Chapter 472: Chapter 472

Meanwhile, at the castle gates, Butler James managed a ceaseless flow of arrivals bringing gifts and messages.

A director sent jade carvings shaped like phoenixes.

A stockholder commissioned golden cradles.

A business partner ordered silk embroidered with dragon glyphs.

Friends of Ling Li joined the chorus. The Chinese President sent a gilded scroll of blessings, infant toys, and clothes. Soon after, gifts arrived from the Russian, Colombian, and Cuban Presidents, each bearing tokens of reverence — ornate treasures, rare and custom-made clothes, and toys representing iconic items from their countries.

The courtyards were filled with crates, carriages, and emissaries bearing congratulations. The air buzzed with voices, laughter, and awe. Peonies Castle shimmered not only with qi but with the weight of global recognition.

The Full Moon Celebration at Peonies Castle

A month after the birth of the triplets, Peonies Castle once again burst into a festive mood for their *Full Moon Celebration. The courtyards glowed with lanterns shaped like moons, their golden light reflecting off polished jade floors. Red eggs — symbols of prosperity and renewal — were carried in baskets by smiling disciples, handed out to guests alongside trays of sweet rice cakes and candied fruits. Endless gifts flowed in, piling high against the walls, each wrapped in silk and tied with crimson ribbons.

Children ran through the halls with sparklers, their laughter mingling with the sound of drums and flutes. Elders sat in carved chairs, sipping fragrant tea, their faces softened by joy. The air shimmered with qi blessings, as if the heavens themselves had descended to honor the triplets.

The President’s Gifts

Since the celebration was held in Shanghai, the Chinese President sent a car filled with treasures for the triplets. The emissary was none other than Fen Zhang, the President’s right-hand man — and Ling Li’s hidden spy in preparation for the upcoming election.

Fen Zhang entered with solemn grace, bowing deeply before presenting the gifts: golden bracelets, jade pendants carved with phoenixes, and silk embroidered with celestial dragons. His eyes flickered toward Ling Li and Shi Min, offering them a subtle, knowing look. It was a silent message: he had information, and he knew what needed to be done.

Ling Li’s gaze held his for a moment, calm but sharp. Shi Min’s jaw tightened. Both understood the weight of the unspoken exchange.

Shinsei’s Blessings and the Naming of the Triplets

Shinsei arrived, his staff tapping softly against the stone floor. His aura was calm, his presence steady, like a river flowing beneath moonlight. Ling Li welcomed him warmly, placing the three infants before him.

"Shinsei," she said softly, "give them names. Let your wisdom bless their destiny."

Shinsei closed his eyes, murmuring prayers. When he opened them, his voice carried across the hall, resonant and clear:

Fuyao (芙瑶) – Blessed Jade, symbolizing purity and fortune.

Jinyue (锦月) – Brocade Moon, symbolizing beauty, prosperity, and radiant destiny.

Ruixiang (瑞香) – Auspicious Fragrance, symbolizing blessings that linger and spread through generations.

The crowd gasped, their hearts stirred by the auspicious meanings.

Ling Li cradled the infants, her arms trembling and voice wavering with emotion. Tears glistened on her lashes and slid down her cheeks as she whispered, "Fuyao, Jinyue, Ruixiang... may your lives be filled with fortune and unity." She kissed each baby gently, overcome with both hope and immense love.

Four Eyes forced a laugh, but his eyes were wet, and he swiped at them quickly, embarrassed by his own emotion. "Five daughters... the heavens must be laughing at me. But I will guard them all, even if it costs me my life," he choked, voice thick with pride.

The blessings poured forth like rivers, each word weaving into the covenant’s promise.

Kim Kim, and Chin Chin twirled in identical princess tulle gowns, their laughter ringing like bells. They ran to their sisters, calling their names with delight:

"Fuyao! Jinyue! Ruixiang! We are your big sisters!"

"Hey! Hey! Who are the big sisters?" Ren jokingly asked.

"Ah! Fuyao! Jinyue! Ruixiang!" Chin Chin called again. "I’m the fourth sister, and Kim Kim is the third sister!" She added.

The crowd didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the twins’ cute act.

Their voices carried innocence and joy, their laughter capturing the celebration’s spirit.

El Padre and El Capitán arrived, their voices booming with congratulations. El Capitán smirked, nudging Four Eyes.

"Chu Yan, do you know the saying? The number of daughters you have represents your payment for past-life mistakes. You were probably a lady killer in your previous life!"

The hall erupted in laughter, disciples and elders alike teasing Four Eyes mercilessly.

Chatty, beside his pregnant wife Pharsa, puffed his chest proudly.

"Chu Yan, you’re not as innocent as you look. Unlike me — hmph! I’ve got three boys!"

Pharsa pinched his waist sharply.

"You! Stop spouting nonsense!"

Chatty yelped, clutching his side.

"Ouch! Honey! Honey! I know it! It’s what you call father’s instinct! We’ll definitely have three boys!"

Four Eyes snorted, rolling his eyes while balancing his three little buns in his arms.

Happy Conversations Before the Party Ends

As wine flowed and laughter filled the hall, conversations sparkled:

Fatty raised his cup, grinning: "With so many daughters, Chu Yan, you’ll need an army of guards just to keep suitors away!"

Lily teased gently: "Or perhaps the suitors will tremble before Pap’s shield. Who dares challenge the Silent Ink Dao?"

Ren smiled, her needles glowing faintly: "These girls will grow strong. Perhaps stronger than all of us."

Shun laughed, flames flickering around his fingers: "Then let them inherit the Phoenix Command Sutra. The world will bow before them."

Yet even amid celebration, shadows lingered. The cracked bell remained silent but faintly glowing, its fractured surface whispering of trials yet to come. Shi Min, gazing at the stars, saw constellations shift—patterns of conflict, betrayal, and blood.

He clenched his fists, his voice low:

"The Family Competition is near. The rival sects will strike. And now, I have more sisters to protect."

Four Eyes stood beside him, his shield shimmering faintly.

"Then we will protect them together. The covenant binds us. The bell may sing again, but we will not falter."

Ling Li, cradling the triplets, whispered:

"The world will test us. But tonight, we are blessed. Let us hold this joy before the storm."

The night ended with fireworks bursting above Peonies Castle, sparks raining down like blessings from the heavens. The triplets slept peacefully, their names whispered in prayers, their destiny sealed in joy.

*Infants’ celebrations at one month old are often called a "Full Month Celebration" (or Man Yue in Chinese), marking the baby’s survival of the vulnerable first month, which is also a significant milestone when the mother’s confinement period ends. Families host banquets, introduce the baby to relatives, and often exchange red eggs symbolizing new life and good fortune.