Sixth Sister quickly thanked her with a smile.
After chatting for a while, Liu Niang took out an exquisitely crafted purse and handed it to Ding Shi. "Mother, I made a purse for you. I didn't know if you would like it, so I just guessed. Please don't find it offensive."
Even if Sixth Sister, given her status, made a complete mess of it, like Ninth Sister who could only do simple embroidery, Ding Shi would probably still praise her highly. Not to mention that Sixth Sister's needlework was indeed exceptionally exquisite, and after years of hard work, she had gained considerable experience.
Sure enough, when Ding took it in her hand and examined it, she praised it repeatedly.
"Qian-ge'er is truly blessed to have married you!" Ding Shi praised. Looking at Liu Niang, she said with satisfaction, "You are beautiful and have a good temper. I have no worries about you two living a harmonious life together." Her gaze fell on Liu Niang's flat belly and she said, "If you could give me a grandson soon, that would be even better."
Upon hearing this, Liu Niang was momentarily taken aback, but felt neither great joy nor any other emotion. Instead, she appeared shy and lowered her head without saying a word.
Ding's original intention was indeed to hope that Sixth Sister would give birth to a legitimate son as soon as possible, so that it would be shameful for a son born out of wedlock to be born first.
"It would be good to have a granddaughter first." Ding was afraid that if Sixth Sister had a daughter first, she would feel uncomfortable about what she had said today. "It's better to blossom first and bear fruit later. A daughter is considerate and can help take care of her younger siblings. I've always wanted a daughter, but unfortunately, I'm not destined to have one."
Sixth Sister blushed and nodded, but her heart remained completely unmoved.
The thought that Chen Qian was currently doing *that* with another woman made her feel utterly disgusted.
Sixth Sister chatted with Ding for a while longer before returning to her own courtyard.
This time, the purse given to the Ding family was exchanged for many gifts in return. Tourmaline beads and ruby hairbands were placed in an exquisite sandalwood box. There were also many fine materials, not much inferior to those for personal use.
Sixth Sister casually flipped through the items and told Biyun to keep them safe and remind herself to wear them next time she went to the Ding family's courtyard.
Ding was a very good person.
Before dinner, Chen Qian came back and ate with her.
Chen Qian was no longer wearing the royal blue brocade robe he had worn that morning; instead, he was wearing a moon-white robe, which made him look quite handsome.
Sixth Sister sneered inwardly. Perhaps he had gone too far, or perhaps she had noticed something was wrong. Chen Qian had already bathed elsewhere and changed into a new robe. Chen Qian was already feeling guilty, and when he saw Sixth Sister staring at his clothes, he quickly explained with a smile, "When I was handling some matters in the study, I accidentally spilled tea on my sleeve, so I changed my clothes."
Did she really think she was stupid? A dark glint flashed in Liu Niang's eyes, but she pretended to realize something and said, "Oh, I see. Sir, you weren't burned, were you?"
As she spoke, she reached out to check if Chen Qian was injured, intending to roll up his sleeve. However, Chen Qian remembered that he probably still had marks left from his lovemaking with Xu Hui, so he didn't dare to show his arm and repeatedly said that he was fine and that Liu Niang shouldn't worry.
There's something fishy going on here!
There was a lingering dampness on him, clearly the scent of someone who had just showered. Did he really need to shower again after spilling tea on his sleeve?
Sixth Sister chuckled inwardly, but didn't press him; she had already made up her mind.
Let's wait and see; it's still uncertain who will fall into whose trap.
******
An Ran was kept awake half the night by Lu Mingxiu. Although she didn't get to the end, it was enough to make her fall into a deep sleep from exhaustion.
She didn't even bother to ask for hot water during the night, probably because the maids knew that the two of them had been fooling around all night. She lay drowsily in Lord Lu's arms, letting him do as he pleased.
Lord Lu looked at his incredibly docile little wife in his arms and became increasingly depressed.
He reached out and pinched An Ran's nose, sighing, "I wonder who you're torturing. Just grow up quickly."
An Ran, somewhat disgruntled, slapped away Lord Lu's hand and nestled in Lu Mingxiu's arms, sleeping even more soundly. Lu Mingxiu released her slightly, but she sought out the source of warmth and snuggled closer to his embrace.
There's just no way to deal with her.
Lord Lu thought to himself with a mixture of sweetness and distress.
So when Lu Mingxiu got up to go to the morning court the next day, An Ran was still somewhat awake, though she was still drowsy and couldn't open her eyes. She knew she had to help him get out of the house. However, he was too tired last night, so Lu Mingxiu didn't think of waking her up. He coaxed her a little and put her back in bed for a nap.
Before he left, he instructed Jinping and the others that if Nian Ge'er woke up, they should carry him to Madam's bed and not wake Madam.
As he was right, not long after he left, Nian Ge'er woke up, crying for his mother. Jinping quickly comforted him, saying that Madam was tired and needed to sleep a little longer. She asked Nian Ge'er if he wanted to play with them for a while or go to Madam's place to sleep some more.
Nian Ge hesitated for a moment, promising not to make a sound and wake his mother, and then went to find An Ran.
He went to bed early last night, so he wasn't sleepy at the moment. He just wanted to be with Anran. Jinping did as he was told and carried him to the large canopy bed in the inner room, and gave him a small pillow.
Nian-ge'er obediently leaned against An-ran and closed his eyes.
However, he felt very insecure leaning against the side all alone, and afraid of waking Anran, he quietly moved closer to her. Anran sensed it in her sleep, and she pulled Nian Ge'er into her arms as if she were hugging a large rag doll.
Finally nestled in his mother's arms, Nian Ge'er closed his eyes contentedly.
He fell asleep shortly afterward.
An Ran woke up first, and just as she was about to call for help, she felt a warm bundle in her arms. Looking down, she saw that it was Nian Ge'er, who was asleep.
Nian-ge'er's long eyelashes drooped beneath his eyelids, and his fair and tender face looked like a glutinous rice ball, making him incredibly cute and endearing. An Ran couldn't resist and secretly gave him a kiss.
Although she moved very gently, Nian Ge'er was still awakened.
"Mother?" the drowsy Nian Ge'er said softly, "Mother, hug me."
He forgot he was in An Ran's arms and even wanted to open his arms so she could hold him. But Nian Ge'er quickly realized he was in An Ran's arms and couldn't help but smile sweetly, revealing two deep dimples.
So cute!
An Ran's heart melted, and she couldn't help but kiss Nian Ge'er again, making him giggle.
He copied An Ran and kissed her on the cheek. Then, shyly, he buried his head in An Ran's arms and refused to get up.
"Good boy, get up quickly." An Ran said gently with a smile, "Are you hungry? We'll have breakfast in a bit."
The mother and son then got up.