Second Sister was terribly flustered, timid and fearful, murmuring over and over that she was the only one she could rely on.
Li Shuyu was utterly exasperated, yet her heart softened completely. To cheer her up and distract her from such gloomy thoughts, after their afternoon lessons, she took Second Sister and her younger brother out for a stroll.
Li Shaojin didn’t want to share a carriage with this Second Sister who had stolen his sister’s affection. But his sister was no pushover, the moment he opened his mouth to protest, she shot him a fierce glare. Determined to enjoy the outing, the young master had no choice but to swallow his pride.
The streets of Yanjing bustled with life, day and night. As the carriage slowly entered West Street, the curtains swayed gently in the breeze, carrying the fragrant aroma of food to their noses.
This was Li Shuyu’s first time venturing out since arriving here. She took in the sight of people dressed in ancient attire and the vendors hawking their wares by the roadside.
“Second Sister, if there’s anything you like, just tell me I’ll buy it for you.”
She had always been generous with her family.
Li Qiuyue rarely left the house either. The lively, bustling atmosphere outside gradually soothed her restless heart. Pressing her lips together, she gave a shy but pleased hum in response.
Only Li Shaojin remained sullen, his face as stiff as if someone owed him money. When his sister finished speaking, he turned back to stare out the window, unable to hold back his indignation any longer. “What about me? And me! Sis, you’re so biased! Why does only Second Sister get things bought for her, and not me?!”
Li Shuyu turned to him in surprise. “Didn’t Mother give you money before we left?”
Li Shaojin remained displeased, his delicate, jade-like face scrunched up, his plump lips pouting stubbornly. “That’s not the same! Why does she get to spend your money while I have to spend Mother’s?”
Li Shuyu: “…”
Fine, fine. So everyone’s here to mooch off me, huh?
You’re happy as long as I’m the one spending money, right?
Not wanting to ruin the rare outing by disciplining a child, she clenched her teeth, veins throbbing at her temples, and forced herself to endure. With an impatient wave, she relented, “Alright, alright, I’ll buy you something too. Happy now?”
Li Shaojin huffed and pointed outside. “Then I want yuanzi!”
Yuanzi? What yuanzi?
Li Shuyu followed his gaze oh, tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls).
“Eat, eat, go ahead and eat.”
No wonder the little chubster was so plump it was all that eating.
The carriage came to a stop, and she nimbly hopped down, turning to offer her hand to help her delicate Second Sister alight. But the first one out was the little chubster.
Despite his small size, the boy had big demands, he even wanted her to carry him down. He was so heavy!
Li Qiuyue was the last to step out. Her jade-like fingers, cool to the touch, rested in Li Shuyu’s palm. Unable to resist, she gave them a gentle squeeze. Even after helping her down, she didn’t let go, continuing to hold and knead her hand while chiding, “Why are your hands so cold? Did you not wear enough layers?”
Li Qiuyue lowered her head, her hair fluttering in the breeze. Softly, she explained, “The physician said the cold invaded my body when I fell into the water, so it’s hard for me to stay warm now.”
Li Shuyu immediately fell silent, a dense wave of guilt rising in her chest.
So that was why. It was her fault, she really was the worst.
The grip on the woman’s snow-white, delicate hand tightened unconsciously. Unfazed, Li Qiuyue walked beside her, the corners of her lips curling into a faint, fleeting smile.
Li Shuyu ordered two bowls of yuanzi for her sister and brother. Not fond of sweets herself, she abstained, sitting to the side and watching them eat, mostly watching Li Qiuyue.
The little girl rarely got to eat food from outside, her eyes sparkling with delight, utterly adorable.
Li Shuyu couldn’t resist her restless hands again, reaching out without regard for propriety to pat the girl’s back, even running her fingers through the soft, raven-black hair over and over.
“Eat more. If it’s not enough, I’ll buy you more.”
Li Qiu-yue, too embarrassed to look at her under the affectionate touch, buried herself in eating, only shaking her head hastily between bites, her voice slightly muffled. “It’s enough. I can’t eat anymore.”
In the past, she had only ever been given the cold leftovers from the kitchen. poor in taste, so she had eaten little. Now, she couldn’t stomach too much.
“Mm, take your time. It’s fine if you can’t finish.”
Her tone grew even gentler, to the point where Li Shaojin’s jaw nearly dropped. Suspicious, he scrutinized the second sister he had never paid much attention to before, looking her up and down again and again, yet still failing to see what made her so worthy of his sister’s affection.
Was it because she was pretty?
For the first time, the chubby little boy examined his own youthful face critically.
His sister used to always say he was cute, but she didn’t anymore. Did that mean she no longer liked cute children?
Li Shaojin placed his slightly pudgy hands on his cheeks and let out a world-weary sigh. Just as the storybooks said, a woman’s love came and went as quickly as the wind.
Hearing the sound, Li Shuyu glanced over and frowned when she saw he hadn’t finished. “Don’t waste food.”
Chubby boy: “…”
Fine, fine! You and your favoritism!
He glared at his sister but obediently finished the glutinous rice balls.
Who didn’t like a well-behaved child? Li Shuyu rewarded him with a pat on the head, which slightly soothed the raging fire of indignation in the little boy’s heart.
Li Shaojing huffed, sticking his neck out stubbornly, then demanded, “I want candied hawthorns later! It’s been so long since I had any, you never take me out to eat them!”
His eyes brimmed with resentment.
It was just a stick of candied hawthorns. Li Shuyu saw no reason to deny him and generously agreed, “Alright, alright. Once your second sister finishes eating, we’ll go buy some.”
Li Shaojin immediately turned to look at his second sister, only to see her bowl still full. His resentment deepened. “Second Sister eats way too slowly! Tiny bites, splitting a single rice ball into three mouthfuls, how am I supposed to wait that long?”
Li Qiu-yue’s long lashes fluttered nervously. She shot a flustered glance at Li Shuyu and made to set down her spoon, but Li Shuyu stopped her with a hand. Unbothered, she said, “Ignore this brat. Eat at your own pace we’re in no hurry. Later, we’ll buy you candied hawthorns, have dinner outside, and then go pick out some jewelry. You shouldn’t dress so plainly for the palace banquet. Second Sister is beautiful, she ought to adorn herself properly.”
Li Shaojin: “!!!”
See?! I knew she liked that woman because she’s pretty!
Hmph. I hate sisters who only care about looks.
Pouting, Li Shaojin stirred his rice ball soup with his spoon.
But his sister noticed and added, “If you’ve got nothing better to do, drink your soup. Don’t waste it.”
Li Shaojin: “!!!”
Fuming, he gulped down the soup.
After hearing “don’t waste” twice, Li Qiu-yue grew uneasy. Her grip on the spoon tightened, her gaze turning cautious as she stole a furtive glance at Li Shuyu, quickly looking away before she could be caught. Guiltily pressing her lips together, she took small, measured bites of the rice balls.
After repeating this a few times, she was finally noticed.
Li Shuyu lifted her eyes to meet hers, voice gentle. “What’s wrong? Did you want to say something?”
She repeatedly reminded her to speak her mind and not bottle things up, but the supporting female character was sensitive and reserved by nature. Unless she noticed something herself and asked proactively, the girl would never bring it up on her own.
Oh well. After being bullied for seventeen years, it was only natural for her to develop such a temperament. If anything, she should spoil her a little more and gradually help her change.
Only when questioned did Li Qiuyue show a hint of hesitation and unease, her fingers gripping the spoon so tightly they turned pale. She lowered her head and whispered, ” I can’t eat anymore.”
“Hmm? You’re full already?”
There was still half a bowl of dumplings left.
The supporting female character kept her head down, not daring to meet her gaze, her voice so soft one had to lean in to hear. “I didn’t mean to waste it… I didn’t know there’d be so much. Third Sister, please don’t be angry…”
She looked utterly remorseful.
Li Shuyu had never intended to scold her in the first place, and hearing this, her heart softened even more. She quickly pulled the bowl of dumplings toward herself. “Why would I be angry? If you’re full, then stop eating. Dumplings aren’t easy to digest it’s better not to overeat, or you won’t have room for dinner later.”
Her gentleness and lack of anger made Li Qiuyue press her lips together in a small smile, her heart settling further. Unconsciously, she even shifted her stool a little closer to Li Shuyu. From childhood till now, Li Shuyu had been the only one who treated her this well. These past few days, she had practically spoiled her, making it hard not to grow dependent.
“Mm, I’ll listen to Third Sister.”
Li Shaojin’s eyes widened in disbelief as he watched his sister blatantly favor someone right in front of him. Though it wasn’t the first time, he was just as indignant as ever. With a pained expression, he pointed at Li Shuyu. “Y-you said we can’t waste food! Why does she get to?!”
After pointing at Li Shuyu, the little boy turned his finger toward Li Qiuyue.
The delicate supporting female character flinched in fright, timidly clutching Li Shuyu’s arm and half-hiding behind her, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Li Shuyu’s face darkened instantly as she scolded the child, “Didn’t I tell you not to point at people? That’s rude, put your hand down now!”
Grumbling, Li Shaojin withdrew his hand, though his expression remained defiant. “Why can’t I waste food, but she can? If you keep being this unfair, I’m telling Mother!”
Li Shuyu rubbed her temples in exasperation, then picked up the spoon her second sister had used, scooping a dumpling and popping it into her mouth. At this, both the older and younger siblings looked stunned.
But Li Shuyu saw nothing wrong with it and explained, “There was never any intention to waste. If Second Sister can’t finish, I’ll eat it.”
She thought this explanation was perfectly reasonable, but the child stubbornly fixated on another point. “You only eat Second Sister’s leftovers, not mine. Hmph!”
Don’t think I won’t spank a child. Keep acting up, and I’ll really do it.
She glared at him coldly without saying a word.
Li Shaojin was young, and his temper flared up and faded just as quickly. He knew that as a boy, his sister would never eat after him. Plus, her expression was genuinely a little frightening. His puffed-up cheeks deflated on their own after a moment, and he distractedly turned his attention to the bustling streets and stalls.
Then he made another demand. “Sis, I want a bowl of dumplings!”
Seeing him finally settle down, his sister, who was still busy devouring her wontons fell silent.
“No. Dinner’s soon no more heavy food.”
“Hmph! If Second Sister wanted it, you’d definitely let her!”
Li Qiuyue was suddenly mentioned, her cheeks flushing slightly as she shyly lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone.
Li Shuyu glanced at her, thinking the little one was quite perceptive, and said leisurely, “Your second sister is so thin she’s practically skin and bones. If she doesn’t eat more, she’ll be blown away by the wind. But you, you’re not allowed to eat this much.”
The little chubby one was solid in her arms, clearly well-nourished.