Chapter 34: The General’s Pampered Wife 34

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: The General’s Pampered Wife 34

For the hundred-day celebration, the Xiao Mansion was adorned with lanterns and colorful banners. It swarmed with guests and bustled with excitement—a truly festive and prosperous scene.

"The Crown Prince has arrived!"

"The Second Prince has arrived!"

A servant boy at the entrance announced at the top of his lungs, his voice carrying through the lively crowd and into the inner courtyard of the Xiao Mansion.

Xiao Shen and Ji Xiaosong, who were greeting guests, heard the announcement and walked forward at a measured pace.

Ji Xiaosong remained a slight step behind Xiao Shen, her posture dignified and a graceful smile on her face.

"Welcome, Crown Prince, Second Prince. Your presence brings honor to my humble home."

Xiao Shen cupped his hands in a salute. When it came to proper etiquette, he was always flawless.

The Crown Prince smiled faintly and said, "General Xiao, you are too kind. Today is the hundred-day celebration for your sons. Naturally, I had to come and offer my congratulations."

Before the Crown Prince could continue, the Second Prince abruptly turned his gaze to Ji Xiaosong. With his head held high, he asked with a hint of arrogance, "I hear Lady Xiao gave birth to four sons at once. Are all the children in good health?"

Ji Xiaosong curtsied slightly and replied with perfect composure, "The children are all well, Your Highness. Thank you for asking."

"Since today is the hundred-day feast for the General Mansion’s four young masters, then lead this Prince to see them."

This was his very purpose for coming today. He didn’t trust what others said and had to see for himself whether Ji Xiaosong had really given birth to four children.

’If it’s true, then he...’

"Second Prince, the children are currently in their room being cared for by the wet nurses. Later, after the feast is halfway through, they will be brought out for all our esteemed guests to see."

Xiao Shen took two steps forward, subtly shielding Ji Xiaosong behind him.

His broad frame instantly and completely concealed Ji Xiaosong, preventing the Second Prince from getting even a glimpse of her.

"Hah. I’ll see them sooner or later. Is my status as the Second Prince not enough for the Xiao family to make an exception and grant me special treatment?"

"Second Brother, you are being insolent!"

The Crown Prince’s expression changed abruptly as he barked out a furious reprimand.

’I am the Crown Prince, and I haven’t even spoken. What right does a mere Prince, one who will never touch the throne in his life, have to be so aggressive?’

"General Xiao has already stated that the children will be brought out later. By forcing the issue like this, do you want everyone to think you use your princely status to act wantonly, with no regard for the Xiao family’s dignity? I have not yet spoken, yet you are so eager. This is completely improper!"

The Second Prince snorted coldly. Though resentful, he didn’t dare defy the Crown Prince and could only say sullenly, "Yes, Crown Prince. Your reprimand is just."

Xiao Shen and Ji Xiaosong quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince waved his hand slightly. "It is of no concern. Let us be seated first. We mustn’t let such a small matter spoil the mood."

Only then did everyone proceed together toward the banquet area.

After seating the two princes, Xiao Shen summoned a trusted subordinate and whispered instructions, "Keep a close eye on the Second Prince’s men. Also, post more guards around the Lady."

The Second Prince and the Xiao family had always been like fire and water. In the past, he had wished for nothing more than Xiao Shen’s demise so he could install someone from his own faction as the head of the military generals.

Ever since he was poisoned with the sterility medicine, he had feigned disinterest in the struggle for fame and fortune, but no one knew the truth of the matter.

Regardless, Xiao Shen did not believe for a second that the Second Prince had truly given up his ambitions.

’An Emperor without an heir would find it difficult to gain the support of others.’

Just now, the way the Second Prince had looked at Ji Xiaosong was like he was looking at an object he was determined to possess.

If not for the crowd of watchful eyes here today, Xiao Shen truly wanted to throw a sack over the Second Prince’s head right then and there.

Halfway through the banquet, Xiao Shen and Ji Xiaosong came out, each holding a baby.

The remaining two children were held by Mother Ji and Eldest Sister-in-law Ji.

Xiao Shen announced in a clear voice, "I am endlessly grateful to you all for coming today to celebrate the hundred-day anniversary of my four humble sons. May my children have smooth and peaceful lives ahead, and may all our friends and guests share in this joy."

"General Xiao, bring the four young masters over for this Prince to see. You did promise earlier."

The Second Prince spoke eagerly, an inscrutable light glinting in his eyes.

"As you wish, Second Prince." Xiao Shen frowned slightly but still walked forward with the baby.

In his arms, Xiao Shen held his eldest son. In recent days, he had discovered that this son possessed immense strength in his arms and legs.

He was clearly an infant of only three months, yet he frequently unleashed astonishing power.

Once, while lying in his cradle, he gave a small push with his hand and actually snapped off a piece of the solid wood railing.

And as for soft silk fabrics, the moment his little hands grabbed and pulled, they were instantly torn to shreds.

There was even one time when someone accidentally got too close to his little feet. With a casual kick, the person grimaced in pain as if they had been dealt a heavy blow.

How could this be a hundred-day-old infant? He was born with Divine Power.

Now, aside from himself, no one else dared to so much as touch the child.

The Second Prince scrutinized the baby, his expression shifting. Suddenly, the corners of his mouth lifted into a humorless smile. "What is this on the child’s forehead? Could it be that Lady Xiao has some hidden disease that has been passed down through her bloodline to this child?"

Xiao Shen’s face darkened. He said flatly, "Second Prince, do not speak recklessly. My son was born like this. It is not caused by any hidden disease."

But the Second Prince was unconvinced and sneered, "General Xiao, don’t try to fool this Prince. How could there be such a coincidence?"

As he spoke, he reached out a hand, intending to tease the child.

Just as the Second Prince’s hand was about to touch the baby, the infant suddenly extended his small hand and swung it forcefully. With a loud CRACK, the Second Prince cried out in pain.

Everyone was stunned. The Second Prince’s wrist was clearly broken.

"How dare you! You dare to harm the Second Prince!" shouted the Second Prince’s attendant furiously.

Xiao Shen quickly said, "This was an accident. My son is but a child and knows no better. I hope the Second Prince can forgive him."

The Crown Prince, also startled by this sudden turn of events, frowned and said, "First, escort the Second Prince to get medical treatment. Don’t cause a scene here and disrupt the celebratory mood of the hundred-day feast."

He had seen what he came to see; the Second Prince’s goal was accomplished. Now that the Crown Prince had given him a way out, he naturally seized the opportunity to leave.

If anyone else had been injured by such a small baby, they would have certainly lost face and been misunderstood.

But not the Second Prince. He had clearly felt the infant’s strength and knew it was true Divine Power.

’Since Xiao Shen and Ji Xiaosong can produce such an infant, if he were to have a child with Ji Xiaosong, wouldn’t that child be just as brilliant as him?’

The more he thought about it, the more frenzied the Second Prince became.

Even his broken hand seemed insignificant to him now.

The moment the Second Prince returned to his residence, he immediately summoned his trusted advisors.

He sat in the seat of honor, his face dark. His broken hand, simply bandaged, was suspended in a sling before him.

"What do you make of today’s events?" the Second Prince asked through gritted teeth.

One of the advisors stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, the eldest young master of the Xiao Mansion possesses innate Divine Power. This is an extraordinary sign. If he can be of use to Your Highness, it is a great boon. If not, I fear he will become a great threat."

"He’s still so young, what use do I have for him? What I want, of course, is Ji Xiaosong! With her by my side, how could I worry about not having a son with Divine Power?"