"It's no trouble at all. I quite like it," Li Shuchen said, his lips curving into a smile. He teased deliberately, "This is the most adorably clumsy duck I've ever seen. It's quite unique."
Seeing Qi Huan's cheeks flush an even deeper red, his chest rumbled with a few muffled laughs, as natural and clear as a mountain spring.
"Whether it's ducks or mandarin ducks, as long as they're in pairs, I like them all," he added. What mattered most was that Huan had embroidered it herself.
Noticing that he wasn't embarrassed to hang it at his waist, Qi Huan pressed her hand against his in mortification. "I'll embroider ten more for you! Give this one back to me!"
The System chimed in with a friendly reminder: "Host, are you planning to embroider ten more pairs of ducks so Li Shuchen can rotate wearing them?"
"...I really want to poison you into silence."
"Hah, that kind of low-grade poison only works on ordinary humans. This System fears nothing."
"Oh, how about I deduct your points then?"
"No way!" The System instantly raised its volume, refusing, "Host, this System can initiate a mute program..."
"Before muting, this System will gift you a chance to randomly receive a wedding-themed express delivery."
Qi Huan's eyes lit up, and she excitedly invited Li Shuchen, "Shu, let's open the package together!"
"As you wish."
After he agreed, Qi Huan generously said to the System, "Open a 6666-point express delivery!"
Whoosh whoosh—
Six packages randomly dropped.
The first package contained wedding candies.
Qi Huan casually unwrapped one and popped it into Li Shuchen's mouth, mimicking his earlier behavior by leaning in to kiss him. "Shu tastes so sweet!"
Li Shuchen licked his lips, lowering his gaze to the box full of candies, and uttered two words softly: "Continue."
"Alright," Qi Huan sat up straight and continued to open the packages.
...It seemed that Huan's "continue" and his "continue" didn't quite mean the same thing.
Qi Huan proceeded to open the second package.
It was a pair of platinum wedding bands, without diamonds, just simple brushed matte circles.
The thoughtful System had provided rings that fit their finger sizes perfectly.
Qi Huan picked up a ring, smiling as she explained, "Where I come from, rings are a symbol of marriage. The man kneels on one knee to propose to the woman with it, and during the wedding, he slowly slips it onto the woman's finger, binding the two people together forever."
"...Host, this is ancient times. Li Shuchen is a prince, he only kneels to heaven, earth, the emperor, and his parents. He would never kneel to you under any circumstances. Let's be realistic and not harbor such fantasies," the System interjected.
No sooner had it finished speaking than Li Shuchen had already taken the ring, helped Qi Huan to her feet, and then slowly knelt on one knee, his gaze reverent as he proposed to her.
"Will you marry me and become my wife?"
Qi Huan's heart suddenly contracted, scorched by his intense gaze. She nodded emphatically, "I will!"
After the ring was securely placed on her finger, Li Shuchen stood up, his eyes filled with the smile of a wish fulfilled.
Then, Qi Huan picked up the other ring, the one for men: "Shu, may our love be as enduring as this metal."
"Host, this ring is platinum. The points you spent couldn't buy gold..." the System chimed in.
"However, platinum is actually harder than gold. Platinum typically has a hardness of 4 to 4.5, while gold usually ranges between 2 and 3."
"May the Host and Li Shuchen's love be as enduring as platinum."
"...There's no need to be so pedantic," Qi Huan blocked it out.
Once again, Li Shuchen sealed her lips with a kiss.
That night, silence reigned all around.
Only their breathing could be heard between them.
After a long while, Li Shuchen finally pulled away slightly.
Qi Huan's lips, kissed to a luscious red, were moist and alluring, their delicate appearance causing Li Shuchen's gaze to grow even more intense.
She murmured, "Shu, we haven't finished opening the packages..."
"It doesn't matter," he replied.
...
The next day, just as dawn was breaking.
Qi Huan, eager to finish opening the packages, woke up early, but found herself held fast by a pair of long arms around her waist.
...
The plan to open packages together met its demise.
After lunch, she opened the remaining four packages by herself.
They contained: a complete set of wedding room decorative balloons, a red eternal flower night light, a set of red washbasins, thermos flasks, slippers, and other items, as well as a gift box of wine-red couples' pajamas.
The gift box contained a five-piece set: the groom's top and pants, and the bride's camisole, cardigan, and pants.
The System whispered slyly, "The camisole would be enough, the pants and cardigan seem quite unnecessary."
"...Please, for the love of all that is holy, wear some pants."
"What kind of system needs to wear pants? Host is getting dumber, truly proving that women in love have zero intelligence."
"Chatty system, your points will also be zero," Qi Huan retorted with a forced smile.
She had initially wanted to return these items, but that morning, she had mentioned to Shu that she would show him after opening the packages.
So she packed all these things into a box and had Second Sister deliver it to the Duke of An Manor.
In the dark of night, Second Sister shouldered the heavy box, walking along the pitch-black path, thinking to herself: Another day busy in service of His Highness and the County Princess's love...
In the blink of an eye, October arrived, and the eleventh of October was the full-month celebration for Young Madam Song's daughter.
Song Jingcheng named his daughter Song Nian'en.
The first "Nian" was in remembrance of his wife's kindness in childbirth, and the second "En" was in gratitude for his cousin's help.
With the future princess consort in their family, the Song household suddenly became much livelier.
On this day, the street outside the mansion was bustling with activity.
Qi Huan arrived early at Qingyang Court, shaking a rattle and coaxing little Nian'en: "Say 'Auntie'."
Elder Madam Song, not to be outdone, urged, "Say 'Grandmother'!"
Young Madam Song also eagerly anticipated: "Say 'Mother'!"
Little Nian'en blinked her big eyes, spit up some milk, and began to cry.
Song Jingcheng immediately squeezed in, his heart aching. He skillfully picked up Nian'en, cradling her little head in the crook of his left arm, his right hand supporting her bottom and waist, his expression tender as he gently soothed her.
"Nian'en has just turned a month old, how could she learn to speak yet?"
"Even if she could really learn, she should call me 'Father' first!"
"Nian'en, say 'Father'!"
Song Jingcheng repeated, "Father!"
Suddenly, Song Nian'en made a few "mm" sounds, and his face immediately froze.
"Hahaha..." Elder Madam Song burst into laughter, taking her granddaughter and urging him to go to the front courtyard to receive guests.
Before she could hold the baby for long, Young Madam Song reached out her hands again: "Mother, you still need to preside over today's affairs. Please give Nian'en back to me quickly, don't keep the other ladies waiting..."
...Elder Madam Song had no choice but to head to the front courtyard with Song Jingcheng, both looking back every few steps.
This was when the advantages of being an unmarried girl became apparent. Qi Huan was delightfully free and easy, joining Song You'an in taking turns to entertain little Nian'en.
The chubby, milk-scented baby was truly adorable!
Newborns at just a month old are still very sleepy, and before long, Song Nian'en had closed her eyes and fallen into a peaceful slumber.
After placing the child in a wooden cradle, Young Madam Song carefully tucked in the corners of her blanket, instructed the maid and wet nurse to watch over her attentively, and then tiptoed out with Qi Huan and Song You'an to the outer room.
"Sister-in-law, I've heard that it's best to rest for forty-two days after giving birth. You should rest for a few more days; taking care of your health is most important," Qi Huan advised.
Young Madam Song nodded, "I understand. Thank you, Huanhuan. How are the preparations for your wedding dress coming along?"
The topic gradually shifted from the baby to wedding matters, and Qi Huan's face slowly turned red with embarrassment as they questioned her.
Meanwhile, another marriage was also being discussed at the Song Mansion.
