Chapter 77: Hot Springs (Part 2)

On the tenth day of Xiao Yao’s stay at the hot spring resort, General Xiao arrived with firm and determined strides.

“Ping’an, Ruyi, you’ve been here for ten days already. Isn’t it time to return home with your grandfather?” His tone was half persuasive and half commanding. Among the entire family, only these two granddaughters received such preferential treatment. Anyone else would have to obediently comply without question.

“Grandfather, look at me and my sister—haven’t we grown prettier? The hot springs here are so comfortable. Why don’t we let the rest of the family come and stay for a few days too?” Xiao Yuan chimed in to support her elder sister, knowing full well it wasn’t time to leave yet.

Her rosy cheeks looked lovely indeed, but even without the hot springs, his granddaughters were never unattractive!

“Grandfather, let me stay a few more days. Bathing in the water here is particularly soothing. Why don’t you let Grandmother and Second Aunt come and soak as well?” Xiao Yao suggested, aware that her mother, as the matriarch of the family, wouldn’t have the leisure to come and relax.

Absolutely not. His two granddaughters refusing to return home was one thing, but now they wanted to drag more family members into this? As the head of the family, he couldn’t allow such chaos.

“Ping’an, you seem to really like the water here, don’t you?”

“Yes!”

“Then come back home with me. Starting tomorrow, I’ll assign someone to fetch water from the hot spring resort daily for your baths. How about that?”

How could that possibly be the same? Besides, it would be a waste of resources. If Grandfather truly started transporting hot spring water for her baths every day, the entire capital would soon hear of Xiao family’s granddaughter living a luxurious and spoiled life. By then, her name would spread for all the wrong reasons.

“Just let us stay a few more days, and then we’ll return. Is that okay?”

Seeing her little granddaughter extend her two fair, delicate palms, General Xiao had no choice but to compromise once again. After all, he couldn’t just drag them home by force. Meanwhile, he couldn’t help but calculate in his heart: since his granddaughters liked the hot spring resort so much, perhaps he should acquire one for them. There was no reason to let their maternal grandfather outshine him.

“Ruyi, do you also enjoy staying at the hot spring resort?” If the younger granddaughter was homesick, perhaps she could persuade Ping’an to return together.

“I love it here! In the winter, you can still see flowers, butterflies, and green trees. The best part is the fresh rose pastries—they’re delicious!”

She couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning food. Looking at his little granddaughter, who had clearly gained some weight, General Xiao sighed inwardly: Fine, fine. Let them stay for another ten days. After that, not even the Heavenly King himself would make him change his mind.

“Grandfather, why don’t you stay and have lunch with us? After lunch…” Xiao Yuan said playfully, “…you can head back on your own!” Her mischievous smile left no room for doubt that she intended to stay if her sister wasn’t leaving.

“Then you’ll let me leave alone, won’t you?” His little granddaughter had grown clever, even learning to drive him away. It seemed his wife understood their granddaughters best. Before he came here, she had warned him that he might return empty-handed. At the time, he didn’t believe her. Now, he realized she knew them better than anyone.

“Why don’t you stay here as well?” Noticing her grandfather’s slightly disappointed expression, Xiao Yao quickly tried to salvage the situation. “Soaking in the hot springs is very beneficial for your health.”

At least one of them had a bit of conscience.

After sharing a meal with his granddaughters, General Xiao, who had arrived full of hope, left alone, disappointed and helpless.

Whether it was due to the hot spring water or Nanny Ruan’s excellent medical skills, Xiao Yao felt that this winter she wasn’t as cold as before.

Amid the picturesque scenery, even the studies that once seemed dull and tedious had become enjoyable. Xiao Yao had loved reading since she was very young and had some interest in painting and calligraphy. However, she wasn’t keen on learning the zither and chess, but these were mandatory skills for young noblewomen. She couldn’t avoid them no matter how much she wanted to.

“If I must learn, then so be it,” Xiao Yao thought without much confidence. “I’ll just do my best.” Cooking and needlework were also essential skills for a lady. Xiao Yao didn’t aim for mastery—proficiency would suffice.

Nanny Ruan was surprised by Xiao Yao’s patience. For a girl not yet six years old to sit and seriously write or paint for hours was remarkable. However, during zither and chess lessons, especially chess, Xiao Yao would soon become drowsy—a stark contrast to her usual diligence.

After a few peaceful days, Xiao Jingyan arrived again, this time fanning himself in the middle of winter. Xiao Yao couldn’t help but wonder, “Fourth Uncle, does your fan generate warm air in winter? Or can it magically convert cold air into warm air? Otherwise, why are you still carrying it around?”

“Fourth Uncle, why are you here again?” Xiao Yuan asked earnestly while savoring freshly baked pastries.

Xiao Jingyan’s enthusiasm was doused like cold water by his niece’s straightforward question. His charm, which worked wonders on others, seemed utterly ineffective on these two little nieces. He surmised they were simply too young to appreciate it.

“Ruyi, I brought you some new pastries from Yi Xiang Yuan. They’re in your room. Go check them out.”

Trying to send her away with such an old excuse? It was unconvincing—but still acceptable. Happily, Xiao Yuan went to check.

“Fourth Uncle, don’t you have any close friends to confide in? Why do you always come to me with your troubles? I’m not a confidant!” Xiao Yao sighed inwardly but relented, deciding to lend him an ear out of pity.

“Your grandfather is growing increasingly restless. Your parents are about to give in. Have you thought of a solution?”

“What solution could I possibly have?” Unless the truth was revealed, they’d have to go home in a few days—twenty days wasn’t enough to show clear results.

“Poor child.”

“Fourth Uncle, your situation doesn’t seem much better than mine. Fifty steps laughing at a hundred—it’s all the same.”

“Miss Yu…” If you want to see me embarrassed, how could I not bring you into this mess as well?

“Nanny Ruan has been teaching you for so long—what happened to your ladylike demeanor? Holding grudges isn’t becoming of a proper lady.”

“If you’re done, I’ll leave.”

“Nothing much, really. It’s just that I feel uneasy, as if something is about to happen. Didn’t I ask you to think of a solution last time? Have you come up with anything?”

“Fourth Uncle, I’m just a child. Since when do adults rely on children for ideas?”

“You little…” Full of ideas, yet you won’t let me finish!

“Stop right there. Are you really my Fourth Uncle? If someone overheard what you just said, I’d never clear my name!”

“Two heads are better than one. You’re the best person I can think of!” Xiao Jingyan sighed. Going through the family list, his father was out of the question—he wouldn’t listen. His mother couldn’t be relied on either. His brothers were only interested in pushing him to marry, and his sisters-in-law were even less likely to help. That left only his clever niece, Ping’an.

“You really want me to help?” Xiao Yao smiled slyly. If you’re bold enough to ask, I’m bold enough to answer. Let’s see how you’ll react.

“Go ahead.” Judging by her expression, it wouldn’t be a brilliant idea—but it might be worth hearing.

“My idea is…” Xiao Yao made a throat-slitting gesture before asking, “How about that?”

“Terrible. Simply terrible.” He should never have hoped for a decent suggestion from his niece.

“Actually, you just need to stay calm and wait. Miss Yu is already eighteen this year. If she doesn’t marry this year, then next year—or the year after that. Once she’s married, your troubles will be over.”

“Smart girl. This is a case of ‘the onlooker sees clearly while the participant is blind.'” Xiao Jingyan thought that unless a better plan came along, he would have to rely on this approach. Hopefully, the Yu family would soon have happy news to share.

“Not bad,” Xiao Yao replied nonchalantly. She, too, hoped Miss Yu would marry soon. Otherwise, she’d have to keep playing the role of advisor indefinitely—and who knew when it would end?