Xiao Yun could not find common ground with Consort Fang, and to avoid further arguments, he decided to drop the matter and left in a hurry.
Consort Fang was so angry she wanted to smash things, feeling that her years of cultivation and self-restraint had been worn away by this son and daughter-in-law.
Since Feng Jiang Duo moved out, Xiao Mo had also been running out frequently.
With one son like this, and then both sons like this, Consort Fang felt very worried.
Wang Qingyao was finally free after her month of confinement. She washed herself from head to toe, and soaking in the hot water felt incredibly comfortable.
It was the height of summer. Although it was August and the weather had cooled slightly, the heat had not completely dissipated. She had started her confinement in July, and while she could have Yin Zhu and the others wipe away sweat, washing her hair was strictly forbidden.
Nian Momo had watched her like a hawk, and she felt her long hair had become so smelly it was about to breed maggots.
After washing for over half an hour, she felt refreshed and invigorated.
Nian Momo, standing by, said with some concern, "Actually, it's best for the body to remain confined for three full months."
Wang Qingyao's face turned pale with fright, and she quickly asked Yin Zhu to pull Nian Momo away to do other things.
Three months would be unbearable for her; confinement was more uncomfortable than prison.
She smelled so bad that she didn't even dare to hold her children much.
Now that she was clean, and Zhi Zi had helped her dry her hair, she had someone bring the two children over.
In the main room, there was a crib that could accommodate two children at once.
It was something Xiao Mo had specifically found and given to the two children.
The wet nurse placed the children in the small bed. Wang Qingyao first held An An, then Ping Ping. Both were fair-skinned and tender, exuding a pleasant milky fragrance.
The babies, only a month old, still had soft bones and their necks were not yet strong. Wang Qingyao dared not hold them for too long, and after a while, she had them lie back down in the crib.
Yin Zhu was shaking a rattle to amuse the children. At this age, the babies didn't really play and started yawning after lying down for a while.
Yin Zhu muttered, "Why are they sleepy again?"
Wang Qingyao laughed heartily. Just as the wet nurse was about to carry them back, Xiao Yun strode in. Seeing the children there, he walked over to the crib, squatted down, and looked at the children with his head next to Wang Qingyao's.
"An An really looks like me," he said joyfully. "Ping Ping looks like you, especially her mouth. Both of them will surely grow up to be handsome men and beautiful women."
In truth, at this young age, it was hard to tell who they resembled.
Wang Qingyao certainly couldn't tell; they just looked like ordinary babies to her.
"The way they yawn is so cute!"
"Their fingers are so delicate. Oh, their nails have grown, they need to be trimmed."
"Life is truly magical. These two tiny children will grow to be as big as us. It feels incredible just to think about it!"
Xiao Yun mused softly for a while. Seeing that the two children were already fast asleep, Wang Qingyao had the two wet nurses carry them back.
She asked Xiao Yun, "Why are you back so early?"
Xiao Yun sat down on a chair, pulled Wang Qingyao into his arms, and sniffed her long hair. "Tomorrow is the children's 'washing ceremony.' I'm taking two days off for myself, so I came back early today."
Wang Qingyao frowned. "Washing ceremony? Is it a full moon banquet?"
Xiao Yun knew she was unfamiliar with the customs when Wang Qingyao asked. He explained, "Yes, it's a full moon banquet, and one of the important rituals is called the washing ceremony. A basin of hot water is prepared with spices, and dried fruits, lucky money, and scallions are thrown in. A long colored cloth is then wrapped around the basin, called 'wei pen' (enclosing the basin)."
"As the parents, we use a hairpin to stir the hot water in the basin, which is called 'jiao pen' (stirring the basin). At this time, guests attending the event will throw coins into the water, called 'tian pen' (adding to the basin)."
"If a date thrown into the water stands upright, married women nearby will rush to grab it and eat it, as it's believed to be a symbol of having a son. Finally, the children are bathed with the water from this basin, and their first hair is shaved, and then it's mostly complete."
Wang Qingyao found it interesting. She had thought a full moon banquet was just a happy meal for everyone, but she hadn't expected so many rituals.
The idea of married women snatching dates to signify having sons was something she had read about in novels before. This was the first time she had heard of the other customs, and she couldn't help but look forward to tomorrow's "washing ceremony."
There would definitely be many people attending tomorrow.
The Crown Prince and Wei Yu would certainly come.
Wang Qingyao worried a little that Wei Yu might cause some trouble.
Xiao Yun said, "Don't worry. This is our territory. How could outsiders cause trouble? The hidden guards are well-concealed, and Wei Yu and Consort Wei are being closely watched."
Wang Qingyao cupped his face and kissed him, sweetly flattering him, "You've thought of everything. We wouldn't have thought of these things."
Xiao Yun laughed heartily. He didn't believe her, but Wang Qingyao's gesture still pleased him. If it weren't for the fact that it was still daylight, he would have embraced her and kissed her several times without letting go.
Just thinking about it made Xiao Yun restless, and he felt a warmth spreading through him.
Wang Qingyao sensed his change and whispered in his ear, "Nian Momo said we have to wait until after three months..."
The warm breath on Xiao Yun's ear made him even hotter. He reached out and gently pinched Wang Qingyao's waist, saying, "You truly are a captivating little vixen."