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Wan Chunmei nodded and said, “That’s right, this is Little Qiyue.”
Miao Shi bent down with a bright smile, admiring Little Qiyue. Usually sharp-tongued, today her words were full of praise. “Ah, such a precious little one! Look at that soft, fair face. It’s clear that she’ll grow up to be a beauty.”
Wan Chunmei beamed with pride, replying, “Of course, you don’t even need to ask who she takes after.”
Miao Shi, delighted, took out a small piece of malt sugar from her pocket. This was something she had been saving up to bring back to her nephews, but now she decided to give it to Little Qiyue.
“Here, child, have some sugar from your aunt.”
Little Qiyue held it in her small hands, licked it, and a sweet taste spread across her tongue. Her little eyebrows curved up as she smiled brightly, like the warmth of the sun.
“This child loves to smile. She’s bound to have a blessed life,” Miao Shi said, then handed another piece of sugar to Tan Liujin.
Tan Liujin, holding the candy in his hands, examined it for a moment before taking a small lick. Once he tasted it, he started nibbling on it seriously.
Tan Xiaomei looked on at the two little ones, smiling foolishly, and couldn’t help but swallow in envy. The whole carriage, Wan Chunmei, Miao Shi, and Tan Xiaomei, all watched the two children as they enjoyed their candy.
Meanwhile, Liu Shiye only had eyes for Tan Xiaomei.
His gaze seemed to hang on every little gesture and expression she made.
Liu Shiye was a simple scholar, with only one thought on his mind: he wanted the woman he cherished to always be as happy and carefree as she was at that moment.
The sunlight outside the carriage shone brightly, but because the wind wasn’t blowing in, the interior of the carriage remained warm and cozy.
Everyone in the carriage wore smiles, creating a truly harmonious atmosphere.
By midday, the carriage slowed to a stop in front of the County Magistrate’s residence.
It just so happened that Miao Shi was also headed to the Cao residence, so she followed along with Wan Chunmei.
Liu Shiye led the group inside the grand estate of the County Magistrate.
Wan Chunmei couldn’t help but look around, her eyes wide as she took in the vast, impressive courtyard and the deep, sprawling mansion. She felt a mix of emotions—disappointment and sadness. Her Little Qiyue should have been raised here as a pampered young miss, but now she was eating simple farmer’s meals with the Tan family. Fate truly played strange tricks.
Wan Chunmei sighed inwardly, glancing at Little Qiyue, who was resting her head on Tan Xiaomei’s shoulder, quietly watching the mansion. Her eyes, like stars, betrayed no emotion.
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind them.
“Liu Zhoucheng! Liu Zhoucheng!”
The group turned toward the sound.
A young man, in his twenties, walked toward them, followed by a small boy around ten years old. The young boy was dressed in a deep blue brocade robe, exuding a noble aura, and his deep-set eyes gave him an unusual, almost foreign charm.
Wan Chunmei and the others, who were not used to such sights, were stunned.
Liu Zhoucheng stepped forward, smiling at the young man. “What brings you here?”
The young man, holding a folding fan with grace, responded with a playful tone, “Only you’d stay here in this remote village. Are you really not going to let me come back to my hometown?”
Liu Zhoucheng became serious. “Enough with the nonsense, you’re the newly crowned top scholar! What do you mean ‘coming back to your hometown’?”
The young man was none other than the newly appointed top scholar, Ning Qingyuan, who had just passed the imperial exams. He was an old schoolmate of Liu Zhoucheng from their years in the capital. While Liu Zhoucheng had returned to the countryside after failing the exams a few years ago, Ning Qingyuan had stayed behind and finally succeeded this year.
Wan Chunmei, overhearing their conversation, was taken aback. She couldn’t help but wonder: Why had the newly crowned top scholar come to the County Magistrate’s residence?