Chapter 5: Jing-ge

This Jing-ge'er is actually obedient, his big eyes scanning around.

The women gathered around looked and saw it was indeed so.

Bai Shi was also delighted to see Xu Zaijing in the nursemaid’s arms—he was a cherubic baby with bright, lively eyes.

Xu Zaijing spotted a young woman nearby, dressed far more lavishly than others, chatting with his mother; her features bore a faint resemblance to the actress Zhao Liying from his past life, and her smile revealed dimples.

Her entire demeanor was gentle and refined.

In this alien world, having even a trace of connection to someone from his past life stirred a sense of kinship in Xu Zaijing.

“Ah~”

Xu Zaijing cooed toward the young woman.

The surrounding women all laughed.

As the nursemaid carried him closer to Bai Shi, Xu Zaijing smiled and stretched out his tiny arms toward her, cooing again,

his little legs kicking vigorously in the nursemaid’s arms.

“Ah ah~”

This behavior amused the noblewomen and ladies-in-waiting, who laughed again.

“This Jing-ge'er only looks at clothes, not faces,” Wu Da Niangzi chuckled.

Her remark set the women in the courtyard laughing.

“Bai Da Niangzi and Sun Da Niangzi’s dresses are indeed similar in color—both are bamboo-green.”

The nursemaid tried to keep walking, but Xu Zaijing wriggled, reaching out toward Bai Shi.

“Oh, this Jing-ge'er’s got quite a bit of strength.”

Bai Shi glanced at Sun Shi, who looked surprised, then smiled gently and said, “Sister, may I hold him?”

“Of course,” Sun Shi laughed. “This boy never acted like this in the back courtyard.”

Bai Shi took Xu Zaijing from the nursemaid, gazing into his dark eyes, and smiled warmly: “Jing-ge’er?”

“Ah~”

“Jing-ge’er?”

“Ah~”

Chang Mama, watching nearby, was delighted and said to Sun Shi: “Da Niangzi, Jing-ge’er likes our Da Niangzi! Oh my, those dimples.”

As she spoke, Xu Zaijing’s small hand had already climbed onto Bai Shi’s face, his lips preparing to press against it.

“Oh my, little ancestor, our girl’s face is covered in powder!”

Chang Mama said,

and the women laughed again.

Bai Shi’s features were clear and lovely; though adorned, she certainly did not look as if her face were caked in powder, as Chang Mama claimed.

Seeing Xu Zaijing’s big eyes, dimples, and fresh, pink complexion, Bai Shi’s heart swelled with joy, and swiftly slipped off a superb jade bracelet from her wrist, saying: “Little Jing-ge’er, keep this for your future bride.”

Sun Shi immediately said: “Da Niangzi, you mustn’t—this is far too precious.”

The other noblewomen also looked surprised and envious.

The jade bracelet was of exceptional quality, carved with auspicious characters for fortune and longevity, the inscriptions filled seamlessly with gold.

Saying it was worth a thousand taels might be an exaggeration, but it certainly cost no less than a thousand taels of silver.

Yet the bracelet was already clutched tightly in Xu Zaijing’s hand.

Bai Shi smiled: “This isn’t his birthday gift—it’s mine to give him. Sister, don’t refuse.”

“Then… thank you, Da Niangzi,” Sun Shi said, rising to bow.

“Sister, no need for formalities. Little Jing-ge’er~”

“Ah~”

Nearby, Wu Da Niangzi said cheerfully: “This little Jing-ge’er’s a bit of a treasure hunter.”

“Hahaha!”

The women all covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and laughed.

“Da Niangzi, the banquet is ready; we may begin,” the maid Xiao Ju said.

“Good. Sisters, let’s take our seats.”

The nursemaid hurried forward to take Xu Zaijing from Bai Shi’s arms.

Bai Shi smiled and waved at Xu Zaijing in the nursemaid’s arms,

“Jing-ge’er, I’m off now.”

Xu Zaijing looked at her and cooed twice.

This drew another round of laughter.

Everyone rose and moved toward the banquet table.

During the banquet, Sun Shi’s six sisters-in-law did not sit at the same table as Bai Shi.

Wu Da Niangzi spoke openly and wittily; the wives of the military officers were not reserved, and laughter frequently echoed through the hall.

The sun slanted westward.

It was already afternoon.

The Zhou Sui Yan at the Yongyi Marquis Mansion ended in joy for all; after the ladies finished their tea in the afternoon, they departed one by one.

Wu Da Niangzi held Sun Shi’s hand and said: “Sister, come to my hunting grounds for a game of polo sometime—I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Of course, my sister, but I have to watch the child. And thank you for all your efforts today.”

“Pfft, why say that? That Jing-ge’er of yours? He’s a clever little rascal—he goes straight for the prettiest and richest.”

Behind them, Bai Shi waited as Wu Da Niangzi took her leave; she glanced at Chang Mama beside her and smiled.

Wu Da Niangzi stepped into her carriage.

As the Yongchang Marquis Mansion’s carriage departed, the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion’s carriage arrived at the gate; Sun Shi, slightly apologetic, grasped Bai Shi’s hand.

“Sister, that little rascal of mine has cost you dearly today.”

“Da Niangzi, don’t say that—our Da Niangzi was delighted today.”

Sun Shi heard the genuine joy in Chang Mama’s voice.

Bai Shi smiled gently: “Sister, I only hope I didn’t spoil the mood.”

Sun Shi understood: Bai Shi meant she didn’t want Sun Shi to feel uneasy that her son favored someone of merchant origin. She looked Bai Shi in the eye with sincerity and said:

“Sister, don’t take anything to heart. My family is military—we’ve been gossiped about countless times behind our backs. The fact that you came here in person, I understand fully.”

Bai Shi squeezed Sun Shi’s hands firmly, knowing she had gained a true friend.

“Sister, then I’ll return home.”

Watching the carriage vanish from sight, Sun Shi returned to the mansion under the escort of her maids.

Inside the carriage, Chang Mama lowered her gaze.

“Miss, Sun Da Niangzi isn’t one to pretend.”

“Mm. Today’s banquet truly pleased me.”

“This Jing-ge’er really does have a special bond with you, Miss.”

Hearing this, Bai Shi smiled: “True—he probably mistook me for Sun’s sister. After all, our dresses were nearly the same color.”

Seeing Chang Mama lost in thought, Bai Shi laughed: “He’s so young—he doesn’t understand anything. He’s still in the nursemaid’s arms.”

“Yes. When Ye-ge’er was in the nursemaid’s arms, you didn’t call him—he ignored everyone.”

“Make the carriage go faster—I miss Yu-ge’er and Ye-ge’er.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Sigh… a child without a mother—every time I see Yu-ge’er, I think of the days after Mother passed.”

“Good Miss, don’t think like that. You have Ye-ge’er now, and many more sons and daughters will come.”

Time flew like an arrow,

Xu Zaijing had now been in this world for three years.

As a toddler just learning to walk, his range of movement was painfully limited—he’d gone out only a few times, mostly inside his carriage.

He’d visited his maternal grandparents in Bianjing and attended several banquets held in his mother’s arms.

During festivals, his adoptive father Xu Minghua sometimes returned home, sometimes sent gifts, and had since been formally promoted from deputy to a commanding officer with real authority.

If there are typos or awkward passages affecting readability, please kindly point them out—thank you very much!

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(End of Chapter)