The previous servants were all bought by Gu Yi, and their deeds of sale were also in her possession, so naturally, Yang Yan couldn’t take them away.
Thinking that he might never be able to perform intimate acts again in the future, and having made such a fool of himself in front of everyone—in the end, wasn’t it all because of this woman!
Yang Yan’s expression turned ugly. Seeing Jiangxue dawdling, he immediately kicked her: “Didn’t you hear what Mother said? Hurry up and go!”
Jiangxue stood up, patted the dust off herself, and walked away quickly. With her back turned to the two, she seethed with resentment.
However, she couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled: even though Yang Yan was drunk, why couldn’t she control herself either?
Naturally, none of them knew that Gu Yi had added something extra to the incense in the study—something with an aphrodisiac effect.
She had timed it perfectly, leading everyone to witness the affair, and even the fire had been carefully controlled.
Once discovered, they were immediately driven out of the Gu residence. In the chaos, no one would have noticed that the incense in the study was problematic.
Having resolved a major issue, Gu Yi now felt completely at ease.
“Little An’an, are you ready? In three days, it will be our precious An’an’s real first birthday celebration!” Gu Yi affectionately nuzzled An’an’s little cheek.
“Hiyahiya!” Little An’an excitedly waved her arms and legs.
If only Little Koi were here, she would definitely show off to him properly.
Three days later, it was An’an’s real first birthday celebration.
Early in the morning, the Gu residence was bustling with activity—except for the star of the celebration, Little An’an, who was still sound asleep in bed.
Gu Yi gently kissed Little An’an and coaxed her: “An’an, time to wake up. Today is your birthday!”
An’an drowsily got up, stretching out her chubby little arms like lotus roots, and mumbled sleepily: “Mommy, Mommy, sleepy~”
Gu Yi picked up An’an, her heart overflowing with affection.
Since it was a first birthday celebration, she naturally had to dress An’an in something a bit more festive.
Gu Yi chose a bright red little coat, making An’an’s already round body look even rounder. Gu Yue, who had rushed over excitedly early in the morning, burst into laughter at the sight.
“Hahaha, An’an, you look like a little bear!” Gu Yue laughed so hard he nearly fell over.
“Brother, bad!” An’an buried her face unhappily in Gu Yi’s arms.
“Ow!” Gu Yue received a light smack on the head from someone sitting in a wheelchair behind him.
Now it was Gu Yue’s turn to look pitiful and wronged.
“Eldest Brother, hug~” An’an loved her eldest brother the most.
Gu Chen looked at the chubby little An’an, a suspicious smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He quickly coughed to cover it up: “Ahem, An’an looks so beautiful today!”
An’an grinned so widely her eyes disappeared, making her look even rounder.
Holding the warm little bundle in his arms, he secretly gave her a little bounce—she really had gained weight.
Fortunately, though, his legs had lost all sensation, so he could hold An’an for a long time.
Seeing how much brighter and livelier her eldest nephew had become compared to before, Gu Yi felt a mix of relief and a twinge of heartache: “Let’s go, we should head to the front now.”
The group made their way to the front hall.
As a general who had returned victorious from battle, Gu Mingshan had recently received praise from the Emperor. Considering that the general’s health was still weak, the Emperor excused him from having to enter the palace to express gratitude.
Thus, although many people were puzzled about when the Gu family had gained a little granddaughter, many officials still attended the Gu family’s invitation.
The male guests gathered in the front courtyard, hosted by Gu Mingshan, with Gu Tingzhou and Gu Tingjun assisting.
The officials gathered here were all flattering Gu Mingshan, whose standing before the current emperor was truly unparalleled. However…
Everyone glanced at Gu Tingzhou and Gu Tingjun standing nearby. These two sons didn’t seem cut out to be generals. The eldest grandson, Gu Chen, had once been renowned throughout the capital, but it was a pity he had been crippled.
Facing the pitying gazes of the crowd, Gu Chen’s expression remained unperturbed, though ripples of emotion still stirred within him.
In the rear courtyard, Gu Yi was responsible for entertaining the female guests.
Madam Xue had arrived early and, without standing on ceremony, immediately teased her: “You really scared me the other day! I truly thought you’d be heartbroken over that scoundrel!”
As she spoke, she playfully teased little An’an in Gu Yi’s arms: “An’an~ I’m your auntie~”
“Hello, Auntie~” An’an greeted her sweetly. She liked this auntie.
However, noticing the dull, sickly aura hovering over her auntie’s abdomen, An’an reached out: “Auntie, hold~”
“Oh my, just like your mother, so adorable!” Madam Xue immediately took little An’an into her arms.
Gu Yi didn’t think about An’an’s ability to heal illnesses, simply assuming An’an liked Madam Xue.
She smiled and said, “An’an likes Auntie Liu Mei, doesn’t she?”
Liu Mei was the wife of Xue An, the Minister of Rites. The couple shared a deep bond, and the Xue household didn’t even have a single concubine.
Yet, despite many years of marriage, they still had no children.
As she played with An’an, Liu Mei sighed softly: “I wonder when we’ll ever have a child.”
Hearing this, Gu Yi didn’t know how to comfort her friend. If not for An’an, children would have been a source of distress for her as well. All she could offer was consolation: “It will happen.”
But Liu Mei quickly brushed it off and continued to play with An’an, smiling: “If only Auntie could have a little girl as adorable as you, An’an~ Wouldn’t that be nice?”
Holding An’an’s tiny hand, Liu Mei joked, “An’an, help Auntie have a little girl, okay~”
“Mei’er, what are you doing?” Gu Yi was both amused and exasperated.
Liu Mei waved her hand dismissively: “I know what you’re going to say. Isn’t it said that children have a special spiritual sense? I really do adore An’an.”
Gu Yi simply let her be.
“Hai, hai ya!” Unexpectedly, An’an suddenly spoke up, patting her little chest. “An’an, can!”
This sent Madam Xue and Gu Yi into fits of laughter.
After some casual conversation, the formal first-year celebration began.
The Gu family doted on An’an, sparing no expense to ensure everything was of the finest quality. Gu Yi led An’an through the rituals—washing her hands and rolling away misfortunes—hoping she would live a life free from illness and calamity.
A longevity lock was placed around her neck, symbolizing a long life surrounded by countless blessings.
Well-wishes poured in one after another, and An’an, nestled in Gu Yi’s arms, cooperated perfectly.
Soon after, she was set down. Feeling a bit drowsy, An’an looked at Gu Yi in confusion: “Ma-ma?”
“An’an, choose something you like.” Gu Yi gestured for An’an to look around.
A circle of items, each symbolizing auspicious meanings, surrounded her. The moment An’an reached out, a flood of compliments would follow.
An’an’s eyes scanned the circle and suddenly lit up, drawn to a small object. She reached out, picked it up, and held it up for Gu Yi to see: “Ma-ma, like!”
Everyone looked, and the stream of well-wishes abruptly halted.
It was… a dull, grayish vegetable leaf?
Regardless of what others thought, Gu Yi smiled at An’an and said, “If An’an likes it, then keep it.”
After all, she was just a child, naturally curious about these novel things. It was unclear which servant had carelessly mixed this item in, and for a moment, no one noticed.
“Miss An’an truly is extraordinary!” the crowd still praised generously.
Unexpectedly, An’an held up the little gray herb leaf and handed it to Liu Mei: “Auntie, eat, eat.”
As a Little Immortal Herb, she naturally felt an innate affinity for plants, especially medicinal herbs.
With just a glance, An’an had noticed that this dull gray herb leaf emitted a faint golden glow. Hearing Auntie Liu Mei express her desire for a child, she knew this could help!
So without a second thought, An’an grabbed it and handed it to Liu Mei.
Liu Mei was somewhat puzzled, but since it was from An’an, as her auntie, she had to oblige!
She held back Gu Yi, who was about to intervene, and shook her head with a smile: “It’s fine.”
Under An’an’s watchful gaze, Liu Mei took a bite and swallowed it. The texture was a bit strange, but it was tolerable.
And so, Liu Mei ate the entire thing.
An’an grinned foolishly: “Auntie, hug~”