Ah, she remembered. It was that purple crystal vase with a little elephant on it that Empress Zhaoyuan had given her. It was supposed to be worth nine cities in Western Chu, or some other country, wasn't it?
But I must say, it's actually a pretty nice name.
Yun Duoduo looked at the handsome young man in front of her; he looked to be about nine years old.
He was handsome, and although he was only nine years old, he exuded the unique aura of royalty.
"This is your sister Lianxiang," Wang Fengru continued to introduce.
[Lotus Fragrance? Is that the Lotus Fragrance from the Lotus Lantern?]
Yun Duoduo looked at Lianxiang curiously and felt that Lianxiang was a proper and steady young lady.
She was the person she had met who most resembled someone from ancient times.
Lianxiang has the features of a classical woman: phoenix eyes, slender eyebrows, a nose that is neither too high nor too low, and she stands upright. She speaks in a soft, gentle voice, which is somewhat scholarly.
Yun Duoduo was a little curious. Lianxiang looked to be about the same age as Lian Jiucheng. Was Lian Jiucheng the older brother, or was Lianxiang the older sister?
Looking at Lianxiang's expression, she seemed a bit stubborn, but she did have the demeanor of an elder sister.
“This is Xiao Wu, Lian Rong.” Wang Fengru pulled Lian Rong in front of Yun Duoduo.
"You're about the same age, maybe you can get along well!"
Lianrong looked to be about five years old, wearing a light green dress and with two little braids. She was quite adorable and mischievous. However, her name reminded her of a double-yolk lotus seed paste mooncake.
"This is Xiao Liu, Lian Qiao."
Forsythia suspensa, a deciduous shrub, belongs to the genus Forsythia in the family Oleaceae.
The fruit is ovoid, ovoid-elliptic, or oblong, growing in hillside thickets, under forests, or in grasslands, or in sparse forests in valleys and ravines. The fruit can be used medicinally.
It can clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling and dissipate nodules, and disperse wind-heat.
Yun Duoduo shook her head. Her medical student habit had resurfaced. Whenever anything related to medicinal herbs was mentioned, these things would pop into her mind.
You can't blame her. In modern times, these are things you can't escape when taking pharmacology and botany exams. You have to memorize them by rote, and if you fail, you have to retake the course.
She refocused her attention on Lianqiao.
Lianqiao had arched eyebrows and red lips. Two thin braids were casually combed around her ears, and her bright, sparkling eyes blinked playfully.
[The emperor of Shu must have been a great foodie, otherwise, why would his name be related to food?]
"Little sister Duoduo is so cute!" Lianqiao looked at Yun Duoduo with delight.
"Grandma, can Lianqiao sleep with Duoduo tonight?!" Lianqiao pleaded, tugging at Wang Fengru's hand.
Lianxiang rolled her eyes at her sixth younger sister. [It's unbearable! Whenever she wants something from the Empress Dowager, she calls her "Grandma" this and "Grandma" that, acting all spoiled and childish—she has absolutely no royal decorum!]
How embarrassing!
Lianxiang couldn't bear to watch, so she slammed the bowl of mung bean paste on the table.
Yun Duoduo frowned. "Let's not," she said. "She still needs to apply medicine to Zhuangzhuang tonight."
If you come, it will add another variable!
It would be bad if Lianqiao saw her applying medicine to Jin Zhuangzhuang.
"Lianqiao, don't be silly. Duoduo is still young. You're so big. You're taking up too much space sleeping in the same bed as Duoduo!" Lian Jiucheng noticed the change in Yun Duoduo's expression. Although he wasn't sure how such a young child could have such rich expressions, it was indeed inappropriate for his sister to live with the little princess of Nanyang.
For this first birthday banquet, not only did people from the Shu Kingdom come to offer their congratulations, but also many people from neighboring countries. It was important to treat everyone equally and not appear too close to any particular side.
[Hmm, the guy from Jiucheng really knows how to talk.]
Lianqiao pouted and let go of Wang Fengru's sleeve.
"Oh, right, this is a gift we brought for little Duoduo! Happy first birthday, little Duoduo!" Lianrong broke the slightly awkward atmosphere.
When she spoke, her accent was very strong, with a distinct Sichuan flavor.
Lianrong placed a jade and sandalwood box on the table. "This is a ribbon that can be paired with all kinds of little dresses!"
Lianrong took out the ribbon and tied it around Yun Duoduo's waist, making a bow.
"So beautiful!" Lianrong clapped her hands, looking at Yun Duoduo's little dress and the bow on her waist with great satisfaction.
"Thank you so much, Sister Lianrong!" Yun Duoduo grinned, always expressing her gratitude for receiving a gift.
She just felt very uncomfortable being called "sister." In her eyes, these people were just little kids, but now she wasn't even a little kid; she was just an infant about a year old.
"Grandma, Duoduo actually remembered my name! What a smart little baby!" Lianrong exclaimed in surprise and delight, giving Yun Duoduo a kiss on her chubby cheek.
Yun Duoduo froze on the spot.
Lianqiao stuffed a cotton doll into Yun Duoduo's arms, "This is the doll I used to love hugging while sleeping. Now, I'm giving it to you!"
"Since you can't sleep with Duoduo tonight, let this little doll keep you company!" Lianqiao gently patted Yun Duoduo's head. For some reason, she really liked this little sister. Maybe she was a sucker for good looks. This little sister was really too beautiful, just like the kind of doll she wanted when she was a child.
"Thank you, thank you, Sister Lianrong."
"Little sister Duoduo, you have such a good memory!" Lianrong was also very happy and sat down on the stool to start eating mung bean paste.
Lianxiang took out a book and placed it on the table. "Duoduo, this is 'Rules for Women.' I hope you can read it carefully. In the future, you should be more mature in your dealings with others and not be as naughty and noisy as my two younger sisters."
"Big sister, what are you joking about? Duoduo can't even read yet!" Lianrong was furious when she saw her older sister give Yun Duoduo a book.
Yun Duoduo knew that most women in Shu were fiery and sassy, and now it seemed that Lianrong was indeed quick to anger.
"Alright, you've been making a scene for a while now. Your grandmother, Nangong, should rest." Wang Fengru rubbed her forehead, glanced at Nangong Rui, as if to say, "Now you know how much of a headache I get!"
Looking at the noisy group, Yun Duoduo felt a surge of warmth in her heart. So many people were kind to her; when she grew up, she would repay their kindness.
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