Next spring...
Helian Ci's dark eyes dimmed slightly. In ten years at most, or eight years at least, when he returned, would his little coward still remember him?
"Second brother, what's wrong with you?"
Sisi tilted her little head and tilted her little face slightly. "Is Second Brother angry?"
Helian Ci snapped out of his daze, met the little girl's eyes, his exceptionally red lips curved into a smile, and he gently ruffled the little girl's fluffy head.
"Alright, let's go inside. If we keep playing like this, we'll catch a cold."
"If you catch a cold, you will have to drink the bitter medicine prescribed by the imperial physician."
Sisi had originally wanted to whine and play a little longer, but upon hearing the second half of the sentence, which sounded like she was being coquettish and unreasonable, she silently swallowed her words.
Her chubby little hands were obediently held by Helian Ci. When the imperial physician prescribed bitter medicine, Sisi refused to drink it.
Nan Rong Jinghua overheard the conversation between the brother and sister, her eyes peeking out from beneath the long silk robe.
When it landed on Helian Ci, it lingered for a moment. This second brother of Asheng knew Asheng very well now.
Helian Ci led the little girl into the veranda. When he met Nan Rong Jinghua, if it were in the past...
Helian Ci must be utterly unreasonable, after all, this is the kind of brat who might steal away that little coward's precious cabbage in the future.
But for now, he still needed Nanrong Jinghua's help, so he simply nodded slightly, looked away, and led the little girl into the hall.
This surprised Nan Rong Jinghua, who was used to Helian Ci's cold treatment. Her gaze fell on Helian Ci's back, and she pondered for a moment.
"Master, come in quickly, it's so cold outside."
While being led by her second brother, Sisi did not forget the handsome tutor. With her chubby little hand, she looked towards Nanrong Jinghua under the eaves and corridor and called out in a soft, sweet voice.
"good."
…
A charcoal fire was burning inside the hall, making it much warmer than outside. Helian Ci led the little girl to a seat.
The palace servants then brought out fruits and snacks, as well as warm water, for the masters to wash their hands.
Just now, while playing, Sisi put her little hands into the warm water and happily squinted her eyes, oh my, so warm and cozy~
Helian Ci found it amusing; look how satisfied this little coward was. He took the handkerchief handed to him by a palace maid and wiped the water droplets from his hands.
"Alright, you little coward, come here, here's some candied fruit for you."
"Okay, okay."
Clutching the small hand warmer that Yue'er had given her, Si Si toddled into Helian Ci's arms, a soft, fragrant bundle nestled close to her.
Helian Ci smiled gently on his sickly pale face, and with a slight exertion of his arm, he pulled the little girl into his arms.
"My brother's arms are so warm and cozy~"
Just like a little kitten, Sisi's fluffy head nestled in Helian Ci's arms.
Helian Ci was used to it and let the little girl make a fuss; her slender, porcelain-white fingers...
He gently rubbed the little girl's fluffy head, his pale face revealing a deep, doting gaze in his dark eyes.
"good."
Nan Rong Jinghua sat opposite the brother and sister, her long, jade-like fingers picking up the teacup and taking a sip. The tea went down her throat and left a lingering fragrance on her lips and teeth.
"Awoo."
Helian Ci fed some candied fruit to Mou Sisi, who nestled obediently in Nanrong Jinghua's arms, puffing out her cheeks with delight.
After a while,
Helian Ci raised his eyes to look at Nan Rong Jinghua, his dark eyes, like a deep pool, narrowed slightly, as if he were scrutinizing her, or perhaps deep in thought.
Nan Rong Jinghua neither dodged nor flinched, calmly allowing Helian Ci to scrutinize him. To him, this was Asheng's elder brother.
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