56. Xie Wenling
The ten-year-old brother was almost tricked by his sister: "You can't smell the guests, it's very impolite!"
The older brother, Jin Qizhi, said, "I still have to go to study. Shall I take you back to your rooms first?"
The little dumpling and her second brother exchanged a glance, and they immediately came up with a little plan.
"No need, no need," the little dumpling shook her head and said considerately, "Big brother is studying, Yue'er and second brother are going back."
Jin Qizhi thought for a moment. Since he was in the manor and had servants with him, nothing would happen, so he nodded and said, "Okay."
"Goodbye, big brother~" The little dumpling waved, and her second brother, who was standing behind her, also waved.
As Jin Qizhi's figure disappeared from sight, the two children could no longer contain their curiosity and secretly slipped away to the main hall.
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main hall.
The little dumpling and her second brother peeked out from the doorway, their little heads halfway out.
Inside the hall, Marquis Beiding and Jiang Xiyue were sitting opposite a man in red, drinking tea.
The man wore a bright red brocade robe with gold cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, and his black hair was half-tied up, which made his skin look as white as snow.
His features were exquisitely handsome, yet he possessed an air of aloofness. His teeth were like pearls, his lips a vibrant crimson, as clear and bright as willow branches in spring, as radiant as the rising morning glow.
He is beautiful.
It's a very obvious kind of beauty.
It's the kind of beauty that even a three-year-old child can directly appreciate.
"Wow..." the little dumpling exclaimed softly, "He's so handsome..."
The second brother pouted: "Hmph, he's just so-so, not quite as handsome as me..."
The little dumpling blinked and looked at her second brother again—his hair ornament was askew, his face was still stained with ink from practicing calligraphy in school, and his clothes were wrinkled and dragging on the ground.
"...Second brother, there's ink on your muddy face."
"What?!" The second brother hurriedly wiped his face, but the more he wiped, the more smudged it became.
He reached into his purse again, wanting to pull out a mirror to see if his "handsome face" was still there.
The little dumpling also reached for a handkerchief to wipe his second brother's face.
"What are you two doing hiding here?"
Jiang Xiyue's voice suddenly came from the room, startling the two little ones.
The little dumpling cried out "Ouch!" and lost her balance, falling straight into the doorway. Her second brother tried to pull her back, but tripped and fell in as well.
The two little kids, along with the items in their pouches, crashed to the ground with a clatter, scattering their equipment everywhere.
The hall fell silent instantly.
The man in red slightly raised his eyes, his gaze falling on the two disheveled little children.
"This..." Marquis Beiding coughed lightly and introduced, "This is my son Jin Lizhi and my daughter Jin Lanyue."
The little dumpling quickly got up, patted her skirt with her little hands, and timidly bowed: "Hello, everyone..."
After the little boy finished bowing, his face flushed, but his bright, dark eyes stared intently at the extraordinarily handsome older brother in red.
The second brother looked up and saw the mirror that had just been knocked out. He saw himself in a disheveled state, his face covered in ink smears, and he was immediately ashamed to the point of wanting to disappear.
He covered his face with both hands, not even having time to pick up what had fallen, and turned and disappeared in a flash, leaving only the words: "I...I'm going to practice my kung fu!"
Jiang Xiyue shook her head helplessly, stepped forward, bent down and picked up her daughter who had stayed behind. She gently patted the dust off her dress and said softly, "Yue'er, this is your cousin, his surname is Xie. You can call him Uncle Xie."
Jin Lanyue was held in Jiang Xiyue's arms, her little hands obediently resting on Jiang Xiyue's shoulders, and she repeated in her childish voice, "Uncle Xie... Brother Xie!"
She suddenly changed her mind.
"What? Brother?" Jiang Xiyue was somewhat surprised.
Marquis Beiding laughed and said, "Yue'er, he is your father's cousin. If you call him brother, then what should you call your father?"
"Uncle calls me brother, and daddy calls me daddy." The little dumpling was completely unaffected.
He's handsome! He's the older brother!
In a child's world, this is how they distinguish between uncles and older brothers.
It has nothing to do with seniority.
"Brother, brother!" the little dumpling called out to Xie Wenling again.
Xie Wenling looked up at her, his expression indifferent. He didn't care about the form of address; he simply nodded slightly as a response.
He was extremely handsome, with a high nose bridge and bright red lips that made his skin appear even whiter.
Despite her aloof personality, she wore a vibrant and passionate outfit, with slightly cinched cuffs that revealed a section of her jade-like wrist.
Her whole person was as cold and aloof as frost and snow, yet because of her red dress, she inexplicably exuded a touch of elegance and charm.
The little girl wasn't afraid of his coldness at all. On the contrary, she thought "Brother Xie" was as handsome as someone in a painting. She couldn't help but get off her mother, go to him, reach out her little hand, gently tug at his sleeve, and softly say, "Brother Xie, you're so handsome..."
Xie Wenling paused slightly, seemingly not expecting the little dumpling to come over and interact with him. He frowned almost imperceptibly but did not reply.
Clearly, he had grown accustomed to such praise over the years and was indifferent to it, even annoyed by it.
Seeing this, Jiang Xiyue smiled and tried to smooth things over: "Yue'er likes you very much, do you want to hug her?"
Upon hearing this, the little dumpling immediately stretched out her tiny hands expectantly, her eyes shining like stars: "Hug me!"
Xie Wenling leaned back slightly and said the classic line: "No, I don't have the strength in my hands, don't drop the child."
Jiang Xiyue was taken aback, clearly not expecting him to refuse.
After all, their own daughter is exquisitely beautiful, well-behaved and adorable. Anyone who sees her can't help but want to touch her little face, and hugging her is a common occurrence.
This is the first time someone has refused.
Marquis Beiding noticed the tense atmosphere and promptly changed the subject: "Wenling, you just said that one of my former subordinates is ill. What exactly is the situation?"
Marquis Beiding was also a military general who had been on the battlefield, but after getting married, he settled down in the capital and lived a comfortable life.
His former subordinates also returned to their hometown.
Among them was a former subordinate of his, surnamed Tao, who had saved his life on the battlefield. Coincidentally, Tao's former subordinate's hometown was in the same place as Xie Wenling's.
Xie Wenling withdrew his gaze and said, "I heard that he contracted a new illness, which caused his old injuries to flare up, and it's coming on fiercely."
Marquis Beiding was somewhat worried: "I will write to inquire later and send some medicinal herbs such as thousand-year-old ginseng and silver notes over."
Xie Wenling did not reply, but said, "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
“Alright,” said Marquis Beiding, “I’ve prepared a courtyard for you. You can stay here for now. If you need anything, just let me know.”
"Thank you." With that, he gave a slight bow and turned to leave.
Jiang Xiyue watched his retreating figure, her brows furrowed slightly, and muttered to herself, "Why isn't he even close to children..."
Jin Lanyue didn't mind at all. She rested her little head on Jiang Xiyue's shoulder, her eyes still fixed on the direction Xie Gege had left, and said softly, "Mommy, Xie Gege is so handsome..."
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