To understand Guoguo's origins, we must start with Songsong's runaway incident.
As the "darling" of Prince Jing's mansion, Songsong has always lived a life of luxury since she and Wang Xiuxiu settled down in Prince Jing's mansion.
Every day, someone feeds it fresh nuts. When it gets sleepy, it curls up in the palace to take a nap. When it has nothing to do, it jumps around on the bookshelves in the study. With a flick of its tail, it can make the maids in the palace cover their mouths and whisper, "So cute."
However, one day, Wang Xiuxiu suddenly discovered that her little darling had disappeared without a trace.
They searched the entire mansion, even turning over the soft cushions under the warm pavilion where it often lay, but they couldn't find a single squirrel hair.
While Wang Xiuxiu was filled with worry, Lu Jingze calmly said, "He's probably out having fun."
Sure enough, three days later, Songsong swaggered back.
A small squirrel with slightly lighter fur was following closely behind.
The new little squirrel was a size smaller than Songsong, with a light gold tinge on the tip of its tail, and its eyes were wet and it looked timid.
With a smug look on his face, Songsong darted up to Wang Xiuxiu, patted her embroidered shoes with his little paws, and then turned his head and squeaked twice behind him, as if to say, "Look, I brought this back!"
Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but laugh. She reached out to touch the little squirrel, but the squirrel suddenly shrank back and bared its teeth at her.
After spending a lot of time with Songsong, Wang Xiuxiu realized that wild squirrels have a very strong sense of defense.
Unexpectedly, Songsong immediately jumped over, slapped it on the head with a paw, and squeaked fiercely, as if to scold it: "This is our mother! Don't you have manners?"
After being "educated," the little squirrel timidly approached Wang Xiuxiu and sniffed her fingertips.
Wang Xiuxiu took the opportunity to scratch its chin, and the little thing squinted its eyes and finally relaxed.
“Since we’re a couple, I’ll call you Guoguo,” Wang Xiuxiu said with a smile. “Songsong and Guoguo, they sound like a perfect match.”
——-
At first, Guoguo was wary of the Prince Jing's residence.
When Songsong takes big bites of walnuts, it only dares to pick up the crumbs.
When the maids approach, it will instantly bristle and hide.
But it was only obedient to Songsong, and it didn't get angry when it was scolded. Instead, it would rub against it and act like a "little wife".
Sometimes, seeing her like this, Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but feel a little disappointed and frustrated.
One day, the cook in the manor saw Guoguo swatting Songsong away with a paw while trying to grab the last almond. She told Wang Xiuxiu about it as an amusing incident, and the truth finally came to light.
What do you mean by docile and timid?
It's all an act!
In private, Guoguo is the one who bullies Songsong!
"What a clever little devil!" Wang Xiuxiu called out to him. Guoguo was nestled in her palm, munching on pine nuts. Hearing this, Guoguo looked up, blinked innocently, and wagged its tail triumphantly.
The two little ones had completely different attitudes toward Lu Jingze.
Songsong ignored him, but Guoguo seemed to have noticed the status of this "head of the family". Every time Lu Jingze passed by, she would take the initiative to hand him a peeled walnut, her black eyes sparkling.
"She's more sensible than your husband," Lu Jingze once remarked, raising an eyebrow.
According to a report by Lu Yunian, a reporter on the scene, Songsong immediately bristled, while Guoguo jumped onto Lu Jingze's shoulder and rubbed its fluffy head against his cheek.
Finally, Songsong angrily dragged him back to his den.
——-
On a sunny morning, Lu Yunian was squatting under the eaves feeding squirrels when he suddenly exclaimed, "Eh!"
"Auntie! Look how fat Guoguo has become!" The young prince exclaimed in surprise, dropping the walnuts he was holding. "Could it have stolen all the grain that Songsong hid?"
Wang Xiuxiu came over when she heard the noise, and saw that Guoguo's round body was almost like a fluffy ball. When she walked, she waddled like a moving chestnut.
Songsong was very attentive, nudging Guoguo with its head every now and then, and bringing it peeled pine nuts to its mouth.
"This isn't just about gaining weight..."
Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but laugh, and quickly sent her maid to invite Old Man Liu, who took care of the livestock in the mansion.
Old Liu came over with his pipe and, upon seeing the baby, his beard bristled with delight: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! You're expecting a son! Judging by that belly, you're probably carrying three or four babies. Squirrels only carry their young for one to two months, so judging by this, she'll probably give birth in another seven or eight days."
The entire room of Lanyuexuan immediately sprang into action.
Wang Xiuxiu personally selected the softest cotton fabric and had the embroiderer sew it into a small quilt.
Lu Yunian rummaged through drawers and found a carved bamboo basket, insisting that it be used as a cradle for Songsong's future baby.
Even the usually composed Su Yingxue specially brewed walnut milk, saying it was to nourish the pregnant mouse.
Only Lu Jingze stood by the pillar, watching everyone bustling about, his lips twitching slightly: "Anyone who didn't know better would think the Prince Jing's mansion was about to have a baby..."
Before he could finish speaking, Guoguo suddenly darted to his feet, grabbed his clothes, and pulled him towards his den.
Wang Xiuxiu chuckled: "Your Highness, come quickly! You built this new house, and you'll need to offer your suggestions on how to decorate it!"
The sight of Lu Jingze being dragged over by a squirrel with a dark expression made all the maids in the courtyard blush.
Songsong squatted on the roof beam watching this scene, its tail wagging proudly.
Ever since discovering that this two-legged creature is actually quite good at taking care of people, it has specially chosen the most reliable "birthroom guard" for its wife.
Wang Xiuxiu often saw Lu Jingze checking the squirrel's nest when no one was looking.
Once, she secretly followed him and bumped into the dignified Prince Jing squatting in a corner, peeling nuts for Guoguo.
Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting gentle shadows on his aloof profile.
"So concerned?" she asked deliberately.
Lu Jingze's hand trembled, and nut shells fell in a flurry: "...Just passing by."
——-
On the day Guoguo was about to give birth, Songsong was so anxious that she ran around the room frantically. Lu Jingze was forced to hold up a candlestick to light the way for her, while Wang Xiuxiu held up a soft cloth and acted as a midwife.
"Squeak—!" Songsong suddenly bit Lu Jingze's sleeve.
Lu Jingze froze: "...What does it mean?"
Wang Xiuxiu suppressed a laugh: "He's probably nervous and seeking your encouragement?"
For the first time in his life, Prince Jing solemnly said to the squirrel's nest, "...your wife and child will be safe and sound."
Later, when the three fluffy little squirrels were born, Songsong carried the largest chestnut in her mouth and placed it in Lu Jingze's palm.
This is the highest thank-you gift in the squirrel world.
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