On the first day of the fourth month, because the Second Branch of the Lang family had adopted Lang Caicheng as their heir, his child also became the eldest grandchild of the Second Branch — and by generational ranking, the firstborn of the next generation among the main line of the Lang family. The generation character for this cohort of the Lang family was Cheng — “承” — and since the child had been born under brilliant, glorious sunshine, Lang Jiuchuan gave him the name Hui — “晖” — carrying the meaning of bearing light and hope forward. She also gave him the childhood name Little Yuan, to be called affectionately as such.

The Lang household was divided between delight and envy — envy that Lang Caicheng had become the Second Branch’s heir, and that even his child had become precious as a result — but no one dared say a word, for the reason was Little Yuan himself.

Lang Jiuchuan regarded this child with great significance. Even the Old Matriarch showed tremendous affection for him, and it was unclear whether it was because the child’s eyes resembled theirs so closely — and the eyes of the late Lang Zhengfan as well.

Those with sharper perception understood clearly: Lang Caicheng and his wife had risen in standing on account of this child.

Cui Shi was frail and unwell, and she dared not approach the newborn for fear of passing on her illness. She had only watched from a distance during the third-day bathing ceremony, said not a word, and afterward sent Nanny Cheng over with many gifts.

Lang Caicheng and his wife held the child — who had been draped head to toe in gold, silver, and jade pendants — and looked at each other helplessly.

“Yuniang,” Lang Caicheng said with a dejected laugh, “I somehow feel like this child is even more precious than I am.”

“It’s not a feeling,” Lady Pan replied. “It’s a fact.”

She cradled the child, gazing at his brows and eyes with tenderness in her own, and sighed: “Little Yuan has more blessings than either of us.”

In truth, if Cui Shi had only wanted to adopt the child, his father would surely have agreed — but that would have meant separating mother from son, a bleak and sorrowful thing. Yet Cui Shi had not done that. She had adopted Lang Caicheng himself, and so the child had been born with his whole family intact and they had all come out ahead in the bargain.

Lady Pan pressed her lips together. “The adoption — we stumbled into a great windfall because of it. From now on, you and I must do our utmost to show filial devotion to Mother, and also to give Ninth Sister our wholehearted support. Without her, this child would not have been born so smoothly.”

“She might not even want that,” Lang Caicheng muttered. “To be honest, Ninth Sister frightens me. One glance from her and I’m instantly flustered.”

“Who isn’t,” Lady Pan sighed. “But we’ve been adopted into the family now, and whatever responsibilities are ours, we must shoulder them.” She added: “A person should know gratitude.”

“Goes without saying.” Lang Caicheng grinned. “I’m a father now. From here on out, I’m going to study hard at the Imperial Academy and do my best to earn a title — win you a rank and honor of your own.”

Lady Pan nodded, a look of quiet contentment on her face.

“Fourth Young Mistress, Ninth Miss has come,” Lady Pan’s senior maidservant Haitang announced from behind the folding screen.

“Please invite her in.”

Lang Caicheng immediately rose to his feet and took a few steps forward. Just as Lang Jiuchuan walked in, he crossed his hands and called out a greeting: “Ninth Sister.”

Lang Jiuchuan gave a slight nod, came to Lady Pan’s bedside, and looked at the child with soft, earnest eyes.

Lady Pan was perceptive. She smiled and said: “This child is quite a heavy little thing — my arms do grow tired after holding him for a while. Ninth Sister, would you take him for a moment?”

“Very well.” Lang Jiuchuan reached out and received the swaddled bundle in her arms, then settled herself on a small stool nearby. She looked down at the tiny, plump little bundle, whose reddish flush had begun to fade into pale softness, and her gaze melted into something warm and gentle.

She wore the bone chime on her person, and her aura was purer and more vibrant than anyone else’s. The little one, who had been fast asleep, opened his eyes at once. Though he could not yet focus his vision clearly, that did not stop him from wriggling toward the soothing, peaceful spiritual energy as naturally as a flower turns toward sunlight.

Jiangche appeared from somewhere and leapt up onto Lang Jiuchuan’s shoulder, giving Lady Pan such a fright that she let out a startled cry and went pale, her body instinctively lurching toward the swaddled child in a protective gesture.

“It’s my spirit companion — don’t be afraid,” Lang Jiuchuan said quickly.

“Is this… a cat?” Lady Pan relaxed somewhat upon hearing the explanation, though she remained tense, afraid it might suddenly snap and claw at the baby.

“Think of it as one.” Lang Jiuchuan also gestured subtly for Jiangche to restrain himself and not reveal his true form, so as to avoid drawing unnecessary trouble.

Jiangche gave a disdainful huff. He was above squabbling with inner-courtyard women. He communicated with Lang Jiuchuan through spiritual perception alone: “This little one knows how to go where the good qi flows — wherever the spiritual energy is richest, there he reaches.”

“Newborn children have the clearest and most untainted senses,” Lang Jiuchuan said, studying the child’s features carefully. “It’s natural that they can perceive different kinds of energy.” Her heart stirred. Her fingertips formed a seal, Dao resonance flowing through them. She drew a talisman-seal upon the child’s spirit point, murmuring softly: “I shall awaken your spirit. May you be free from illness and disaster, bright of mind and blessed in all things.”

As the talisman settled, a golden radiance invisible to ordinary eyes sank into his spirit point.

Jiangche felt an acidic pang. To have her personally awaken one’s spirit — to be the recipient of ten thousand blessings, to have her karmic favor — truly, what extraordinary fortune.

At the moment the spirit-awakening concluded, the child actually tugged his mouth into a slight smile in response to her, then drifted contentedly back to sleep.

Lang Jiuchuan then laid the child gently on the bed. She produced a jade talisman she had spent the past two days engraving — not much larger than a copper coin — threaded it on a red cord, and tied it around his neck. She said to Lady Pan: “This protective talisman wards off disasters and keeps away evil spirits. Don’t let it be lost.”

Lady Pan, having already heard Lang Jiuchuan’s words just now, said quickly: “I’ll thank Aunt on Little Yuan’s behalf for her affection.”

Aunt…

Lang Jiuchuan smiled gently and gave the child’s spirit point one last light touch. “He came a little early,” she said, “but he is not entirely premature, and his constitution is sound. There’s no need to worry overmuch. Raise him as you normally would — don’t be overly fussy about it. Once the full month is past, take him out often to see the sun and absorb the living qi of heaven and earth’s Five Elements. That will serve him well.”

“Yes, understood.”

Lang Jiuchuan then had Lady Pan extend her hand, felt her pulse, and said: “You are still young. Now that Little Yuan has been born, there is no need to rush into another pregnancy. Wait two or three years — having children too frequently is not good for the mother’s body. I’ll write you a prescription for nourishment and recovery; I’ll have it sent to your maidservant shortly. Take it on a regular basis.”

Lady Pan expressed her gratitude: “Then I must thank Sister for your thoughtful care.”

Only then did Lang Jiuchuan rise. She cast one last glance at the child before she left.

Lady Pan let out a long breath. She looked at the sound-asleep little one, happiness filling her eyes. She reached out and tapped her son’s cheek gently. “My child — you truly were born under the most extraordinary fortune.”

Lang Jiuchuan went to Cui Shi’s courtyard. She found Cui Shi propped up in bed, staring blankly into space. She stepped forward and said: “I will be away from the estate for a little while — I have something I need to attend to. Please rest and focus on healing. Lang Caicheng and his wife are sincere and honest people; they will be devoted to you. Little Yuan is sweet and lovable — raise him well, find joy in spoiling your grandchild. It is its own kind of happiness.”

Cui Shi’s breath tightened. “You’re leaving?”

Had she resolved her karmic entanglement with Lang Zhengfan, and was she now departing the Lang estate for good?

“I’ll be away for a while.”

“Will you return?”

Lang Jiuchuan raised her head, and their eyes met. Cui Shi looked away, somewhat flustered, bowing her head with a sorrowful, bitter expression. “Forget it. Do as you will.”

“Take good care of yourself.” Lang Jiuchuan gave her a bow and departed.

Cui Shi stared at the vanishing silhouette until it disappeared, her vision blurring over. She instinctively pressed her hand to the jade talisman resting against her chest, as though gripping it was the only way she could feel settled.

After a few words with Lang Zhengping, Lang Jiuchuan left the estate. Jiangche asked eagerly: “Are we going to set an ambush for that young master of the Rong family?”

“No. First, let’s go take a look at that haunted Ren mansion.” Lang Jiuchuan wound her way through alley after alley and soon arrived at the side gate of the Ren estate — where she unexpectedly came face to face with someone.

What was Old Master Cui doing here?