences, her shyness diminished, and she walked over to Yang Haiyan, looking at the little dumpling with big eyes. “The child looks just like elder sister-in-law.”

Qin’s mother interjected, “That’s right! He resembles his mother. He definitely can’t look like your elder brother.”

Hearing that Second Uncle Er was coming to see the baby, Qin Fang turned and walked away.

Today, the general’s residence was particularly lively, as all the members of the Qin family were gathered.

With the addition of the little dumpling, when it came time for dinner, the usual gender distinctions were put aside.

The family set up several large round tables and began chatting and eating. Especially Second Aunt Qin Er, who was particularly happy today; she had seen her son, whom she had missed for a year, and her daughter’s marriage was also settled.

She was preparing to become a matriarch and had no worries left in her mind.

In contrast to her happiness, Third Aunt Qin San was not as cheerful.

However, she had been eyeing Li Duogu for quite some time.

That night, as they were getting ready for bed, she said to Third Uncle Qin San, “Husband, I’d like to discuss something with you.”

Third Uncle Qin San had drunk some wine; though he wasn’t drunk, he was definitely tired. “Discuss what? I’m a bit worn out; can’t this wait until tomorrow?”

Third Aunt Qin San replied, “But you can lie down and discuss it; it won’t tire you out, will it?”

After a year of living in the military camp, Third Aunt Qin San had become less timid and her courage had slowly grown after interacting with more people.

Third Uncle Qin San thought about it and agreed, “Alright, what do you want to discuss?”

Third Aunt Qin San said, “What do you think of Er Ya’s fiancé? He’s the nephew of your sister-in-law.”

Third Uncle Qin San replied, “He seems quite honest. Why do you ask?”