Chapter 8: Summer Retreat (Part Two)

In the lotus pond, lush green lotus leaves, tender pink flower buds, and red-and-green water caltrops intertwined. Small boats navigated between the leaves, some filled with lotus pods, while others returned empty. On the shore, six or seven women dressed in simple hemp clothing skillfully sorted and organized the harvest, loading them into baskets to be carried away by robust men.

A few maids and older women from the Xiao household were busy shelling lotus seeds and water caltrops.

The round, yellow-green lotus seeds and tender white water caltrops gleamed in the sunlight. The head maid, Xi Lian, picked up a lotus pod and handed it to Xiao Yao, introducing it with enthusiasm, “This is called a lotus pod. Inside are lotus seeds, which can be used to make soup or congee. But Miss, you can’t eat them just yet, hehe…”

Xiao Yao turned her head away in mock annoyance. Talking about things I can’t eat? That’s just mean! She ignored Xi Lian and continued watching the bustling scene.

“Miss, why don’t you take a look at this—ah…”

Xi Lian had intended to catch Xiao Yao’s attention but accidentally attracted Xiao Jun instead. The little boy grabbed the lotus pod from her hand and bit into it before his nanny could stop him. Finding it inedible, he frowned and let it go. Xiao Yao was amused and chuckled, “Hehe, serves you right for putting everything in your mouth!” Xiao Jun, unfazed, laughed along with her.

As the sun set, the cheerful laughter of the chubby-faced boy and the delicate little girl echoed by the pond, filling the hearts of everyone nearby with joy.

“Let’s have the kitchen prepare some lotus seed soup tonight. Sister-in-law, shall we head back now?” It was getting dark, and it was time for the children to return to their rooms.

Xiao Yao wasn’t ready to leave and shook her head, her little body wriggling in protest. Xiao Jun mimicked her and shook his head too.

“After wandering all afternoon, aren’t you tired?”

Xiao Yao shook her head again, refusing to yield.

“Miss, we’ll come back tomorrow, alright?” coaxed her nanny. Xiao Yao glanced at the lotus pond, then at the lotus pods on the ground, making baby noises of protest.

“Will they still be picking lotus pods and water caltrops tomorrow?” Tong Mingyu asked the kitchen maid who had been guiding them.

“As long as it doesn’t rain, we’ll be picking them every day for the next few days,” the maid replied respectfully.

Hearing this, Xiao Yao stopped shaking her head and broke into a big smile. Mother, you understand me best. We’re truly in sync!

The working women nearby couldn’t help but marvel at her cleverness. As expected of a young lady. Even at her age, she’s extraordinary.

Life at the villa was relaxing and leisurely. In the mornings, one could hear birds chirping in the mountains, and during the day, admire the flowers and fish in the pond. Soon, it was the weekend, and the family gathered at the villa. Li Jiaoying recounted Xiao Yao’s amusing antics to everyone, and Xiao Jingkang hugged his daughter, rubbing her small face with his bearded chin, eliciting a string of giggles that made her brothers green with envy.

“Ping An is so smart, so amazing, so…” Xiao Rui finally got to see his sister again and began listing every compliment he knew.

“Ping An is beautiful, isn’t she?” Xiao Jingtai finished his nephew’s sentence. It was his go-to conclusion for praising his niece, and he never changed it.

“Second Uncle… you’re a bad person!” Xiao Rui exclaimed, vowing to expand his vocabulary after studying more.

Xiao Yao smiled sweetly at her fourth brother, silently cheering him on.

“Let’s go. Father will take you to explore the mountain,” Xiao Jingkang said, lifting his daughter with one arm and grabbing his son’s chubby little arm with the other. This boy is getting chubbier.

“Dear, the children are still so young. Isn’t it unsafe to take them up the mountain?” Tong Mingyu asked with concern.

“I’m not going to the peak, just a stroll around and maybe to the waterfall. Don’t worry.”

With their father leading the way, there was no reason to worry. The group set off in high spirits, with servants familiar with the area guiding them. Xiao Jingkang carried Xiao Yao, while Xiao Jingtai carried Xiao Jun. Little chubby Xiao Qi, meanwhile, was napping soundly at home. The other boys followed behind eagerly.

A well-trodden path wound its way up the mountain. The air was filled with the mingling scents of fruit, fresh greenery, and wildflowers. Along the way, Xiao Rui busied himself picking mushrooms, fruits, and flowers, while Xiao Lang and Xiao Yi kept an eye on him. Xiao Jun, held securely by his second uncle, wriggled impatiently, his eyes fixed on Xiao Rui.

“Settle down, rascal! Do you want to fall?” Xiao Jingtai tightened his grip on the boy, muttering that if one of the maids had been holding him, he’d surely have ended up on the ground.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yao simply enjoyed the view. Who knows when I’ll get another chance to come back?

After about a quarter-hour of walking, they reached a waterfall halfway up the mountain. It cascaded like a white curtain from the rocks above, the sound of the flowing water crisp and continuous. Surrounded by lush greenery, it was a picturesque sight.

At the base of the waterfall, a clear pool glimmered. A servant mentioned that the pool was home to small fish with delicious, tender meat. Xiao Lang and Xiao Yi wanted to try their hand at catching some but were disappointed they hadn’t brought any fishing gear.

After admiring the scenery, they began their descent. On the way, they encountered hunters from the villa returning with a haul that included rabbits, pheasants, and even a roe deer and a wild boar. The two groups merged, chatting and laughing as they headed back to the villa.

Lunch that day was a feast. Xiao Jingtai patiently explained the names and flavors of the dishes to his niece, who responded with baby babble. The sight was amusingly incongruous.

When the meal began, Xiao Yao turned to Xiao Jun and made a “shh-shh” sound. Suddenly, a stream of liquid shot out, unfortunately landing squarely on her second uncle.

As Xiao Jingtai jumped up, Xiao Yao feigned innocence, leaning sleepily on her nanny’s shoulder. Her fifth brother had been holding it in for a while—what a big map he’d drawn for their beloved second uncle. Enjoy your meal, dear uncle!

After her nap, most of the family had already left. Their visits were always brief, but at least her second uncle had received a special “gift.” Hopefully, he liked it.

The villa had so many fascinating things. Xiao Jun and Xiao Qi were fascinated by the cows, horses, and chickens, their gazes never leaving the animals. The maids and nannies dared not relax for a moment, fearing the boys might get too close and hurt themselves. Xiao Yao, on the other hand, loved being by the water, where it was cooler. In the summer heat, sitting in a pavilion or waterside gazebo, watching fish swim and smelling the flowers was pure bliss.

After a few days of relaxation, Tong Mingyu and Li Jiaoying began packing fruits, vegetables, mountain delicacies, and wild game to take home.

Watching her mother and aunt direct the servants, Xiao Yao sighed inwardly. It’s time to leave. How quickly these days passed!

If only she had transmigrated into a farming novel, she mused, where she could live among green mountains and clear waters every day. But she quickly shook her head. Life for ordinary people is even harder, with rigid class divides between nobility and commoners. Without any golden fingers or superpowers, she decided it was best to stay content as the eldest daughter of the Xiao family.

Shaking her head, then nodding, her expressions changed rapidly, confusing Tong Mingyu and Li Jiaoying.

“What’s wrong, Ping An?” Tong Mingyu asked as she took her daughter from the nanny.

Li Jiaoying chimed in, “Sister-in-law, I think Ping An doesn’t want to leave the villa. Look at her little frown!”

“How absurd! She’s just a baby. No matter how smart she is, she’s still just a little one.”

“I’ve always felt Ping An is extraordinary, though I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. Now I see it—she’s like a little celestial being!”

Tong Mingyu couldn’t help but laugh. She handed the baby to her sister-in-law. “You two enjoy yourselves. I’ll get back to work.”

Li Jiaoying, delighted to hold the soft, cuddly child, happily carried her away.