Chapter 298 - 297: Will They Cry?
Giving birth took too much effort, Mingzhu fell asleep after drinking a bowl of soup.
The babies need to nurse as soon as they wake up. After Mingzhu agreed to hire a wet nurse, Xie Yunzhen immediately sent someone to bring the pre-selected wet nurses to the General Mansion.
The new mother needs proper rest, and Xie Yunzhen worried that the babies’ cries would disturb Mingzhu.
He was torn about whether to have them cared for in the spare room.
In the small crib, the two little ones lay side by side. Their features somewhat resembled each other; they were both delicate and beautiful newborns.
The eldest resembles Xie Yunzhen.
The second resembles Mingzhu.
Xie Yunzhen extended his hand for comparison, they weren’t even as long as his forearm.
Such tiny babies, would they cry if separated from him and Mingzhu?
As a first-time father, Xie Yunzhen was excited, wanting to give his children the best of everything.
Previously, he didn’t want the babies to share a room with them as a couple, but now he feels the joy in having the little ones peacefully sleeping beside him and Mingzhu.
With his long fingers, he touched his daughter’s plump cheek, his gaze growing increasingly gentle, already embodying the feelings of a doting father.
His hearing was sharp and could pick up the sound of the babies’ breathing, steady and strong.
Just listening to this, Xie Yunzhen’s eyes suddenly moistened.
God knows how long he has longed for this moment.
Having the babies and Mingzhu safe and sound was what he wished for most.
The children were tiny and fragile, yet they gave their best to breathe and adapt to the new environment.
Xie Yunzhen couldn’t resist kissing his daughter on the forehead.
Thinking he shouldn’t favor one over the other, he hurriedly kissed his son as well.
Although both were just little babies, somehow kissing his son felt odd.
In the end, Xie Yunzhen decided he would only kiss his son’s little hand next time.
He crouched clumsily by the crib, watching the brother and sister for a long, long time.
Xie Yunzhen still couldn’t decide whether to have the little ones moved to the spare room.
Before he could reach an answer, the two babies woke up in succession.
The eldest cried, and the second followed suit, whimpering quietly.
The loud crying awoke Mingzhu.
She had just fallen asleep not long ago and hadn’t adapted to her new role yet, leaving her in a daze.
It wasn’t until Xie Yunzhen brought the babies to her that Mingzhu realized.
She had already given birth to the babies.
Two of them!
Sleepiness vanished instantly, and Mingzhu asked Xie Yunzhen, "Do they need to nurse?"
Xie Yunzhen had thoroughly prepared for this aspect.
Not only did he know when to do what, but he also knew how to observe the babies’ reactions and assess their needs.
His child-holding technique was exceptionally skilled.
Initially, he practiced with pillows, later with the children of his subordinates, and quickly mastered it.
Now, holding his own children, Xie Yunzhen looked natural, "The wet nurse hasn’t arrived yet, you should nurse them once more; next time, I won’t let them disturb you. You can sleep for a few more hours."
Speaking, he also placed the little son on the bed.
The canopy bed was large, making the little ones appear even smaller. If one wasn’t careful, one might think there’s a little object on the bed.
Hearing the commotion, Jade and others entered to help.
Xie Yunzhen didn’t allow them to intervene.
Today was the first day the babies were born, also the day of Mingzhu’s suffering.
A day of significant importance.
He wanted to personally care for Mingzhu and the two babies.
Mingzhu wanted to nurse, feeling embarrassed with Jade and the others watching, even though they usually helped her bathe — this was different.
"Please step out for a moment."
Seeing the blush on Mingzhu’s face, Xie Yunzhen instructed.
Jade had no choice but to lead others to wait outside.
Xie Yunzhen stood by the bed, leaned over, and helped Mingzhu sit up, placing a pillow behind her back.
"Does sitting feel uncomfortable?"
It was uncomfortable; after all, childbirth was no small affair, and recovery couldn’t happen so quickly.
But Mingzhu didn’t complain, "I can sit for a while."
Xie Yunzhen moved the little ones to the inner side of the bed as if transporting goods.
He then settled onto the bed, half-embracing Mingzhu.
Mingzhu’s face heated up, "Don’t delay the important tasks."
The man remained earnest, "I am serving the lady."
Faced with Mingzhu’s reproachful look, he added, "The children are heavy; I’ll hold them."
Both babies, the eldest weighing six pounds and the second five pounds.
Xie Yunzhen finally understood why Mingzhu’s belly had grown so large.
He first brought the crying eldest to Mingzhu’s chest.
Feeding was instinctive, requiring no guidance from Xie Yunzhen; the little one immediately sought the milk source with an open mouth.
Self-taught, nursing commenced immediately.
Watching his daughter’s actions, Xie Yunzhen suddenly thought of hungry baby birds.
Her little face puffed up as she made gentle humming sounds.
The soft, innocent noises filled with baby’s voice stirred tenderness.
Xie Yunzhen wanted to touch his daughter’s cheek, but Mingzhu stopped him, "Be careful she doesn’t choke."
Xie Yunzhen dared not move, only staring fixedly at his child, never tiring of the sight.
Suddenly, he somewhat understood why his own mother had repeatedly compromised with him.
If in the future, he and the children were to have differences, as long as their actions posed no life-threatening risks, he too might compromise.
The loving heart of parents, only upon becoming a father did Xie Yunzhen start to grasp its essence.
Silently watching his daughter nurse, he couldn’t help but laugh lightly when she paused to rest.
"So adorable."
Mingzhu also found the babies adorable, though nursing for the first time felt awkward.
Especially with Xie Yunzhen staring intently, even with innocent eyes, she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
Securely holding her daughter, she said to Xie Yunzhen, "Soothe the little one."
The second lay on the bed, softly whimpering, not crying loudly, appearing pitifully aggrieved, breaking Mingzhu’s heart.
The lady having spoken, Xie Yunzhen dared not disobey and could only hold the second in his arms to comfort.
Suddenly, he exclaimed, "Will we still have time for ourselves when each of us takes one of the children?"
Mingzhu only noted the first half of the line, finding Xie Yunzhen’s suggestion agreeable.
She had grown up with her mother, with only a vague impression of her father.
Now, living as a family of four, given their conditions, it seemed fitting for Xie Yunzhen to be involved in raising the children.
Having a sense of participation would deepen their bonds.
As a family, they could journey far together.
She replied, "Then let each of us handle one child, alternating daily."
Xie Yunzhen looked forward to this.
Rubbing his hands enthusiastically, "I can take care of both at once."
Mingzhu chuckled teasingly, "Let’s talk about this after a couple of months."
Although she hadn’t looked after children, she had heard others speak about parenting.
Some children were extraordinarily lively; one person couldn’t manage them alone.
Xie Yunzhen had official duties and still had to care for the children.
Mingzhu wasn’t sure how far he could achieve this or how long he could persist.
As they chatted, they gradually realized the little ones had finished eating.
Next, they needed a diaper change, and Xie Yunzhen didn’t let Mingzhu intervene.
He had someone prepare warm water and personally tidied up the children.
With furrowed brows showing a hint of distaste, his actions remained meticulous.
He cleaned up both children tidily...
Such a scene startled Jade, her eyes widening.
What nobleman and General would personally change diapers for their children!