At this moment, Su Wan was being questioned by her own son.
The little boy’s face was serious and resolute as he said, “Mother, at first, I didn’t believe those things either, but Father showed me the evidence!”
Su Wan felt a sharp pang in her heart. Tears welled up in her eyes as she quavered, “You don’t believe me? After all I’ve done for you…”
But Xiao Zimo showed no sign of backing down. He insisted firmly, “But there really is evidence!”
Su Wan’s voice trembled. “Then someone must be deliberately framing me! You’re my son—you should stand by me!”
“The evidence…”
“What evidence? It’s all lies!”
Xiao Zimo fell silent, staring at his mother, his eyes reddening. After a moment, he choked back his emotions and said, “Mother… please, try to control your temper. Don’t target others anymore. Father said that if you change, you’ll be allowed out.”
“All right, all right, I understand. Stop talking now,” Su Wan hurriedly agreed, afraid that if she didn’t, her son would start crying. Better to placate him for now.
Just then, Xiao Tingting woke from her nap, carried by a blue-clad maid.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw her mother and excitedly stretched out her arms, calling, “Mother! Mother! Hug me!”
Su Wan smiled and scooped her up into her arms.
At the same time, the little girl noticed Xiao Zimo, her eyes slightly red. In a soft, childish voice, she said, “Guoguo, have some candy. Don’t cry.” She offered him a small bite from her candy.
Xiao Zimo shook his head quickly, taking her other tiny hand gently. “Sister, I’m not crying. You eat the candy yourself. How about I hug you instead?”
But the little girl shook her head firmly, murmuring, “No, Guoguo might fall.”
She clung tightly to Su Wan, afraid he would suddenly pick her up. She still remembered how, a few days ago, Xiao Zimo had sneaked to hug her and tripped over the threshold, causing them both to fall.
“Last time was just an accident. This time I won’t fall,” he promised.
But the little girl remained resolute. “No!”
Seeing her daughter so stubborn, Su Wan quickly said, “All right, then. Since you don’t want him to hug you, it’s fine. You’re still a little bean yourself!”
Hearing this, Xiao Zimo pouted, dissatisfied. “Hmph! I’ll eat extra bowls of rice from now on, and I’ll grow up fast!”
Su Wan gently ruffled his hair, smiling. “Good~ Then you must eat well. Now, I have a little task for you.”
“A task?”
“Yes. Side Consort Shen saved your sister yesterday. Since I cannot go out, you will go on my behalf to give her a gift and express our thanks. We mustn’t be thought rude.”
Xiao Zimo immediately puffed up his chest proudly. “All right! I’ll take care of it!”
Su Wan nodded approvingly and turned to the maid Zi Juan. “Zi Juan, fetch a hundred-year-old ginseng from the storehouse, and the premium bird’s nests that just arrived. Pack them carefully in a beautiful box, then accompany Third Young Master to deliver them.”
Zi Juan hesitated briefly but, seeing Su Wan occupied with the little princess, had no choice but to follow orders. Soon, she returned carrying two exquisite redwood boxes.
Su Wan smiled at Xiao Zimo. “Go ahead. Deliver them and come back in time for dinner with me tonight.”
Obediently, Xiao Zimo nodded. “Yes, Mother! I’ll come back right after delivering them.”
He then took Xiao Tingting’s tiny hand. “You wait for me, little sister. I’ll play with you when I return.”
With that, he cheerfully set off with Zi Juan.
Along the way, Xiao Zimo was bubbling with excitement, thinking carefully about what he would say to show proper manners.
Maid Xia Mamu, like Zi Juan, was slightly anxious. Once they were out of earshot, she whispered, “Mistress, do you think this will be all right? After today’s events, I’m worried…”
Su Wan waved her off lightly. “Why worry? These are gifts I bought myself. And didn’t Chu Jiu already search the manor yesterday? They didn’t find any issues. What are we afraid of?”
“Besides, if anything is discovered later, it will only prove that someone tried to harm me—and it’s fortunate I sent these gifts out by chance.”
“All right, enough talk. Go check the kitchen and make a few dishes that Mo’er likes.”
Though Xia Mamu was still concerned, she had no choice but to obey. “Yes, Mistress,” she said, bowing before leaving.
…
Meanwhile, in Youlan Courtyard, Shen Jingyi had just woken from her nap. She wore a light blue dress, flowing wide like a lake, airy and elegant, as if a celestial being had descended to the mortal world.
She sat leisurely in a reclining chair, absorbed in a book. Sunlight filtered through the leaves above, casting dappled patterns across her, making her seem almost like a painting come to life.
Beside her, the table was laid with delicate pastries, fruits, and a bowl of fruit ice slush, still cold and steaming lightly—an irresistible treat in the summer heat.
Shen Jingyi set down her book, scooped a spoonful of the ice slush, and savored it. A chill spread across her tongue, and she sighed with contentment, enjoying the quiet, perfect moment.
At that moment, a petite maid entered gracefully and knelt to report, “Side Consort, Third Young Master has arrived.”
“Third Young Master,” Shen Jingyi murmured softly, glancing at Chun Tao beside her. She had momentarily forgotten who it was.
Seeing this, Chun Tao whispered, “It’s Consort Su’s son.”
Shen Jingyi’s expression brightened. “Ah, let him in.”
Soon, Xiao Zimo entered with a maid carrying boxes.
Shen Jingyi immediately instructed, “Bring over a bowl of ice slush. Xia Zhu, fetch a chair here.”
Both maids responded in unison.
Shen Jingyi smiled at the small, fair-skinned boy before her. She had to admit, Su Wan might not be a great person, but her children were indeed adorable.
Xiao Zimo did not wander about. He stepped forward, bowed politely, and said, “Zi Mo greets Side Consort Shen.”
Shen Jingyi waved her hand gently. “No need for formalities, Zi Mo. Sit down.”
“It’s so hot today… did you come here for something?”
Sitting down, Xiao Zimo replied, “Zi Mo came to deliver thanks from Mother. Thank you for saving Tingting yesterday.”
He then stood again, bowed to Shen Jingyi, and sat back down.
“No need to be so polite. I was just in the right place at the right time yesterday. It was indeed quite dangerous.”
After Shen Jingyi finished speaking, Xiao Zimo pointed to the boxes in Zi Juan’s arms. “Side Consort Shen, these are gifts Mother specially prepared for you.”
“Oh, you needn’t trouble yourself. It was just a small favor. Your thanks alone is enough. You should take these back,” Shen Jingyi said with a gentle smile, politely refusing.
But Xiao Zimo shook his head firmly. “No. This is a task from my mother. I must complete it.”
Shen Jingyi found the little boy amusing and teased, “Oh, so it’s a task? What happens if you don’t complete it? Will there be a punishment?”
Xiao Zimo touched his little head thoughtfully. “Um… I don’t know. Mother didn’t say anything about punishment. And it’s the first task I’ve ever received in my life.”
“Oh? Is that so? Then maybe you should try returning it?” Shen Jingyi teased further.
“No, no! This is a gift of thanks. I can’t take it back. I came here especially to deliver it,” Xiao Zimo said earnestly.
“Haha, very well, then. I’ll accept it. Thank you, Zi Mo,” Shen Jingyi laughed, looking at the serious little boy.
She then glanced at Chun Tao, who immediately stepped forward to take the box from Zi Juan.
Seeing this, Xiao Zimo finally relaxed and said with relief, “You don’t need to thank me. I’m just glad you’ll accept it.”