Chapter 50 The Baby’s Full Moon Banquet

Chapter 50: The Baby's Full-Moon Celebration

Wu Qiu, thrown off by Lei Ding's interruption, seemed to have moved past that inexplicable wave of sadness from earlier. After spilling a couple of tears onto the bed, he didn't feel much like crying anymore. Seeing Lei Ding leaning close by, he reached out and gave his shoulder a push. "Still laughing? It's all your fault. Now I can't even cry properly."

Though his words sounded like a complaint, his body rolled right into Lei Ding's embrace. Lei Ding laughed, his whole body shaking, but fearing he might upset Wu Qiu, he quickly suppressed his laughter and gently patted his back. "My bad, Qiu Er, don't be mad. Let me make it up to you. Look—"

He pulled something out from somewhere, holding it loosely in his hand, and offered it to Wu Qiu. Wu Qiu pried his fingers open one by one and let out a small gasp when he saw what was in his palm. "It's my earring!"

This wasn't the pair Lei Ding had given him, but the single grayish-green stone earring his mother had made for him when he was a child—the one he'd lost during his turbulent wanderings. After marrying Lei Ding, who had set up a jewelry box for him on the inner chamber table, Wu Qiu had placed this lone earring inside. Unworn for so long, its pin had rusted and turned black. Later, when Wu Qiu had his ears re-pierced for wearing jewelry at the wedding, he'd taken the earring out intending to wear it again, only to find it was no longer wearable and had to give up. Now, unbeknownst to him, Lei Ding had secretly snuck it away at some point, replaced both the pin and the end caps with silver ones, and, what's more, had matched it with another earring made from a similarly colored piece of green jade, creating a complete pair.

Lei Ding gently pinched his earlobe. "Shall I put them on for Qiu Er?"

One was his mother's keepsake, the other his husband's gift. Wu Qiu's lips quivered downward, but he ultimately didn't cry. With tears in his eyes, he smiled and said, "Alright."

Lei Ding carefully fastened them on for him, cupped his face to look, then kissed his lips. "You look beautiful."

Wu Qiu recalled how frugally they had been living lately and worried Lei Ding had spent too much on him. Yet, he also knew Lei Ding wasn't someone who acted without considering priorities or lacking judgment. Asking directly might dampen his spirits, so Wu Qiu probed indirectly, "When did you prepare these? I had no idea."

Lei Ding smiled. "I had it done earlier, a few months ago, along with the full moon gifts for Ai Ge'er. This jade was already stored away in my chest, never really had a use for it. When I took it out to compare, the color happened to be just right, so I had silver caps and a pin added. They're all things from our own home, didn't cost much."

Having his thoughts seen through, Wu Qiu felt a bit embarrassed, but he was also drawn to something else Lei Ding mentioned. "Oh, I almost forgot. Although Ai Ge'er's full moon banquet is still over twenty days away, we must plan early. Given our current family situation, I think it's best we don't make too big a show of it, to avoid stirring up ill intentions from petty people again."

Lei Ding nodded. "Don't worry, Qiu Er, I'll take care of it properly. We'll just invite a few close friends and relatives for a meal. That way, we celebrate Ai Ge'er's full moon without drawing too much attention, and everyone can feel more at ease. What do you think, Qiu Er?"

Wu Qiu thought it over and agreed, finally setting his mind at rest. He asked Lei Ding to bring the baby for him to hold. Although Ai Ge'er was only a few days old, he seemed to recognize Wu Qiu. The moment he was nestled in Wu Qiu's arms, he became very well-behaved, neither crying nor fussing. Wu Qiu, even more reluctant to let go, held him constantly. Lei Ding had no choice but to prepare several more herbal plasters to apply to Wu Qiu's wrists daily.

Lei Ding cared for him meticulously, unwilling to delegate any matter concerning Wu Qiu, big or small. From applying medicine to Wu Qiu's wounds, tending to his postpartum recovery, to his diet and clothing, Lei Ding handled everything personally. Wu Qiu's postpartum rest passed quite comfortably. His body recovered well, and with the baby and Lei Ding by his side every day, his heart was at ease. By the sixth month, his complexion was rosy, his energy good, and his spirits high.

Su Su held his hand, looking him over left and right, praising repeatedly, "Excellent, excellent! Clearly, you haven't suffered any grievances during your confinement. You look even better now than when you last visited my home!"

Today was Ai Ge'er's full moon. Lei Ding had invited friends like Yu Yuan and Sun Xun, and also sent an invitation to the couple Li Gan and Su Su. However, Li Gan was on duty today and couldn't get away, so only Su Su came, bringing Xiao Shiliu. Wu Qiu had also wanted to invite Ling Ge'er. Lei Ding had sent someone to invite him, but Ling Ge'er's family had recently encountered troubles—his husband spent every day in the pleasure quarters with a young man named Rong Jun. For this Rong Jun, he had even stolen the private savings his mother had painstakingly accumulated. When his mother found out, she fell gravely ill from anger. Although Ling Ge'er resented how his mother-in-law had mistreated him in the past, he hadn't yet saved enough money for a divorce. He didn't want to make a big scene and risk being accused of neglecting his ailing mother-in-law. Therefore, even if he couldn't provide meticulous care, he couldn't be away from home for too long. He was also afraid of carrying any illness from home, which wouldn't be good for Wu Qiu and the baby. So, he only sent a bolt of newly woven cloth as a congratulatory gift to the Lei family and couldn't attend in person. At the moment, Lei Ding was busy getting everyone seated, so Su Su pulled Wu Qiu aside to chat, both looking at little Ai Ge'er in Wu Qiu's arms.

Xiao Shiliu also clung to Su Su's leg, trying to get a look at the baby. Wu Qiu lowered the child a bit so he could see too. Xiao Shiliu stared blankly for a long while before tugging Su Su's sleeve. "Dad, why is the younger brother so small?"

Su Su laughed. "You were this small when you were first born too."

Wu Qiu looked down at Ai Ge'er in his arms. The baby had just woken up and was gazing at his dad with open eyes. Wu Qiu smiled, planting a kiss on the little one's cheek, and said, "Master Li is tall and sturdy. I'm sure our Xiao Shiliu will grow up strong and heroic too."

Wu Qiu nudged him with his shoulder. "Don't talk nonsense. You're a young man, slender and delicate, perfectly lovely. How could you be 'short and stocky'?"

The two young men were bantering back and forth when they suddenly saw elders like Lei Xun emerge from the house. Knowing the banquet was about to start, they quickly took their seats. Lei Ding sat beside Wu Qiu and took the baby from him, but Ai Ge'er, unwilling to leave Wu Qiu's embrace, let out a couple of dissatisfied whimpers.

Everyone laughed. A relative from the Lei family chuckled, "This little one already recognizes people!"

Cui Nanshan nodded. "Indeed. This child may only be a month old, but he's quite sharp. Usually, if Xiao Qiu is around, he insists on being held by Xiao Qiu. If Xiao Qiu isn't there, then it has to be Ting Er."

Cui Nanshan said this without any ulterior meaning, simply following the conversation and remarking on how Ai Ge'er recognized people. However, the relative who had spoken earlier seemed to take it differently and said with a smile, "Oh dear, this child has monopolized Qiu Ge'er. I'm afraid Liang Ye won't be able to compete with the baby. It might be hard for him to get close to his husband in the future."

This relative was a cousin of Lei Xun, making her Lei Ding's aunt by marriage. Their families weren't particularly close, but since they both lived within Yongning City, she had been invited. Her words displeased Lei Ding, but out of respect for an elder, he couldn't show it too overtly. He simply picked up his wine cup and steered the conversation elsewhere.

Su Su whispered in Wu Qiu's ear, "Who is this from your family?"

Wu Qiu whispered back, leaning close, "She's a relative from my husband's side, an aunt by marriage. We should address her as 'Aunt,' but we don't interact much. I'm not very familiar with her."

Su Su pouted. "I've met plenty of people. That aunt of yours seems to have ulterior motives. Be a bit careful, watch out for her causing trouble."

Wu Qiu didn't quite understand how she could cause trouble, but he noted Su Su's warning. Just then, Madam Liu brought over a basin of water, informing Wu Qiu it was time for the baby's hair-cutting ritual. Today, they would shave the baby's birth hair. The water basin also contained a handful of coins, symbolizing peace and prosperity. Lei Ding said the baby was too young and delicate; shaving might harm his scalp. He suggested just cutting a small lock for the symbolic act of removing impurities. So, he had Wu Qiu hold the baby while he took the small scissors, daring only to snip a tiny bit of hair from the very ends.

Yu Yuan led the way, with Sun Xun and Lei Tan following, all offering auspicious blessings in unison. Wu Qiu was delighted. He had meant to ask Su Su if there was some hidden context, but now, caught up in the moment, he set aside the earlier matter and simply held his baby, smiling.

Seeing him so happy, Lei Ding also let go of his earlier discomfort. The food and wine were served, some dishes specially prepared for Wu Qiu. Lei Ding busied himself taking the baby so Wu Qiu could eat in peace.

He had a vague idea of what his aunt was hinting at. This aunt also had a young son at home, much younger than Lei Ding, now of marriageable age. A few years ago, she had frequently visited the Lei family, determined to match her son with Lei Ding. At the time, Lei Ding had firmly refused, saying it wasn't suitable and that he'd rather remain unmarried for life than spend his days with someone he had no connection with. After many such attempts, seeing she couldn't persuade him, the aunt concluded Lei Ding was truly a cold-hearted person and finally gave up.

But later, Lei Ding met Wu Qiu. They fell in love, married quickly, and soon had a child. Only then did the aunt realize Lei Ding also had the ordinary heart of a mortal with emotions and desires. Today, her words made Lei Ding suspect she hadn't given up hope and was testing the waters.

Today was Ai Ge'er's full moon banquet, a joyous occasion. Lei Ding didn't want to confront her. If he exposed her on the spot, not only might it be a misunderstanding since she hadn't explicitly stated anything, but it could also bring shame upon her son. That young man himself knew Lei Ding didn't like him and didn't wish to marry him either, but he had no say in the matter. Lei Ding didn't want to disgrace him or burden him with a reputation of being shameless. So, he said nothing more, focusing on taking good care of Wu Qiu.

While eating, Wu Qiu was still concerned about Lei Ding. "Brother, go join them for drinks. I'm full already. Give me the baby to hold."

Lei Ding turned his face, his lips brushing Wu Qiu's temple. "No hurry. I'll have a couple of sips for the occasion. If I drink too much, won't the smell make Ai Ge'er even more reluctant to let me hold him? Have a few more bites."

Wu Qiu's diet had been light recently. Now, eyeing a few heavily seasoned dishes on the table, he felt tempted and bargained with Lei Ding. "Good brother, good husband, that lamb dish—can I have a few pieces?"

Lei Ding chuckled softly. "Craving it that much?"

Wu Qiu tugged his sleeve again. Lei Ding, helpless, first tasted a bite himself, then served Wu Qiu a few pieces. "After these, no more."

Wu Qiu savored the taste of those few pieces of meat with great relish, making Lei Ding's heart ache again. After some thought, he added another piece for Wu Qiu. "One last piece. Qiu Er, endure a few more days. Gradually, you'll be able to eat more."

Cui Nanshan was talking with Lei Ding's aunt when suddenly she looked at Lei Ding and remarked, "Liang Ye dotes on his husband now. Look, he can't even spare a moment to chat with his elders."

Cui Nanshan frowned and quickly explained on Lei Ding's behalf. "Not at all. Xiao Qiu's health is somewhat delicate. I instructed Ting Er to take meticulous care of him. Please don't mind. Later, he'll properly toast you with a couple of drinks."

But Lei Ding's aunt pressed on, "Is Xiao Qiu's health not good? Giving birth takes a heavy toll. Ai Ge'er is just a little boy. Xiao Qiu still needs to give Liang Ye a son to be proper."

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