Chapter 2599: Chapter 5: Clarity of the Deity
Infants are the happiest beings in this world, because they do not know what suffering is.
Infants are the most pitiful beings in this world, because they do not know what suffering is.
This was such a desolate day in the Shuofang Earl’s Mansion.
In Bao Zhongqing’s mourning hall, his coffin was tightly shut, his spirit tablet was silent, and the son he left in this world was smiling with innocent joy. Incense smoke curled, childish laughter echoed.
This newborn purity and brilliance drove away all the gloom in the mourning hall.
For a moment, there were no grieving faces in the hall.
The nursemaid still prostrating on the floor, her sorrow was only for herself.
The newly married Zhongxuan Sheng and Yi Shisi, looking at this simple little fellow, could not help but imagine their own future lives, and both were very fond of him.
Only, Shisi did not talk much; even when she liked something, she hid it at the corners of her eyes and brows, not showing it plainly. Whereas Zhongxuan Sheng had tried several times to curry favor with Little Xuanjing, but was ignored every time.
Jiang Wang teased Little Xuanjing for a while, making him laugh without stopping.
He had quite some experience in looking after small children.
Because when An’an was still very young, he had always been the one rocking the cradle.
But this son of Bao Zhongqing was particularly giving him face.
Even if Jiang Wang merely breathed on him, or casually poked his cheeks twice, Little Xuanjing would chuckle happily.
White mourning banners stood silent, while the scene was filled with warmth and joy.
Watching the Daqi genius, the youthful young Marquis, playing merrily with Little Xuanjing, Miao Yuzhi did not know where the impulse came from; she suddenly said, "Jinger and Marquis Wu’an get along so well, it is truly a rare fate... I wonder if Marquis Wu’an would be willing to take an adopted son?"
For a moment, the place fell silent.
Only the swaddled infant was still laughing, carefree. He was slapping Jiang Wang’s palm with all his might, as if clapping in agreement... irresistibly adorable.
This suggestion was clearly a sudden thought of Miao Yuzhi’s; she had not discussed it with anyone beforehand.
Even Bao Yi was very surprised.
But this Nine Soldier Commander showed no intent to stop her, merely watching this scene calmly from the side.
Zhongxuan Sheng laughed heartily and, without making it too obvious, squeezed forward a bit, pulling Jiang Wang behind him: "Jiang Wuan isn’t married yet, he doesn’t even have a betrothed. Becoming a father now is rather inappropriate... Why don’t I do it?"
The bond of adoptive father and son is not some simple relationship.
Just like when Yi Xingchen took Shisi as his adopted daughter, her name was properly recorded into the Yi Family genealogy; he truly meant to care for Shisi as his own daughter. If one day Shisi suffered grievances in Marquis of Boxiang’s Mansion, the Yi Family would be the first to stand up for her. And if Yi Xingchen were unfortunately to meet with some misfortune, Yi Shisi would also have to wear mourning for him.
For such a serious matter, Miao Yuzhi blurting it out in a moment of heated impulse already counted as a breach of Li.
Especially since Jiang Wang was someone who was always prone to act on emotion. One more adopted son meant one more heavy responsibility. Jiang Wang himself could not possibly agree to it, and Zhongxuan Sheng would never allow him to agree.
However, though Zhongxuan Sheng had only casually blocked it with a sentence, he himself actually did not mind being this father. After all, he believed he had no real sense of responsibility, and he felt no embarrassment toward the Bao family either. As long as he could get a foothold, with the Bao family and Zhong Xuan Family both in his grasp, it would not be impossible...
Today he became Bao Xuanjing’s father; tomorrow Bao Yi would be his father; round it up, and he would be the Bao family’s heir.
"Nonsense." The Shuofang Marquis’s rebuke to Miao Yuzhi came a bit late, yet just in time: "How solemn is the rite of forming a dry bond; how could you speak of it so lightly? Hurry and apologize to Marquis Wu’an."
He did not take up Zhongxuan Sheng’s words at all.
"Father’s scolding is right." Miao Yuzhi also knew she had misspoken. Cradling her son, she bowed to Jiang Wang: "Please do not take offense, Marquis Wu’an. It was I, Yuzhi, being rude. Seeing how much Jinger likes you, my thoughts ran away with me."
Jiang Wang smiled gently and said, "A child’s fondness comes quickly and goes quickly as well. He’s laughing at me today; he may not even recognize me tomorrow."
Miao Yuzhi said, "I just feel... Jinger likes you so much. Even if he forgets, he will come to like you again."
Those words were truly somewhat moving.
A child’s fondness is innocent and pure.
But Jiang Wang only smiled, and reached out to poke Little Xuanjing’s cheek, saying nothing.
The little baby was still at an age when he understood nothing; he only giggled, rubbing his cheek against Jiang Wang’s hand, terribly affectionate.
Miao Yuzhi pressed her lips together and added, "Of course, Marquis Wu’an is in his prime, and has yet to start a family. An adoptive father–son relationship and the like really would not be appropriate... It was I, Yuzhi, being muddle-headed."
"All right now, Jiang Wuan, Master Jiang, time for you to head back." Zhongxuan Sheng said, "Didn’t a letter just arrive from the South Border? There are still matters waiting for you to handle, aren’t there?"
"Oh, right. I do have to go back and deal with them." Jiang Wang seemed to suddenly remember, then turned around and took his leave from Little Xuanjing, Miao Yuzhi, and Bao Yi one by one.
Miao Yuzhi had thought Little Xuanjing would cry and fuss, or rather, she hoped the child would cry and fuss a little.
But this infant in swaddling was probably tired from playing around. Just as Jiang Wang walked out, he closed his eyes and happily fell into a deep sleep.
After seeing Jiang Wang and the others off, there was no expression on Bao Yi’s face. He merely said to Miao Yuzhi, "The funeral is over. Go back and rest."
"Yes, Father." Miao Yuzhi gently rocked the swaddling with soft tenderness, and said in a low voice, "As for Jinger, he..."
Bao Yi said directly, "You may raise the child until he is two. After he turns two, I will take him personally."
His voice was quite mild, but left no room for discussion.
Miao Yuzhi glanced at the nursemaid still kneeling on the ground. "And the nursemaid, she..."
Bao Yi only said, "You see to it as you see fit."
Then he turned and left.
Back when Miao Yuzhi had just conceived, the Bao Residence specially kept five nursemaids. Their food, clothing, lodging, and travel were all carefully arranged; their daily vegetarian meals were all different, meticulously planned by veteran Imperial Physicians. So that after Little Xuanjing was born, he would have milk of different flavors and different Spiritual Energy to drink every day. A child raised like this would find it very hard not to open his meridians.
Comments