Under the sparse stars, a baby girl's soft cries, like the whimpers of a kitten, echoed in the delivery room, causing a stir in Duke of Zhen's Mansion.
As a family of warriors, Duke of Zhen's Mansion had four generations living together but had never produced a daughter in a thousand years. In the Fengqi Dynasty where the Empress ruled and promoted gender equality, it was indeed an anomaly.
The sons of the mansion were all talented and handsome with extraordinary martial skills, yet they could not avoid being criticized. Some even caught the attention of empresses from several generations, becoming the talk of officials and a joke during meals.
"The eldest daughter-in-law has given birth to the eldest granddaughter of our family. She is our great contributor and will be richly rewarded!"
The head of the Duke of Zhen's Mansion, Old Master, had a flushed face with excitement, his cane tapping loudly on the floor as he eagerly gave tasks to his four sons, asking them not to delay, and to personally go to the Imperial Palace and the mansions of close friends to share the news.
"The Eldest Miss is here. Please, Old Master and Madams, have a look."
The wet nurse of the eldest daughter-in-law came out of the delivery room with the newborn Eldest Miss, joyfully walking towards the front hall.
"Oh, my, our little granddaughter is so lovely!"
Before the wet nurse approached the Old Master, Duke of Zhen and his Madam took the initiative to snatch the baby girl wrapped in a quilt, hugging her tightly and refusing to let go.
Wrapped in a quilt was a delicate baby girl with closed eyes and pursed lips; as if hearing the compliments from the Duchess of Zhen, the corner of her mouth curled up slightly to reveal a sweet smile.
Duke of Zhen and his Madam's breath hitched, their hearts melting with just one glance, wishing they could hold their little granddaughter forever and never let go.
"You brat, quit dawdling and let me see her."
Old Master was impatient; his cane nearly poking Duke of Zhen's nose.
"Hehe, Old Master, look, our lovely granddaughter is smiling."
Duke of Zhen, reluctant to let go, carried his granddaughter with small steps, grinning foolishly.
"Ah, my precious granddaughter! Grandpa has wished upon the stars and the moon, and finally, you have arrived."
Old Master's bony fingers gently stroked the quilt, looking at the little girl's white and tender face, unable to hold back his tears.
"Grandpa, Grandpa, let us see our little sister too!"
Seven boys of varying heights rushed in, laughing, running towards Duke of Zhen, tiptoeing and craning their necks to peek at their sister wrapped in the quilt.
"Get, get, get, you stinky boys. Don't scare your sister."
Duke of Zhen impatiently waved away the seven boys, looking like little monkeys, guarding the quilt carefully, afraid to disturb his granddaughter's sweet dreams.
"Hehe, just let us look for a moment, just a moment, alright?"
Not giving up, the boys surrounded Duke of Zhen and refused to leave.
"Father, just let them have a look. If you don't let them, they'll make a mess of the house."
The heir of Duke of Zhen's Mansion, the baby girl's biological father, shook his head with a smile, stepped forward, and bent down to look at his beloved eldest daughter, his eyes brimming with tenderness.
"Alright, alright. Just one look."
Not wanting to hurt the feelings of his eldest son, Duke of Zhen agreed, begrudgingly turning to sit beside the Old Master, holding the baby tightly, allowing the noisy boys to come forward one by one to look at their sister.
"My sister is so pretty, her white, tender little face like cotton candy."
"Sister is so beautiful, her small white face like a peeled egg."
"Sister smells so nice, soft and cuddly, I want to hug her."
The boys lined up obediently, walked past Duke of Zhen one by one, their innocent faces and words brought laughter to the adults in the room. The Madams covered their mouths with handkerchiefs, unable to stop giggling.