"You will surely get your wish," Qi Zhenzhen said, holding Yun Shi's hand tightly and speaking with utmost sincerity.
Yun Shi's unease was dispelled by Qi Zhenzhen's earnestness. She said, "Hongdou will be alright."
Outside, Qi Tianming gazed at Gu Sui'an with rare admiration. How could she be so beautiful? Her eyes, nose, mouth – every feature was lovely, even her hair strands.
How did he not remember his own children being this beautiful?
His own appearance was considered outstanding, and a glance at Little Qin Shi showed her to be dignified and graceful.
As for Mingzhu back then? Recalling it, it seemed there were only praises.
But compared to little Sui'an, Qi Tianming felt the difference was not just a little.
Well, Mingzhu's looks took after him more. Therefore, it was Little Qin Shi who was a bit lacking.
But Yun Shi was beautiful.
Zhenzhen and Yi'er…
Qi Tianming guiltily rubbed his nose, as if he was the one dragging them down.
The son-in-law's appearance was streets ahead of theirs.
So, even if Zhenzhen was a hindrance, little Sui'an was still beautiful.
Qi Tianming solemnly took out a jade pendant. "An'an, this is your maternal grandfather's见面礼 (meeting gift)."
Calling it a jade pendant was a bit of a stretch. Strictly speaking, it was an unpolished piece of raw jade. Normally, unpolished jade would be dull and lifeless, at least not visually appealing. But this piece of raw jade that Qi Tianming presented, though unpolished, appeared very lustrous, giving a translucent feeling. They say fine jade has a calming effect; this is likely what they meant.
Just looking at it brought a sense of peace.
"Esteemed Father-in-law, An'an is still young, such a precious item…"
"Precisely because she is young, that's why I'm giving it to her. People say jade has a spirit; humans nurture jade, and jade nurtures humans," Qi Tianming said. "Wear it always, never take it off, and it will protect our An'an."
Qi Tianming insisted, and Gu Sinian couldn't refuse his wishes. However, he subconsciously glanced at Little Qin Shi, as Qi Mingzhu would be giving birth soon.
Gu Sinian was worried Little Qin Shi might have objections.
"Son-in-law, you can't be fooled by the Marquis. Who knows where he got this broken stone and thinks he can fob off our An'an!" Little Qin Shi said with a look of disdain. "This is the first grandchild. Marquis, how can you be so stingy?"
Gu Sinian's lips twitched slightly. Alright, he had judged a gentleman with a villain's heart.
Qi Tianming puffed out his beard and glared. "If you can speak, speak. If you can't, then shut up. No one thinks you're mute. What broken stone? This is fine jade!"
"No matter how good it is, it's an inanimate object. It's not good-looking, you can't eat it, and it can't make money for An'an!" Little Qin Shi said, while taking out a purse and tucking it into Gu Sui'an's swaddling. "An'an, this is a shop and a manor your maternal grandmother prepared for you. The shop is on the most prosperous street in the capital, and the manor has fertile land."
No one noticed that as Little Qin Shi spoke, a lustrous gleam flashed fleetingly around the jade.
"Vulgar, truly vulgar. How can your common things compare to my fine jade? A fortune is not as valuable as a piece of fine jade!" Qi Tianming flicked his sleeves. "I won't argue with you. When An'an grows up, we'll ask her if she prefers what I gave her or what you gave her."
"In food, clothing, housing, and transportation, which can be done without the mundane?" Little Qin Shi retorted.
Gu Sinian felt a headache coming on. He was truly not good at mediating.
Glancing at Gu Sui'an, who had already closed her eyes again, Gu Sinian quickly said, "Esteemed Father-in-law, Esteemed Mother-in-law, An'an is asleep. I'll take her inside to sleep."
Qi Tianming and Little Qin Shi immediately fell silent, but neither conceded to the other, continuing their silent battle of glances.