Chapter 246 He must be a good father
The next morning, Meng Shilan had a carriage prepared at the manor.
Dan Niang's luggage was very simple, consisting of only a small bundle.
Before leaving, she stuffed the sturdy bundle into Dan Niang's hands.
Just as Dan Niang was about to check, Meng Shilan covered her hand, saying, "It's just some clothes and food. Don't go hungry on the way, you and Xuan'er."
Danniang led her daughter to bid farewell to Miss Meng and Shuang'er, with whom she had spent more than a year and who were closer than family.
The carriage slowly drove away from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
The carriage rumbled along, leaving the bustling Zhuque Avenue and gradually merging into the official road leading out of the city.
Inside the carriage, Xuan'er leaned against her mother's chest, curiously rummaging through the small bundle.
"Mother, what is this?"
Xuan'er's little hand reached into the hidden compartment and pulled out the bulging money bag.
The bag was loosened, revealing a corner of a silver note, along with some loose silver and copper coins for spending on the road.
Dan Niang's breath hitched.
They had prepared everything for her.
She was by Miss Meng's side, so her monthly salary was already high, and she didn't have to spend any money on food, clothing, or other necessities in the mansion.
There are also red envelopes during festivals and holidays.
She has already saved up nearly two hundred taels of silver!
Now they've slipped her several more silver notes...
Meng Shilan stood at the door, watching the carriage disappear around the street corner, remaining motionless for a long time.
She could never forget the harrowing escape she made from Dingxian, carrying two children and living like a frightened bird.
It was a frail woman like Dan Niang who accompanied her on the long journey to the capital.
Meng Shilan will never forget the kindness of being helped in her desperate situation.
"Let's go back and see if Fatty Xi has woken up yet."
At first, Little Fatty Xi didn't notice that the familiar figure was missing from the mansion.
He continued chasing butterflies in the yard as usual, and when he fell, he would get up on his own and giggle.
Around noon, Chunxing came over carrying a bowl of carefully cooked minced meat porridge.
"Young master, it's time for your meal."
Little Fatty sat on a small stool, swinging his two little legs, tilting his head back, and habitually opening his mouth.
But he waited and waited, and what was fed to his mouth was neither that familiar hand nor that gentle voice.
He stared blankly at Chunxing.
Then it turned its little head and searched around the room.
"Aunt Dan..."
He called out indistinctly, his voice tinged with a hint of grievance.
Chunxing coaxed softly, "Danniang has something to attend to at home and has to go back. Chunxing will feed the young master, okay?"
Little Fatty's lips twitched, and his eyes instantly reddened.
He doesn't want it.
He only wants Dan Niang.
The next moment, a loud "whoosh" rang out, startling everyone.
Tears streamed down her face like they were free, and her little body sobbed uncontrollably, no amount of comforting could soothe her.
A rattle drum, a small lantern, and candies were laid out in front of him.
But Little Fatty Xi wouldn't listen, crying her heart out, her little face turning bright red, which made all the servants in the room sweat with anxiety.
When Meng Shilan returned from the accounting office, this chaotic scene greeted her.
She sighed and hugged the little one, who was crying so hard she could barely breathe.
"I'm afraid she'll be crying for days."
Nestled in his mother's arms, Fatty, enjoying the familiar scent, finally calmed down.
He clutched his mother's clothes tightly with his two little hands, sobbing and refusing to eat anything.
Chunxing said somewhat helplessly, "This meat soup is something I specially learned from Danniang. Danniang said the taste is almost identical."
Meng Shilan gently patted Pang Xi's back, "It's not a problem with the meat broth."
"Dan Niang has always taken care of him, and he hasn't gotten used to it yet."
"You can go down now. I'll take care of coaxing them for the next two days."
Since Pangxi was born, Meng Shilan has been busy with her shop and rarely takes care of him by herself.
Now, suddenly she's holding a nearly two-year-old "strong man" for half a day.
She almost thought her hands weren't her own anymore.
I was almost completely numb and tingling from the pain.
Meng Shilan gritted her teeth and carried it for two days.
The child not only didn't get better, but also kept crying while holding a small wooden bowl.
Dan Niang always used this small wooden bowl to prepare fruit and pastries for him.
She looked at her eyes, red and swollen from crying, and sighed deeply.
"Crying like this won't solve anything."
Meng Shilan hugged the chubby girl who was clinging to her tightly, gritted her teeth, and stomped her foot.
"Get the car ready, let's go out for some fun!"
After getting into the carriage, Fatty Xi began to curiously peer out the window and look around.
Several times I forgot to cry.
The carriage traveled through the streets and alleys and left the city.
Headed straight to the White Horse Temple Fair.
Fu'er was the first to jump off the carriage, and her eyes lit up when she saw the huge crowd.
"Mother! It's a temple fair!"
The temple fair is still just as I remember it.
The place was bustling with people and traffic.
Selling sugar paintings, sculpting dough figurines, performing acrobatics, playing ring toss... a dazzling array of goods, everything imaginable.
Little Fatty's cries had long been drowned out by the enormous noise.
He opened his big, teary eyes and looked at this new and wonderful world with curiosity.
The tall and strong Wei Xun scooped up the chubby little boy and carried him steadily on his shoulder.
"Young master, sit higher up so you can see further!"
The field of vision suddenly opened up.
Little Fatty exclaimed "Yay!" His grievances and sadness were instantly washed away by the lively scene before him.
Shuang'er bought him a sugar figurine, and he held it in his hand, his mouth practically watering.
Meng Shilan and Shuang'er each held one of Fu'er's hands, and slowly walked through the crowd.
Fu'er took Meng Shilan's hand and pointed to a stall selling puppies.
"I remember buying Little Bone here!"
Meng Shilan's eyes softened. "You still remember? It's just a pity that Xiao Gutou didn't come back with us."
Fu'er had begged Zhou Congxian to buy her a little mongrel.
Later, they faked their deaths and left the capital, leaving the little dog behind.
Zhou Congxian finally managed to bring the little bone to Ding County.
Because of Xiao Shu's coercion, they left in a hurry again, without taking Xiao Gutou with them.
A few days ago, my brother wrote to say that Little Bone is now a guard dog on the mine, very majestic, and has even caught two thieves stealing ore on his own.
"If you still miss Little Bone, ask your uncle to bring him back for you during the New Year."
Fu'er also knew that Little Bone was now very imposing.
Little Bone has loved running since she was little, and the small yard simply can't contain her.
It's probably only now that it's with its uncle that it's a brave guard dog.
In this tiny courtyard, I'm afraid I'll never be happy again.
So she gently shook her head, "No need, Little Bone still prefers to run freely."
Meng Shilan touched her daughter's little face.
"Then when we have the chance next year, we'll go to Dingxian again. We'll not only be able to see Uncle, but also Little Bone."
"good!"
Fu'er's eyes lit up instantly.
Meng Shilan looked up and saw Wei Xun walking ahead, patiently supporting Pang Xi.
It would also bounce around every now and then, making the little guy giggle.
A smile spread across Meng Shilan's lips as she leaned close to Shuang'er's ear and whispered a teasing tone.
“Look at Wei Xun, holding Pang Xi like that, he’ll definitely be a good father in the future.”
Shuang'er's face flushed red instantly, like a ripe apple.
She stole a glance at Wei Xun's broad back, then quickly lowered her head and scolded him in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"My sister is making fun of me again."
Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air, creating a joyful atmosphere.
Not far behind them, in the crowded throng, a figure with a cold gaze flashed by like a ghost.
The figure paused for a moment, glanced at Little Fatty Xi, and then quickly turned away.
It silently disappeared into the throng of people.
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