The frost-white hair framed his pale face, yet he didn’t appear old. Instead, he resembled the morning mist, ready to dissipate as the sun rose. Even Mo Sigui couldn’t help but sigh at how fragile life seemed.
“Speak less, rest more,” Mo Sigui advised, lowering his eyes to read a medical text.
The small courtyard, which had been jubilant over An Jiu’s awakening, quickly quieted down. In another part of the compound, Mei Jiu’s cries of labor could be heard. After about six hours, the clear cry of an infant finally rang out.
Hua Rongtan stood outside the birthing room, his expression as serious as ever.
“Congratulations, my lord! Mother and child are safe. It’s a young master!” the midwife exclaimed joyfully as she rushed out.
Hua Rongtan’s body visibly relaxed. He ordered a reward be given and entered to see his wife and child.
The birthing room was a place of blood and mess. The midwife should have stopped Hua Rongtan from entering, but seeing his imposing presence and having received a generous reward, she only offered a gentle reminder, considering her duty fulfilled.
The room reeked of blood. Mei Jiu lay drenched in sweat as attendants carefully cleaned the blood and sweat from her body. Another midwife was swaddling the tiny infant.
Everyone froze upon seeing Hua Rongtan, then quickly bowed in greeting.
“Carry on,” Hua Rongtan instructed.
They complied and resumed their tasks.
Hearing Hua Rongtan’s voice, Mei Jiu tried to speak but lacked the strength.
“Rest well. The child is fine,” Hua Rongtan said softly, grasping her hand. “You’ve done well, my lady.”
A smile touched Mei Jiu’s eyes. She thought about how her child seemed destined to meet An Jiu, eager to be born just as An Jiu awoke.
As Mei Jiu drifted off to sleep, Hua Rongtan caressed her cheek before turning to look at the infant. He had the eldest daughter from his previous wife and believed he had been a good father, providing care and education despite his busy schedule. However, holding his small, soft son now made him realize how little attention he had given his daughter.
Fortunately, he had married Mei Jiu. Seeing his daughter treat her like a birth mother, he knew Mei Jiu truly cared for the girl. This made him not only love Mei Jiu deeply but feel grateful to her as well.
Hua Rongtan found it hard to imagine how the Mei family, known for their night assassinations, could have produced such a cultured and gentle woman as Mei Jiu. Her knowledge of poetry, literature, chess, and art rivaled that of men. They could play music together, engage in fierce chess battles, and discuss classics and poetry. She understood everything he talked about without needing explanations. More often, she would quietly listen, soothing his daily fatigue. In their home life, Mei Jiu managed everything meticulously, requiring no effort from him. She often cooked for him herself, taking care of his every need.
Hua Rongtan’s relationship with his first wife had been one of passionate, pure love that cut deep. With Mei Jiu, he found a soulmate and a steadily flowing love that left him utterly content. He felt incredibly fortunate to have such a wife.
The entire Hua household was filled with joy at the birth of Mei Jiu’s son, the heir. Mei Jiu felt slightly regretful that her confinement period prevented her from properly talking with An Jiu.
However, this regret didn’t last long. An Jiu and Mo Sigui soon came to offer their congratulations.
As a physician, Mo Sigui could enter the inner chambers under the pretext of checking Mei Jiu’s pulse.
As soon as they sat down, Mei Jiu’s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at An Jiu.
An attendant quickly reminded her, “My lady, you mustn’t cry. It could harm your eyes during the confinement period.”
“You may all leave,” Mei Jiu instructed.
The head attendant led the others out.
An Jiu rose and walked to the bedside. “Where’s the child?” she asked.
“With the wet nurse,” Mei Jiu replied, pulling An Jiu to sit on the edge of the bed. “You’ve suffered so much.”
An Jiu had been bedridden for half a year, reduced to skin and bones. After several days of Mo Sigui’s careful treatment, her complexion had only slightly improved.
“I can’t help but feel that the suffering you’ve endured should have been my fate,” Mei Jiu sighed. “Whenever I think of this, I lose my appetite and can’t sleep at night.”
She felt guilty enjoying a life of comfort while someone else suffered in her place.
“You’re overthinking,” An Jiu consoled her. “If you were in my situation, you’d have died long ago. This is my fate, don’t flatter yourself.”
“Ahem,” Mo Sigui coughed, feeling both pained and amused.
Mei Jiu was used to An Jiu’s sharp words. “I understand what you’re saying, but I can’t help feeling uneasy sometimes.”
An Jiu was too tired to comment on Mei Jiu’s innate savior complex. Seeing that Mei Jiu, despite her outwardly fragile appearance, had grown stronger inside, she felt somewhat pleased.
Mei Jiu changed the subject excitedly, “I’ve discussed it with my husband. After the child’s hundred-day celebration, we’d like you to be his godmother. What do you think?”
An Jiu stared at her expressionlessly.
“If you don’t agree, just say so. Why make such a face?” Mei Jiu mumbled softly, like a wronged little girl.
“I’ve thought about it and decided to agree,” An Jiu said, watching Mei Jiu’s face light up with joy. She explained, “Initially, I thought being entangled with someone as troublesome as you were already unfortunate enough, and I didn’t want to add more trouble. But considering that Hua Rongtan is quite capable, this child might not turn out too bad.”
Far from being offended, Mei Jiu became even more delighted, feeling proud. “I didn’t expect you to praise someone. It shows how truly exceptional my husband is.”
Mo Sigui, who had been silent for a while, chimed in with a smile, “As the saying goes, daughters take after their fathers, sons after their mothers.”
An Jiu’s face immediately darkened.
Mei Jiu hurriedly said, “You’ve already agreed, you can’t take it back. My son was eager to come out as soon as he saw you. It must be fate.”
“Or maybe he came to collect a debt,” Mo Sigui quipped.
Mei Jiu became anxious and scolded, “Cousin!”
Mo Sigui clicked his tongue and moved forward to check her pulse. “Women in confinement really can’t take a joke.”
In the end, An Jiu didn’t change her mind and decided to accept a godson, though she felt a heavy pressure in her heart. For an assassin, having too many attachments could be fatal. Although she might not need to be an assassin anymore, years of ingrained mindset were hard to change quickly.
After a while, both An Jiu and Mei Jiu felt tired. Mo Sigui and An Jiu prepared to leave.
Chu Dingjiang was already waiting at the door.
Chu Dingjiang’s spirits have improved greatly in recent days. He had shaved his beard, making him look much younger. However, his temples were still streaked with gray, giving him the appearance of having weathered many storms.
An Jiu took his hand and said, “Before, when you shaved your beard, you could pass as Hua Rongtan’s peer. Now, no matter what, you look like an uncle.”