I was left alone again, so I went to the mansion. I wondered what they were doing. I went to the small courtyard first and pulled Xizhi out. Yan'er and Su Ling are really being raised like little adults now. Xizhi is progressing slowly, so she's been separated to study alone.
"Mommy~ Xi Zhi is so silly~" I pulled him a few steps, and the little guy started to play the victim with me.
"You're not a silly little thing, you're Mommy's good baby. Let's go for a stroll around the mansion, we won't compare ourselves to your older sisters~"
"Hehe, I want a hug~" Xi Zhi stretched out his little hands. It was rare for it to be just the two of us, mother and son. I took Xi Zhi and we ran around the mansion for a long time. He laughed all the way.
"Madam, the young master must be tired. Let's take him back to rest."
While Su was talking behind me, I took Xizhi back. The little guy was having so much fun that he didn't want to leave. But Su was quick-witted and got him to leave after a few words.
I did learn a few phrases, and I'll use them to coax the children when they misbehave. I don't know where Li Ruowei went; she must have taken Yan'er and Su Ling to learn something, leaving me to just laze around in the manor.
After sending Xizhi to rest, I went to the study. There are many books here. Xie Yuancheng used to spend several days in the library, and when he came back, he filled all the book storage space.
I flipped through the book I always carry with me a few times, and finding no problems, I grabbed some paper and pen to start writing and drawing. Although I was just scribbling randomly, it wasn't bad; I could understand it.
I spent the rest of the time in the study, reading until I fell asleep. When I woke up, Xie Yuancheng still hadn't returned. I wondered if they weren't coming tonight.
"Bizhu, have Yuancheng and the others returned?" I went out and saw Bizhu watering the plants, so I quickly asked her.
"Madam, the Marquis is expected to be late today. He instructed us to make sure you rest first if he comes back late tonight."
"What are they doing at the yamen? Why are they taking so long?" I muttered to myself. This kid is just trying to sell me something.
"That's hard to say. The Marquis said that Madam shouldn't think too much about it, otherwise he'll be in trouble if he does."
"You little brat, you're siding with him now, are you still my maid?"
“Of course.” Bizhu came over carrying a watering can: “Madam, I remember now, didn’t you say you were going to make a set of chime bells for the Marquis? Why is there still no news?”
"That's true. I've been bothered by him lately. This matter is important though. Do you know anyone in Linyang who is very skilled at making chime bells?"
"I don't know~" Bizhu shook her head quickly, and I didn't press her further. There was an accident with the chime bells last time, so I should go and read some music theory books first and get some basic knowledge before trying again.
I plan to ask a teacher for help; they're definitely experts in these things, much better than me fiddling around like this. This is the first time I've ever heard of men playing chime bells. Xie Yuancheng has so much to do every day, and he knows two or three musical instruments; I want to learn too!
After looking around for a while, I was almost falling asleep with the book in my arms when Bizhu came to call me for dinner. I put the book down first and went to find Xizhi in the courtyard. The little guy had a slide and toys to play with, so he didn't even look at me.
"Xizhi, come eat with Mommy~" I picked him up. The little guy was definitely having too much fun to play with his sisters, so I had to carry him.
But Xizhi is still as well-behaved as he was when he was little. If it were me, and my parents wouldn't let me play, I'd probably throw a tantrum. I touched his little face; he really does look like me.
"What if he grows up to look exactly like his mother?" I was worried about Xizhi. It's better for a boy to look like Xie Yuancheng. I'm already handsome in effeminate way when I dress up as a boy. I'm worried that Xizhi will attract too many bad romantic encounters in the future.
"Haha~" Xi Zhi came over and pinched my cheek: "Mommy~ Good boy~"
He's just so cute. He can speak clearly, but he likes to punctuate. When I hold his little hand and take him to the table, he eats by himself. I just need to serve him the food.
I don't even need to take care of Xizhi's meals. He eats better than I do. He's not picky about food and doesn't mind eating. If I put his favorite food and his dislike food together, he will patiently pick out the food he doesn't like.
"Mommy~" Xizhi runs away as soon as he finishes eating. He promised to play with his mommy. Xie Yuancheng didn't come back, so of course I took my good son for a walk.
Even if Xizhi didn't want to, he couldn't escape. He could play with the toys and slide every day. I looked down at him, and Xizhi leaned against me obediently, his big eyes full of curiosity.
"Bizhu, have Yan'er and Suling returned yet?" It's so late, and these two little ones still haven't come back. I'm starting to worry.
"Madam, the two young ladies are still outside, so don't worry about them. It's the same if the young master plays with you."
"Sigh~" It's not easy to play with the children while Xie Yuancheng is away, but only Xizhi is left. But that's enough.
We walked around the manor for a while longer, and Xizhi was already dozing off. I pinched his cheek and said, "Why are you sleeping so much? It's only been a short time since we ate!"
"Madam, it's been more than half an hour already. The young master is still young. He'll go back to wash up and play with his toys for a while before going to sleep."
"That's true, the little one needs to sleep more so he can grow taller." I carried Xi Zhi back, and he made a fuss while I was giving him a bath. In the end, I had to switch with Granny Su, who took care of him in no time.
Today was somewhat fruitful, as I was able to play with my son, but there were too few people. There are quite a few servants in the mansion, but Xie Yuancheng and the others are not here, so it feels empty wherever I go.
When he still hadn't returned by midnight, I started to worry. I flipped through books over and over, but I couldn't figure it out at all. I can't just sit here and wait like this anymore; I need to know what he's doing out there and whether he's doing well.
"Ying'er?" I heard a voice and quickly opened my eyes. Xie Yuancheng had taken the book from my hands.
Seeing his puzzled look, I quickly got up and checked him over. Everything was fine: "You're finally back. What have you been doing all day? Why are you so late?"
"So you were worried about me. I should have come back tomorrow." He smelled of alcohol as soon as he spoke. I went over and took a sniff, and even the delicate fragrance was gone.
"You're not my little Chengcheng anymore, the sweet fragrance is gone!"
"How could that be? I just had a few drinks with my sister and the others. I'll go wash up right away and let you smell it again."
He walked quickly, and I wanted to follow, but I was worried he'd think I was sticking too close, so I kept reading my book. Even now that we're back, I still feel unhappy; I wonder if it's because I've become effeminate.
"Ying'er, I've only said a few words since I got back, and it's already past midnight. Why aren't you resting or chatting with me? What are you trying to do?"
Xie Yuancheng leaned over to rub my face, but I quickly dodged away. "I'm just ignoring you. You never take me with you when you go out. Su Ling isn't here, Yan'er isn't here, only Xi Zhi is."
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