A small figure “whooshed” into Pei Qingci’s arms, which carried an elegant lotus fragrance.
Luo Luo, whose face was already smeared with syrup, didn’t forget to rub against her mother’s lapel.
Pei Qingci showed no trace of disgust, taking out a plain white silk handkerchief to gently wipe the “little messy bun.”
“Look at you, eating like a little kitten.”
The two servants at the door watched with eyes nearly popping out.
Their young mistress was an unmarried noble lady, so how… did such a large daughter appear out of nowhere?
Could she be an adopted daughter?
Luo Luo pulled out a Golden Phoebe wood box from her embrace, presenting it to Pei Qingci like a treasure.
“Dearest Mother, Luo Luo brought you something nice. I found it today from… hmm…”
She pouted her lips toward the Regent’s mansion: “From that scoundrel father’s vault. It’s so pretty.”
Pei Qingci felt warmth in her heart as she accepted the box.
Even if it contained a small stone picked up from the roadside, she would treasure it like a gem.
“Luo Luo is so good, knowing to give Mother gifts. Mother is very happy.”
“Dearest Mother, open it quickly!”
Luo Luo urgently tugged at her sleeve.
“Alright.”
Pei Qingci complied and opened the lid.
On the velvet cushion lay a gold-tipped hairpin and a brilliantly shimmering jade bracelet.
They were exactly the styles and colors she preferred.
Luo Luo lifted her little face, wearing an expression begging for praise.
“Luo Luo knows Dearest Mother likes this style and color. Is Luo Luo Mother’s most considerate little treasure?”
“Of course you’re the most considerate.”
Pei Qingci gently pinched her little nose.
Receiving this praise, Luo Luo lifted her chin proudly.
“Luo Luo has many more treasures to give Dearest Mother next time.”
She happily calculated in her heart.
Those several large chests of antiques and curios “transported” from her scoundrel father’s vault were all prepared for her dearest mother.
Pei Qingci held her soft little hand: “Luo Luo, it’s almost noon. Would you like to join Mother for a meal?”
Luo Luo nodded like a pecking chick: “Yes, yes, yes!”
Being able to eat at the same table with her dearest mother was even more delightful than getting a whole stand of Sugar-coated haws.
Only then did Pei Qingci turn her attention to the two starkly contrasting guards behind Luo Luo.
One carried a bright red sugar-coated haws stand that nearly submerged his figure, while the other had a cold, stern expression, holding a long sword.
“You two…”
Yun Ying immediately reported: “Replying to the Young Mistress, I am Yun Ying, and this is Xuan Ying. We are the Young Lady’s personal guards. As for these Sugar-coated haws… they are the Young Lady’s ‘Spoils of war.'”
Luo Luo “whooshed” plucked the reddest and brightest skewer from the stand Yun Ying carried, eagerly offering it to Pei Qingci.
“Dearest Mother, have some. It’s very sweet.”
“Thank you, Luo Luo.”
Pei Qingci smiled warmly, personally taking Luo Luo’s little hand as they stepped into the Duke’s mansion with its imposing gate.
The Duke’s mansion was dignified and solemn, with pavilions and towers hidden among fine trees and exotic rocks. Its grandeur and heritage were no less impressive than that of a Prince’s mansion.
After walking a few steps, Luo Luo tugged at Pei Qingci’s sleeve: “Dearest Mother, can Luo Luo go pay respects to Grandfather?”
“Grandfather…”
Pei Qingci’s expression hesitated slightly.
If she were to suddenly inform him that he had gained a five-year-old granddaughter out of nowhere, who claimed to have “traveled back” from five years in the future…
The elderly gentleman would likely need some time to digest this sudden “family joy.”
“Be good, Luo Luo.”
Pei Qingci crouched down, smoothing Luo Luo’s little hair buns.
“Grandfather is currently occupied with important matters. Shall we return to Mother’s Fragrant Garden first and play for a while? When the Old Master is free, Luo Luo can go pay respects and bring him sugar-coated haws, alright?”
Luo Luo nodded obediently: “Mm, okay. Then when Grandfather isn’t busy, Luo Luo will bring him sugar-coated haws.”
“So sensible.”
Pei Qingci breathed a sigh of relief, took Luo Luo’s hand, and walked along the carved gallery.
Just as they rounded a rockery piled with Taihu stones, they unexpectedly encountered a child in brocade clothing.
About three or four years old, his small frame stood ramrod straight, his steps steady, his gaze calm, holding a scroll of books in his hand.
“Xuan’er greets Aunt.”
The child stopped and performed a proper bow.
This was Pei Mo Xuan, the only son of Pei Qingci’s elder brother, the Duke’s heir Pei Che.
Though young, he was already renowned in the capital as a child prodigy, having thoroughly memorized his elementary studies at such a tender age.
Pei Qingci smiled: “It’s Mo Mo. Have you finished reciting your morning lessons?”
Pei Mo Xuan’s childish voice was clear: “Reporting to Aunt, they are completed.”
“Hello, Little Brother Mo!”
Luo Luo immediately approached familiarly, deftly pulling off a stick of sugar-coated haws and thrusting it into Pei Mo Xuan’s hand.
“Here, Brother Mo, have some sugar-coated haws.”
Looking at this “Little Master Brother” who was about the same age as her, Luo Luo secretly rejoiced in her heart.
Oh my, Little Brother Mo was already this serious when he was so young.
(ω′)
However, Pei Mo Xuan slightly furrowed his small brows and pushed the sugar-coated haws back.
“Thank you, I don’t need this.”
Since he began learning characters, he had been strictly taught and had long stopped consuming such sweet snacks.
Luo Luo wasn’t surprised at all, shaking her head and speaking with an old-fashioned air:
“Just as expected, Brother Mo still doesn’t like sugar-coated haws, nor sweet pastries, only loves hugging books and nibbling on them.”
This scene was exactly the same as the Little Master she remembered whom she had made cry.
Pei Qingci felt slightly surprised and glanced at her: “Oh? How does Luo Luo know this?”
Luo Luo giggled, her eyes curving like crescent moons, but offered no explanation: “Mother, Luo Luo’s tummy is hungry.”
Suppressing her doubts, Pei Qingci said to Pei Mo Xuan: “Mo Mo, Aunt won’t be dining in the main hall for lunch. If you see your grandfather when you go to the study, please inform him for me.”
“Yes, nephew will remember.”
Pei Mo Xuan acknowledged, but his gaze—carrying a depth and a trace of confusion unbefitting his age—followed Xiao Luoning as she bounced away with Pei Qingci.
Aunt actually has a child?
Pei Qingci led Luo Luo into the exquisitely quiet Fragrant Garden.
Luo Luo, familiar with the place, immediately became lively upon entering, pointing excitedly toward the back:
“Mother, Luo Luo loves your courtyard the most! There’s a huge lotus pond in the back with lots and lots of pretty fishies. Luo Luo once…”
She quickly covered her little mouth, almost blurting out “once caught and roasted them to eat.”
This time, Pei Qingci was truly astonished: “How do you even know about the fish pond behind my courtyard?”
That place was quite secluded; even her elder brother might not go there often.
Luo Luo blinked her bright big eyes and said something startling: “Because Luo Luo traveled back from five years in the future! Luo Luo knows everything.”
Then, feeling she had revealed too much of the “heavenly secrets,” she quickly covered her mouth with her chubby little hands, only revealing a pair of sly yet innocent big eyes.
Pei Qingci couldn’t help but laugh at her adorable expression.
He gently pinched her rosy cheek, yet a ripple of melancholy stirred in his heart.
Would she truly… one day have such a whimsical daughter with Xiao Lin?