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Chapter 101: The Idea

After visiting Biyun Temple, Madam Qin felt much more at ease. She began preparing for her son’s journey. Tong Mingyu continued managing the household, while Li Jiaoying was most satisfied with her duties—selecting fabrics and matching jewelry for her two little nieces, keeping herself delightfully busy every day.

Xiao Yao studied even harder than before. She hoped to become virtuous and talented so that no one could look down on her, not even someone like the Shizi of Prince Jing, who had humiliated her without hesitation.

Whether it was studying etiquette or improving her skills, she took everything seriously. Even the subjects she used to avoid, like the guqin and chess, now commanded her full attention.

“Ping’an, is something on your mind?” Nanny Ruan, who had been with Xiao Yao for nearly half a year, had come to know her well. The child had changed a lot recently. She wondered if Xiao Yao had suddenly come to her senses or had been provoked by someone or something, as her behavior had become unusual.

“Don’t you want me to work hard?” Xiao Yao teased, blinking playfully.

“Master hopes you will be happy, as you used to be.”

Looking into Nanny Ruan’s eyes, Xiao Yao suddenly realized she had fallen into a trap—caring too much about others’ opinions. The approval of irrelevant people would neither add value to her life nor should their disapproval disturb her peace.

Being true to herself and living for her family and herself was what truly mattered.

“Thank you, Master. I now know what to do.”

“Learning is not something that happens overnight. You haven’t made new pastries for days now. Not only Ruiyi but all of us miss them.” Nanny Ruan encouraged her to move around and not stay cooped up in her room.

“Right away! I know it’s important to balance study and rest.” With that, Xiao Yao jogged back to her room to change clothes.

“Balance study and rest? I wonder where she heard that. But it does make sense.” Nanny Ruan shook her head and murmured to herself.

After the fifteenth day of the second lunar month, Madam Qin began packing for her son. She was shocked when she realized how much there was—three full carts of goods, with more uncounted items still being prepared or yet to be packed.

“Mother, are you planning for me to stay in the Northwest forever?” her son joked, seeing the sheer quantity of things.

“Rich in preparation, rich in travel. What do you know?” Madam Qin continued directing without the slightest intention of reducing her preparations.

“Bringing so much with me—aren’t you afraid I’ll attract bandits along the way?” Xiao Jingyan joked that if he were a bandit, he’d definitely rob someone as well-stocked as this—it would be enough to feed dozens for years.

This approach could rival the infamous “300 taels of silver buried here” incident. Xiao Jingyan couldn’t decide if his mother was helping or worried he’d get lonely on the road.

“When the Prince of Jing travels, security will be tight. There will be no shortage of guards and secret escorts.” Madam Qin rarely glared at her son. “You can’t fool your mother that easily.”

“So, you’re aware this is a royal trip! The Prince’s luggage probably won’t exceed what you’ve packed for me. Plus, there are probably fifty to a hundred officials like me. If every family prepared as you have, when would we ever reach our destination? The front of the convoy would arrive, and the rear would still be on the road!”

“It can’t be as exaggerated as you say. Besides, not every family would prepare like this.” Not every mother was as wealthy and willing to spend on their son.

“Have Father and Mother returned? They’ve brought so much back this time!” Xiao Rui shouted before even entering the house. He then looked around for his parents.

“Did you hear that? Sons are expected to bring things home when they travel, not leave with three or four carts of luggage. What will the younger generation think of me?” Xiao Jingyan gave his nephew a radiant smile. Good lad, you’ve done me a favor.

“But these are all essentials! We really can’t reduce them further,” Madam Qin said, conflicted.

“Just pack me a few changes of clothes, bedding, and a few books. Nothing else.”

“How can that do? You need food, medicinal supplies, and…”

“Are we moving?” asked Xiao Jun, who had just arrived, puzzled by the number of items.

“You all better not make trouble for me!” Madam Qin felt stifled by her grandsons’ relentless teasing.

“Am I wrong, then?” Xiao Jun scratched his head.

“I know what’s going on. These are things Grandmother prepared for Fourth Uncle’s trip,” Xiao Yuan chimed in.

“This… this…” Xiao Jun’s jaw dropped at the sheer quantity.

“Look, my granddaughter has good insight! She understood the purpose of these items right away.” Finally, someone who understood her. Madam Qin was inwardly relieved.

“Fourth Uncle, are you planning to stay in the Northwest for several years?” Xiao Yuan asked earnestly.

Xiao Jingyan smiled and asked his niece, “Why do you ask?”

“If you’re not staying for three or five years, why bring so much luggage?”

Xiao Jingyan shrugged at Madam Qin, silently signaling that this was not his doing.

“Fourth Uncle, have you forgotten anything?” Xiao Yao, as the unofficial leader among the youngest in the family, was clearly displeased with her uncle’s habit of dragging her cousins into his schemes.

Having thought things through, Xiao Yao had already moved past her frustrations with the Shizi of Prince Jing. She resolved to treat such people as air, unaffected by them or their words.

“Should be about everything, right?” Xiao Jingyan, uncertain about the specifics, hesitated.

“There’s something you definitely forgot,” Xiao Yao teased.

“What is it?” Madam Qin asked before anyone else, curious about what might have been overlooked.

Caught off guard by her grandmother’s question, Xiao Yao hesitated. She was used to joking freely with her uncle but didn’t dare to be as unrestrained with her grandmother.

“Fourth Uncle, remember to bring a mask,” Xiao Yao said with a straight face.

“Why would I need that?” Xiao Jingyan asked, puzzled.

“Because Fourth Uncle is too handsome. In the Northwest, where customs are bold, I’ve heard women might kidnap men for marriage. Without protection, who knows what might happen to you!” Xiao Yao quipped.

“Anything else?”

“Bring extra ink and paper. If you are kidnapped, you can send a letter home, and we’ll come to rescue you,” Xiao Yuan added enthusiastically.

“Be sure to pack several changes of clothes, and it’s best to bring along two skirts. In case you encounter a female bandit or some kind of lady outlaw, you could disguise yourself as a woman. That way, you won’t have to worry about being taken back to their mountain stronghold as a captive husband,” Xiao Rui suggested, feeling quite pleased with his far-sighted idea. Compared to his two younger sisters, he believed his suggestion was just as thoughtful.

“Fourth Uncle, if you do get kidnapped, please send word back. I’ll come and rescue you,” Xiao Qi said earnestly.

“A-Qi, if Fourth Uncle really gets kidnapped, do you think he can wait for you to rescue him? By the time you arrive, his beard would probably be dragging on the ground,” Xiao Jingyan sighed deeply. A house full of mischievous children—no, a horde of mischievous children—was enough to make anyone’s head spin.

“Pfft!” Xiao Rui was the first to laugh, and the others quickly followed suit.

“That won’t happen!” Xiao Qi protested, feeling wronged. “I’ll ride a horse, not walk. It won’t take that long.”

“Ping’an, do you have nothing to say?” Xiao Jingyan asked through gritted teeth.

“Fourth Uncle, you have to be reasonable. You can’t blame everything on me. I only gave one suggestion. The rest has nothing to do with me,” Xiao Yao said, waving a single pale finger in front of him. “Don’t pin it all on me. I only made one suggestion. Just one.”

“You really think you’re innocent, don’t you?”

“Not entirely, but I’m not that guilty,” Xiao Yao replied with a shrug.

“Big Sister, weren’t our suggestions amazing? We considered everything for Fourth Uncle! He should be praising us!” Xiao Yuan said confidently, clearly proud of herself.

“Fourth Brother, Big Sister, can you repeat what you just said? I need to write it down and send it to Fourth Uncle. Whose children are these—so clever! Haha,” Xiao Yuan chuckled, already looking around for pen and paper.

Xiao Jingyan, thoroughly exasperated by his nieces and nephews, stood up, panting heavily in frustration. When they saw him make a move, Xiao Rui bolted into a corner. Xiao Yao climbed onto the heated brick bed, burrowed behind their grandmother, and refused to come out no matter what. Xiao Jun grabbed Xiao Qi and hid behind a folding screen, occasionally poking their heads out to check the situation.

Only Xiao Yuan picked up a pen and spread out a sheet of paper, earnestly recalling and writing down what her siblings had said earlier.

“Ruyi, what are you doing?” Xiao Jingyan asked with a wry smile. Foolish child—while everyone else has either run or hidden, it looks like you’re the first target your Fourth Uncle will deal with.

“Why don’t you let Fourth Uncle help you?” Xiao Jingyan said, rolling up his sleeves.

Xiao Yao quickly turned to their grandmother for help. “Grandmother, if you don’t step in now, someone’s going to get hurt!”

Qin Shi, who had been thoroughly enjoying the lively scene, didn’t feel like moving. Now they wanted her help? Just moments ago, the five of them had ganged up on her son without hesitation.

“Xiao Si, what do you think you’re doing?” boomed Xiao General as he strode into the room, followed by Xiao Jingkang and his wife, Xiao Jingtai and his wife, as well as several older grandchildren.

This brat’s audacity has grown! He dares to bully my little grandchildren while I’m not around? Today, let’s see if he dares to lay even a single finger on them!

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