Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Giving birth proved to be an exhausting endeavor.
Qin Zhenzhen managed to drift off to sleep only around midnight. Following her initial feeding session with the baby, she slept until noon.
Upon waking, the cries of the baby reached her ears.
Su Bin, cradling the infant, paced the room in an attempt to soothe him.
Observing the babyâs distress, Qin Zhenzhen remarked, âHeâs hungry. Bring him over quickly.â
Once the child had his fill, the crying ceased.
Taking advantage of the moment, Su Bin brought up the topic again. âWife, letâs consider hiring a nanny for him. Look at how he eagerly devours his food. Iâm concerned about the strain on you..
In affluent circles, it was customary for wealthy women not to personally attend to their childrenâs needs but rather employ a nanny. This practice primarily stemmed from worries about maintaining their figures, securing their status in their husbandâs affections, and avoiding the inconvenience and time-consuming demands of childcare.
Pregnancy had already disrupted the normalcy of marital relations for a while, and with the birth of the child, the prospect of breastfeeding further complicated matters. Rich men often had concubines, and for reasons of safety and self-interest, they tended to avoid engaging with the pregnant wife during this time.
To Qin Zhenzhen, such considerations were irrelevant. She was determined to provide her child with unwavering maternal love and was not inclined to delegate this responsibility.
Su Bin, on the other hand, wasnât concerned about Qin Zhenzhenâs figure. He simply found himself slightly displeased witnessing his son voraciously consuming his meals.
He also worried about his wife getting tired due to this.
Qin Zhenzhen smiled and interrupted Su Bin. âHeâs hungry. He must be anxious. Next time, if he cries from hunger, wake me up.â
Su Bin nodded, his confusion evident. âIf heâs hungry, why canât we give him something else to eat?â
This was a point Qin Zhenzhen had emphasized to him.
Qin Zhenzhen patiently explained once more, âWhen a baby is born, itâs best to breastfeed. Initially, they should only consume milk and not other supplementary foodsâ¦â
Modern parenting guidelines also discouraged the introduction of salty foods until the child reached the age of one. Bridging the gap between ancient practices and contemporary knowledge proved challenging.
Qin Zhenzhen, relying on her medical background, continued to educate Su Bin.
Fortunately, Su Bin was receptive. âLeave the baby to me. Iâll ensure he grows up healthy.â
Su Bin expressed his gratitude sincerely, âThank you, wife!â
âBut I canât remain passive.â
âIn the future, guide me on how you want our son raised and what precautions to take. Iâll remember and follow through on everything.â
He concurred with Qin Zhenzhenâs perspective. Since she had chosen to have a child, responsibility for their upbringing shouldnât be entirely delegated to others.
Pleased with Su Binâs commitment, Qin Zhenzhen nodded. âLetâs work together. We can handle the challenges with dedication.â
âBy the way, have you thought of a name?â
Su Bin remained composed. âThereâs no rush. I need to ponder it. Wife, letâs give him a nickname for now.â
Qin Zhenzhen suggested, âSince he was born during the Lantern Festival, how about calling him Yuan Bao?â
Su Bin agreed. âExcellent choice!â The couple shared a smile, looking at each other with warmth.
The couple, having just welcomed their newborn, found the world bathed in a newfound beauty.
Every cry, every laugh, and every action of their son brought them joy and a profound sense of connection.
However, their bliss was abruptly disrupted when, in less than two days, Su Bin received an urgent secret report from the capital.
The Emperor had unexpectedly passed away.
The very concern that had weighed on Su Binâs mind had materialized..