65. Tao Meimei

Children's emotions come and go quickly. Jin Lanyue was soon attracted by the snacks in her hand and continued to nibble on dried apricots. The strange feeling she had just experienced was also diluted by the sweet taste.

-

Back at the manor, the little girl was immediately surrounded by the maids. Seeing her return with a pile of snacks, they all laughed and tried to coax her.

"Young lady, did you bring back all the desserts from the entire street?"

"Oh dear, don't eat too much, or you'll get a toothache!"

The little dumpling grinned and shared some sesame candy with them, saying in her sweet, childish voice, "Let's eat together!"

Xie Wenling handed her over to Jiang Xiyue, then turned and went back into the house.

The little dumpling was being held by Jiang Xiyue.

Smelling her mother's sweet scent and nestled in her mother's arms, the little dumpling should have felt very safe and secure.

But for some reason, she couldn't fall asleep, tossing and turning, the woman's eyes always appearing in her mind.

"Mother..." she called softly.

"What's wrong, Yue'er?"

"Yue'er saw a strange person today," the little dumpling frowned, "She was looking at Yue'er too..."

Jiang Xiyue smiled and comforted her, "There are many people on the street, so it's inevitable that some people will take a second look. Yue'er is so cute, who wouldn't want to look at her more?"

The little dumpling grunted in agreement, realizing that her mother's words made sense, and stopped thinking about it.

-

Another day passed. Jiang Xiyue was playing with Jin Lanyue when a servant came to report: "Madam, the Marquis has something he wants to discuss with you."

"Okay, I understand. I'll be right there." Jiang Xiyue agreed, thought for a moment, and then went with the little dumpling.

Inside the room, Marquis Beiding frowned. Seeing her approach, he sighed, "Old Tao's condition has worsened again..."

Jiang Xiyue put the little dumpling down and asked with concern, "Is it the old subordinate of Tao that Brother-in-law Xie mentioned?"

The Xie family was not far from the capital, and Tao's former subordinates and the Xie family lived in the same place, not far away either.

When the Marquis of Beiding sent a letter, it could be delivered and returned in four or five days with a fast horse.

"Yes." Marquis Beiding nodded heavily. "He saved my life on the battlefield back then. Now he..."

He choked up halfway through his sentence.

Jiang Xiyue quickly stood up and gently grasped the hand of the Marquis of Beiding: "Now that we know the news, why don't we go and see him?"

"I think we should set off tomorrow. Old Tao... I'm afraid he won't last much longer."

"Is there anyone else in his family?" Jiang Xiyue asked softly.

"His wife died young, leaving only a daughter who should be the same age as Xiao Tuanzi this year." Marquis Beiding sighed. "That child lost her mother at a young age, and now she has to..."

Jiang Xiyue subconsciously thought of her own daughter.

A three-year-old orphan with no parents...

Putting herself in Jin Lanyue's shoes, her eyes immediately reddened: "If... if something really happens, then bring that child here. Our family isn't short of food."

Marquis Beiding held Jiang Xiyue's hand tightly: "That's exactly what I was thinking. However, we must first ask the children what they think."

After listening to the whole story, the little dumpling asked, "Mommy, Daddy, is Yue'er going to have a new little sister?"

“Maybe it’s an older sister,” Jiang Xiyue smiled and asked her gently, “Would Yue’er like to have another sister?”

"Yes!" The little dumpling nodded without hesitation. "Yue'er can share the cake with her!"

Seeing her reaction, Jiang Xiyue's initial uncertainty subsided.

71

Jiang Xiyue patted the little dumpling's fluffy head and said with relief, "I knew it. My Yue'er is a generous and tolerant person."

"Mmm, hello Moon!" The little dumpling knew she was being praised, so she quickly nodded in agreement, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Marquis Beiding patted his daughter's head and said, "Alright, next, ask your two older brothers."

So, Jin Qizhi and Jin Lizhi were summoned.

The family sat around the table, and the Marquis of Beiding recounted the whole story.

Jin Qi glanced at the little girl subconsciously. Seeing that she seemed to know all along and didn't object to the matter, she said, "I don't mind. If my sister is willing, it's fine to bring her over."

The second brother, on the other hand, was in high spirits: "It'll be more lively with so many people! I just learned a new set of boxing techniques, I can teach her how to defend herself!"

The children didn't mind.

Marquis Beiding and Jiang Xiyue exchanged a smile.

Jiang Xiyue said softly, "Then it's settled. Go there and bring the child here."

-

The next morning

Marquis Beiding is preparing to depart.

The little dumpling ran over carrying a small bundle: "Daddy, give this to Sister Tao!"

When Marquis Beiding opened it, he found that it contained the little dumpling's favorite pastries.

He knelt down and gently hugged his daughter: "Yue'er is so sensible."

The second brother also came over and handed the Marquis of Beiding a small wooden sword: "Give this to your new little sister to play with."

Although the older brother said he didn't care, he still handed over a delicate purse: "A gift for the new little sister."

Marquis Beiding's eyes were a little moist as he hugged the three children tightly: "Good, good... all good children."

-

the next day.

early morning.

The little dumpling rubbed its eyes, jumped out of bed, and excitedly shouted, "Mommy! Can Yue'er go play with Little Cloud today?"

Jiang Xiyue walked over with a smile, combed her little braids, and said, "Yes, Yue'er, you must be good and not cause trouble in the palace."

The little dumpling nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling: "I'm going to bring lots of delicious food for the little princess and the little prince!"

The little princess sent a carriage to pick up the little dumpling and her second brother.

The carriage slowly entered the palace gate, passed through the long palace road, and finally stopped in front of the palace of the little princess's mother.

As soon as the little girl got out of the car, she eagerly pulled her second brother inside, shouting as she ran, "Little princess! Little prince! We're here!"

Inside the palace, the young prince was sitting upright on the soft couch, holding a book in his hands. Hearing the noise, he raised his chin, his little face tense, and said with feigned modesty, "Why is it so noisy? This prince is reading a book."

The young prince is still angry about his love rival.

The little princess, who was perched by the window, jumped up as soon as she saw the little dumpling and her second brother, waving excitedly: "Little Moon! Come quick!"

The little dumpling ran over happily, pulled a paper package from its pocket, and handed it over like a treasure: "I brought some delicious apricots, they're so sweet!"

The little prince noticed that the little dumpling didn't immediately notice that he was unhappy and didn't come over to comfort him.

Instead, she ran to the little princess's side first, becoming even more displeased, and snorted, "What kind of dessert can't the imperial chefs in the palace make? Who cares about snacks from outside..."

The little dumpling blinked, not annoyed at all, and opened the paper package, picked up a piece of dried apricot and stuffed it into its mouth: "But it's so delicious!"

The little prince's gaze involuntarily drifted over, and he pursed his lips.