This place was much warmer than where Xiao Yao had lived in her previous life. In the summer, wealthy families either used ice or went out to escape the heat. The Qin family owned several farms and villas, and they would usually stay there for a while during this time of year. This year, because the children were too young, they held off on making a decision. The result of their hesitation was that the chubby little boy, Xiao Qi, broke out in a heat rash, and General Xiao sent a special message back, urging them to take good care of the child in the hot weather.
After some discussion, they finally decided to take the three children to live in a village on the mountain outside the city for a while. There were not only ponds and lotus ponds there, but also waterfalls.
The decision has been made, but who will go and who will stay?
Tong Mingyu and Li Jiaoying's plan was that one would take the children away for the summer heat, while the other would stay to take care of the household chores and let the mother-in-law go with them to the villa. However, Qin insisted on staying behind to look after the house and refused to go no matter what.
"How can a child leave her mother? Besides, after you leave, I can use ice, but it won't be hot enough. You will be back in ten days or half a month. There is nothing to worry about. Go quickly!" Qin kept urging.
The two daughters-in-law were very touched. Their mother-in-law truly loved them and their children.
"Hey, Xiao Ping'an, I will miss you when you leave." Xiao Ruiwen was going to the family school for enlightenment, but he couldn't go with them, so he felt a little dejected.
"It's okay. I'll take you to see Ping An when we have a day off." As the eldest brother, Xiao Lang cares for his younger siblings very much. He stepped forward and patted Xiao Rui on the head to comfort him.
"It's a deal." Xiao Rui immediately became excited.
"This child, he wasn't so happy even when he heard his mother was coming back. It's obvious that he really likes Ping An!" Qin found her grandson interesting and deliberately teased him, "Let your mother give you a sister, so you don't have to worry about Ping An all the time."
"I don't want anything that's not beautiful without peace."
"Your mother will be worried in the future if she can't find someone as handsome as Ping'an. Don't you want to get married?" Li Jiaoying pointed at his head with her finger.
Xiao Rui thought about it and nodded very seriously, which caused a burst of laughter.
The carriages were ready outside the door. Taking advantage of the cool morning, more than twenty masters and servants, in five carriages, set off under the escort of Xiao Jingtai.
It was Xiao Yao's first time stepping out of the mansion. Seeing the massive procession, she couldn't help but sigh at how difficult it must have been to leave the house in ancient times! Maids, servants, attendants... it was a vast procession. The curtains on the carriage swung back and forth as the vehicle moved. She was eager to see the scenery outside, so she instinctively tilted her head toward the window and reached out to grab the curtain.
Tong Mingyu and Li Jiaoying were surprised to see her behavior. It was unbelievable that a child who was more than six months old and going out for the first time would have such a reaction.
"Sister-in-law, does Ping'an want to see outside?" Li Jiaoying guessed.
Tong Mingyu wanted to say, how would I know, my daughter is usually very well-behaved, she was indeed a little abnormal today.
"Qiao Yue, carry her to the window and see what she wants to do." Qiao Yue is now serving Xiao Yao. Tong Mingyu assigned another maid, Qiao Si, to his youngest son. The maids left now are Xiwei, Xiying, and Sumian and Suxiao who were promoted later.
A corner of the carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a broad street lined with high walls and red gates. Why were there no shops or vendors? She realized this street must be inhabited solely by officials, so of course there wouldn't be any shops or civilians. A moment later, the carriage turned a corner, and the sounds grew louder: hawking, greetings, even arguments... She watched with rapt interest. Someone was getting upset. What was going on? Could someone explain?
Look at the other two children, one is sleeping soundly; the other one hears the noise and looks confused. This is right!
"Haha, haha" Xiao Yao laughed happily, not knowing what interesting thing she saw.
"Qiaoyue, let down the curtain." Tong Mingyu hugged his daughter and looked at her.
Xiao Yao hadn't recovered from the scene just now. She was stunned, blinking her clear eyes. The meaning was obvious. What happened? Mother, what's with that expression? No, this should be her first time going out, her first time riding in a carriage. Oh, I forgot I was still a child. How could she not suspect her mother and believe that she was a normal child?
"Huh" a gust of wind blew up the car curtain, and Xiao Yao turned her head to look out through the gap.
"I was scared to death. I was wondering how Ping'an knew there was a commotion outside. It turned out he saw it when the curtains were lifted. I thought this kid had become a spirit!" Li Jiaoying said, patting her chest.
Tong Mingyu's expression also relaxed.
Xiao Yao breathed a sigh of relief. It was a close call. It seemed that she had gotten a little too proud of herself and was almost mistaken for a demon. She must be more careful next time.
Near noon, the group arrived at the village. It was a vast expanse, with thousands of acres of fertile farmland tucked against a mountain peak. The wheat had been harvested, and the rice was beginning to ear, stretching as far as the eye could see. The mountain's expanses of green were dotted with yellow and red fruits, creating a striking and vibrant scene. Houses, arranged in a patchwork pattern, nestled against the mountainside, their white walls, black tiles, and green trees creating a striking contrast. The main house was surrounded by two ponds and a large lotus pond, a small pavilion, and a floating bridge. The fragrance of lotus pods wafted in the air, and occasionally, a water bird would startle from among the lotus leaves.
Xiao Yao fell in love with this place the moment she saw it: picturesque scenery, chirping birds, fragrant flowers, and fresh air. The ingredients for lunch were all home-grown: lush green vegetables, glistening rice, pheasant, and hare—pure natural! For the first time, Xiao Yao felt a little sorry for herself; she could see but not eat.
"Hurry up and take Ping'an away. I'm too embarrassed to open my mouth to eat with her pitiful stare at me." Li Jiaoying couldn't bear to see Xiao Yao's greedy little look. How could she have the nerve to eat when she saw how pitiful she looked?
Tong Mingyu called Xiao Yao's wet nurse, Wang Dasao, and said, "Hurry up and take her away. Let the kitchen make some egg custard. Ping An is drooling."
Xiao Yao raised her hand to wipe her mouth. "Hey, where's the saliva?" "Mom, you've gone too far. It's fine you tortured me with delicious food, but you even lied to me." The look she gave Tong Mingyu was filled with resentment.
"Haha...haha..." Sister-in-law, our Ping'an is so smart that he can understand what you say.
"I didn't notice it before, but after going out, you're like a different person. It's so funny." Li Jiaoying held her stomach and laughed. Ping'an, you're so funny.
Tong Mingyu hadn't expected her daughter to react like this. Xiao Yao turned around angrily, lying on her wet nurse's shoulder, her little butt facing the two of them. Xiao Jun seemed to sense his sister's displeasure, and he angrily cried "ah, ah" to his mother and second aunt, then turned his head and changed to a gentle "oh, oh" to comfort his sister.
"Sister-in-law, this must be the reincarnation of the golden boy and jade girl, each one smarter than the other." Then she looked at her son, who was concentrating on the food. When he saw his mother looking at him, he immediately smiled ingratiatingly, with his teeth showing but not his eyes. He was very smart too, knowing that if he wanted to eat, he had to please her first. Not bad.
After a nap, the five people, big and small, strolled leisurely in the yard. It was a rare time to relax like this, so Tong Mingyu did not restrict the people below, leaving a few people to look after the children, and the rest had half a day off.
The children found everything interesting, chatting enthusiastically along the way in a language adults couldn't understand, with vivid voices and passionate responses. Tong Mingyu and Li Jiaoying had gone from being initially incredulous to now accepting the children's behavior. Perhaps all children are like this; they spend every day together, have a bond, a tacit understanding. Our children are just a little more clever.
A servant dressed as a cook, in her thirties, came over and bowed. "There will be a boat picking lotus seeds in a little while. If you ladies are interested, you might want to go and have a look. The lotus seeds in our pond are the best."
Tong Mingyu is the mistress of the house. Every year, some special products are sent back to the mansion. She knows that the lotus seeds are plump and round.
"Ah, ah" Xiao Yao nodded first. She had never seen picking lotus pods and peeling lotus seeds before and she had to watch it.
Tong Mingyu hadn't intended to object, but seeing her daughter's eager eyes full of "I want to go, I want to go," she smiled faintly and nodded.
The cook couldn't help but look up and look at her curiously. She was indeed a young lady from a wealthy family. She was pretty, smart, and exuded nobility.
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