Chapter 90: The Drafty Little Cotton-padded Jacket
"Was it sent by someone from the Yuan family?"
The Qi family of three was having dinner when Xiao Cui suddenly entered and bowed to hand Qi Xinxin an invitation.
Qi's parents immediately perked up their ears.
"Tomorrow there will be a winter crab feast at your residence. I have just recovered from a serious illness and am grateful for your concern during my illness. I hope you will do me the honor of joining us."
After reading the letter, Qi Xinxin folded it up and put it away carefully, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
After all, my father had said before that the situation in the court had been unstable these days.
While it's unlikely anyone would be foolish enough to make a move again during such a sensitive time, it's still best to stay home and avoid the limelight.
"Bring more gifts of thanks tomorrow. After all, they saved our Qi family's life."
Originally worried that Mr. Qi wouldn't agree, Mrs. Qi was relieved to hear him say that. She got up and put some Dongpo pork in his bowl. "What you say is true. The General's family has been kind to us. We should be polite to them."
Mr. Qi lowered his head and used his chopsticks to pick off the fatty meat, while putting the lean meat back into his wife's bowl. He kept muttering, "The young lady took three months to recover. You're not in good health either. I'll go to the palace tomorrow to have her pulse checked again, just to put my mind at ease."
"Why are you so delicate? You've been with the master in the frontier, after all," said Madam Qi, slightly annoyed.
"I'm pregnant, so I'm worried."
The sound of chopsticks hitting the ground was a "crack".
Qi Xinxin swallowed the rice that felt like a fishbone stuck in her throat with difficulty: "What's in your stomach?"
Qi's father obediently allowed Qi's mother to drag him away and give him a scolding.
The next day, Qi Xinxin threw herself into Yuan Siyin's arms and poured out her grievances.
Yuan Siyin pinched her little face pitifully, sighing inwardly.
Mr. and Mrs. Qi were truly in love; their daughter, Xin Xin, was an accident.
Yuan Fuqing was picked up from the palace by Yuan Siyin early in the morning. He was still a little sleepy and didn't wake up properly. When he saw someone taking up the spot in his sister's arms, he immediately puffed out his cheeks and pounced on her.
"Sister, give Qing a hug!"
Qi Xinxin snapped her fingers, and Xiao Cui stepped forward with her head down, placing the fragrant food box on the table.
"Here are some Four Happiness Meatballs from Juxianlou, take them and eat them, my dear."
As she spoke, Qi Xinxin patted his head and said, "From now on, you'll call me Sister Xinxin."
Yuan Fuqing resisted and ran away from her grasp, turning to throw himself into Yuan Siyin's arms: "No! I only want my elder sister!"
Yuan Siyin pinched his chubby little face comfortingly, feeling that her little darling was truly heartwarming.
No matter how others tempted him with food, he held on tightly and wouldn't let go.
"I can treat you to four-happiness meatballs for a month!"
Qi Xinxin was not discouraged. She raised a finger and smiled with her eyes crinkling, looking very kind.
Ha, that's it?
Will this shake her little cotton-padded jacket?
Yuan Siyin gripped Yuan Fuqing's collar even tighter.
As long as she doesn't let go, the cotton-padded coat won't let in any drafts.
Who taught them to be so greedy?!
Yuan Siyin felt a surge of anger and embarrassment; she was a typical example of someone who learns bad habits instead of good ones!
"Miss, Sister Ziyuan sent me to deliver a message saying that the pavilion in the middle of the lake is ready, and Prince Mu and Young Master Si are already in the pavilion."
Hongxiu was busy in the kitchen, and Ziyuan was in the lakeside pavilion, so it was the maid from the outer gate who came in to announce the news.
"Okay, let's go over there too."
Out of genuine concern, Yuan Siyin let go of Yuan Fuqing's hand, sent a servant to take him back to sleep, and then walked out with Qi Xinxin's arm around her.
Today's snow was even heavier than yesterday's, with heavy snowflakes falling everywhere, covering everything in a silver-white world.
The yard had already been salted and swept once, but it was still covered with soft, crunchy flooring that sounded quite pleasant underfoot.
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