24 – Little Nephew
Ming Yue snorted coldly and said, “Wasting money and effort? They’re worse than beasts. To treat a child like this—they should taste this suffering themselves to understand what it means to waste a life!” As she spoke, her teeth gritted audibly.
Xing Er patted Ming Yue’s shoulder and said, “There will always be those in this world who stop at nothing for their own goals. To them, human life means nothing.”
Shen Qiu looked at Xiao Fu, who was still standing there with a cheerful grin, and felt as if her heart had been struck by a hammer, aching dully.
Taking a deep breath, Shen Qiu asked Xiao Hang, “Can you help regulate her health? At least let her live a few more years.”
Xiao Hang sighed, stood up, and shook his head. “There’s no way. The foundation of her body is already ruined. Not even a divine immortal could save her. All I can do is ease her suffering when her time comes.”
Ye Chen saw Shen Qiu’s eyes trembling and stood up to embrace her. “Think of it this way: at least we found her. We can treat her well while she’s still here and ensure she suffers no more, right?”
“We’re not deities; we can’t save everyone. Just like the others in the slave market—aren’t they all pitiful? Yet we can’t save them either.”
Shen Qiu looked at Ye Chen and said, “I know. But she recognized me as her sister, so I want to do everything I can to help her. Don’t you think she trusts me completely? It shows she truly sees me as her support.”
Ye Chen rubbed Shen Qiu’s shoulder and said, “I know, I understand. But please don’t blame yourself, alright? It pains me to see you like this.”
Shen Qiu shook her head. “I’m not blaming myself. I just ache for this little girl. Look at her—she was once her parents’ treasure, wasn’t she?”
Ye Chen simply held Shen Qiu tighter without another word. Xiao Fu wandered around the room, examining everything with wide-eyed curiosity.
Ming Yue played with her, explaining what each object was and its purpose.
Ye Chen was scheduled to take the imperial examination in August, so he spent nearly every day in the study reviewing. Although he had already taken it once in his previous life, he still needed to take it seriously.
In his past life, he had only ranked tenth. This time, he aimed for the Number One Scholar in the Provincial Exam, especially since the previous titleholder had been a vile man who harmed many. This time, he would cut short that man’s path in the imperial examinations!
One day, Xiao Fu and Ming Yue went out to pick flowers. Since Xiao Fu’s arrival, Ming Yue had been solely focused on caring for her.
Ye Chen hadn’t been intimate with his Qiu’er for several days. Yesterday, he had asked Ming Yue to take Xiao Fu out to play, so Xiao Fu wouldn’t constantly watch Shen Qiu. Whenever Xiao Fu was around, Ye Chen had no chance to touch Shen Qiu.
He began to suspect he had created an obstacle for himself.
As soon as Ming Yue left with Xiao Fu, Ye Chen hurried back to the bedroom. He had spent much of yesterday discussing with Ming Yue and Xing Er—Ming Yue would distract Xiao Fu, while Xing Er kept Shen Qiu occupied.
Back in the bedroom, Shen Qiu was checking accounts with Xing Er. Seeing Ye Chen enter, Xing Er exchanged a glance with him, made an excuse to leave, and closed the door behind her.
Once Xing Er had shut the door and left, Ye Chen walked up behind Shen Qiu, wrapped his arms around her, and nuzzled her ear.
Shen Qiu, tickled by his actions, asked, “Husband, what’s wrong?”Ye Chen immediately breathed heavily and said, “I had Ming Yue take Xiao Fu out to play. Now no one will disturb us—I want to be intimate with you.”
Shen Qiu instantly felt exasperated. No wonder those two girls had been acting strange today—they’d been bribed by Ye Chen.
Seeing that Shen Qiu wasn’t responding, Ye Chen directly stood up, lifted her into his arms, and headed toward the bed. Shen Qiu chided, “It’s broad daylight, and besides, we’re supposed to have a meal with Grandfather and Grandmother at the Hall of Glory and Majesty soon.”
Ye Chen set her down and leaned over her, unfastening her sash as he said, “No need to go. This was Grandmother’s idea—she won’t blame us.”
With that, he covered Shen Qiu’s small mouth, and she gradually succumbed.
When Ming Yue and Xiao Fu returned, each wore a floral wreath on their heads. Xiao Fu held two more wreaths and a large bouquet of flowers. Before even reaching the Water Pavilion, she shouted, “Sister! Sister!”
Shen Qiu and Ye Chen had just finished resting when Xiao Fu’s voice rang out. Ye Chen, who had been hoping to linger affectionately with his Qiu’er, deflated instantly upon hearing Xiao Fu.
Shen Qiu laughed and lay against Ye Chen’s chest, saying, “Husband, Xiao Fu is still a child. She’ll adjust in a few days. Suddenly having someone treat her so well, she’s afraid I’ll be taken away.”
Ye Chen snorted, “My treasure has already been snatched by her, and I haven’t said a word. Yet she’s the one making a fuss. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have bought her back.”
Shen Qiu gave a light peck on Ye Chen’s lips and said, “No one’s taken me away. Qiu’er and her husband share life and death—no one can separate us.”
Needless to say, Ye Chen was very pleased by these words. He kissed Shen Qiu and said, “My Qiu’er is the best. Fine then, I’ll tolerate her a bit more until after my exams, then take my time dealing with her.”
Hmph! He refused to believe that, as Qiu’er’s husband, he couldn’t handle a suddenly appearing little sister-in-law.
Just as the two got out of bed to dress, Xiao Fu burst in—Ming Yue couldn’t stop her.
Entering, she saw Shen Qiu and Ye Chen standing there watching her. She glanced around the room, clothes scattered all over the floor, her sister and brother-in-law only in their inner garments.
Xiao Fu tilted her head and looked at Shen Qiu, who grew uneasy under her gaze and asked, “Xiao Fu, you’re back? Where did Ming Yue take you to play?”
Instead of answering, Xiao Fu asked, “Sister, were you and brother-in-law making a baby?”
Shen Qiu was instantly flustered by the question. Outside the room, Ming Yue slapped her forehead, turned to flee, but was stopped by Mu Qing.
Shen Qiu cleared her throat softly, walked over to Xiao Fu, and asked, “How does Xiao Fu know about making babies?”
Xiao Fu pointed outside and said, “Ming Yue told me! She said not to disturb you because you were making a baby, so I could have a little nephew.”
“Sister, where is my little nephew?” Then she looked toward the bed.
Shen Qiu had no idea how to explain it and could only glance at Ye Chen, who had already dressed and came to her side. He said, “Xiao Fu, do you want a little nephew?”
Xiao Fu nodded happily, “Ming Yue showed me some babies today and said if I had a little nephew, he’d be like them.”
“I want a little nephew so I can play with him.”
Ye Chen smiled. This Ming Yue really didn’t let him down—he’d have to reward her properly later.Ye Chen smiled at Shen Qiu, then put his arm around Xiao Fu’s shoulder and said, “Having a baby is complicated. Listen to your brother-in-law explain it slowly. Let’s have Sister Xing Er help your sister freshen up first, alright?”
This time, Xiao Fu didn’t bare his teeth at Ye Chen but instead grinned and asked, “Brother-in-law, can I have a baby with my sister?”
Ye Chen felt he must be going mad. Discussing how to have babies with someone who lacked mental capacity—he was probably the first person in history to do so.
Ye Chen led Xiao Fu out of the courtyard and said with a serious expression, “Xiao Fu can’t have babies with your sister. Only your brother-in-law can have babies with her. Do you want to hold your little nephew soon?”
Xiao Fu nodded vigorously like pounding garlic. Ye Chen smiled triumphantly and said, “If you want to hold your little nephew soon, your brother-in-law and sister need to work very hard. You just shouldn’t disturb us when we’re together.”
Xiao Fu looked at Ye Chen suspiciously and asked, “Is it really that simple?”
Ye Chen maintained his serious expression and replied, “Of course not. We have to wait until your sister gets pregnant, which will take at least a year. Be patient, and you’ll be able to hold your little nephew very soon.”
Xiao Fu asked, “Really?”
Ye Chen raised his hand and vowed, “Really. Your brother-in-law swears he’s not lying to you.”