CHAPTER 1002: CHAPTER 1000: A FATHER’S STRENGTH

Ye Xinyan was stunned for a moment. With such a father, will the task of disciplining their daughter all fall on her in the future?

But, after this fellow went through so much trouble to name their child, only for it to be completely ignored, he does have a reason to be upset.

"Yes, yes, our daughter, of course, she will only have the opportunity to bully others," Ye Xinyan said insincerely, trying to console him. "Naming a child, we will have plenty of chances. When we have the next child, as soon as they are born, we’ll report the happy news to the royal family and His Majesty, including the name, and no one will be able to compete with us."

Ye Xinyan spoke while secretly pouting. As if the Emperor is so keen to name your child—everyone desires a name given by the Emperor, right?

If someone heard this, they would be envious enough to beat him, wouldn’t they?

"Right, right, this time we lacked experience and got taken advantage of, allowing others to get a head start. Next time, we’ll do as you said, Ah Yan." Jiang Yifan’s gloomy mood from the entire day slightly improved.

He went to look at his sleeping daughter again. Though not even a day old, her still wrinkled little face seemed to have gained some moisture, and the flakes of skin were visibly less. She really is a beautiful and lovely child.

...

With the grace of the Emperor’s bestowed name, when Jiang Jinxiu’s daughter was bathed on the third day, the people coming to congratulate were numerous. Anyone with the slightest connection to Jiang Yifan or the Ye Family sent female relatives to congratulate, making the old woman servant who assisted with the birth smile broadly with joy.

This delivery was indeed a big score. Previously, when she first saw it was a baby girl, she was regretful and restless with worry. Now it seems that was completely unnecessary.

Looking around the capital, besides the royal palace and the prince’s mansion, regardless of gender, which household’s child is more precious than this daughter of the Jiang Family?

This honor also extended to the three midwives who helped with the delivery, making them bask in glory as well. In the future, in this line of work in the capital, aside from the palace servants, who would dare stand ahead of these three?

Jinrong held back for two days before having the opportunity to bring the princess consort over to congratulate Jiang Yifan.

As soon as Prince Yu appeared, Jiang Yifan quickly stepped out to greet him, and those around also came forward to pay respects.

Prince Consort Wife Han Yufang was ceremoniously welcomed into the backyard by Madam Yin and Madam Sun.

Han Yufang had done an entire night of mental preparation the previous day in the residence, and now presented a joyful and amiable demeanor, cheerfully helping Madam Yin take care of the guests, appearing very pleasant.

In the guest reception hall of the outer courtyard, Jiang Yifan’s eyes almost popped out: "Wait, wait. Your Highness, I’ve had a daughter, why is the royal family so excited? You have your own daughters, why jump in on this?"

His right to give his daughter a cherished nickname was taken away by the Emperor, and now Jinrong came to claim her as a goddaughter, what for? Impressed by his family’s good lineage and wants to take them?

He had been in a state of depression for days. Clearly anticipating eagerly for his daughter’s birth, naming was supposed to be a joyful event for him as a father. He had prepared for a long time, and it was supposed to be his daughter, yet suddenly, the name was bestowed by the Emperor.

Such a frustrating matter, yet everyone congratulated him; now he can’t even find a place to reason, can he?

Only two days have passed, and now Jinrong comes along to stir up trouble, does he think he’s easy to bully?

As soon as Jinrong heard that Ye Xinyan had a daughter, he was already considering claiming her as a goddaughter, not bothering to care about Jiang Yifan’s feelings. With both hands spread wide, he said: "Yuanfan, that’s not it. I have daughters, but no goddaughters."

Nowadays, Jinrong has one son and one daughter, both born from concubines, while his principal wife Han Yufang still shows no sign, causing a bit of impatience.

This time, to bolster a claim for a goddaughter, he heavily persuaded Han Yufang to accompany him to the Jiang Family for celebrations, using this reason as justification. Although the Jiang Family has birthed a daughter, this daughter has received imperial favor, which is an auspicious sign.

Han Yufang looked at Ye Xinyan, unpleasantly, but out of fear, she wouldn’t dare to provoke, usually avoiding her. This time, to gain favor from Jinrong and with hopes of sharing in celebratory joy and imperial attention, she begrudgingly came over.

Should she conceive because of this and give birth to a son, perhaps she could receive additional care from His Majesty.

Jiang Yifan glared at Jinrong, feeling furious. No goddaughter, is that even a reason? Is having a goddaughter something the royal family absolutely must have?!

"No way, I’ve only just gotten a daughter, and now suddenly she’s claimed as your goddaughter. Soon enough, she’ll be taken to play one day, for meals the next; won’t I have raised her for nothing then? No way!"

"Look, don’t be like this." Jinrong shifted his chair slightly, mischievously moving closer to Jiang Yifan, lowering his voice to say, "I know why you’re not happy, but you can’t blame me, can you? It’s because your Ye Zi is so formidable; she directly dissipated the enormous pressure of the Death Exemption Token from Marquis Xinyong’s Residence. That’s an achievement, you don’t know how happy my Imperial Father is."

Jiang Yifan leaned back slightly, indignantly replied: "So, the Emperor punishes me by taking away my chance to name my Ah Xiu?"

"Come now, how is this a punishment? This is imperial grace, something other families can only wish for. Moreover, look how smoothly the name sounds, Ah Xiu, Jiang Jinxiu. Jinxiu, indeed, Imperial Father values our daughter highly."

"It’s not about whether the name is good... Hey, wait, this is my daughter..."

In the end, he couldn’t overpower Jinrong’s thick face. After a long debate, his own daughter was still claimed by Jinrong as a goddaughter. Not at all embarrassed, Jinrong left behind a token—a pair of carved phoenix Jade Pendants, promising that when she’s older and able to kneel, they’d formally host a banquet for the familial claim.

Looking at the Jade Pendant carved with phoenixes, Jiang Yifan was lingering for a long time. Is she going to be raised as a princess? Jiang Yifan looked at the pendant, feeling despondent for quite a while.

His daughter afterward, if ever arrogant, he plans to back her up, showcase his prowess as a father. But with such a godfather, his own paternal strength seemingly gets completely overshadowed.

The washing ceremony for Jiang Family’s daughter, Ah Xiu, was unprecedented.

Thankfully, Jiang Yifan prepared in advance, virtually clearing and arranging every usable room in the Jiang Family Residence, so as not to catch everyone off guard.

The capital’s affairs, when complicated, truly are complex. Yet when simple, indeed, they are very straightforward. Jiang Yifan’s daughter’s situation was straightforward.

Come now, even the Emperor gave her a name, covered both her formal and casual names, isn’t this direction clear enough? It’s imperial favor. Among those who received news, many would definitely come to pay their respects, showing proximity to the Jiang Family.

...

Time passed day by day, and in the blink of an eye, Jiang Jinxiu was now a month old. When someone praised the daughter’s looks again, Ye Xinyan didn’t feel so guilty anymore.

Ye Xinyan took care of her daughter herself, although she hired a wet nurse, the wet nurse only fed milk occasionally, mainly in case Ye Xinyan wasn’t there.

Just like many elders say, babies change day by day. This past month with her Ah Xiu, she has indeed become beautiful, with a pink chubby face, skin soft and tender, and eyes shiny black, extremely lively.

When Ah Xiu was in a good mood and someone played with her, the little one could even grin sometimes. Especially when Ye Yuan leaned on the bed to tease her, Ah Xiu was extraordinarily spirited, her arms and legs moving vigorously.