Chapter 203 The Little Devil's New Year's Surprise
"Farewell, Your Highness." Xu Wan watched him leave the Marquis' Mansion.
The evening breeze was blowing, bringing gusts of chill. The prince didn't notice and drank some of the cold wind. He immediately covered his chest and coughed a few times. The guards beside him hurried to support him.
The little devil stood at the door, frowning and asking, "Why hasn't your health improved, Your Highness?"
Ever since he met His Highness, His Highness had been ill. Although he had gotten better recently, when winter came, he returned to his sickly look, as if a gentle breeze could blow him away.
Xu Wan looked at the carriage going away and shook her head, saying, "The doctors in the palace are all famous doctors of the time. If even they can't help, then we can't do anything either."
Maybe it was because she was like this when she met the prince. She could never imagine what kind of demeanor the prince must have when he was known as the best master in the capital eight years ago along with Zong Zhao.
The little devil asked seriously: "Is someone trying to harm Your Highness?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the guards at the gate of the mansion looked over, shocked as if they had eaten a big melon.
Xu Wan was also surprised, but quickly retorted: "Don't talk nonsense."
Little Devil: “???”
I just want to say one thing, why are you so fierce!
The kid didn't understand, so Xu Wan dragged him into the mansion. On the way, when no one was around, she quickly taught him a lesson: "Don't say such things. If someone spreads it, you'll get into trouble."
"Why?" The little devil didn't understand. "His Highness told me before that his brothers were hoping he would die soon. Humph, His Highness's poor health must be caused by them."
Xu Wan was so scared that she quickly covered his mouth and said, "Little Ancestor, what did you and the prince say on the second floor? Stop talking. If you slander the prince for murdering His Highness, it will not be enough to take away our titles."
"Mm? Mm?" The little devil was dissatisfied, but he couldn't get away, and he didn't force his way with her.
Xu Wan let him go and whispered, "I'm letting you go. Stop talking nonsense. Study your books and don't worry about the royal family. It has nothing to do with us."
The little devil said angrily: "Humph, you don't feel sorry for His Highness, you have no sympathy."
Xu Wan taught him with a straight face: "You can have sympathy, but you should first consider whether you have the ability to worry about other people's affairs. Otherwise, you will only make things worse. Do you understand?"
The little devil got even angrier after hearing this.
Anyway, it means that he is too weak.
Humph, underestimate him!
Zong Jincheng threatened her: "Just wait, I will grow up soon, and when I grow up I will definitely be able to protect Your Highness!"
Xu Wan didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Little idiot, take your Tongzi exam first, there are still more than two months left."
"I will definitely pass the exam, Luelulu, come and have the New Year's Eve dinner quickly." The little devil was jumping and running in front.
Xu Wan chased after him.
The New Year's Eve dinner at the Marquis' Mansion was so sumptuous that it couldn't even fit on one table, so the old lady had it prepared as a buffet with small portions and a wide variety of dishes. After the meal was over, a new table was served.
The children were enjoying the meal the most. Even Xu Wan couldn't help but take out her phone to take a few pictures and post them on WeChat Moments.
After eating and drinking, everyone went to bed. There is no custom of celebrating the New Year here, but Xu Wan still waited until midnight with great sense of ceremony and silently made a New Year wish: she hoped that her family and friends would be healthy, and that her children would get ideal grades in the exams.
On the first day of the new year, the nine-year-old Zong Jincheng fired the first shot of the new year. The little devil ran around the mansion with firecrackers in his hand, scaring the maids to chase him and shout, "Master Cheng, be careful, don't hold the firecrackers with your hands, or they will explode!"
Zong Jincheng was a small but courageous man, and together with his loyal brother He Zheng, the two of them ran around holding long firecrackers, and the firecrackers at the other end were exploding with a crackling sound.
The two little dandies' arrogant and energetic voices soon spread throughout the entire mansion: "Mother, wake up! Come and listen to the sound of the New Year's firecrackers I prepared for you. Isn't it very innovative!"
Xu Wan ran out with her clothes on. When she looked up, she saw that the firecracker had exploded very short. The little devil was spinning it in the air, and it was about to explode in his hand...
Xu Wan was so frightened that she lost two of her three souls. She shouted anxiously: "Cui Liu, throw away the firecrackers in their hands!"
Cui Liu flipped over and flew up, grabbed a string of firecrackers in each hand, and threw them into the corner to explode.
The two kids were dumbfounded.
What is going on?
The little devil pouted and said unhappily, "What are you doing? I finally came up with a New Year's gift for you, and the firecrackers haven't even been set off yet. It would be a shame to throw them away. You've let me down!"
He Zheng nodded: "We ran a long way to get here."
Xu Wan was so angry that she couldn't speak. She shook her hands and pointed at the outer door and said, "Get out and stand at the door."
If it wasn't for the fact that today is the first day of the new year, she would have forced these two brats to kneel in the ancestral hall. You little bastards, just play with firecrackers, but why do you have to play with them in such a dangerous way? You don't even want your hands anymore, right?
She was so mad.
While Xu Wan was trying to calm down, she reflected on herself. She realized that the New Year wishes she made in the early morning were too few. She should have added one more that would make her children less worried. She must remember to make that wish next year!
When Zong Wenxiu heard the noise, he hurried over to ask Xu Wan what was going on. However, he saw the two little brats standing outside the yard, looking confused and pitiful.
The little devil is much more obedient now. He basically listens to Xu Wan and does not resist at all when asked to stand as punishment.
Not to mention He Zheng, I do whatever my elder brother does.
"Jincheng, He Zheng, what happened to you?" Zong Wenxiu had just greeted his mother when he came over and saw the miserable plight of the two.
Zong Jincheng said with a gloomy face: "Don't mention it, brother. She didn't seem to like the New Year's gift I gave her."
"Ah? No way, Auntie is not that picky about gifts, why would she punish you for this..." Zong Wenxiu said halfway, and quickly reacted, "What New Year's gift did you give?"
The little devil said seriously, "I just set off firecrackers all the way here. You didn't see me just now setting off firecrackers in the sky. It was so beautiful, the crackling sound, coupled with the sound of He Zheng and I wishing a happy new year, it was super lively and super innovative!"
Zong Wenxiu: “…”
Aunt, the punishment is still too light. You should stand outside the Marquis' Mansion.
In the courtyard, Xu Wan had already dressed and came out, but her temper was clearly not settled yet, and she was holding a feather duster in her hand.
He Zheng was immediately frightened.
Although he was often beaten at home, he hadn't been beaten for half a year since he came to the Marquis' Mansion. He was still a little nervous when he suddenly regained his lost memory.
The little devil jumped up and howled, "Don't go too far. I'm here to wish you a happy new year, but you want to beat me up. Today is the first day of the new year, and you can't beat children!"
Xu Wan snorted and said, "So what you mean is that I can postpone this beating to tomorrow?"
The little devil swallowed his saliva and said, "A gentleman uses words rather than fists. If there is anything, let's talk about reason first. As for children, you know, we need to educate them first..."