Chapter: 036.2 out of 171
After today’s birthday celebrations, Wei Luo realized something.
She had a deep impression of Du-shi‘s desperation when she was taken away. If Wei Chang Mi was intimate with them, would she feel hopeless? If in the future Wei Chang Mi only acknowledged Qin-shi as his mother and not her, would she feel even more hopeless and desperate? As a mother, she probably couldn’t handle this type of attack.
After Wei Luo figured this out, she slightly changed her attitude towards Wei Chang Mi.
Although she still didn’t like to see him, she wouldn’t show the disgust on her face. After all, fourth aunt was now raising him. If she showed prejudice towards him, fourth aunt would feel bad. Whenever she saw Wei Chang Mi, she didn’t have to fawn over him, the little fellow already liked her very much. As long as she didn’t reject him and occasionally squeezed his small hand, he would babble happily.
From that point of view, he wasn’t that annoying.
Because Wei Chang Mi had a good relationship with Wei Luo, Wei Zheng would look at him angrily every time she saw him. She probably thought he was a little traitor.
For example, when the entire family was eating a meal together in the receiving room, while the wet nurse was holding Wei Chang Mi, he would wink at Wei Luo and stick out his tongue from time to time. Young children do these actions without any intention. He wasn’t even aware of these subconscious facial expressions himself. But, Wei Zheng thought he wanted to be closed to Wei Luo. She pursed her lips and angrily looked at Wei Chang Mi with menacing intentions.
Wei Chang Mi became frightened from her glare. He hid his face in the wet nurse’s chest and started crying.
Wei Zheng was also young and her heart was anxious. She didn’t know how to deal with babies and thought that threatening him would work. She didn’t expect that this action would be the same as shooting herself in the foot.
His relationship with Wei Zheng was like a rolling snowball that continued to deteriorate at an out of control rate. To the extent that now, Wei Chang Mi would be scared as soon as he saw her and subconsciously avoided contact with her.
The wet nurse went behind a screen to comfort Chang Mi. Wei Zheng sat on the stool with her lips tightly pursed and at a complete loss of what to do next.
During this period of time, Wei Zheng went to see Du-shi in Ginkgo Courtyard every day. Since the time that Du-shi had seen Wei Chang Mi, she thought about him every moment. But, Wei Kun wouldn’t allow her to meet him again. She seemed as if she had lost her soul and all desires. Every day, she was absent-minded and lost in a trance. Every night, she would call out Chang Mi’s name.
But Chang Mi? He happily got along with Qin-shi and Wei Luo. He simply didn’t know that he had a biological mother that longed to see him.
How could daddy be so cruel? Wei Zheng put down her chopsticks and resisted the urge to cry.
“I’m finished eating.” She turned around and left the receiving room. She hid underneath the porch and cried out her unhappy feelings.
——–
The end of the year arrived quickly. From top to bottom, Duke Ying’s residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners in preparation to celebrate the New Year.
On New Year’s Eve, Wei Luo and Wei Chang Hong sat together in the central house to wait for the New Year. As they waited and waited, they started to become drowsy. In the end, Wei Kun took them back to their rooms.
The three days after New Years were very lively. Wei Kun had brought the three kids to Count Zhongy
i’s residence and also several officials’ homes. Wei Luo received many red envelopes. Every night, she would count up her money with a scrooge-like style.
Jin Lu couldn’t resist laughing at her, “Miss, don’t you have boxes of third madam’s jewelry? Why do you care about this small amount of money?”
Wei Luo shook her head and offered a different view, “That isn’t the same. I can’t you use those jewelry now. Once I’m grown up, I’ll use them to nicely adorn myself. Although this money isn’t much, I can use it anytime I want to buy whatever I want.”
Jin Lu resisted smiling and perfunctorily said, “Miss’s words are reasonable.”
Wei Luo flattened her lips and didn’t continue to explain. In two more days, it would Zhao Jie’s birthday. What should she give as a gift? This was such a headache. His gift required money and her energy. If she had known earlier, she wouldn’t have accepted that jade pendant.
She lied on her bed to think about this for a while. Her two legs swung around as she thought. After a long time, she still couldn’t think of a good idea.
——–
On January sixth, for Prince Jing’s birthday celebration, there were many important guests. Duke Ying’s family was also on the invitation list.
After Duke Ying’s family had finished preparing, they had left for Prince Jing’s residence early in the morning.
This was Prince Jing’s first birthday after he had return to the capital. Everyone racked their brains and spent a lot time to give a gift that would hopefully gain Zhao Jie’s favor. Every person who entered his residence had to hand over an invitation and a birthday present. The gifts were resplendent.
There were precious stones carved into Guanyin (goddess of mercy), famous paintings… One by one, the prince’s steward accepted each item, recorded it in the account books, and sent it to be stored in a warehouse.
At this time, Zhao Jie was wearing a deep black robe embroidered with auspicious patterns and leisurely practicing writing.
It wasn’t time yet. He wasn’t in a hurry to go to the receiving room. It would be fine to let everyone wait for a bit.
Shortly after, the steward came inside after knocking on the door. With an odd expression, he said, “Your highness…”
Zhao Jie didn’t look up and asked, “What’s the matter?”
The steward said, “Duke Ying’s residence sent a large-sized gift. They asked that you personally open it… This subordinate worries that there’s something wrong about this and didn’t immediately agree. This subordinate came here to ask for instructions. What do you want done?”
Zhao Jie stopped writing and tilted his head, “It was sent by Duke Ying’s residence?”
The steward nodded.
His lips lifted up in a smile. He thought of the words that he said to Wei Luo in the Bamboo Courtyard. Surely, this large gift was that girl’s idea.
He paused for a moment, and then said, “Bring it over here for this prince to see.”
The steward nodded, and then retreated.
In a moment, two guards brought over a red sandalwood box engraved with water lilies. The box was half the height of a person.
They saluted and said, “Your highness, please look.”
Zhao Jie stood up from the chair and slowly walked to the front of the box.
This was a truly a big gift. He wondered what that little girl prepared. He paused in his movement, and then slowly bent over. He unlatched the lid of the red sandalwood box with his hands. Click. The box opened.
He froze. And then he lifted up the lid.
There was a beautiful young girl curled up inside the box. Her eyes were closed. Her thick eyelashes were beneath her eyes like a pair of delicate and small fans. She had probably fallen asleep on the journey here. She wasn’t awake yet. Her white and tender cheeks were slightly red. Her small mouth was slightly open, but her sleep wasn’t that deep. Her hands rubbed her eyes as if she was about to wake up.
The author has something to say:
Ah Luo will soon grow up. (⊙v⊙) There’s probably one more story arc. Ah Yue (author) is looking forward to it. Giggles happily.
Ah Luo was given red envelopes. Does everyone else want one too? ~(≧▽≦)/~