In the following days, the atmosphere in Kyoto did become weird. There were many more soldiers and officers on the streets, the officials' homes were much quieter, various banquets were sharply reduced, and the women rarely went out.
"It's a good thing we didn't bring Ping An back!" Xiao Jingyan boasted about how decisive and resourceful he was! Leaving his niece in the safer palace villa was a very wise choice.
"Everyone in our family should behave themselves. The women in the family should not go out recently, and should not discuss state affairs in private." The old man, who had been promoted to a marquis, glared at his complacent youngest son and said, although it was a great pity that he could not see his precious granddaughters recently, for the sake of their health and safety, this arrangement was already the best.
"You brothers, those of you who are already working should do more and talk less, and go home quickly when the time comes; those of you who are studying should not participate in other people's discussions about state affairs in the academy, and should not linger outside after school. If anyone disobeys, he will be punished according to the family rules. Do you understand?" After the old marquis spoke, Xiao Jingkang, as the new generation head of the family, carefully instructed his nephews.
"I understand." The six boys answered in a rhythmic manner, but Xiao Jun was the only one who answered weakly. He looked so weak ever since he knew that his sister would not be back in the short term.
"Next time your uncle goes to the villa, please take you with you. Don't look so dejected." His niece is a little devil. He only feels fear and helplessness towards her now. It was a long time ago that he missed her.
Xiao Jun looked his fourth uncle up and down, but finally turned his head away with distrust. This fourth uncle was unreliable. It would be better to pray to the Buddha to come to reality than to rely on him!
"Good intentions are not always rewarded. If you don't trust me, who else can you trust?" Xiao Jingyan, who thought he was very capable, was confidently waiting for his nephew to take the initiative to show goodwill. As long as he could say nice things for half an hour, he would reluctantly bring this kid along next time.
"Next time, let your third aunt take you. Don't be sad." Xiao Jingtai couldn't stand his fourth brother's show-off attitude. Did he really think that nothing could be done without him? This guy has never known himself. He has caused so much trouble, but why does he still act like a child? No one in the family is more worrying than him.
Xiao Jingyan was very unhappy about being intercepted halfway. Not only could he not show off anymore, but he also had no capital to take credit when he saw his niece again. His second brother had also learned bad things. These people must have been infected by his niece, yes, they must be.
Xiao Jingyan, who always puts himself in a position of being untainted by mud, will never discredit himself. He is so romantic and suave, and his character is precious! The bad ones are all others, and have nothing to do with him.
Xiao Yao waited for two days but no one came to take her home, and she couldn't help but feel depressed.
"What happened to Ping'an?" Yin Qianhua asked with concern during dinner.
"Two days ago, my fourth uncle said he would take Ruyi and me home to stay for a few days, but why hasn't he come yet?" Xiao Yao said sullenly.
Yin Qianhua pondered her words for a moment before speaking: "Something has happened in Kyoto recently. The streets are full of soldiers and few people go out. When things are peaceful for a while, I'll ask your cousin the Crown Prince to take you home to stay for a few days."
It is difficult for such a young child, who not only has to endure physical pain but also has to endure the longing for his family.
"Doctor Lin told me about your two conditions. Ping'an's acupuncture can be changed from once every two days to once every five days. You can stop the acupuncture after one month and just take the medicine until after the New Year." Tell this child some good news. I hope she will be happier.
"Really!" Does this mean that I will soon become a normal person? Pfft, is my body going to be fully recovered? After suffering for so long, I finally got my reward. Xiao Yao's depressed mood was instantly cleared up.
"Of course it's true." Look how happy this child is. Yin Qianhua felt very happy when she saw Xiao Yao's beautiful smile.
"What about the princess's health!" After being together for so long, Xiao Yao already regarded Yun Ruonan as a friend. When she learned that she could recover, she was happy but naturally she was also concerned about her friend.
She was right about this child. She was affectionate and righteous. Yin Qianhua looked at Xiao Yao with a gentler gaze. She smiled gently and said, "Ruonan's acupuncture will be changed to once every three days, and it can be stopped after a month, but she will still have to take herbal medicine for a period of time. After a year, Doctor Lin will take time to see Ruonan for a follow-up visit. It depends on the situation. But Doctor Lin also said that Ruonan will definitely recover."
"Yes, we will all recover soon. Then the three of us will go to watch the sunrise and the sea together." Xiao Yao looked at Yun Ruonan with a bright smile. Xiao Yao was the only one at the table who could best understand the princess's feelings. A word of comfort and a little encouragement could ignite hope in those suffering from illness and give them the courage to defeat the disease.
"Okay, let's go together." Yun Ruonan responded to Xiao Yao happily. Since she started eating and living with the Xiao sisters, she has indeed changed a lot. She has become more cheerful, talkative, and there is more light in her eyes. King Jing and his wife have noticed these changes.
"You are all good children." Yin Qianhua touched the two children's heads with satisfaction. They were such sensible and obedient children.
Xiao Yuan was originally enjoying her meal, but when she saw the warm interaction between the three people, she also wanted to join in. Why did the princess aunt only touch her sisters but ignore her?
Yin Qianhua noticed her niece's sad look and patted her head. She really couldn't think of anything that this niece, who ate well, slept well, and was stronger than a calf, needed comforting, so she didn't force herself or make things difficult for herself.
The treatment is different! Xiao Yuan came to Yin Qianhua and strongly demanded that everyone be treated equally and that people who eat everything they like should not be discriminated against.
"You!" Yin Qianhua, who was pestered to no end, had to touch Xiao Yuan's head. The latter then happily returned to his seat and continued to fight with the food.
"You should learn from Ruyi in this regard," Yin Qianhua said, pointing to the nearly empty plate in front of Xiao Yuan. It's not unreasonable for someone to gain weight; she eats more than the two children combined. Yin Qianhua also felt that her own appetite had increased since sharing a table with her niece. Seeing her eat, you can't help but think the dish must be delicious. Seeing her devour it with such relish and lingering flavor, you can't help but want to try it yourself.
"I really can't learn this." Xiao Yao has been influenced by her for several years but still can't imitate her sister. It's not that she doesn't envy her, but her appetite is limited, so she can't imitate Xiao Yuan.
Yun Ruonan studied for a while but was defeated. She had to admit defeat in front of her cousin. Seeing her rosy and shiny lips, Yun Ruonan swallowed and turned her eyes to meet Xiao Yao's gaze. They smiled at each other and said helplessly that they really couldn't learn it.
"I was born with a good appetite. It's useless for others to envy me. I must eat well and be full. Only in this way can I have the strength to protect my two sisters in the future! Look at you, you are about to fall down if the wind blows. If you don't count on me, who else can you count on?" After Xiao Yuan said this shamelessly to make excuses for his eating and drinking, bursts of laughter were heard in the dining room.
Knowing that this was a special period, Xiao Yao no longer worried about returning home. She spent her remaining time after school reading and practicing embroidery. There were too many people in the family, and Xiao Yao couldn't afford to discriminate against them. She could only either not do it at all or, if she did, she would take everyone in, regardless of the number of people. Now it was even worse, with Yun Ruonan's share to be added, so you can imagine how daunting the task must be.
Because her daughter's physical condition did not allow it, Yin Qianhua never forced her to learn things that were mentally and mentally demanding. Now that her motherly love had found a place to be used, she seemed to attach particular importance to and was busy with it. Not only did she find the best silk threads and brocade for Xiao Yao, she also found an embroidery master to be her teacher. The master's double-sided embroidery was so superb and lifelike. Xiao Yao vowed to study hard and embroider exquisite accessories and clothes for her family in the future.
"Don't forget the ones for Ruonan and me. Auntie isn't too greedy. Just give one to each of us on our birthdays every year."
Only then did Xiao Yao learn that Princess Jing's birthday fell on the sixth lunar month. She silently calculated in her mind, realizing it was less than ten days away. It was definitely too late to embroider now, especially since her craft wasn't yet refined enough to be a birthday gift. The purses and small ornaments she'd embroidered in the past had been largely opportunistic, barely passable enough for her family, but unpresentable to outsiders.
After much thought, he had no choice but to go back to his old job and paint a portrait for the princess. If his sister was not prepared, the two sisters would have to appear together again. Xiao Yao estimated that this possibility was very high, because apart from the necessary homework, Xiao Yuan ran and played like a foal that had broken free from its reins every day.
"It would be good to let her run and jump more." Yin Qianhua liked to hear her niece's cheerful laughter and happy look. Besides, Ruyi had her as her aunt, the princess, and her maternal grandfather was the famous Yuan family. Would she have to worry about getting married in the future?
Yin Qianhua also wanted to be Xiao Yao's support, but the child looked weak but was actually very strong-willed. She had to learn everything she wanted to learn. Reading and writing were not enough. After becoming an apprentice of the embroidery master, she wanted to keep her needle and thread day and night. Sometimes, her big watery eyes turned red from staying up all night.
"If you do this again, your aunt will send the embroidery master away."
"Please don't. Can't I change it?" Xiao Yao changed it as she said. She only embroidered for one hour every day and left enough rest time in between. Only then did Yin Qianhua feel relieved and arrange her birthday celebrations.
During this special period, she didn't plan to invite outsiders, and just wanted to have a meal with her family and two nieces.
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