“That’s right, it was Wu Xiaosu, the eldest miss of the Wu Family. Mom was originally going to relent, but I saw that that Miss Wu was just acting, so I didn’t let her board the carriage. Otherwise, if something were to happen to her while riding our carriage, the Wu Family would most likely hold us accountable for it!” Xiao Lin’er raised her small head proudly.
Wei Ziqin was unable to restrain a smile, and she turned around to poke her daughter’s forehead. “You just like to show off your cleverness in front of your Eldest Sis, making it seem as if Mom is worthless.”
Qiao Lin stuck out her tongue, looking witty and adorable.
Seeing how animated and carefree her sister was, Qiao Mu sighed with emotion and nodded as a faint smile appeared on her lips. “Xiao Lin’er is rather quick-witted.”
“Alright, you don’t need to praise her anymore, or else your sister’s proud tail will point up to the heavens.” Wei Ziqin shook her head with a smile. As she held each of her daughter’s hands, she only felt blissful.
After the mother and daughter trio entered Nanzhu Garden, the emerald green bamboo that entered their sight distracted Qiao Mu for a moment.
At this time, the snow hadn’t completely melted yet, and the emerald green and snow white colors harmonized to form a tranquil scene. It made her reminisce that there was once a benevolent elderly lady that liked to wave her cattail-leaf fan as she sat at a small table in the middle of a green bamboo forest, listening to the wind and bamboo while admiring the snow.
She couldn’t go back…
“Qiaoqiao, what is it?” Wei Ziqin looked at her child, puzzled.
Qiao Mu quickly blinked before shaking her head lightly. “It’s nothing, Mom. I really like this place.”
“That’s good, it’s good that you like it.” Wei Ziqin kept nodding her head happily. “Go inside your room to take a look. Mom had already made preparations for you to come live at home again, so all the blankets and everything are new. Make sure to tell Mom if you find anything missing.”
“Mom, everything you give Sister is the best! With this contrast, it doesn’t even seem as if I’m your biological child!” Qiao Lin pouted teasingly.
Wei Ziqin’s hand paused, but then she immediately raised her hand to thwack her younger daughter’s back. “What drivel are you spouting? Does Mom not worry enough over you?”
“Hehe.” Qiao Lin giggled while covering her mouth. She flashed behind her sister’s back and pulled Qiao Mu’s sleeve, griping, “Sis, Sis, Sis, Sis, in the time that you haven’t been home, Mom would hit me at a whim, always scolding me for being a naughty monkey. Now that you’re back, you have to help me uphold justice! We sisters have to be of one heart and mind!”
Wei Ziqin couldn’t resist snickering. “I’m telling you, your sis is the most principled. Don’t count on her standing up for you when you get into trouble!”
Hearing this, Qiao Lin turned down the corners of her mouth as the trio walked into the refined, ornately-decorated room.
A double-sided peony-embroidered screen partitioned the room into two. The outside was set up as a small area for Qiao Mu to drink tea and entertain close friends, while the inside was a spacious bedroom.
As the room was fully equipped with all the necessary furniture, after sweeping a glance, Qiao Mu felt that everything was to her satisfaction and that she didn’t need to add anything else. She originally wasn’t a person with high standards, and everything was fine as long as she was comfortable. As for those decorative items, they didn’t really matter to her.
It was only because her dad had been promoted to a marquis that her mother started to be more particular about these matters. Otherwise, if it were back in the village, a large heatable brick bed that provided a warm place to lay on would have been sufficient.
“Sis, you really aren’t particular about the details.” Seeing how her sister seemed to view secular items as dispensable, Xiao Lin’er couldn’t resist chuckling.
“Shoo, such a cheeky child. How could you not adhere to hierarchy and carelessly tease your sis?” Wei Ziqin smacked her younger daughter.
Qiao Mu involuntarily shook her head, defending her sister as she said, “Mom, it’s fine. We can be more casual when in our own home.”
“That’s right.” Qiao Lin tilted her small head as she automatically hid behind Qiao Mu’s back.
——
