Chapter 503: Chen Shuying

Upon hearing the name of his grandson, Pei Xun's eyes suddenly lit up, as if ignited by clusters of starlight.

He first nodded heavily, his silver beard swaying with the motion, then raised his hands repeatedly in praise, his voice resonant yet unable to hide his excitement: "What a wonderful 'to save the world and bring peace to the people'!"

"What a wonderful 'Chen Ji'an'!"

"My grandson, bearing such a fine auspicious meaning, will surely achieve great things in the future!"

Before he could finish, the joy and anticipation that had been pent up in his heart could no longer be contained. Pei Xun threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh: "Hahahaha!"

Yuwen Ze, standing to the side, was stunned for a moment. He rubbed the jade pendant at his waist unconsciously, muttering the name under his breath: "Ji'an? Chen Ji'an?"

The words rolled around on his tongue, and a flash of realization suddenly crossed his eyes. He slapped his thigh, his voice full of pleasant surprise: "What a good name!"

He would have to think of a name with a good meaning for his own future eldest son.

And then have them inherit the friendship of their fathers, joining hands to save the world and bring peace to the people!

Daoist Ji Songling stood at the edge of the lantern light, his gaze falling upon the swaddled infant being held high. His eyes grew increasingly profound, as if he could pierce through the swaddling clothes and time itself to see the future appearance and brilliance of the child.

He stroked his beard, a faint, inscrutable smile playing on his lips, and muttered slowly: "Chen Ji'an..."

"To save the world and bring peace to the people... this name, he can bear it, and so it should be."

Cui Yuanrong was already beaming, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes filled with tenderness.

She looked at the granddaughter being held carefully by her husband, her voice soft yet full of joy: "Little Ji'an has a name!"

Then, a bright hope flickered in her eyes, her tone sincere and firm: "Good child, Grandmother is waiting to see you grow up and truly achieve the goal of saving the world and bringing peace to the people, becoming a pillar of talent who protects the country and brings peace to the nation!"

Chen Yan's arms remained steady as he held the swaddled infant. Looking at his young son, the solemnity faded from his face, replaced by a calm and composed smile.

Suddenly, the eyelids of Chen Ji'an in the swaddling clothes fluttered. The look of peaceful sleep gradually faded, and a pair of clear, wash-like eyes slowly opened.

Unlike the ignorance and crying of ordinary infants, he showed no fear at all. His tiny head turned slightly, just happening to meet his father's burning gaze.

In that moment of eye contact, the infant's gaze was clear and innocent, as if he could understand the expectations in his father's eyes. Not only was there no unease, but he even stared quietly at Chen Yan.

The little head even subconsciously rubbed against his father's warm palm.

Seeing this, Chen Yan felt even warmer inside. He spoke aloud, his voice echoing in the snowy courtyard: "My son, in the future, you must join your father in being a pillar of the Great Zhou!"

This patch of words had to be said, and it had to be heard by everyone present...

To avoid the talk of omens bringing unnecessary trouble!

No sooner had he finished speaking than the tiny figure in the swaddling clothes moved slightly.

Immediately after, the tiny, tender corners of Chen Ji'an's mouth slowly curled upward, forming a shallow arc.

That smile was pure and genuine, like a plum blossom blooming quietly in the depths of winter—immature yet highly infectious.

Pei Xun, who had been focused on his grandson, was the first to capture this scene. His eyes lit up, and he hurriedly gestured for everyone to be quiet, his voice full of surprise and excitement: "He smiled! Look, everyone! Little Ji'an smiled!"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but take a half-step forward, afraid of missing this precious moment.

His beard trembled slightly from the agitation of his emotions.

Yuwen Ze stood to the side, his gaze locked onto the tiny figure, full of doting and softness.

He sighed lightly, his tone filled with obvious joy: "Such a clever and spirited little fellow, Father will surely love him to pieces when he sees him!"

They say that grandparents dote on their grandchildren more than their own children. Yuwen Ze was even more curious about what his father, having gained his first legitimate grandson, would bestow as a reward...

Chen Yan looked at his young son, who was smiling shallowly, his eyes overflowing with warmth. He slowly retracted his raised arm, his movements slightly clumsy but full of cherishing, and held Chen Ji'an firmly in his arms.

The little fellow seemed to still be immersed in the warmth from just a moment ago. His little head rested on his father's broad shoulder, his clear eyes blinked, and then slowly closed, his breathing even and long.

Chen Yan lowered his head to tuck in the corner of the swaddling clothes, his gaze turning toward Daoist Ji Songling. A hearty smile appeared on his face, and he asked aloud: "Old Daoist Ji, I owe your words of blessing for my son getting such a good name as 'Ji'an'!"

Having said that, his eyebrows twitched slightly, a flash of casual amusement in his eyes, and he continued: "You don't lack for anything, so I shall reward you with five thousand taels of silver as a token of thanks!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Songling waved his hands repeatedly, feigning a gesture of refusal, his tone sincere: "Duke, that would never do!"

"I have already received much care from the Duke's Mansion on ordinary days, and I have no worries about food or clothing. How could I accept such a heavy reward?"

Having said that, he suddenly blinked, a cunning smile appearing at the corners of his mouth, and he changed the subject: "However... if there could be a few more jars of fine wine to accompany me and satisfy my cravings, that would be even better!"

He looked for all the world like someone who was both refusing and greedy.

Pei Xun, in high spirits, immediately clapped his hands and blurted out: "Granted! Come to the Pei Mansion tomorrow!"

"I shall reward you with one hundred jars of aged fine wine, as a token of thanks for naming little Ji'an!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Songling's eyes lit up instantly, like stars on a snowy night. His previous air of detachment vanished, and he hurriedly stepped forward, bowing to Pei Xun with his hands clasped, his voice full of irrepressible joy: "Thank you, Lord Pei! I thank you in advance for this generous reward!"

Yuwen Ze was laughing at the sight of Ji Songling's irrepressible joy when he seemed to be reminded of something. His eyes lit up, and he stepped forward, bowing and smiling to Chen Yan: "Brother, I've been so busy celebrating and naming little Ji'an that I've forgotten about my goddaughter!"

As soon as he said this, everyone was suddenly reminded, and their gazes fell upon Pei Xun's arms.

The girl was currently curled up in Pei Xun's arms, her little face flushed, her eyelashes long like butterfly wings, sleeping soundly, undisturbed even by the surrounding commotion.

Cui Yuanrong immediately echoed him, her face full of doting and urgency: "Yes, yes! We mustn't forget my granddaughter!"

"Ji'an has such a good name, our little girl must also have an elegant and fine name to match!"

As she spoke, she gently patted the swaddling clothes in Pei Xun's arms, her tone full of anticipation.

Chen Yan heard this and nodded immediately. He turned his gaze toward Pei Xun, who was holding his granddaughter, and said aloud: "Father-in-law is highly learned and well-read, with a wealth of knowledge in his heart. I ask that you bestow a name upon your granddaughter!"

Pei Xun showed a look of contemplation, lowering his head to gaze tenderly at the granddaughter sleeping in his arms.

The little one seemed to feel her grandfather's gaze, her little nose twitching slightly, yet she continued to sleep soundly.

Her jade-carved appearance was endearing.

He stroked his silver beard, his brow furrowed in thought. The courtyard fell into a deep silence, with only the sound of falling snow, and everyone held their breath, waiting.

A moment later, a flash of light appeared in Pei Xun's eyes. His furrowed brow slowly smoothed out, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He raised his head, slowly scanning the crowd, and asked for their opinion: "I think the two characters 'Shuying' are excellent. What do you all think?"

Du Shuying pulled her fox-fur collar tighter and stepped forward. Her gaze fell upon the baby girl in Pei Xun's arms. She lightly pressed her red lips with her fingertips and asked softly: "Lord Pei, are you taking this from 'The sparse shadows fall aslant across the clear, shallow water; the hidden fragrance drifts in the dusk of the moon'?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Xun's smile grew even wider. He nodded aloud, his tone full of pride: "It is indeed the masterpiece that Chen Yan wrote that year when he got drunk and challenged the Wang and Xie clans, achieving the name of Poetry Immortal!"

He raised his hand to gently pat the sleeping granddaughter in his arms, his eyes shining with pride. "Taking the name from the masterpiece of the Great Zhou Poetry Immortal to name his own daughter could not be more appropriate!"

"It not only captures the elegant spirit of the poem but also hides Chen Yan's talent and foundation. In the future, my granddaughter will surely be as elegant and refined as the poem!"

Du Shuying nodded lightly, her red lips parting slightly as she slowly recited the poem: "The sparse shadows fall aslant across the clear, shallow water; the hidden fragrance drifts in the dusk of the moon..."

The poem flowed in her gentle voice like a clear spring over a stone stream, carrying a sense of poetry and elegance.

After reciting it, she looked at the baby girl in Pei Xun's arms and smiled, her eyes filled with gentle warmth, and praised softly: "Chen Shuying! Truly a pleasant and elegant name!"

In a trance, it felt as if she had returned to that year. Time passed so quickly!

The woman who had admired the Great Zhou Poetry Immortal had now given birth to a pair of children for him...

Chen Yan smiled calmly and said: "Good! Then let it be Shuying!"

Cui Yuanrong's gaze fell lovingly upon Chen Shuying's peaceful little face. She brushed her soft fetal hair with her fingertips, her voice so gentle it could drip water: "Little Shuying has a name now, too. Truly a blessed child."

Just then, a light and quick sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Qingyu walked in quickly, her body dusted with a few snowflakes. Behind her followed two women, neatly dressed and with gentle expressions.

Qingyu walked up to Chen Yan and said softly: "Young Master, the Young Master and the Eldest Miss have been fussing for quite a while. I imagine they are hungry and need to be fed!"

"I have already brought the wet nurses."

Having said that, she stepped aside and introduced them: "This is Wet Nurse Zhang, and this is Wet Nurse Li!"

These two wet nurses had been carefully selected by Dantai Mingyue and settled in the mansion. Their backgrounds had been thoroughly vetted; they were of upright character and from clean families.

Wet Nurse Zhang and Wet Nurse Li stepped forward, bowing to Chen Yan, Pei Xun, and the others, saying in unison: "This servant greets the Duke, the Lord Pei, the Lady Pei, and all the noble guests."

Chen Yan carefully held the swaddled Chen Ji'an steady and slowly handed him to Wet Nurse Zhang.

Pei Xun also gently handed Chen Shuying to Wet Nurse Li.

Chen Yan scanned the two wet nurses and instructed: "Take good care of them. From now on, pay close attention to their diet, daily routine, and protection from the cold and heat."

"There will be no shortage of rewards for you, and you will have a stable future in this mansion!"

"Thank you for your grace, Duke!" Wet Nurse Zhang and Wet Nurse Li bowed in gratitude, their voices full of thankfulness and joy.

Holding the children, they slowly retreated to the side, coaxing them gently, preparing to find a warm side courtyard to feed them.

Seeing this, Qingyu arranged for a maid to lead the way: "Wet Nurse Zhang, Wet Nurse Li, please this way. I have already prepared a warm room."

The three of them walked away slowly, followed by private soldiers from the mansion and Embroidered Attire Envoys.

Qingyu looked at Chen Yan and continued: "Young Master, a table of hot dishes has already been prepared in the Cuilan Hall—stewed ginseng chicken soup, lamb hot pot to warm the body and dispel the cold, and exquisite snacks. We are just waiting for you and the guests to move to the hall to enjoy the meal!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yan nodded in approval at Qingyu. He then turned around, scanning Pei Xun, Cui Yuanrong, the Yuwen Ze couple, Daoist Ji Songling, and the others. A hearty smile appeared on his face, and he said aloud: "You have all worked hard. A hot meal and warm wine have been prepared in the Cuilan Hall. I invite you all to move to the hall to enjoy the meal and drink, and warm yourselves up!"