Master Wang was taken to the Jingzhao government office by Fu Man and a young eunuch. Huo Chengche ordered the personal guards who came with him to escort the children home one by one.
The little boy was surrounded by a group of older boys and girls, being hugged and kissed. Confused, he asked, "Hey, are you all going home already? Niannian wants to play with you all..."
Huo Chengche looked at the pouting, aggrieved little dumpling, smiled helplessly, squatted down, pulled her into his arms, and ruffled her fluffy little head, saying:
"The older kids have been out playing for a long time, and if they don't go back soon, their families will worry. Besides, we've been out for a long time too, so it's time for us to go back as well."
The little dumpling peeked out from the boy's arms, looked at the sky, pouted, and hummed, "Ah~ okay... then see you later, brothers and sisters, and you have to take Niannian with you to play!"
"Okay, goodbye, Nian Nian!"
"Thank you so much, Nian Nian! You must come visit me sometime! I'll treat you to meat!"
"I have eggs at home! Nian Nian, now that you're here, I'll give you mine too!"
...
The children couldn't wait to run home, but when they saw the cute pink baby, they all stopped and excitedly greeted the baby.
"Okay!" The little girl didn't know why her older brothers and sisters were so excited, but she could feel their affection, so she happily nodded in agreement.
Soon, the dozen or so children were escorted home by the guards.
The little dumpling looked at the room, which was soon empty, pouted, turned around and snuggled into her older brother Zhu Xiang's arms, whining in her childish voice, "Then let's go back too. Niannian can go back and play with Fifth Sister and Changyin!"
"Hmm, Niannian is such a good girl!" Huo Chengche chuckled and gently pinched her delicate little nose, saying with a faint smile, "You can finish the candy you didn't finish this morning when we get back."
Sure enough, upon hearing this, the somewhat sullen little boy's eyes immediately lit up with sparkle, "Yay!"
Huo Chengche looked at the good-for-nothing little glutton in his arms and shook his head helplessly.
"Th-that..."
A faint, weak voice came from behind.
Are there still people who haven't been sent away?
Huo Chengche raised an eyebrow, turned his head and saw a little girl of about five or six years old. She was thin and small, with a pointed face, and looked as if she was about to disappear.
The little girl, dressed in tattered hemp clothes, stood timidly, her small hands twisting the hem of her garment, as if she wanted to approach but dared not.
The little boy peeked half his head out from his older brother's arms, his round eyes looking at the older girl with surprise, his dimples sinking in softly. "Big sister, aren't you going home? Are you staying to play with Niannian?"
The little girl stared at the adorable baby boy for a moment, then became increasingly flustered, blushing as if she wanted to shake her head. But when she met the baby boy's excited, bright eyes, she stiffened and felt too embarrassed to refuse.
Huo Chengche's brows furrowed slightly as he looked calmly at the timid girl, his voice gentle and soothing, "Do you have something to say?"
Upon hearing the boy's words, the little girl nodded hastily, as if grasping at a straw, and asked in a low voice, "You...you're not afraid of the Prince Consort, are you?"
Huo Chengche looked at the little girl's cautious appearance, his dark eyes deepening. "Yes, don't be afraid."
"Then, what about Master Wen?" the little girl asked tentatively.
"I'm not afraid," the boy replied calmly, his deep eyes slightly narrowed.
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