As if on cue, the little bundle of happiness in his arms softly fell asleep after a few milk bubbles lingered on her tiny mouth.
A smile inadvertently appeared on Qi Shou's face as he finally got some time to himself.
But the system didn't care for it.
[Ding!]
[Feeding the baby, aiding digestion, putting her to sleep... completed!]
[Calculating...]
[Rewards: 1X Tranquil Pendent(bound)]
Just as the notification ended, a golden pendent laden with a small pinkish heartstone appeared in his hands, followed by a system window.
[Tranquil Pendent (bound): Aids the wearer to remain calm and get a good rest.]
That was all there was to it.
Without any hesitation, Qi Shou put the pendent around his daughter's neck.
She rarely got a good continuous rest, so this pendent was for the best.
According to his memories, the child barely had enough to eat before hurried off to a lull to sleep early.
It seemed people in this era just weren't good at raising children.
"No wonder the population is so low..."
Qi Shou muttered under his breath, careful to keep his voice low, lest he startle his daughter.
Looking at her, he couldn't help but sigh.
"7 months and yet no name..."
Of course, she did have a milk name, which was Mingzhu, but it wasn't her official name.
It was customary to not name a child before age of 1 so as to allow the child to grow up enough to have a name.
Of course, since this world preferred boys over girls, some girls were casually named with their birth number, often getting abandoned or outright killed.
Although that was the norm in these times, Qi Shou couldn't accept it.
Even if it was logical to save more for the family as sons were considered to run the family line.
"Not like these peasants are running for the imperial throne," he cursed as he rolled his eyes.
Which idiot decided that men carrief family lines?
It was clearly women who carried the child for nine months before giving birth her were treated with such neglect.
Although not a fan of those modern feminists, it didn't mean Qi Shou was an advocate for patriarchy.
As a modern soul, he understood one thing.
Irrespective of gender, both recieved equal genetics from each parent.
So all that talk was useless to him.
And then there was the legitimate and illegitimate children...
Just thinking about the women fighting amongst themselves instead of punishing the disloyal man made his veins bulge.
If one thing he hated the most in his previous life could be counted, then it surely would be infidelity.
As if struck by a sudden thought, he blurted out, "No matter what, I'll never let trash surround you."
His words were for his daughter, referring to her future suitors.
Truly, a contradictory thought process.
One second he was considering how to raise her, next second he wondered about her marriage.
She wasn't even 1-year-old and had not even a name yet...
Remembering those things, Qi Shou decided to wait and let his wife or parents name the child according to the customs.
It would also help him know if this world was similar to the xianxia novel or the exact same one or if it was all just a coincidence.
'As Qi Shou was mentioned and so was his daughter, it'll be easy to know this one thing.'
That was what his mind said, but his heart felt uneasy.
After all, the mother of his child wasn't here.
And who didn't know that mothers loved the child more than their fathers alongside the baby's deeper sense of kinship with their birth mothers.
One might call it derogatory, but it was a true fact and it couldn't be changed.
Also, this was ancient times, so it was more normal for a woman to take household duties and raise children.
'But I don't want my daughter to do that...'
Just the thought of it soured his mood and he realized that leaving his daughter to his wife may not be such a good idea.
What if she taught her to be a good wife and obedient daughter-in-law?
No!
He must take care of her early education and teach her her rights!!
Even if his family hated him for it, he wouldn't let his own daughter suffer.
Either way, this was his own flesh and blood and the previous Qi Shou only disliked her for causing harm to his wife during childbirth.
If not for the poor medical quality, she would've been born smoothly, and Qi Shou wouldn't resent her.
"Deep down, I resented myself more than anyone else," he sighed, accepting the harsh truth he'd been declining.
"Mingzhu, daddy was wrong. Daddy apologiezes," he whispered to his still asleep daughter while caressing her back.
With so many thoughts in his mind, he still felt right to share some of it with his parents and bring his wife back.
He couldn't just let outsiders gossip about his family and wife irrespective of his own feelings in this matter.
It simply concerned his parents, wife, daughter, her family and various aspects that modern people couldn't even be bothered to care about.
"If this is really that novel, then everything will be good as long as I can cultivate."
Qi Shou was also once an eager man, dreaming of cultivating and soaring the skies with internal energy, spiritual energy, Qi, Ki, Chi or whatever name it may be.
The thought of riding over clouds, overturning mountains and seas with a wave of his hand left him dawdling and daydreaming.
No matter the age or time, any man or woman would definitely want to achieve such dreams.
Especially since it gave one the power over one's fate, although not much.
It was enough for many to live fulfilled happy lives for the rest of their life.
"What are you dawdling about?"
The sharp voice of Father Qi cut in through his thoughts. It was laced with impatience.
Qi Shou smiled bitterly, musing, 'The old man just wants to hold his granddaughter more.'
In truth, Qi Shou knew of the secret competition between his parents to dote on Mingzhu.
But he had kept quiet, not wanting to them.
However, such matters shouldn't be delayed.
"Father, what are you so impatient about? Did you suddenly miss me after going to the nearby forest?"