“Shen Jingyi???” he teased with a smirk. “Haven’t seen you in days, and now the first thing you do is mock me.”
But who could resist a wealthy patron like him? She had no choice and coquettishly replied, “Oh no, I’m just keeping the kids busy since they have no lessons today!”
Prince Xuan raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Is that so? Are you sure it’s not that you just wanted to play? And where did the kites come from?”
At this, Shen Jingyi beamed with pride. “Well… I made them myself, following the books in your study!”
Prince Xuan chuckled softly, his tone teasing. “Looks like you really do have some leisure time.”
A flicker of subtle envy crossed his eyes, though he quickly composed himself.
Shen Jingyi noticed the change in his expression and thought, Ah, so he’s a little jealous. He must’ve been so busy lately—I heard sometimes the lights burn late into the night.
With that, she smiled sweetly and said, “Hehe, it’s thanks to your protection, Prince, that I can be so carefree and leisurely!”
Seeing her playful flattery, Prince Xuan’s face brightened with a warm, genuine smile. Watching his two sons full of energy, his fatigue from the day seemed to vanish.
These past few days, he had been busy supervising the embankments in He County. Today he had originally planned to have lunch with a few advisors.
But as he stepped out of his study, he noticed everyone in the courtyard looking up in the same direction.
Curious, he followed their gaze and saw four colorful kites soaring high above his mansion.
“Who is flying kites?” he asked.
Chujou, who had just sent someone to check, quickly replied, “Your Highness, Consort Shen is in the rear garden flying kites with the Second Young Master, Third Young Master, and the Little Princess.”
Prince Xuan raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected that she would already be playing with the children so soon.
“And the Heir?” he asked.
“He’s in his own courtyard, reading,” Chujou answered honestly.
“Go fetch him. We’ll go to the rear garden to see.”
Then he turned to the advisors behind him. “Gentlemen, I’ve had wine and dishes prepared in the front courtyard. Help yourselves.”
“Your Highness, you’re too kind.”
Prince Xuan nodded slightly and stepped away.
At the rear courtyard entrance, he met Xiao Zihong.
“Father.”
“Yes, let’s go. Your brothers are flying kites; we’ll join them.”
“Yes.”
The father and son walked toward the direction where the kites soared.
From afar, they could hear the laughter and cheers of the children, and approaching, they saw the lively scene.
“Do you want to play?”
Xiao Zihong usually acted mature and composed, but he was still a child at heart. Seeing his siblings happy, he felt a tingle of excitement and nodded.
“Wait here, I’ll get you one.”
Before he finished, he ran forward.
On the way, anyone who tried to bow or greet him was waved off, and he made his way straight toward Shen Jingyi.
Xiao Tingting, sharp-eyed, noticed her father. She was about to rush forward but caught his gesture, widening her eyes and covering her mouth tightly, as if silently saying, Don’t worry, Father, I won’t make a sound!
Seeing his little sister’s adorable action, Xiao Zihong laughed, gently removing her hand from her mouth, worried she might be uncomfortable holding it so long.
Tingting’s eyes sparkled upon seeing him.
She shouted excitedly, “Guoguo, you’re here!”
Then remembering her father’s earlier gesture, she quickly covered her mouth and whispered, “We’re flying kites! Tingting can make hers fly really high too.”
Her innocent joy radiated, infecting everyone nearby with happiness.
Perhaps it was their blood relation, or perhaps because there were so few children in the mansion, but no matter how the adults fussed, it didn’t seem to affect the children’s bond.
“Tingting is amazing!” Xiao Zihong complimented, his eyes full of gentle warmth.
“Guoguo, let’s play together!”
The little girl eagerly grabbed Xiao Zihong’s hand, placing the kite string in his hand, inviting him to fly it together.
“Okay, big brother will fly the kite with Tingting.”
Just then, Prince Xuan and Shen Jingyi arrived. Shen Jingyi was holding her own kite.
“Tingting is so thoughtful. But big brother also has a kite.”
Hearing that he had one, Xiao Zihong’s eyes lit up.
Still, he first stood straight and bowed. “Greetings, Stepmother Consort.”
It was his first time meeting the new consort. She seemed frank and confident, without any annoying pretense or fawning.
As he watched carefully, Shen Jingyi said, “Heir, no need for formalities.”
When they approached, Xiao Tingting tilted her head, puzzled. “Where’s Guoguo’s kite?”
Shen Jingyi seemed to read her thoughts. “This one in Stepmother Consort’s hand is for big brother. Since he wasn’t here before, I flew it for him.”
“Then if this is for big brother, Stepmother Consort has no kite for herself?” Tingting frowned a little, holding her kite.
“I can make one! Next time, I’ll make a bigger one for us to play with.”
Tingting’s eyes lit up. “Can I have one too?”
“Of course! Next time I make one, I’ll invite you all to fly it together.”
“And we still want flower cakes!”
Shen Jingyi chuckled, patting the little girl’s head. “Alright~”
Prince Xuan stood nearby, listening with a quiet smile, saying nothing.
“Yes, yes, next time we’ll play again.”
The little girl hadn’t finished yet, already thinking about next time.
Shen Jingyi handed the kite string to Xiao Zihong. “Heir, here you go, go fly it. But it’s already lunchtime, so you can’t play for long. We’ll have lunch right here—I’ve arranged everything. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
“Thank you, Stepmother Consort,” Xiao Zihong said, cheeks slightly red.
Then Xiao Tingting happily tugged him along, calling, “Big Guoguo, let’s go find Second and Third Guoguo!”
Watching the children’s small figures fade into the distance, Prince Xuan whispered into Shen Jingyi’s ear, “So, the kite… you really helped Zihong fly it?”
Shen Jingyi didn’t mind the lie being uncovered. Instead, she rolled her eyes playfully at him and said softly, “Now it is.”
Hearing this, Prince Xuan laughed heartily. “Haha, indeed, being with you just lifts my mood!”
Then he put an arm around Shen Jingyi’s waist and said with a smile, “Come on, show me where you’ve arranged lunch.”
Meanwhile, the distant laughter of the children echoed through the air, filling the garden with joy.