In the evening, the Nursery sent over ten wet nurses. Xiqiu was asleep, and after the Grand Dowager carefully chose, she kept a wet nurse named Ma, who had just finished her confinement period, making her breast milk optimal. Another one was named Song, similarly out of confinement recently. Both were from the Capital, appearing around eighteen or nineteen. The Grand Dowager found them satisfactory and kept them.

Ruan Jingliu finished eating, closed her eyes, and reclined on the soft couch for a nap. Qin Yuanfeng sat beside her, staring at her. After a long while, Ruan Jingliu suddenly opened her eyes and angrily said, "Have you seen enough?"

"No," Qin Yuanfeng shook his head casually, not startled by her anger. "A lifetime wouldn’t be enough."

Ruan Jingliu gave him a sidelong glance and closed her eyes again. Qin Yuanfeng leaned over like a puppy, gently placing his hand on her belly, and asked frightened, "When you give birth, will it be as scary as Fourth Madam?"

This question was quite crude, so Ruan Jingliu simply breathed a bit heavier as an answer.

Qin Yuanfeng didn’t mind and continued his own musings. After a while, he asked uncertainly, "Then... can we not have a baby?"

Ruan Jingliu abruptly opened her eyes, stared at him as if he were a rare creature, wondering how such a person had survived till today.

"I’m serious," Qin Yuanfeng nodded. "I heard giving birth is very painful..." he bowed his head, "I fear you’d suffer."

Ruan Jingliu paused, her heart softening defenselessly, and gently replied, "Endure it a little, it will pass." Since the topic surfaced, she thought of clarifying that raising a child was actually more troublesome than bearing one. After pondering for a moment, she said, "But after birth, you will take care of it!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuanfeng agreed without hesitation, promising, "I will raise it, don’t worry." Hire a few more nurses and servants upon returning home!

With the issue resolved, Ruan Jingliu didn’t want to converse further. She closed her eyes, saying, "I’ll rest for a while; remember to wake me up later." Qin Yuanfeng agreed, gently patting her arm, "Sleep, sleep."

It was so quiet here you could hear a pin drop, but outside was bustling with cheer, the Man Mansion full of joy. The Grand Dowager’s rewards left the household staff ecstatic, but the birth of the dragon and phoenix twins excited them even more. Who wouldn’t wish for the master’s family line to thrive for generations, providing them with work and protection!

Tianjing pulled Su Quansheng to set up a row of fireworks and firecrackers outside the courtyard, deliberately placing them far away to prevent startling the inner courtyard residents. The fireworks bloomed across the sky, announcing to the entire Capital that today, Grand Commander Xiao had joyfully received a pair of dragon and phoenix twins!

Couriers delivering the news to various mansions became weary from collecting rewards. Madam Jiang, delighted, personally ran to Madam Xia’s chambers. Madam Xia, startled, asked, "What are the First Young Madam’s instructions?"

"Sixth Sister gave birth," Madam Jiang blurted, causing Madam Xia to jump with shock—Xiqiu was only seven months along, how could it be premature? Seeing Madam Xia’s face change, Madam Jiang quickly explained, "Mother and children are safe; she bore dragon and phoenix twins."

Madam Xia was too stunned to speak; moments ago, she worried about Xiqiu’s premature delivery and their well-being, and now hearing they were dragon and phoenix twins, she couldn’t grasp the news. She sat back in her chair, stunned for a while before laughing, murmuring erratically, "What shall we do, what shall we do."

Madam Jiang understood her wish to visit but was restricted by status, and said, "Don’t worry, when the Three-Day Ceremony happens, bring Twelfth Sister along. The Grand Dowager is not a strict person; let’s not adhere to these formalities."

This time, Madam Xia didn’t insist as usual, nodding her head, "Okay, fine, I’ll prepare." After saying this, she left abruptly, leaving Madam Jiang alone in the main hall, retreating to her chambers to plan what to prepare.

Xiuzhi noticed Madam Xia forgetting Madam Jiang, and looked apologetically at her. Madam Jiang signaled understanding, waving her hand, "Madam is just too happy. Go in and check on her; I’ll return and make preparations for the Three-Day Ceremony."

Xiuzhi curtsied in agreement, escorting Madam Jiang out.

Madam Jiang chatted with Nanny Cen while returning to her courtyard, and then ran into Tong Shen Zhi and the First Master, recounting Xiqiu’s delivery to them. They already knew; the recent abundance of joyful events pleased the First Master, stroking his beard and laughing, "Send a jar of Jinhua Wine to the East Cross Courtyard; tonight, I shall have a good drink."

Madam Jiang agreed with a smile, while the First Master enthusiastically went to the East Cross Courtyard.

Upon hearing a servant report the news, Tong Xiyan quickly rewarded the servant, pulled Nanny Zhou, and said, "Sixth Sister just gave birth to dragon and phoenix twins; quickly help me think what’s appropriate to gift at the Three-Day Ceremony."

Nanny Zhou pursed her lips into a smile, eyes full of longing as they landed on Tong Xiyan’s belly.

Previously, Madam wished the Young Master could marry quickly and bear a son or daughter. Now, Madam had given birth to Nian, and currently, her belly is carrying one more. If Madam knew from below, she would be utterly pleased.

Tong Xiyan didn’t care what Nanny Zhou thought, longing to immediately visit the Governor Mansion.

Tong Xiyu looked at the servant before her, thought for a moment, and handed the pocket on the table to her, "Go back and tell Third Sister this money is lent to her, whether it’s for interest or not. But my situation isn’t truly affluent, and perhaps in the future, I might not be able to help."

"Second Young Madam misunderstood." The servant didn’t take the pocket, "Our madam knows about your situation, that’s why she wanted to assist, suggesting you use some idle money. You’re not urgently needing it; lending yields some interest, isn’t that ideal?"

Tong Xiyu’s gaze shifted, asked, "Then tell me, this package of a hundred taels of silver, roughly how much interest can I earn monthly?"

"With a hundred taels of interest, a month yields five percent; though not much, interest accumulates, and after a year, the amount will grow considerably." The servant stared at Tong Xiyu as she spoke.

Tong Xiyu calculated silently, but outwardly remained composed, waving her hand, "Forget it, I don’t lack money; why bother with such matters." Pausing, she continued, "If Third Sister lacks money, let her take it; we’re sisters, let’s not fuss over interest."

The servant internally sneered; she had delivered over twenty taels of interest to her a while ago. If she truly didn’t care, she wouldn’t have accepted it; this wasn’t the first time, so why utter such lofty words.

The servant pocketed the purse, bowed farewell, "Then I’ll take my leave; tomorrow I’ll send the IOU to Second Young Madam." Finished speaking, she headed out, coinciding with a maid coming in at the door. The maid rushed to Tong Xiyu, laughing, "Madam, someone from Governor Mansion reported the news. Fourth Madam gave birth to dragon and phoenix twins earlier today; mother and children are safe."

Tong Xiyu was drinking tea, and hearing this, her hand shook, spilling tea all over her skirt. The maid quickly wiped it with a cloth; Tong Xiyu pushed her away, ignoring the mess, just eagerly asked, "Dragon and phoenix twins?"