What happened yesterday had given Shen Heqing such a great shock that he was absent - minded during breakfast.
When he came to his senses, the white porcelain plate of shrimp dumplings in front of him was already empty, and Shen Baozhu sitting beside him was gobbling up the dumplings.
Noticing Shen Heqing's gaze, Shen Baozhu carefully protected her bowl. "Baozhu asked big brother just now. Big brother was in a daze all the time, so Baozhu ate them all."
Shen Heqing found it amusing. "I haven't said anything yet. Hurry up and eat. After that, I'll take you to make clay figurines."
With this promise from Shen Heqing, Shen Baozhu quickly finished her meal. She put the bowl in front of Shen Heqing. "Baozhu has finished eating!"
"Okay, then I'll take you to make clay figurines." Shen Heqing reached out his hand to hold Shen Baozhu's, but failed.
Shen Baozhu pointed at Shen Heqing's clean bowl. "Big brother hasn't eaten yet. Baozhu will wait for big brother to finish eating before going to make clay figurines."
Then, the little girl clutched the corner of her clothes and said uneasily, "Did Baozhu eat all the shrimp dumplings and make big brother angry so he doesn't want to eat? Baozhu apologizes to big brother. Let Aunty Baizhi make shrimp dumplings for big brother again. Will big brother eat something? Uncle Liu said that not eating on time will stop one from growing taller!"
Listening to Shen Baozhu's earnest words, the melancholy that had lingered in Shen Heqing's heart since yesterday suddenly vanished.
He bent down and gently pinched Shen Baozhu's little face. "Is Baozhu worried about big brother's health?"
"Baozhu hopes big brother will grow taller!"
This honest remark really stabbed Shen Heqing in the heart. He asked in disbelief, "Am I short?"
Shen Baozhu shook her head honestly. Then a look of confusion appeared in her eyes. "No, aren't you willing to grow taller, big brother?"
Grow taller...
Few people would dislike being too tall. Shen Heqing was momentarily stunned. Although he didn't think he was short, it would surely be good to grow taller.
Shen Heqing was speechless and could only say that he was in a bad mood and didn't want to eat.
Then, he saw the little girl sigh. "Big brother's body is so unlucky to have an unreliable master."
Shen Heqing led Shen Baozhu into the carriage and headed for the clay - figurine workshop outside the city.
But halfway there, Shen Heqing suddenly discussed with Shen Baozhu. "Baozhu, big brother misses grandma. Can we go see grandma first and then go make clay figurines?"
"Okay!" Shen Baozhu had no objections as long as she could make clay figurines today.
The carriage turned a corner and headed in the direction of the Shen family mansion.
...
At the Shen family mansion.
A beautiful woman in brocade and wearing a gold hairpin was holding a handkerchief and crying to the old woman above.
The old woman held a Buddhist rosary and closed her eyes slightly. Although her clothes were simple, her overall aura was undeniable. She was the old lady of the Shen family, while the crying woman was the second mistress who managed the Shen family.
The second mistress shed tears as if they were free. "Mother, all the household expenses fall on me alone. I used to think that since we're all family, we shouldn't be too fussy. But yesterday, the third brother sent that Xie Xiner here. Does your daughter - in - law still have to support her?"
"I've heard that in the princess mansion, her food, clothing, shelter, and transportation were all top - notch. It's already a great achievement for the mansion to barely keep the expenses stable. There's really no extra money!"
...
The second mistress said a lot, but the main point was only one thing: she could support the Shen family members, but definitely not Xie Xiner.
The old lady was very dissatisfied with her second daughter - in - law's behavior. She opened her eyes and warned, "Speak properly. Don't cry and make a scene."
These words made the second mistress tremble. She quickly wiped away her tears. "I won't support that Xie Xiner. A distant relative from God knows where. What right does she have to live in the Shen family?"
"Moreover, Princess Jingning sent someone a few days ago to pick up the Shu brocade, saying it was for Xie Xiner. That Shu brocade is worth a fortune. It shows that Princess Jingning really treated Xie Xiner well... But yesterday, the third brother rushed to send Xie Xiner back. He must have fallen out with the princess. The princess treated her so well, yet Xie Xiner repaid kindness with enmity. Her character is questionable!"
"Your daughter - in - law is just telling the truth. Mother, don't blame me."
"Among the families we interact with, Princess Jingning is the most generous. Her gifts are several times better than others. Your daughter - in - law doesn't want to offend her."
Due to her merchant background, the second mistress had been neglected by her husband in the previous years. It was only in recent years that their relationship had improved. Naturally, she didn't want a young and beautiful cousin in the family. "Moreover, Xie Xiner is young and beautiful. Living in the inner courtyard, it's hard to guarantee that the men in the family won't have ideas..."
The old lady paused in turning the Buddhist rosary. The second mistress's concerns were not unfounded, but the person was sent by her most beloved youngest son, so she couldn't just drive the person away directly.
Seeing that the old lady's attitude was softening, the second mistress picked up the handkerchief again to wipe her tears. Her crying gave the old lady a headache. "Alright, I know about this. You can go back first."
After the second mistress left, the old lady rubbed her temples in distress, thinking about how to deal with Bai Xinrou.
Seeing that the old lady was a bit swayed, the granny beside her quickly said, "Old lady, you mustn't forget Bai Xinrou's identity. The third master had no choice but to send her here. Instead of sending her out, it's better to keep her by your side. It'll be easier to keep an eye on her."
"Alas, it's all the trouble caused by Yunfeng! Why couldn't he find anyone else? He had to find a daughter of a convicted official. Now I have to clean up his mess for him!" Although the old lady was a bit resentful, after all, Shen Yunfeng was her most beloved son, so she still had to handle Bai Xinrou's matter for him.
The old lady asked the granny to invite Bai Xinrou over. She wanted to know what exactly had happened in the princess mansion and what Princess Jingning's current attitude was before making a decision.
Just as the granny left, a young maid came to announce the good news. "Old lady, Young Master Heqing has come to visit you with Miss Baozhu!"
Hearing that her grandson had come to visit her, the old lady completely forgot about Bai Xinrou. First, she was overjoyed. Then she gave the young maid a reward and couldn't wait to go and greet Shen Heqing.
As soon as she saw Shen Heqing, the old lady looked him up and down carefully. "It's been a long time since I last saw you. You've lost weight. Eat more here with grandma today and make up for it."
Shen Heqing held Shen Baozhu's hand and showed a bit more smile.
Although he had learned about Shen Yunfeng's true nature, he still held hope for his grandparents who had always loved him. Seeing the old lady caring about him so much, the heavy stone in his heart finally dropped.
Although his father was bad, fortunately, his grandma was still a kind one.
Shen Heqing declined the old lady politely. "Not today. I'm planning to take Baozhu to the workshop outside the city to make clay figurines..."
"It's still early. Why don't you stay for lunch at the Shen family mansion before going?" The old lady looked at Shen Baozhu. "Baozhu, do you want to eat the hibiscus cake here at grandma's? Grandma has also got a few new toys. Do you want to play with them?"
The delicious hibiscus cake and the toys made Shen Baozhu subconsciously tighten her grip on her big brother's hand. "Big brother, Baozhu is hungry. I want to eat hibiscus cake."
"Are you hungry already after just having breakfast?" Shen Heqing asked, but still stayed with Shen Baozhu.
Hearing that Shen Heqing had come to the Shen family mansion, the old master sent someone to invite Shen Heqing over.
Shen Heqing pinched Shen Baozhu's little face. "Baozhu, be good here with grandma. Big brother will come back soon."
Shen Baozhu was concentrating on playing with the toy in her hand and just nodded absent - mindedly to敷衍 her big brother.
Seeing this, Shen Heqing wasn't angry. He just told the maids to take good care of her.
After playing for a while, Shen Baozhu felt a bit sleepy and climbed onto the bed to sleep on her own.
I don't know how much time had passed when the sound of an argument came to her ears.
"No, you can't send me away. I want to stay by Shen Lang's side!"
"Stay by my son's side? Bai Xinrou, what right do you have to stay in the capital? Just because you're the daughter of a convicted official?"