Chapter 9: The Return

The returning group gained a few more vehicles, loaded with specialties from the mountain resort. Just like their arrival, the entourage set off for the capital city with great fanfare.

At the Xiao family gatehouse, maids had been stationed in anticipation. The vast mansion had only Madam Qin during the day, making it feel desolate and overly quiet. Finally, her grandchildren were returning, and one wave of lookouts after another had been sent out to watch for their arrival.

Initially planning to freshen up before paying respects to their grandmother, the group promptly changed course to Ninghe Hall upon hearing from the maids that someone had been waiting at the door since morning.

“Let me see the children quickly. This old grandmother’s heart has been scratching like a cat’s claw,” Madam Qin said. After a glance at her daughter-in-law, her focus shifted entirely to her grandchildren.

“The old lady didn’t sleep half the night, constantly talking about her little masters,” chimed in Yu Ma, Madam Qin’s attendant. It was evident that Madam Qin had missed her grandchildren deeply, mentioning them several times a day.

Xiao Jun was robust and spirited, with thick, shiny black hair and bright, lively eyes. He reached out to Madam Qin with an “ah-ah,” asking to be held. Xiao Qi was chubby and fair, with a round face and double chin. His fleshy little body elicited smiles from everyone he met. Madam Qin beamed with joy as she looked them over, saying, “Good, good…” repeatedly. Xiao Yao gave her grandmother a sweet smile and stepped aside. With keen awareness, she left the stage for her fifth brother and the little chubby one, thinking, “Go ahead and shine, this is your moment.”

That night, the Xiao residence was filled with laughter and joy. Xiao Jingkang continued playing his game of “beard poking” with his daughter, chasing her around as she dodged. Nearby, Xiao Rui clenched his fists in envy, wishing he could join in. If only he could grow a beard right now! He touched his chin wistfully, realizing he could only continue feeling jealous.

“Big Brother, the more I think about what happened at the mountain resort, the stranger it seems. How did Xiao Jun suddenly pee on me? It’s just too odd,” Xiao Jingtai said, his thoughts lingering on the incident.

“Kids pee when they want to pee. Do they need a reason?” Xiao Jingkang gave his younger brother a sidelong glance as if warning him not to hold grudges against his son.

“Am I that petty? But I swear I heard someone whistling. Could I have imagined it?” Xiao Jingtai wondered aloud, considering whether he had really misheard.

Xiao Yao discreetly adjusted her posture, her small hand nervously picking at her second brother’s sleeve. The delicate bamboo leaf pattern suddenly seemed particularly intricate and exquisite to her, as she stared at it intently.

“Ping’an, you were closest to your fifth brother at the time. Did you hear anyone whistling?” Xiao Jingtai teased his little niece. Xiao Yao shifted her focus to another bamboo leaf. Was someone talking to her? She hadn’t heard a thing.

“That’s because Xiao Wu likes you. Why else would he pee on you and not someone else?” Li Jiaoying quipped as she handed her chubby son to her husband, trying to coax Xiao Yao into her arms. Pretty little girls, she believed, should be held by beautiful women like herself.

Xiao Yi held his little sister in his arms, calmly telling his second aunt, “Ping’an just drooled. Look…”

Xiao Yao’s wide eyes glared at her second brother. “I didn’t! I didn’t drool tonight!”

“There she goes again,” Li Jiaoying looked down at her new outfit, hesitating before rubbing her niece’s chubby little face. Reluctantly, she handed her back to Xiao Yi, whose gentle touch soothed the redness on Xiao Yao’s face. She took the opportunity to nuzzle against his cool hand, playing coy.

“Let’s not bring this up again,” Madam Qin interjected. “They’re just little children. Do you think they’d scheme against you? My grandchildren are pure and kind. They’d never deliberately tease you.”

Hearing her grandmother’s words, Xiao Yao felt a pang of guilt. She wasn’t experienced enough yet. When would she ever learn to commit mischief without feeling guilty?

As the summer heat faded and the weather cooled, the Xiao family welcomed back Third Madam Yuan Yutong. Xiao Rui had taken special leave to wait for his mother, but when they finally met, he became shy, hiding behind his eldest aunt and only sneaking glances at her.

Yuan Yutong, dressed simply, lacked the elegance of Tong Mingyu and the allure of Li Jiaoying, but she exuded a heroic and spirited charm. She seemed capable and cheerful, reminiscent of a heroic woman of ancient times.

The year-long separation had nearly turned mother and son into strangers, leaving Yuan Yutong momentarily awkward. Tong Mingyu crouched down to coax Xiao Rui, “Didn’t you tell Ping’an yesterday how much you missed your mother and that she’d be back soon? Have you forgotten?”

Xiao Rui thought for a moment and realized it was true. Embarrassed but determined, he approached Yuan Yutong, bowed, and then suddenly grabbed her sleeve. “Mother, can you give me a sister like Ping’an? Please? Every time I want to play with Ping’an, I have to wait behind Uncle, Second Brother, and Third Brother. Sometimes, by the time it’s my turn, she’s already asleep. I want someone just for me. Can you?”

Yuan Yutong froze momentarily, then scanned the room until she spotted Xiao Yao in her yellow gauze dress, soft and sweet in her nursemaid’s arms. Clicking her tongue in admiration, she said, “Son, don’t make things difficult for me. Even if I have a daughter, she won’t be as good as Ping’an. Just keep lining up behind your uncle. I can’t help you.”

Seven-month-old Xiao Yao had eyebrows like Tong Mingyu’s—long and arched. Her large almond-shaped eyes, framed by thick lashes, sparkled like black gemstones. Her milky smooth cheeks and cherry blossom-pink lips made her unforgettable to anyone who saw her.

Yuan Yutong, unable to resist, wanted to hold her if not for her own condition.

“She’s not just my favorite,” Li Jiaoying said, finding an ally in Yuan Yutong. “Third Sister-in-law has good taste, just like me.”

Xiao Rui’s hopes crumbled. “What should I do now?” His mother wasn’t an option, and he couldn’t compete with his uncle.

“Not all hope is lost. Ask your eldest aunt to lend Ping’an to us. If I spend enough time with her, maybe I’ll have a daughter like her,” Yuan Yutong teased, lightening her son’s spirits.

A glimmer of hope reignited in Xiao Rui, who approached his aunt, looking sheepish.

Tong Mingyu, amused, smiled and said, “If your uncle agrees, I won’t object.”

Xiao Rui’s face fell again. Convincing his uncle? Impossible.

“Ha-ha…” Xiao Yao chuckled, revealing her two small teeth. Her laughter was a mix of mischief and triumph. But realizing her drool might ruin her new dress, she stopped immediately.

The little girl’s flower-like smile melted hearts, though one had to overlook the inevitable drool. Yuan Yutong rubbed her belly, imagining a daughter like Xiao Yao. She already had a son; a daughter would make her family complete.

Returning to her residence in Yi Garden, Yuan Yutong distributed gifts she had brought back. For Xiao Yao, she had prepared a red ruby-embedded necklace, later adding a box of pearls and two bolts of shimmering silk. Her maids, Yingqiu and Yingdong, exchanged glances, saying nothing. It was clear that their mistress was fond of the eldest young miss, given the value of the meeting gifts.

“I do love Ping’an,” Yuan Yutong admitted, “but I’m even more grateful to my sisters-in-law for taking care of Ah Rui. My husband and I are often away, leaving the household and children in their hands. I feel guilty.”

“First and Second Madams wouldn’t think twice about it. Don’t dwell on it,” Yingqiu consoled.

“They may not mind, but their generosity speaks volumes. The least I can do is show my appreciation. How I wish I could have a daughter like Ping’an. Let me rest now; perhaps I’ll dream of her,” Yuan Yutong said, rushing to bed as if afraid the dream would escape her.

Yingqiu and Yingdong shared a thought: The eldest young miss was indeed charming but also quite a handful. Whether it was a brother constantly yearning for her or a madam dreaming of such a daughter, life in the Xiao household was anything but dull.