"Young master, will the young lady not return?"
Jia'Er looked at the infant in the swaddling clothes, her eyes filled with pity.
She thought of herself, also abandoned by her parents from a young age, wandering the streets, and finally being rescued by the sixth young master of the Shen Family, becoming a personal maid.
This made her empathize and feel dissatisfied with Han Wan'Er, feeling sorry for this child.
"She wants to walk her own path, so naturally she won't return."
Shen Wang's face slightly darkened, not wanting to discuss the matter further, "Go arrange for Chunmei to stay in the side room, and buy more things that promote lactation for her to eat."
"Alright, I'll go now."
Jia'Er understood it was crucial to properly care for the wet nurse now, otherwise, there wouldn't be enough milk to feed two children.
Shen Wang then thought about the maid's childhood experience, not expecting it to happen to his own daughter, wondering if it was like attracting like?
"Han Wan'Er, if you don't raise your daughter, I'll just have to find her a stepmother soon, so don't blame the child for not recognizing you as her mother later."
He murmured in his heart as he looked at the maid's back.
Now, the only woman he could trust was this personal maid.
Entering the room, he checked on his daughter, who was indeed well-fed, and smiled, returning to the yard to continue making the baby crib.
At this moment, at the Shen Family's ancestral estate's rear mountain, graves were scattered across the mountain, stretching for a dozen miles.
The deeper it went, the older and taller the graves became, faintly showing the Shen Family's past prosperity.
In contrast, the ancestral estate at the foot of the mountain, covering several acres, looked somewhat shabby compared to the deeper cemetery.
A few miles from the ancestral estate, on a path leading into the mountain, three figures approached stealthily, carrying hoes.
All three were not young, appearing somewhat emaciated.
One of them, skinny like a monkey, peeked around and whispered, "Big brother, I heard that the Shen Family's Grave Mountain is very eerie, with zombies appearing before?"
"So what if they did? I don't believe we'd see ghosts in broad daylight."
The man addressed as big brother had a large frame but was so malnourished that he looked odd, like a skeleton.
The other, an old man holding a compass, identifying directions, said in a deep voice, "We'll just dig around the periphery, find some money and leave, there shouldn't be any trouble."
"Old Yang is right, today is a rare opportunity. I heard the Shen Family's tomb guardian's child was just born, so he definitely won't be patrolling the mountain today. We have plenty of time to dig graves."
The skeleton man pushed the skinny monkey, "Hurry up, don't get seen."
"So what if we are seen? I don't believe anyone is bored enough to tell the Shen Family."
The skinny monkey didn't mind but quickened his pace.
The three quickly entered the graveyard.
Old Yang noticed the compass spinning uncontrollably, his face changing involuntarily, "It's indeed a bit eerie."
"Right, how come it's so unsettling even in broad daylight?"
The skinny monkey kept rubbing his hands.
"Isn't winter cold? Quickly get to work, and moving around won't be cold!"
The skeleton man approached a grave and dug in with a hoe.
Carving wood, Shen Wang felt the jade pendant hanging at his waist vibrate slightly. He took it down to sense it, frowning slightly, "Someone's entered the grave mountain, but they're only in the outer area, should be no problem, not worth bothering."
The Shen Family's deceased throughout generations were buried here, there were thousands of graves, and someone would always come to rob graves.
In the past, there were many tomb guardians, but now he was the only one left, so how could he manage it all? As long as these people didn't go deep into the grave mountain, it was fine.
Shen Wang continued to work on the wood, not even sparing the grave mountain another glance.
Now that his daughter was at home and the maid had gone out to buy groceries, he dared not go too far, so he would not meddle unnecessarily.
Once the wood was planed smooth, Shen Wang began to polish its surface with rough cloth until it was smooth enough.
After all, a baby's skin is very delicate, and he had to ensure the wood had no splinters, otherwise, it could easily harm his daughter.
Fully engaged in his work, Shen Wang enjoyed this time, and before he knew it, night fell.
A baby crib three and a half feet long and two feet wide took shape, appearing quite exquisite, just needing some finishing touches before it could be used for his daughter.
As he admired his work with satisfaction, a line of text popped up in the system.
[As you lovingly crafted a baby crib for your daughter Shen Chuxue, she will sleep more comfortably. You've earned a boost, Artifact Refining skills +2, current 11/100]
Simultaneously, many insights emerged in Shen Wang's mind, as if he had studied forging for a long time, his skills significantly improved.
"Is this even possible?"
Shen Wang was stunned, recalling the Longevity Species effect that could strengthen him through the process of raising the next generation; could this count as such?
He assessed the effect of these two points, equivalent to him specifically studying forging and refining artifacts for a period, and now his skills were thoroughly basic.
Based on other magic and cultivation technique situations, 100 points should be the Perfection Realm, 10 points would be full entry, around 30 points estimated as Initial Success, 50 points for Minor Success, and 70 for Great Success.
For Artifact Refining type skills, it should correspond to Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Top Level distinctions.
"As long as it's for raising children, I'll reap benefits, this encourages me to do more."
Shen Wang mused, eyeing Chunmei, the wet nurse coming out from the bedroom, thinking oddly that this reinforcement opportunity surely wouldn't exist, as he didn't have milk.
"Tomorrow, make a rattle for the little one to play with."
Shen Wang thought privately, intending to continue strengthening his Artifact Refining skills.
This skill involves not only woodworking but is also versatile in weapon forging. In the future, he might be able to refine Magical Artifacts himself, saving the middleman's profit.
"Master, it's dark, and you need to change diapers at night; I'm too exhausted feeding two children."
Chunmei spoke to Shen Wang instead of the maid Jia'Er behind her, afraid of the latter since being reprimanded today.
"What are you telling the young master for, this kind of thing naturally should be left to me."
Maid Jia'Er cast a disapproving glance at Chunmei and saluted Shen Wang, "Young master, you should focus on cultivation; your health is important."
Chunmei nodded repeatedly and retreated, already having been admonished by Jia'Er, not daring to defy her.
"Uncle Hu left, so you're even busier now than before. Rest well at night; I'll take over. If I'm not home, it's your responsibility."
Shen Wang was quite curious if changing diapers would earn him a reward, and if so, what kind?
"Master is truly a good man."
Chunmei praised, "Master, remember to change the children's diapers once every hour, at most not exceeding two hours, or the miss will cry."
"Alright, go rest."
Shen Wang nodded and instructed maid Jia'Er, "Come in with me."
Jia'Er obediently followed after Shen Wang entered the room. Shen Wang checked on his daughter and then went to sit in the side room.
Looking outside, night quickly engulfed the earth, an eerie wind arose, swirling and lifting many fallen leaves.
From the back of the ancestral estate came the sound of ghostly wails and wolf howls, the flames flickering uneasily inside, causing their shadows to sway constantly.
Both remained calm, accustomed to it.
Having been here for over half a year, except for the first couple of weeks being somewhat on edge, nothing major had occurred afterward, allowing them to settle down.