Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 1103 - 1101_1

Chapter 1103: 1101_1

"Just because they had quadruplets? What’s so amazing about that? It still took three years for Xiao’er to conceive! My son and daughter are already calling me ’Father’!" Shangguan Xuanhao was also irritated by Shangguan Xuanyi.

"I didn’t want children so early before. But when I do want a child, Xiao’er conceived within a month. If you can also have four children all at once, then I will be impressed! No, no, that might be too harsh on you. If you could produce four children in four years, I will consider you accomplished!" Shangguan Xuanyi said lightly before leaving to check on his children’s first bath ceremony.

How dare he compete with me in terms of the pace at which we have children! After taking the antidote, Xiao’er was pregnant in the second month. Whoever said I wasn’t capable?

If I didn’t want Xiao’er to stop giving birth, maybe there would be four more children next year! If that were the case, they would spend their whole lives merely producing children and would never surpass me!

What an arrogant man! Each glance at each other implied a joint plan: shall we beat him together? ——Agreed!

Then the two of them shouted loudly, "Shangguan Xuanyi, you’re asking for it!"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xuanyi turned around and gave them a dismissive look: "Even if you combine your strengths, you can’t defeat me even if I only had one hand to fight! Want to give it a try?"

After all, with so many civil and military officials present, it’s not him who would be embarrassed!

Both Shangguan Ruixi and Shangguan Xuanhao, each with a unique passion respectively for medicine and literature, were no match for Shangguan Xuanyi’s martial arts prowess, which could destroy their combined efforts within seconds!

"Wait! Let my son and your son fight together. I’ll have my son use his one hand! Let’s make it five years, and then we can compete again. How about that?" Shangguan Xuanhao decided to start training his son in martial arts right away!

He must secure the advantage from the start!

Upon hearing this, a crooked smile formed at the corner of Shangguan Xuanyi’s mouth, revealing a tantalizingly charming smirk: "Fine!"

Shangguan Ruixi, who had yet to welcome his own son into the world, definitely wouldn’t dare to make such a promise!

When Shangguan Xuanhao saw how quickly Shangguan Xuanyi had agreed, he began to doubt his decision. He wouldn’t want his son to inherit his lack of martial talent, and turned to Shangguan Ruixi: "How about our sons compete with his youngest son together five years from now?"

After 
 some thought, Shangguan Ruixi shook his head, "I’m not even sure yet whether Yijin will give birth to a boy or a girl! You go ahead without me, I want to see my son compete with his son in poetry!"

Upon hearing Shangguan Ruixi’s plan, Shangguan Xuanhao realized his own foolishness in challenging Shangguan Xuanyi in his strongest areas!

He quickly corrected himself: "Let’s have my son compete with your son in medical skills instead of martial arts!"

The Emperor was evidently annoyed by Shangguan Xuanhao. He was leading his grandsons astray!

Angered, he ordered: "Be quiet! Have you finished my memorials yet? Did you come up with a strategic plan to capture the Xianghe County of the Nangong Country as I commanded?"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xuanhao promptly caved in: "Your Highness, please don’t get angry. I will go back and start working right away! Your grandchildren are about to cry because of you!"

The Emperor looked over to see his grandchildren being held by the midwife, ready for their first bath ceremony. He decided to spare Shangguan Xuanhao for the moment.

The women were designated for the task of preparing the bath. The men were simply to observe from the sidelines and enjoy the ceremony.

Empress approached first, leading the preparations by adding a small spoonful of clear water to the bath, followed by beautifully pure jade pendants one by one into four tubs, symbolizing the transformation from fish into dragons.

A continuous stream of blessings and praises spouted from the midwife like it cost her nothing.

How could midwives not say good things? Everyone knows that gold has a price, but jade is priceless! Just one look at this jade Ping An pendant and you know it’s worth a lot!

This is the first time they have seen such valuable gifts for TIANPING ceremony!

Next came the princess of Prince An; she added a carved jade gourd to each of the four basins. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the jade was of high quality. The midwives were overjoyed and praised the gifts effusively.

Then, it was Mrs. Liu’s turn. She added four large pink pearls, the size of pigeon eggs to each basin. The midwives’ smiles grew wider and wider, and naturally, the praises were continuous and unique.

While the gifts from others could not surpass those first three givers’, they were made of pure gold — locks, pendants, and bracelets, or small lucky charms made of gold and silver ...

The midwives kept saying auspicious phrases, almost to the point of their lips going numb from repeating them!

After the TIANPING ceremony, the midwives began bathing the four babies. When the kids were placed in the water, they started crying, but this was not considered a bad omen, rather it was seen as auspicious, referred to as "the sound of bath." The midwives continued speaking auspicious words while bathing the children.

...

This time, the third washing went very smoothly.

If you ask who is the happiest during this third washing, it’s probably the midwives. The rewards they received this time were way more than they had received in their entire careers. It can be said they became rich overnight!

After the third washing ceremony, Yang Liu sent off the midwives who had been staying in Wang Mansion for almost a year. They held onto Yang Liu, saying that if the princess were to have a second child, they would definitely be needed again.

Yang Liu laughed and agreed, but inwardly she thought it unlikely as the Princess had proclaimed she would not bear another child, so they might not have another chance.

When Yang Liu returned, she told Xiao’er the midwives’ words.

Upon hearing that, Xiao’er couldn’t help but touch her chin: "Actually, being a midwife is indeed profitable. If I ever fall into difficulty, I could earn money by helping others give birth!"

Shangguan Xuanyi responded, "Rest assured; you won’t ever have a day of hardship!"

---

After the children’s third washing, Xiao’er could finally rest and recuperate safely. On the third day after the children’s washing, Du Yijin finally gave birth to a child. She also gave birth to a big fat son, weighing as much as Xiao’er’s two children combined.

Shangguan Ruixi was quite proud of this and couldn’t help but show off before Shangguan Xuanyi, only to be thrown out by him.

Although Xiao’er was happy that Du Yijin had a son, since she was still in confinement, she sent over many nutritional supplements and baby items as gifts instead of visiting them in person.

Additionally, Minze Country has already sent troops to Nangong Country. Shangguan Xuanyi was no longer as busy as he was before since they had already discussed all matters relating to this. He was primarily responsible for the war with Nangong Country now, so all he needed to do was stay home, accompany Xiao’er in her confinement, receive the war reports, and adjust the battle plan accordingly.

Since Zhao Youwei had been stripped of his position, Shangguan Xuanyi allowed Feng Yang to become the general leading the first attack on Nangong Country. They now receive Pigeon Post warfare reports every two to three days.

Taking down a vast country like Nangong was not an easy task and could not be accomplished by one or two generals. This time, Shangguan Xuanyi promoted Feng Qing and Feng Yang from his own guards to be generals due to their extraordinary martial arts skills. Moreover, Shangguan Xuan Jun, Di Shaowei, and Zhao Youhe would gradually join the battlefield.

Feng Qing and Feng Yang had followed Shangguan Xuanyi through many battles. The victory in Xiyue Country was a significant achievement of theirs. They have rich combat experience and can hold their own ground. However, until now, they only wanted to serve as Shangguan Xuanyi’s personal guards.