Chapter 8: National Witch Helian Heiyue

Because the Gu family was one of the most powerful clans in the Haoyue Dynasty, the celebration of the twins' one-month milestone was not only marked by the imperial court sending many precious gifts, but even Helian Heiyue, the State Shaman and a favorite of the Emperor, was dispatched to offer prayers and blessings for the newborns.

Gu Lingsha did not understand how these ancient one-month celebrations were supposed to work. She only knew that being held by the eldest daughter-in-law of the main branch was incredibly uncomfortable. Just because she had never given birth before, did that mean she didn't know how to hold a baby? She was squeezing her so tightly that she could barely breathe.

She tilted her head to look at Gu Lingyu nearby. It was the same situation; because the second daughter-in-law of the main branch had yet to give birth to a son, Gu Lingyu was being clutched so tightly by that woman that his entire face had turned red.

She turned her head again to look at her adoptive parents. Poor things—Du Wan, seeing her son and daughter being abused like this by the two daughters-in-law of the main branch, was on the verge of crying out loud.

And so, Gu Lingsha sighed, opened her throat, and began to wail in a earth-shattering manner!

As soon as she cried, Gu Lingyu, as if by reflex, began to cry as well. In an instant, the gazes of everyone in the previously bustling hall snapped toward the two of them.

"Oh my! Eldest Young Mistress of the main branch, how can you hold a child like that? Look at how you're squeezing her. Even if you haven't had children, you shouldn't hold them like that! You'll kill the poor thing!"

Who knew who was so tactless? As soon as that shout rang out, Du Wan, who had been standing nearby, quickly lunged toward the second daughter-in-law of the main branch, who was also squeezing Gu Lingyu until he was red in the face. "Second Sister-in-law, Yu'er must be hungry. I'll take him to be fed."

Without waiting for the second daughter-in-law's consent, she snatched Gu Lingyu from her arms and left the hall.

Seeing his wife take their son, Gu Liunian immediately stepped forward and took Gu Lingsha from the arms of the eldest daughter-in-law. "Sister-in-law, my apologies, we've caused you trouble."

Saying it was "trouble" was being polite! Look at this—after this farce played out, the Gu family matriarch, Lan Lengshuang, who sat at the head of the table, nearly slapped those two useless granddaughters-in-law right then and there!

She had intended to use this opportunity to let those two useless things soak up some good fortune, but now, they had made a complete spectacle of themselves.

"Mother, since the State Shaman is here, why don't we proceed with the blessings for the two children?" Gu Zhong, who currently held the post of General Protecting the State, saw his mother's expression turn grim and quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

On the other side, Gu Ruhai heard this and also carefully stepped forward. "Yes, Mother. The State Shaman is busy with state affairs; I shall go tell Liunian to bring the children out."

With the two of them speaking up, Lan Lengshuang's expression eased slightly. She raised a smile toward the man in the crimson brocade robe sitting in the seat of honor. "In that case, we shall trouble you, State Shaman."

"What are you saying, Matriarch Gu? Since this is a major event for the Gu family and I am acting under the Emperor's decree, Helian Heiyue is duty-bound to serve."

As he spoke, the man, whose features were feminine to the extreme, bowed slightly toward Lan Lengshuang.

Lan Lengshuang said nothing more, but in the moment she returned the bow, her sharp gaze flickered quietly toward him. Coincidentally, a feminine gaze from the other side met hers. As the two locked eyes, everything vanished into a knowing smile.