Chapter 13: The Spoiled Darling, Overflowing with Love
Xiao Dongzi nodded: "Fifth Miss, this is an unprecedented favor from the Emperor. You are the first to receive it."
Emperor Wusu's edict was truly extraordinary, and he even specifically instructed that it should only be known to Ji Qingwu and not to any other members of the Ji family.
After delivering the gifts and conveying the imperial edict, the young eunuch hurried back to the palace.
Ji Qingwu gripped the brocade box tightly in his hand, his expression strange.
Qiao stepped forward and gently patted her arm: "Xiao Wu, you caught a chill today. You shouldn't stand in the cold wind at the door. Come inside and warm up."
Ji Qingwu remained silent and returned to Anjuyuan with Qiao Shi. Ji Qingyuan made a few sarcastic remarks, but she seemed not to hear them.
As soon as Madam Qiao entered the room, she instructed the maid beside her: "Chunhua, hurry up and go to the kitchen to keep an eye on the cook and make a bowl of red date and ginger soup for the young lady. Remember to make it strong so that it can help dispel the cold."
Ji Qingwu sat on a seat in the main room, looking dazed.
Knowing that her daughter had experienced so much today, and that she had acted appropriately before the Empress Dowager and received a reward from the Emperor, Madam Qiao felt very proud.
She said in an exceptionally gentle tone, "Xiao Wu, you must be tired after a long day. Go take a hot shower first, and we can talk about it later."
Qiao was not uninterested in the emperor's sudden edict, but she wouldn't ask about things she shouldn't know.
Ji Qingwu rallied and said, "Mother, I'm fine."
"Lanzhi, come in."
Madam Qiao summoned a maid and, raising her head, said, "From now on, you will be responsible for taking care of the Fifth Miss's daily life."
Lanzhi bowed respectfully: "Yes, Madam."
"Lanzhi's mother was a maid who came with me when I married into the family. She was born into a family and grew up in the courtyard. She is honest and hardworking. You can treat her as one of your own. I will also give you four little maids who can stay outside and do some cleaning and sweeping work."
Ji Qingwu's gaze fell on Lanzhi, a girl with a decent appearance, who looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old. What was rare was her composed demeanor.
Her mother must have given her her capable head maid. Lanzhi is very familiar with the Ji family and has been trained in temperament. With her by her side, she should be able to adapt to life here quickly.
Ji Qingwu smiled kindly at Lanzhi: "I'll trouble you to help me out in the future."
Lanzhi was taken aback, then, flattered, quickly lowered her head and said, "Miss, please don't say that. This is all my duty."
A few days ago, the First Madam had told her mother that she wanted to be transferred to serve the Fifth Miss, who had gone missing years ago. With a new master, she was actually afraid, fearing that the young lady would be resentful upon returning home and would mistreat them, the servants of low status.
Unexpectedly, the Fifth Miss has such a gentle and kind nature.
Lanzhi also heard that after the Fifth Miss entered the palace, she received a reward from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, something even the most favored Fourth Miss in the mansion had never received. Perhaps in the future...
She must serve such a capable master well.
Madam Qiao said to the two women, "The Wutong Courtyard where you live has been prepared. Let Lanzhi lead you there. If you need anything, just tell your mother. It's getting late, so go quickly."
Under the lamplight, Ji Qingwu looked at her mother's gentle expression and nodded gratefully.
She was indeed exhausted today. She hadn't even had an hour to rest after returning home when she was summoned by the Empress Dowager. Then she swam the 500-meter freestyle and was given a big fright by someone. After returning home, she received an unexpected imperial decree.
Ji Qingwu also picked up Qiuqiu, who was sleeping soundly in the side courtyard, and they returned to Wutong Garden together.
In Wutong Garden, there stands a towering ancient sycamore tree.
After drinking the ginger soup that Lan Zhi handed her, Ji Qingwu went to the clean room to wash up and soaked in hot water until her face was rosy. She then walked lightly into the west side room.
The little bundle of joy on the bed doesn't seem to mind the bed at all; his breathing is soft and even.
After Ji Qingwu took off her shoes and got into bed, Qiuqiu sensed her mother's presence and snuggled closer, resting her tender little face against her arm.
Looking at the little girl's peaceful sleeping face, her fatigue dissipated considerably, and she soon fell asleep as well.
Thick double-layered gauze curtains hung down, making the space inside the canopy bed dim and quiet.
Ji Qingwu was still asleep when she felt a tightness in her chest. Without opening her eyes, she reached out and touched it, and sure enough, she felt a soft little ball.
After the little girl woke up, she climbed onto her and stared at her with her big, bright eyes, as if she hadn't seen her for eight hundred years.
Ji Qingwu rubbed his eyes, his voice still tinged with sleepiness.
"Chirp chirp," she said helplessly, "you're not a one or two-year-old anymore, you're a four-year-old now. You really don't know how much you weigh now."
But instead of moving Qiuqiu away, she held Qiuqiu's little bottom in her hand and rubbed it again and again, indulging her behavior.
The little girl had slept well, and her voice was crisp and clear.
“Mother, it’s not that Chiu Chiu has become heavier.”
Ji Qingwu asked with amusement, "What is that?"
The little girl stuck out her bottom, wrapped her arms around her neck, and rubbed against her.
She said coquettishly, "It's because Qiuqiu loves Mother more that she has become a big child, and that's why Mother feels that Qiuqiu is heavy."
Ji Qingwu understood what the little girl meant; her small body wasn't filled with soft, chubby flesh, but with love for her.
This child has been good at sweet-talking people since he was little. I don't know where he learned it from, but he has a very sweet tongue.
She chuckled, "You're the cleverest."
Chirp excitedly exclaimed, "I love Mom the most!"
Then he kissed Ji Qingwu's cheeks haphazardly, smearing her face with saliva.
Hearing a noise inside the room, Lanzhi tiptoed in.
"Miss, are you getting up?"
Ji Qingwu lifted the gauze curtain; it was already bright outside. She reluctantly hummed in agreement.
Lanzhi said softly, "The First Madam sent someone early this morning to say that Miss can sleep a little longer. The Old Madam understands your hard work yesterday and said that you don't need to go to Shou'an Hall to pay your respects."
Ji Qingwu's back went limp as she tried to get up, and she lay back down.
Since that's the case, she won't stand on ceremony.
She didn't want to follow the strict rules of aristocratic women, such as morning and evening greetings, just to gain a reputation for virtue. Wouldn't it be foolish not to sleep in comfortably?
Ji Qingwu held her daughter and slept for another hour or two.
Lanzhi helped Qiuqiu wash her face and comb her hair, which made her feel much more relaxed.
Not long after, Chunhua, who was by Qiao's side, came to invite her.
"Fifth Miss, the First Madam invites you to have dinner at Anju Garden. The First Miss has also returned home today."
Ji Qingwu was sitting in front of the dressing table, having already changed into a pale yellow dress embroidered with white magnolias. Lanzhi had styled her hair into a loose cloud bun, simply inserting a black snow-white hairpin.
It has to be said that clothes make the man; this look is much more refined and charming than her previous rustic attire.
Ji Qingwu led Qiuqiu to the entrance of Anjuyuan, but stopped in his tracks.
She heard someone sobbing softly.
He felt exceptionally wronged and sorrowful.
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