Chapter 4: Unusual Expectations

“Go ahead, it’s just Lan Zhishan; if it’s to be given up, then so be it,” the head of the Meng family said with a broad smile, waving to his eldest son.

The six uncles were stunned as they looked at their father. Lan Zhishan was the ancestral land of the Meng family, a place blessed with fortune for generations, identified centuries ago by a renowned feng shui master as a treasure of geomancy.

No wonder the royal family coveted it.

The Meng family had lived there for hundreds of years, yet in their father’s heart, it seemed less important than the newborn granddaughter.

What was more perplexing was that earlier, their father had appeared solemn, but now he dismissed it so lightly, as if it were nothing, and even said, “If we must give it up, then we give it up.”

Meng Wenxi saw that his father’s happiness was genuine, not feigned, and felt puzzled. Perhaps his father was simply overjoyed at the news of his granddaughter.

But Meng Wenxi knew his father’s temperament well; he was never one to be swayed by emotion. There had to be a reason behind his actions. He took the notice and personally went to post it.

He pondered quietly about his little niece’s name—Meng Jiaoyue. The moment his father received the news, he had the name written down immediately. In hundreds of years, no Meng family girl’s name had ever been chosen casually; it must have been prepared long ago.

Among all the Meng family grandsons born, none had a name decided at birth, let alone before birth.

Jiaoyue—pure, flawless, symbolizing reunion and perfection, wisdom and beauty. Could it be that their father believed the Meng family was now complete with a daughter? So much so that the ancestral land no longer mattered?

As Meng Wenxi walked, he reflected on this, sensing that his father might harbor special hopes for this little niece.

He stopped, staring at the three characters “Meng Jiaoyue” on the notice. A sudden thought flashed through his mind—could it be that his father had long known there would be a granddaughter?

Though the Meng family was renowned, outsiders were unaware of the undercurrents flowing between the Meng clan and the emperor.

Could the birth of a girl truly change something?

Shaking his head, he chided himself for overthinking and moved on.

After Meng Wenxi left, the other five brothers exchanged glances. Just moments ago, they had been gloomy, as if the Meng family’s end was near. Now, all because of the birth of a little niece, the clouds had parted, and the sun shone through—was the crisis truly resolved?

Though only temporarily, since they would face challenges again in sixteen years.

They were all perplexed.

“Let’s go see my granddaughter,” the family head declared, ignoring his sons’ doubts and confusion, stepping out with a joyful smile.

The brothers raised their eyebrows. Father was going to personally visit the seventh brother’s courtyard to see the granddaughter? Such treatment was unprecedented, even the eldest grandson hadn’t received such honor.

The family head walked briskly, his tone excited and happy, “I wonder who my granddaughter looks like?”

The five brothers glanced at each other again. The seventh brother and his wife were both exceptionally good-looking; no matter who the child resembled, she couldn’t be anything but beautiful.

They all followed along, eager to see their little niece—the first girl born in the Meng family in centuries.

The steward hurried after them, curious to see what the Meng family’s young lady looked like.

When they arrived at the seventh brother Meng Wenxuan’s courtyard, they found they were late. The matriarch and the sixth brother’s wife had already arrived. The main hall was crowded with people standing and sitting, and outside were many little Meng family grandsons too young for school, all gathered to see their new sister.

As soon as the family head entered, he smiled and said, “Madam, where is our granddaughter? Bring her here for me to see.”

Madam Meng could not stop smiling, “Once she’s ready, we’ll bring her out.”

She then called to Laifeng, Meng Wenxuan’s attendant guarding the door, “Laifeng, hurry and urge them.”

Laifeng promptly ran to the back courtyard and told the gatekeeper to inform inside.

“Seventh Brother, the family head has arrived and wants to see the young lady,” the maid outside the delivery room reported quietly after hearing from the gatekeeper.

Father’s here too?

Meng Wenxuan sighed. The Meng family hadn’t had a girl born in centuries. See, now that the daughter had been born, someone was already competing for her. But there was nothing he could do—after all, it was his own father.

“I’ll bring the young lady out right away.”

Meng Wenxuan instructed the maids inside to take good care of his wife, then looked down at the daughter in his arms. The baby’s big eyes were wide open, gazing at him. He said fondly, “Good baby, you’re so alert. Do you want to see your grandparents? You’re a clever little one.”

This lavish praise stirred Meng Jiaoyue from the joy she felt after her rebirth.

Her father’s praise was unfamiliar yet delightful. Yes, this father was quite good; once her hands were free, she would certainly boost his fortune.

Suddenly, her vision darkened as her father wrapped her up tightly. She struggled a bit, about to cry in protest, but heard his gentle voice soothing her, “Good baby, cover up first. You just came into the world; you can’t catch a chill.”

Her displeasure vanished instantly. Yes, her father was gentle and attentive.

She sensed herself being carried outside. After some time, she heard joyful voices welcoming her, “The young lady has arrived.”

This was where her parents lived. If their home was this large, her family must be quite substantial!

Meng Jiaoyue felt her father stop walking. Many voices filled the air, all full of delight.

She thought, It’s just to see Grandpa and Grandma; why are there so many people?

Just as she wondered, the tight swaddling was undone.

A kindly, refined-looking man’s face appeared before her. Though older, he remained handsome, with a silky black mustache nearly a palm’s length long, well cared for.

If her hands weren’t bound, she would have reached out to stroke it. Her eyes widened with amazement.

“Good baby, I am your grandfather,” the Meng family head said with unprecedented tenderness.

This elegant elder was her grandfather?

No wonder her father was so noble-looking—he had inherited the grace of a man like the gentle wind and serene moon.

Meng Jiaoyue wanted to see her grandfather’s fortune and spirit. She focused her mental energy to look above his head.

But the two groups of black and white characters floating there were so faint she could barely make them out.

Her eyes strained, her head felt dizzy, yet she persisted, wanting to see the numbers clearly.

“This is my Meng family girl. See, she’s so clever from birth; when she grows up, she will certainly be an extraordinary woman, no less than any man,” her grandfather’s heartfelt words echoed.

Was this truly his hope for her?

Just then, her grandfather was suddenly pushed aside. A woman, radiant and dignified, smiled warmly as she took the baby.

“Good baby, I am your grandmother.”

Her grandmother’s floating numbers were even fainter. Her spirit was too weak to sustain long viewing. Meng Jiaoyue wished to hear more, but the numbers above her grandmother’s head vanished completely. She knew she had reached her mental limit for the day.