CHAPTER 1021: CHAPTER 1019: HE’S CLEARLY HER OLDER BROTHER

Jinrong without any reservation treated himself as part of the family, nudging Jiang Yifan aside to come closer: "Ah Xiu, it’s been over a month since we last met. Come, let your godfather hold you and see if you’ve grown."

Not only did Jinrong push Jiang Yifan aside, but Ye Xinyan also helplessly stepped away to make room for this fellow.

Perhaps Ah Xiu wasn’t at the age where she recognized strangers, or maybe she had some impression of this self-proclaimed godfather. Her bright eyes looked at the approaching Jinrong, and she reached her small hands towards him while babbling loudly.

Jinrong immediately beamed with joy, bent down to pick up Ah Xiu, and teased her, saying, "Look at our Ah Xiu, how clever she is. She recognizes her godfather, doesn’t she? We two are destined to be close, Ah Xiu is so happy to see her godfather." He gestured to Jiang Yifan and Ye Xinyan, "You two, go and sit down, let’s chat while seated."

Jiang Yifan glanced at the chair Jinrong indicated before shifting his gaze back. How could he, a Lord, sit while a prince stood?

Moreover, watching Jinrong carry his daughter around, Jiang Yifan felt a heartache akin to having his flesh cut. A dignified prince carrying a little girl around, what kind of sight is that?

"Uhm, Your Highness should take a seat first. You can put Ah Xiu down and let her play by herself," Jiang Yifan gently suggested.

Ye Xinyan lowered her head, stifling her laughter. Prince Yu’s Mansion was hosting a family banquet today. Although Jinrong’s attire was not particularly formal, it was still the casual wear of a prince.

Dressed in a prince’s robe, carrying a little baby around. This sight... it’s somewhat of an eyesore.

Jinrong showed no awareness of having lost his dignity, giving Jiang Yifan a sideways glance and said displeased, "You see Ah Xiu every day, so naturally you don’t cherish her. As for me, the godfather, I haven’t seen my daughter for a long time, so of course, I want to get close to her."

Jiang Yifan quickly retorted, "Your Highness, please mind your words. Who said I don’t cherish her? She’s my daughter, so of course, I cherish Ah Xiu the most."

Ye Xinyan rolled her eyes to the ceiling, turning her face away.

These two, can they really bring prosperity to the country and well-being to the people in the future? She somehow doesn’t quite believe it.

Uncle Wan, having led Jiang Yifan and others inside, called for the maids to serve tea and, unable to watch any longer, gave a light cough and said, "Sixth Master, the princess consort and the two concubines will arrive shortly. You, Lord Jiang, and Grandma Jiang should sit first." Before long, if the princess consort sees you holding someone else’s child fondly, won’t she be deeply upset?

Jinrong seemed not to hear the reproach in Jiang Yifan’s tone, merely nodding at Uncle Wan to show he understood, then sat down at the main seat with Ah Xiu in his arms.

He nonchalantly gestured for the two, "You both sit, sit down."

Jiang Yifan watched with resentment as Ah Xiu sat in Jinrong’s lap, feeling uneasy as if his heart had been taken away.

Only after Ye Xinyan tugged at his sleeve did he reluctantly take a seat at the guest position.

Just as the two settled in their chairs, a maid announced at the door, "The princess consort and concubines, with the young prince and young princess, are here."

Upon entering, Han Yufang was met with a jarring sight. Her esteemed prince, cheerfully sitting in the main seat, carrying a small baby.

No need to ask, this little baby was surely the daughter of Ye Xinyan, whose ’sanri ban’ (bathing ceremony) she had attended.

Han Yufang was quite displeased, not with the baby but with the prince himself. She had never seen her husband being so attentive even to his own daughter. Yet here he was, ecstatic about holding someone else’s child; what on earth was this?

Ever since the incident at the Prince of An Ping’s Mansion, where Ye Xinyan was publicly made to kneel, Han Yufang suffered a big loss and realized fully that she and Ye Xinyan were not on the same level. As her grandfather used to say, she was just a woman, while Ye Xinyan was a strong aid to the prince.

Also, her husband was not the kind of man to listen to pillow talk from women.

So though she was utterly unwilling, she dared not show it.

Jiang Yifan and Ye Xinyan had just barely touched their chairs before quickly standing up again to greet the princess consort.

Whether or not they had conflicts was one thing, but Han Yufang’s status was there, and the proper respect needed to be shown, and etiquettes cannot be disregarded.

Before Han Yufang could speak, Jinrong welcomed her, "We’re all family, no need for formalities." Then he turned to Han Yufang, "Princess Consort, please take a seat. There are no outsiders here, no need for unnecessary rituals."

At last, Jiang Yifan saw an opportunity to stand up and take Ah Xiu, "Your Highness, let me take Ah Xiu so she can play on the low couch."

Your princess consort is here, followed by the concubines and the two little ones of the principality. Your Highness, if you continue to hold someone else’s child like this, it won’t be showing respect to your own women.

Jinrong probably remembered this point as well and let go accordingly.

Ye Xinyan followed up, then took Ah Xiu from Jiang Yifan and, after curtsying to Han Yufang and the two concubines, turned and placed Ah Xiu on the low couch.

Han Yufang fixed her gaze on Ah Xiu. Although she really disliked Ye Xinyan, she couldn’t help but like this little baby.

Attending that bathing ceremony was worthwhile. Ah Xiu indeed was a blessing. Now, she herself was pregnant, the fetus was stable, and the pregnancy was progressing well. The imperial physician mentioned that such a stable pregnancy was rare.

All of these fortunate events were attributed to Ah Xiu, she was grateful to this little baby.

Han Yufang took a seat next to Jinrong and continued to gaze toward Ah Xiu on the low couch.

Below her, Consort Sun and Consort Shi brought their own children, sitting down one after another.

Consort Sun held her well-behaved daughter, glancing toward the low couch as her mind was filled with conflicting thoughts.

Having a daughter herself had disappointed many. Yet, Ye Xinyan, after also giving birth to a daughter, sees her daughter as a treasure, surrounded by care and affection, almost as if the world’s love is concentrated on her.

Lord Jiang, nearing thirty, finally had a child, and though it was a daughter, oddly, Lord Jiang wasn’t disappointed at all but instead dotes on her dearly.

Ye Xinyan’s fortune is indeed enviably good, isn’t it?

In the arms of Consort Shi was Jinrong’s eldest son, Muxian, who at just over two years old was curiously looking in the direction of the little baby.

After a few glances, he turned to look at Consort Shi, pointing at Ah Xiu, and said, "Little baby."

Consort Shi smiled and said, "That’s Ah Xiu."

"Ah Xiu," Muxian repeated in his childish voice, then wriggled to get down to the ground.

Coming from a military family background, General Shi Lan’s way of raising a child was rather rough. Despite Muxian’s young age, seeing his struggles, she confidently let him down to the floor.

Muxian, with his little legs, wobbled over to follow Ye Xinyan, ending up by the side of the low couch, his big eyes blinking as he gazed at Ah Xiu.

Ye Xinyan was sitting by the low couch, overseeing her daughter as she sat on the couch.

She had always liked children. Seeing this young prince with his chubby face yet without any trace of shyness, she cheerfully patted his chubby cheeks and said, "This is Ah Xiu. She’s still young, but when she’s older, she’ll be able to pay her respects to the young prince."

From behind, Jinrong overheard Ye Xinyan’s words and corrected, "Such a small child, how would she understand all those titles? Just call him brother."