Jin Nian was genuinely afraid of Lu Jingze, something Wang Xiuxiu had noticed long ago.
However, when exactly did she realize that Xiao Jinnian still harbored a deep affection for Lu Jingze?
Ever since the Luban Lock, Xiao Nian Ge has often brought toys to play with Wang Xiuxiu.
That day, the young prince found a new educational toy from the teacher and excitedly brought it to Lanyue Pavilion, wanting to share it with Wang Xiuxiu.
This toy was more exquisite and unique than any I'd seen before. Even though Wang Xiuxiu considered herself skillful, she fiddled with it for a long time but still couldn't figure out its secrets.
Xiao Yunian lay on the table, his big, round eyes full of anticipation, staring intently at the toy in Wang Xiuxiu's hand.
Seeing Wang Xiuxiu's troubled expression, the little guy couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, "Auntie, even you don't know how?"
As he spoke, the little guy deflated like a punctured balloon, cupping his chubby cheeks in his little hands and looking distressed.
Seeing this, Wang Xiuxiu smiled helplessly, "Yu Nian, be good, your aunt really can't figure this out. Why don't you go and ask the teacher for help?"
Little Nian listened and shook his head like a rattle drum, saying in a childish voice, "No, this is homework that the teacher left for me. I have to take it home and study it carefully, and then I have to tell my classmates about it in class in a few days."
Now, Wang Xiuxiu was also at a loss, unable to think of any good way to help Jin Nian.
Just as the two were at their wits' end, they heard Yu Nian mutter softly, "Father is so powerful and so smart, he must know how to play this game..."
Although the voice was soft, Wang Xiuxiu, who was standing right next to him, heard every single word.
Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but ask him curiously, "Yu Nian, why are you so sure that your father will know how to play this toy?"
The little fellow's face was tense, and his expression was unusually serious: "My father has been diligent and studious since childhood, reading extensively and mastering all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Moreover, he is outstanding in martial arts. He is so smart, he must know this!"
Hearing this, Wang Xiuxiu was surprised.
I never imagined that Lu Jingze would have such a noble image in the young prince's heart.
"In that case, why don't you go ask your father!"
The little guy, who had been so confident, visibly shrank back upon hearing those words.
He stood there hesitating for a long while, then suddenly jumped to the ground, grabbed Wang Xiuxiu's sleeve tightly, and pleaded in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Auntie~~ please, could you please go and ask Father for me~"
As the little guy spoke, he drew out the sounds, his voice as sweet as honey, clearly trying to charm and be cute to Wang Xiuxiu.
Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch his rosy cheeks. "Why do you have to make your aunt ask? Why don't you ask yourself?"
Faced with Wang Xiuxiu's question, the little guy suddenly became a bit flustered.
His once fair face was now flushed red, like a ripe apple.
Lu Yunian stammered for a long time but couldn't come up with a decent reason.
Seeing the little guy's expression, Wang Xiuxiu's heart softened, and she quickly comforted him, saying, "Alright, alright, don't worry. Since you don't want to say, then your aunt will go and ask for you. Don't worry."
From then on, Wang Xiuxiu took this matter to heart.
She also noticed the young prince's special affection for Lu Jingze.
He often stared intently at Lu Jingze's back.
In addition, Wang Xiuxiu also bumped into him several times when he went to report on his studies.
As it happened, Lu Jingze was dealing with government affairs. Instead of leaving, he obediently sat to the side, intently observing Lu Jingze's every subtle movement.
The expression on that tender and adorable little face was practically a direct imprint of "admiration."
In the young prince's inner world, Lu Jingze was more like a god, high above and omnipotent.
Young Yu Nian seemed unaware of how to get along with his dignified and solemn father.
Whenever Lu Jingze looked at him, the little guy would become extremely nervous, and sometimes he wouldn't even know where to put his hands.
I remember one day, Lu Jingze stood there watching Xiao Jinnian leave.
Looking from behind, the little figure seemed so uneasy that he didn't even notice the high threshold that stood not far in front of him.
The final result was self-evident—the little guy was caught off guard and tripped and fell hard.
Wang Xiuxiu hurriedly reached out to help him.
Xiao Yunian dodged her outstretched hand, got up from the ground as if nothing had happened, and calmly patted the dust off his body with his little hands.
Wang Xiuxiu turned around and glared at them, "Why didn't you help Yu Nian up?"
Lu Jingze frowned slightly, looking unconvinced. "It's normal for boys to fall and get hurt. He can get up on his own."
Wang Xiuxiu was furious, but she couldn't bother arguing with Lu Jingze. She turned around and quickly chased after Yu Nian in the direction he had left.
She saw it all clearly; Yu Nian's fall was quite severe, he hit the ground hard, and it must have hurt terribly.
Wang Xiuxiu jogged along and soon saw a small figure squatting on the ground crying not far ahead.
The little one curled up, covered his face with his hands, and cried very sadly.
"Yu Nian, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself? Come, let your aunt take a look."
Hearing Wang Xiuxiu's voice, Yu Nian looked up, his big, watery eyes filled with tears, "Auntie... Waaah..."
"What's wrong, baby? Don't cry, don't cry, tell Auntie where it hurts," Wang Xiuxiu comforted Yu Nian, holding him in her arms.
The little one nestled in Wang Xiuxiu's arms, crying for a while before finally stammering, "Auntie, I...I'm not in pain anymore..."
"Huh? It doesn't hurt? Really?" Wang Xiuxiu looked at him with some doubt. "Yu Nian, don't be afraid. You can't bear the pain."
"Auntie, I really don't hurt anymore... It's just... it's just that I fell down and embarrassed myself in front of Father just now, I feel so ashamed... Waaah..."
As she said this, Yu Nian's tears welled up again, and her sobs grew louder.
"Good Yu Nian, don't cry, Yu Nian, don't cry. How could Yu Nian be ashamed? Just now I clearly heard your father praising you for being incredibly brave!" Wang Xiuxiu gently stroked Jin Nian's little head and comforted him softly.
"Really?"
“Really! Absolutely true! I heard it with my own ears, Auntie, how could it be false!” Wang Xiuxiu nodded earnestly.
Hehehe!
Upon hearing this, her tear-streaked face instantly blossomed into a bright smile.
However, the happy times did not last long.
Suddenly, as if remembering something unpleasant, the little boy pouted, a sad expression appearing on his face, and muttered, "But, Father didn't help me up just now..."
As she spoke, her eyes began to redden again, and she looked like she was about to cry once more.
Seeing this, Wang Xiuxiu quickly comforted him, "Oh dear, that's because our Yunian was too quick just now. Your father didn't even have time to reach out and help you up before you stood up on your own!"
"Really?" Yu Nian blinked, half believing and half doubting.
"Of course it's true! But, Yu Nian, since you so desperately want your father's care and love, why don't you just tell him directly?"
"What are you saying?"
“For example, tell him that you accidentally fell and it hurt a lot, and you really hope that your father can help you up and praise you,” Wang Xiuxiu patiently guided Yu Nian.
The young prince lowered his head, fiddling with the hem of his clothes with his little hands, looking timid.
"But I...but I don't dare..."
In Lu Yunian's heart, it seemed that expressing his true feelings to his father made the young boy feel scared and embarrassed.
“That’s your father. You share the same blood; you are the closest people in the world. Why are you afraid? Yu Nian, when you face your father, you might as well be bolder. He is actually quite happy to see you make requests of him.”
"Really...really?"
The little guy blinked his bright, sparkling eyes and stared straight at Wang Xiuxiu. His round, chubby little face looked like a freshly steamed bun, and he was incredibly cute!
Looking at its adorable appearance, Wang Xiuxiu couldn't resist reaching out and gently pinching it, then pinching it again.
"When has your aunt ever lied to our clever and quick-witted Yu Nian? If you don't believe me, you can bravely try it next time you see your father!"
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