The baby girl, both eyes pure white, devoid of any black, seed like white glass.
The crowd fell silent, not just because of the patriarchal views prevalent in this era, but the fact that this baby girl was blind...
The midwife didn’t dare to breathe loudly, aware of Elder Li’s significant status in Shanbao County.
Yet, she also felt an indescribable regret deep down because she knew what a good person the just-delivered Lady Li was. Many refugees owed their survival to her kindness. But Heaven seed blind; why did such a good lady get a blind baby girl?
The midwife stood there trembling, full of fear and emotion, not knowing what to do.
The room was incredibly quiet, save for the loud cries of the baby girl.
The cries gradually ceased, turning suddenly into a soft giggle. She kicked her cute little legs, waved her small hands, beckoning towards the unoccupied doorway.
Li Yuan suddenly reacted, taking the swaddled baby, and looking at the baby girl, he happily and proudly announced, "I have a daughter! She is my eldest daughter!"
His reaction snapped everyone out of their daze, and they began congratulating, "Congratulations, Sir," and others saying, "We have a young lady now."
On the bed, Lady Yan lay with her sweaty black hair clinging to her forehead; still unaware of the situation, she weakly smiled and said, "Husband, let see..."
Li Yuan smiled, "You rest well. I’m taking her to bathe now."
Saying this, he walked around the screen with the baby girl, delightfully teasing her, "Bathing, bathing, let’s get all clean before letting mom see you, alright?"
The maids had already prepared soft towels, warm water, a wooden tub, and a "lifesaver" made from gourd.
The baby girl was placed in the "lifesaver," quietly floating on the warm water, occasionally kicking her little legs, yet her head turned, watching towards the door, mouth babbling "wa wa," but the sound was drowned by the busyness around.
Li Yuan, feeling sothing, turned his head to look at the door but saw nothing.
So, he squatted by the wooden tub, watching the midwife carefully bathe the baby girl.
When the baby girl was bathed and wrapped in clean swaddling clothes again, Li Yuan held her and sat on the edge of the bed.
The maids and the midwife sensibly withdrew.
As the door closed with a gentle noise,
Lady Yan raised her head, looking wearily at him, asking, "Our daughter is..."
The word "disabled" stuck in her throat, but she had guessed part of it from the previous abrupt silence and Li Yuan not showing her the baby girl.
Li Yuan said, "She is very beautiful."
Lady Yan smiled, "You’re just sweet-talking ."
Li Yuan responded, "She is my eldest daughter. I will always love her, just as I love you."
"Before she was born, I searched through many nas, thinking if it’s a girl, I’d na her beautifully."
"Now, it hasn’t let my waiting be in vain..."
Lady Yan, smiling, "Sweet-talker..."
Li Yuan said, "We’ll call her Li Rui, Sun and Moon in the Sky, shining on like fine jade."
"Rui..." Lady Yan pondered, "Is there such a character?"
"Yes, I found it in a book," Li Yuan replied.
Lady Yan said, "You’re a very thoughtful father. Aren’t you going to show Rui’er? Will you feed her, or should I?"
Li Yuan hesitated for a mont.
Their eyes t; despite Lady Yan’s exhaustion, her gaze was firm and joyful. She was a smart woman, also a strong one.
Li Yuan handed over the swaddling clothes. Lady Yan imdiately saw those glass-like white pupils, which twisted her heart, hurting more than if she had gone blind herself. Tears stread down her face.
Li Yuan gently wiped her tears away.
Lady Yan held the baby, sobbing, "My poor child... my poor child... boo hoo..."
Li Yuan didn’t know what to say, so he gently reached out, wrapping his arms around Lady Yan’s shoulder, letting her lean gently against his shoulder.
The mother held her blind daughter, while the father embraced both mother and daughter; this scene was very tender. If only the daughter were not blind... it would be even more tender.
The baby suddenly giggled softly, kicking her legs, waving her hands, but this ti not towards the door, but towards the window.
Li Yuan turned his head to see that the oiled paper window had opened at so point, so he walked over and closed it.
At this mont, the door creaked open, and they saw the landlady waddling in with her big belly, shouting, "Sister Yan, congratulations."
After shouting, the landlady felt the atmosphere was not as joyous, so she fell silent, softly walking to the bedside to look at the child in Lady Yan’s arms, imdiately stunned by what she saw.
Her gaze dimd, and the landlady sat by the bed, softly chatting with Lady Yan.
Seeing Li Yuan still standing worriedly by the door, the landlady smiled, "Sir, go attend to your matters, I’ll keep Sister Yan company, it’s alright."
...
Seven days later, the landlady also gave birth to her child.
This ti it was a healthy baby boy.
Li Yuan nad him Li Ping’an.
The boy, mischievous and naughty, plus his current status, could easily cause trouble, so Li Yuan nad him "Ping’an".
Ping’an, Ping’an, safe and sound, not seeking great achievents, nor prosperity, just hoping for lifelong peace and a large family.
The main reason Li Yuan wanted progeny was to avoid loneliness a thousand years later, so he aid to complete this task before moving up to Sixth Grade.
User Comments
0 comments from readers