Chapter 45: Family Affection

The onset of winter marked the gradual approach of the New Year, a season most eagerly awaited by children. As Tong Mingyu became increasingly busy, the responsibility of looking after the children fell upon Madam Qin and Li Jiaoying.

Upon noticing this, General Xiao took the opportunity to lighten their load by whisking away his granddaughter. Xiao Jun, unwilling to part from his sister, cried and made a scene until he successfully bargained to tag along, turning it into a two-for-one deal.

Although he favored all his grandchildren, General Xiao was careful not to appear too biased. Thus, he resigned himself to the role of a babysitter, supported by his compassionate wife, who helped share the workload. The elderly couple began to enjoy a daily routine filled with the joys of caring for their grandchildren.

Xiao Yao, wrapped up snugly like a ball, was carried to Ninghetang every day, while Xiao Jun and Xiao Qi were dressed more lightly with just a cloak over their cotton-padded clothes.

General Xiao, noticing the disparity, had his suspicions, but his family’s convincing explanations eased his doubts. He assumed it was merely a difference in constitution between boys and girls. Luckily for everyone, his laid-back nature spared them from repercussions, though they couldn’t help but feel a mix of relief and guilt.

The children played together, with Xiao Jun leading Xiao Qi in their antics, while Xiao Yao either watched from her grandfather’s lap or sat by herself flipping through picture books.

During these moments, Xiao Yao couldn’t help but think of Xiao Yuan. She wondered what Xiao Yuan was doing and if she still remembered her. Indeed, the saying held true: “Festivals make one miss loved ones more.”

“Little sister, little sister,” Xiao Jun would call, running to her side, caressing her cheeks, and holding her small hands with delight.

“Little sister,” Xiao Qi echoed, following his elder brother’s lead, oblivious to distinctions between “you,” “me,” and “them,” as well as the concepts of rank and seniority.

“She’s my little sister,” Xiao Jun asserted. Despite his usual confusion with other matters, he was firm about Xiao Yao being his sister and that their sixth brother should call her “elder sister.”

“Your elder sister?” Xiao Qi parroted, still puzzled and dragging out his words.

“No… she’s your elder sister!” Xiao Jun corrected, growing impatient.

“Fine, your elder sister then!” Xiao Qi replied, confused about why Xiao Jun was so upset when there was no competition over the title.

“Come have some snacks,” Xiao Yao interjected, trying to diffuse the meaningless debate. The issue of titles could have kept them arguing all day.

She held out a snack for each of them. Xiao Jun received his easily, but when it came to Xiao Qi, she hesitated. Considering his plump figure, she thought it best to limit his portions. If he kept eating unchecked, Xiao Jun and she might not be able to help him over the threshold one day.

With a determined heart, she broke the snack in half and handed one piece to Xiao Qi, turning away to avoid seeing his hurt expression.

“Ping’an, why did you only give Ah Qi half a snack?” General Xiao asked with interest. His granddaughter wasn’t usually one to be stingy, so he wondered if this was her way of retaliating because Xiao Qi had called her “little sister.”

“Too much meat… not good,” Xiao Yao replied. She wanted to say he should lose weight but softened her words to avoid wounding Xiao Qi’s young heart.

What a sensible child, General Xiao thought with pride. Promoting sibling harmony was excellent. He scrutinized Xiao Qi from head to toe and agreed with Xiao Yao—some weight loss was indeed necessary.

“Right, lose some weight. Over the threshold… can’t pull you,” Xiao Jun added earnestly, savoring his snack and marveling at how he and Xiao Yao could eat without gaining weight.

The elderly couple couldn’t stop laughing. Their grandchildren were so amusing! And seeing Xiao Qi’s confused and hurt expression made Madam Qin’s eyes well up with laughter.

She pulled the chubby boy into her arms, kneading his soft cheeks. In her heart, she thought, What’s wrong with being chubby? It’s festive and symbolizes good fortune.

“Did they have a quarrel?” Tong Mingyu and Li Jiaoying entered to find the children sitting apart rather than playing together as usual, suspecting a spat.

“No fight. Brother and sister want Ah Qi to lose weight. Ah Qi feels hurt. But I think Ah Qi is fine now—not fat at all,” Madam Qin replied, giving Xiao Qi a full piece of snack, along with water and a napkin, letting him eat as he pleased.

Well, that effort was wasted. Xiao Jun and Xiao Yao, meanwhile, happily fed each other bites of their snacks, deciding not to meddle further.

Amidst the chatter, a maid lifted the curtain and announced, “The Third Master, Third Madam, and Second Miss have returned. They’re already at the second gate.”

“Is it Ruyi?” Xiao Yao asked eagerly. Upon receiving confirmation, she quickly got down and dashed outside.

“Her clothes! This child—catch her and dress her warmly!” Tong Mingyu exclaimed. In the freezing winter, Xiao Yao would surely catch a cold if she rushed out like that.

But Xiao Yao had no time to care about such matters. Seeing her sister after missing her was the only thing on her mind.

“She’s never been this excited about my return. It seems Ping’an likes her sister more!” General Xiao grumbled, but his body betrayed him as he stood to greet them. Having his granddaughter back would make Ping’an happy, and a joyful granddaughter meant a happy New Year for everyone.

The lively voices and laughter grew closer. Xiao Jingmin and Yuan Yutong entered side by side, carrying Xiao Yao and Xiao Yuan, who held hands.

In the center of the hall, the maids laid out embroidered cushions as Xiao Jingmin and his wife led Xiao Yuan in bowing to the elders.

Xiao Yuan, now nearly as plump as her sixth brother, had round cheeks, pink and powdery, and a tiny, vibrant mouth. Her double chin made her irresistibly endearing.

“Little sister, can I cuddle Ruyi tonight? She must be warm and soft,” Li Jiaoying teased, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“No, I’ll sleep… with sister,” Xiao Yuan replied in her soft, milky voice. The entire room was stunned. After only two months apart, she had grown so much! Despite being under a year old, her speech was as advanced as her elder siblings’.

Xiao Jingmin beamed proudly, silently challenging everyone to deny his daughter’s brilliance.

“Come, call Grandfather, Grandmother, and Second Aunt,” Li Jiaoying encouraged, charmed by Xiao Yuan’s gentle voice.

“Grandfather, Grandmother… Sister, hug me,” Xiao Yuan said sweetly, eyeing her second aunt warily before turning to her trusted sister.

“She’s too heavy for you,” Tong Mingyu intervened, catching the plump little bundle as she rushed toward Xiao Yao.

“Why didn’t you send word ahead of time?” Madam Qin asked, bustling around to prepare rooms and meals for their unexpected guests.

At dinner, Xiao Jingmin shared news of his new appointment. Starting after the New Year, he would assume a position in Songjiang, just a day’s travel from the capital, making family visits far more convenient.

General Xiao wasn’t surprised. The emperor had once discussed this possibility, emphasizing the importance of General Xiao enjoying family life after years of service.

Now, the emperor had fulfilled his promise, relocating Xiao Jingmin closer to home.

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