Turning Stone into Gold

After the banquet ended, Xiao Yu and Zhu Xiaoqi returned to this courtyard.

The moment they entered the courtyard gate, Xiao Yu said, "Little Seven, Qian'er will sleep with you tonight."

Zhu Xiaoqi gave an affirmative hum, a flash of delight passing through her eyes.

In the three months since she had given birth to Qian'er, aside from the first month of confinement, when Qian'er had often been by her side, for the past two months Qian'er had slept with Xiao Yu every night.

Later on, Xiao Yu would only call for her when it was time to nurse him. As for everything else concerning Qian'er, Xiao Yu simply would not let her intervene.

Zhu Xiaoqi naturally knew that Xiao Yu was suddenly letting Qian'er sleep with her because Duan Rong had returned and Xiao Yu needed to attend to him.

But even so, her heart was full of joy. It had been a long time since she had properly cared for her own child.

On countless nights, after a full day of labor, she would lie down yet remain unable to sleep alone, staring blankly as she imagined Qian'er's adorable sleeping face. As she thought of it, a smile would unconsciously curve her lips, but before that smile faded, tears would begin to stream down her face.

Zhu Xiaoqi followed Xiao Yu into the east wing.

Qian'er lay in the cradle at the head of the bed, while Shen Mizhi sat beside it, listlessly rocking the cradle with the expression of someone who had lost all will to live. She feared caring for children most of all. Every time she was asked to look after Qian'er, she felt as though life was worse than death.

The instant she saw Xiao Yu and Zhu Xiaoqi enter, Shen Mizhi sprang to