The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 13 - Naming

Song Chuyi nodded in agreement, "Alright, let's do it this way. Just don't actually use their things to feed the chickens and ducks." The Li family members might still harbor ill intentions, and they might still be in contact with the Li family. Letting them go was not an option; better to think of it as paying to keep a few snakes to eat the rats.

Nanny Xu nodded in acknowledgment but then looked at Song Qi and Ye Jingchuan behind her, feeling conflicted. After all, Lianyi was still in confinement, so it wouldn't be appropriate for the men to go in together.

However, seeing that Second Young Master Ye had no intention of leaving, she couldn't help but feel he didn't understand the rules.

Song Chuyi couldn't be bothered to coax him. With a half-smile, she stood on the steps, preparing to head inside. When she noticed Ye Jingchuan had actually followed her a few steps, she turned and asked, "Lianyi just gave birth... it doesn't seem quite appropriate for you to come in, Second Young Master Ye..."

Nanny Xu quickly added, "If we're speaking of it, the Second Young Master's presence should bring some good fortune. We've already boiled red eggs. If the Second Young Master doesn't mind, you might as well take a few; it would be considered an auspicious sign."

Song Qi also hurried to pull him away. "Come on, let's go drink outside. Didn't you find it interesting when you saw them carving wood flowers in the hall just now?"

Ye Jingchuan seemed reluctant, but after being dragged a few steps by Song Qi, he turned around and ran back, shamelessly sitting on the railing of the corridor. "I'm not going in. How about you bring the baby out for me to see? After all, I did save her mother back then. Let me see how she's doing."

Qingtao and Luyi exchanged glances, nearly unable to hold back their laughter.

Song Chuyi, losing her temper over his antics, looked at Song Qi. Song Qi could only join him on the railing, sighing, "Since it's like this, let's bring her out to show him."

Inside, Lianyi had already heard the commotion. Seeing Song Chuyi and the others enter, she smiled so widely her eyes nearly closed and hurriedly tried to get up.

Song Chuyi quickly called over a serving girl to stop her and walked over to sit beside her, holding her hand. Seeing that her complexion had improved significantly and there was some color on her lips, Song Chuyi felt relieved and smiled as she asked, "Is there anything you want to eat or drink? Just tell me."

Lianyi smiled and waved her hand, pointing to the cradle next to her, her eyes and brows filled with smiles.

Nanny Xu had carefully picked up the child and bent over to hand it to Song Chuyi. "Look at this little girl. She will look like Lianyi when she grows up. She will be a little beauty."

Song Chuyi cautiously reached out to hold her, feeling so tense that her whole body was taut like a bow. The child in her arms was filled with the scent of milk, and upon seeing Song Chuyi, she grinned widely and giggled.

Nanny Xu laughed so much her teeth were nearly invisible: "This child is truly blessed; she smiles at everyone and doesn't cry no matter who holds her."

The other Nanny Xu was also affected by the cheerful atmosphere. She reached out to adjust the string of the little hat behind the child's ears, lovingly agreeing, "That's right. Such a blessed little girl should never cry in her life."

Lianyi smiled but also felt a bit like crying as she tugged at Song Chuyi's hand, pointing to her daughter and making gestures with her cooing.

"She wants Miss to give her a nickname." Nanny Xu observed Song Chuyi's flustered expression and felt a bit bittersweet, but more than that, she was happy: "The full name will naturally be left to the master to choose according to the horoscope. But the nickname, we can decide ourselves. You have plenty of ideas. If it weren't for you, this child..."

Song Chuyi tightened her grip slightly, looking at the child's milky white face, and suddenly smiled. "Let's call her An An."

Everyone was a bit stunned, and Lianyi looked at the child in confusion.

Song Chuyi pressed her face against An An's little face, and a tear unexpectedly dropped onto the child's cheek: "We don't seek anything else, just hope she can grow up safely and healthily throughout her life. Let's call her An An."

It's said that names embody the parents' wishes for their children. She believed Lianyi felt the same way; as long as the child grew up safely, that would be enough. Wealth and status didn't matter.

For a moment, Ye Jingchuan, peering through the window, seemed to see Song Chuyi crying. He stood there, stunned, watching her hold the child almost reverently. Looking at her serious and sincere face, he suddenly felt that this girl was even more interesting than he had imagined. Strong yet soft, powerful yet fragile, she was unlike any girl he had met before.

Lianyi nodded with all her strength, tightly gripping Song Chuyi's hand.

Nanny Xu wrapped An An snugly in a thick blanket and brought her out to show Ye Jingchuan.

Ye Jingchuan lowered his head, teasing her with his fingers. An An stuck out her tongue to lick his finger but quickly retracted it. He found it very novel and was eager to try holding her for a bit, but Nanny Xu stopped him.

With a helpless smile, he took a jade pendant from his waist and placed it in An An's swaddling. In that moment, all his youthful and naive demeanor faded away. He gently stroked her face and said auspicious words: "Little one, I wish you a long life and happiness without worries."

Nanny Xu was momentarily taken aback. Returning to the room, she hesitated as she revealed the jade pendant: "This gift is too precious..."

"Since it's from him, just accept it." Song Chuyi teased An An, making her giggle, and handed the pendant to the nursemaid: "Put it away."

But since Ye Jingchuan was already there and showed no intention of leaving anytime soon, Nanny Xu thought for a moment and sent someone out to ask Song Qi whether they should prepare a banquet for the evening.

Song Qi quickly returned with news that Ye Jingchuan intended to stay at another estate for the night and would leave the next day.

"Tomorrow we must return too. Young Master Yan has already set off for over a month; we should be hearing news from Shuzhong soon." Xu Momo had some doubts: "This Second Young Master Ye seems to be quite astute, doesn't he? Such a coincidence."

Song Jue personally accompanied Song Yan, and with Qin Chuan bringing so many guards, Song Chuyi still couldn't help but worry, nodding thoughtfully.

Thinking of Ye Jingchuan made her frown slightly—calculating the days, he had only gone to Fujian for two or three months. How could he still be loitering around? Fujian was not like Zijing Pass, where Yuan Hong would be keeping an eye on him. Once he was in Fujian, he would just be an ordinary soldier; even the King of Zhennan couldn't intervene. At this time, he should be diligently practicing and making connections...

Speaking of making connections... In a few days, the Princess's residence would host a welcoming banquet for Cui Shaoting. Could it be that this guy is waiting for her here? She carefully handed An An to the nursemaid, then saw Nanny Xu and the others busy closing the windows and changing the brazier. She smiled and reminded Lianyi to rest well before heading outside with Luyi, Ziyun, and Qingtao.