Chapter 78: Giving Birth
When Bai Yan heard Jiang Chengyan say this, she obediently sat in his lap, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.
Jiang Chengyan still appeared indifferent, but from an outsider’s perspective, their interaction was extremely natural. Clearly, this was their usual way of being together; otherwise, they wouldn’t be so at ease.
“Chengyan, hurry and send your wife to the kitchen. Your second aunt and Yuan Yuan are used to grand occasions.” In Grandma Jiang’s eyes, since Qian, a city woman, and Jiang Yuan were accustomed to finer things, they could join the main table despite being women.
Jiang Chengyan paid no heed to Grandma Jiang’s words. Instead of using the bowls provided, he took out a large bamboo tube for Bai Yan to drink her milk.
“She’s the only wife I have. What’s wrong with spoiling her a little?” Grandma Jiang was already brandishing her chopsticks, ready to strike, but Jiang Chengyan looked up, his gaze icy.
Grandma Jiang’s hand froze around the chopsticks. “Who else has two wives these days?”
Most people in the village were quite poor; who could afford a second wife?
Jiang Chengyan chuckled softly and looked at Jiang You. “Doesn’t Second Uncle have two concubines?”
Jiang You’s face paled, and beside him, Qian’s expression turned sour. “Your second uncle is in business; sometimes he has to play along with social customs. Enough now, if you’re sitting, then sit. Let’s eat.”
No sooner had Qian spoken than Zhao pulled out a chair and sat directly beside Jiang’s father.
As Zhao took her seat, a light flashed in Jiang’s father’s eyes, and he hurriedly got up to fetch chopsticks for her in an effort to please.
Grandma Jiang, unable to vent her anger, ended up glaring at Bai Yan.
Jiang Chengyan ate little himself. Since Bai Yan didn’t want her hands to get greasy, he held her and personally shredded the chicken drumstick into meat strips for her.
Bai Yan, cheeks puffed out, focused solely on eating. Before long, she had eaten quite a lot.
“She eats so much, I wonder if she’ll help the Jiang family flourish soon,” Qian remarked, looking at Bai Yan. The girl seemed so young, yet she ate enthusiastically—always picking out the tastiest morsels!
“Flourish?” Bai Yan tilted her head toward Jiang Chengyan.
“Have children,” Jiang Chengyan mouthed silently.
Bai Yan understood right away. She looked at Qian, her little face earnest: “Once I have children, you’ll be shocked!”
Jiang Chengyan rubbed his forehead. What kind of statement was that?
“Hmph, let’s talk when you’ve had a son,” Qian scoffed.
“A son?” Bai Yan murmured softly.
“Yes,” Jiang Chengyan replied.
“Well, it doesn’t have to be a son, does it?” Bai Yan asked again.
“Of course not. We’re nothing like Second Uncle’s family with their fortunes to pass down,” Jiang Chengyan glanced at Qian, whose eyes flashed with irritation.
But soon, Qian switched topics abruptly, turning her gaze to Zhao.
Seeing Jiang’s father so attentive to Zhao, Qian felt another pang and couldn’t help making a sarcastic remark: “Look at Big Sister-in-law, she loves children so much. As long as she can, she should have another. After all, your family’s Cheng An is practically gone. Shouldn’t you hurry and have a daughter? Then she can grow up alongside Chengyan’s child—wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
Zhao’s hand paused, clutching her chopsticks, then she resumed eating. Jiang You watched her with a simple smile.
“Are you full?” Bai Yan wiped her mouth and sat quietly on Jiang Chengyan’s lap.
Jiang Chengyan asked, and Bai Yan nodded obediently.
“We’ll be going now,” Jiang Chengyan said, taking her hand as they walked outside. Bai Yan bounced along beside him.
Just outside the door, Bai Yan asked, “Husband, what’s a concubine?”
Without changing his expression, Jiang Chengyan replied, “A pig.”
“Second Uncle’s raising two pigs?” Bai Yan exclaimed.
Inside, Qian slammed her chopsticks down on the table. Were these two treating them as deaf?
Zhao squeezed Jiang’s father’s thigh, her heart filled with delight.
My girl is so adorable!