TGFH Chapter 39: Xiao Zian

 Previous | Table of Contents | Next

Yun Mozhi was hurriedly summoned to examine Bai Yi. After confirming that Bai Yi was unharmed, Xiao Yiran finally felt relieved.

“He’s fine. He’s just asleep right now. Once he’s had enough rest, he’ll naturally wake up,” Yun Mozhi said as he packed up his things, preparing to return to take care of the baby. “The residual toxins in the baby’s body have been mostly cleared, but as for his inability to make sounds… I really can’t do anything about that.” He looked at Xiao Yiran apologetically. Though he was known as a divine doctor, congenital deficiencies like the baby’s were beyond his abilities. Fortunately, he had tested the baby’s hearing, and while the baby couldn’t make sounds, he could react to them, meaning his hearing was intact.

“Thank you,” Xiao Yiran replied softly, sitting by Bai Yi’s bedside, gently stroking his face.

“I know you don’t want to upset Bai Yi for now, but you can’t hide this from him for long. You should help him prepare for it mentally…” Yun Mozhi waved his hand. “Once Bai Yi and the baby stabilize, I’ll be leaving. If anything comes up, send word to Yunxia. Qingran knows how to reach me.”

“Alright,” Xiao Yiran said.

Seeing that Xiao Yiran’s entire focus was still on Bai Yi, Yun Mozhi didn’t say anything further and left.

Just as Yun Mozhi predicted, Bai Yi finally woke up after sleeping for another day and a night, allowing Xiao Yiran, who had been keeping vigil, to breathe a sigh of relief. Upon waking, Bai Yi immediately wanted to see the baby. Xiao Yiran managed to deflect by claiming that the baby’s condition was too delicate, but his excuse didn’t hold for long.

A few days after Bai Yi woke up, Xiao Yiran was summoned by Xiao Min to discuss some matters. During his absence, Bai Yi, anxious about the baby, called a servant to inquire about the situation. The servant’s hesitant and evasive responses only increased Bai Yi’s concern and suspicion. Ignoring his own fragile condition, Bai Yi dragged himself toward the baby’s room. By the time the servants alerted Xiao Yiran and he rushed back to intervene, it was already too late.

Bai Yi knelt by the baby’s bedside, tears streaming silently down his face. Yuan'er stood awkwardly nearby, unsure of what to do, while Yun Mozhi sighed and stepped forward to help Bai Yi up. This was the scene Xiao Yiran saw when he arrived.

Fearing Bai Yi’s frail body couldn’t handle the strain, Xiao Yiran quickly walked over to him, wrapping an arm around Bai Yi to pull him into his embrace. “The floor is cold. Get up. Your body hasn’t recovered yet; why are you running around?” The distance from Bai Yi’s room to the baby’s wasn’t far, but for someone still unwell, even that short walk was exhausting. In just this little time, Bai Yi’s face had turned noticeably pale.

“Is the baby… unable to speak for the rest of his life?” Bai Yi asked softly, burying his face in Xiao Yiran’s chest. At first, he hadn’t believed it when the servants accidentally let slip that the baby couldn’t speak. But after dragging himself here to see for himself, the truth struck him hard. He wasn’t a person prone to crying and throwing fits when things went wrong, but the sorrow and pain in his heart were so overwhelming that he couldn’t hold back his tears.

This was their child—his and Xiao Yiran’s firstborn. Although the baby’s arrival had been unplanned, it was the most significant bond between them. If not for this child, Bai Yi might never have chased after Xiao Yiran to Shengjing, and they might not have experienced everything that followed, leading to the deep connection they now shared. Yet, due to his own carelessness, this child came into the world too early and lost the ability to speak forever. How could he have been such an irresponsible father?

“It’s just that he can’t speak,” Xiao Yiran said gently, patting Bai Yi’s back to comfort him. “It’s not a big deal. The baby will grow up happy and loved.” Xiao Yiran’s tone was calm, but his heart ached for their child. However, between Bai Yi and the baby, Bai Yi was his priority. If not for this child, Bai Yi might never have woken up. In truth, Xiao Yiran harbored a faint resentment toward the baby. But this was still his own flesh and blood, a child Bai Yi had risked his life to bring into the world. Xiao Yiran had long resolved that even if their child couldn’t speak, he would ensure the boy lived a happy and secure life.

“It’s my fault…” Bai Yi whispered, his voice filled with guilt. If he hadn’t been poisoned out of carelessness, the baby wouldn’t be in this state. He blamed himself for being an unworthy father and a useless doctor who had failed his own child.

“This isn’t your fault!” Xiao Yiran pulled away slightly to look Bai Yi in the eyes. “If you want to blame someone, blame me.” It was he who had left Bai Yi alone at home, and his feud with Murong Yao had brought danger to their doorstep. It was even his own aunt who had let Murong Yao into their home. If anyone were at fault, it was him. Bai Yi was the victim in all of this.

Bai Yi stared blankly at Xiao Yiran until he saw the pain and worry in his eyes. Only then did he snap out of his daze. Yes, no amount of self-recrimination could compare to the guilt Xiao Yiran must feel. Over the past few days, Xiao Yiran had been bearing all this weight alone, which had left him so haggard.

He couldn’t let himself fall apart so easily. As Xiao Yiran had said, the baby couldn’t speak, but they were all alive, and that was what mattered most. He needed to stay strong. The baby still needed him, and he couldn’t burden Xiao Yiran any further.

Bai Yi lightly gripped Xiao Yiran’s hand and gave him a teary smile. “I won’t blame myself, and you shouldn’t either. This isn’t your fault.”

Xiao Yiran gazed deeply at Bai Yi before pulling him into a tight embrace. In his heart, he marveled at how thoughtful and kind Bai Yi was. Even now, he was comforting him when the fault clearly lay with Xiao Yiran himself.

“Alright, enough of this,” Yun Mozhi interjected, stifling a yawn. “Bai Yi’s body hasn’t fully recovered. Take him back to rest. Leave the baby to me; you don’t need to worry.” He had been exhausted from days of monitoring the baby, who couldn’t make a sound to signal discomfort. He and Yuan’er had taken turns watching over him, and Yun Mozhi hadn’t slept properly in days. Now that Bai Yi had shown up, Yuan’er couldn’t handle the situation alone and had called him out. He was desperate for some sleep and eager to send these two back to rest.

“Thank you for everything,” Bai Yi said softly, nodding to him. He was deeply grateful to Yun Mozhi, who had done so much for him and the baby. Without him, Bai Yi feared they might have already been in the afterlife.

“You’re one of Xiao Blockhead’s people, so we’re basically family. No need to be so polite,” Yun Mozhi replied, waving his hand dismissively. “Now get going.”

Xiao Yiran nodded silently to express his thanks before picking Bai Yi up and carrying him back to their room.

Back in their room, Xiao Yiran gently laid Bai Yi on the bed. Bai Yi looked at Xiao Yiran’s cold yet pained expression and felt a pang in his heart. The servants had told him that during his days of unconsciousness, Xiao Yiran had stayed by his side without rest. He must have been deeply afraid and heartbroken.

His general might appear stoic and reticent, but his heart was more loyal and affectionate than anyone else’s. Now, Xiao Yiran had to deal with betrayal from his family and the life-or-death struggles of his lover and child. If Bai Yi didn’t pick himself up, it would be like stabbing a knife into Xiao Yiran’s heart. And how could he bear to do that?

Bai Yi reached out and clasped Xiao Yiran’s hands, looking into his eyes. “I’ll be fine. The baby can’t speak, but we’ll teach him to write. He won’t be any less than anyone else, right?”

Xiao Yiran held Bai Yi’s hands tightly and nodded firmly. “Of course.” No matter what, he would ensure their child lived a carefree and happy life.

"Have you decided?" Xiao Yiran asked softly.

"Yes." Bai Yi thought for a moment before replying gently, "I want the baby to grow up healthy and safe. Let’s name him Xiao Zian, and his nickname can be An'an."

"Xiao Zian, An'an? That’s good." Xiao Yiran repeated the name quietly and nodded. Peace and health—this was their deepest wish for their child.

"Ah, have we arranged for a wet nurse for the baby?" Bai Yi suddenly asked. Since men couldn’t nurse children, babies needed to be fed by other means. In poorer families, they would often feed babies with rice water. Those who were slightly better off might provide cow or goat milk, while wealthy families would typically hire a wet nurse to feed the baby with breast milk. Previously, Bai Yi and Xiao Min had begun looking for a suitable wet nurse, but since there was still time before the baby’s expected birth, they hadn’t finalized anything. Now that the baby had arrived early, Bai Yi wasn’t sure if this had been taken care of.

"Min'er has arranged everything. Don’t worry," Xiao Yiran replied. Over the past few days, he had stayed by Bai Yi’s side, leaving the household affairs entirely to Xiao Min. The wet nurse had been brought in on the day of the baby’s birth. Although it was arranged on short notice, they had thoroughly vetted her background and health before allowing her to care for the baby.

Hearing this, Bai Yi relaxed and nodded in relief. "Min'er has worked hard. With the New Year coming up in a few days, we must thank her properly."

The preparations for the New Year had already kept Xiao Min exceptionally busy. Previously, Bai Yi and Hualan had been able to assist, but now that both of them were indisposed, and Xiao Yiran was notoriously hands-off when it came to household matters, everything had fallen onto Xiao Min’s shoulders. Bai Yi couldn’t help but feel concerned that she might be overworked.

This thought brought his mind back to Xiao Yiran's aunt. Traditionally, the family would gather together for a New Year’s Eve meal, but Bai Yi couldn’t imagine sitting at the same table with her.

Since waking up, Bai Yi had avoided mentioning Xiao Yiran’s aunt to avoid making things difficult for him. He wasn’t seeking retribution or punishment for her actions. After all, she was Xiao Yiran’s aunt and Hualan’s mother—two people who had always been kind to him. But the idea of continuing to live under the same roof with her left a thorn in his heart. Every time he thought of the baby, now unable to speak, the pain resurfaced, making it hard for him to let go.

After hesitating for a moment, Bai Yi finally spoke up softly, "Your aunt…"

 Previous | Table of Contents | Next