Little girls are naturally more sensitive. When Ji Ling was in Shi Muwǎn's arms, she was a bit flustered, with her big, watery eyes darting around like a panicked fawn.
Few people had ever hugged her so tightly. This feeling was so comfortable and reassuring.
She raised her hands to hug Shi Muwǎn back, hoping to make the hug more comfortable. Her fluffy little head rubbed against Shi Muwǎn's neck, making the latter laugh.
The gaze of the man standing behind the three children was so intense that even though Shi Muwǎn tried to ignore it, she couldn't help but be affected.
In her memory, this man seemed to be Shi Li, the second brother of the original body. He was erudite and well - versed in knowledge, but his health was a bit frail, and he would fall ill from time to time.
The frail Second Brother Shi had half of his black hair tied up with a jade hairpin. He was wearing a smoke - blue waist - tied long robe with patterns of plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos, and chrysanthemums that literati of the time loved, and a silver fox cloak over it. He had a graceful and elegant demeanor.
There was a round mutton - fat jade pendant hanging from his waist, which seemed to be natural and uncarved at first glance. But upon closer inspection, one could find some faint patterns of lotus flowers and noble gentlemen engraved on it, which were extremely delicate.
Coupled with Shi Li's gentle eyebrows, he looked extremely tender.
"Has Imperial Grandmother been injured? Are you feeling unwell? Grandson will call the imperial physician right away." As Ji Heng asked, he raised his little hand, about to call someone.
Shi Muwǎn quickly pressed his hand down: "It's okay, it's okay. I'm already much better. I just caught a cold. I'll recover after some rest."
"Imperial Grandmother, don't lie to us. I heard from Xuan Yu that there were many assassins that day." Ji Ling rubbed her teary eyes and said in a soft voice.
Xuan Yu was Ji Ling's personal senior maid.
"Yes, it was so scary. Fortunately, the national master and the soldiers at the city gate were there. Imperial Grandmother ran fast and hid, so she wasn't injured."
"Really?"
"Of course it's true. Why would Imperial Grandmother lie to you? Is there honey if I lie to you?"
"No." Ji Ling tilted her head and thought for a while. The worry in the eyes of the other two children also seemed to fade a bit.
Shi Muwǎn was holding the three children in her arms, comforting them. When she looked up at her second brother Shi Li, for some reason, she had an illusion that his eyes were red, and the corners of his eyes were drooping, as if he was about to cry?
Shi Muwǎn raised her eyebrows slightly and stood up: "Second Brother! Why are you here? You're back!"
"Little Sister, what's this tone? Do you mean you're not happy to see me?" Hearing that she was safe, the anxiety in Shi Li's heart finally subsided.
"Haha, of course not. I just thought it was a bit strange that Second Brother, who has been studying outside, suddenly appeared."
"I've finished all my courses. And since I've run out of the medicine I prepared, I thought I might as well come back to see how you all are. But I didn't expect that as soon as I came back, I was dragged into helping by Big Brother."
At this time, the youngest Ji Ling spoke up in a soft voice: "Mr. Shi has been teaching us these days, Imperial Grandmother. Can we replace Master Li with Mr. Shi? Ling'er can't understand what Master Li teaches."
Ji Ling used to be afraid of Shi Muwǎn because the original body didn't like taking care of children and was very strict with them.
But Shi Muwǎn was different. When she was a city - manager in the past, she often helped small merchants and peddlers take care of their children, so she was very good at it. Soon after she came to this world, she won over the youngest Ji Ling. After they got closer, Ji Ling would even hold her hand and act coquettishly.
Ji Heng was a bit older. Born into the royal family, he was more mature in thinking and had his own opinions. But as long as you talked to him nicely, he would listen.
As for Ji Huang, he still didn't dare to get too close to her. Maybe it was because of his shy personality; he was rather naive.
Ji Ling pleaded with her in a cute voice. Shi Muwǎn was instantly filled with motherly love. Just as she was about to speak, she choked on her own saliva and coughed continuously. Shi Li quickly reached out to pat her on the back to make her feel better.
Huo Qizhou, who had just finished talking to the officials at the palace gate, walked in and saw Shi Muwǎn and the others. After saluting to Ji Heng, he stepped forward when he heard her coughing: "It's cold outside. Empress Dowager and Second Young Master Shi might as well go into the palace hall to talk."
"National Master." Shi Li bowed with clasped fists.
"Second Young Master Shi, there's no need for such formalities."
Ji Heng knew he shouldn't say more and would disturb Imperial Grandmother's rest. He took his younger brother and sister's hands: "Imperial Grandmother and the National Master have been exhausted these days. Please go back and rest first. Grandson will take Huang'er and Ling'er to study. Master Li should be waiting."
Shi Muwǎn was already longing to lie down and rest. Seeing the reluctance in Ji Ling's eyes, she cleared her throat, leaned over to the little girl's ear, and said, "Ling'er, be a good girl. First study hard with Master Li. In a few days, Imperial Grandmother will ask Mr. Shi if he's willing to teach in the palace."
The little girl's eyes lit up, and her head nodded like a pecking chicken: "Okay, then Imperial Grandmother must remember to ask!"
"Okay, but Ling'er must also promise Imperial Grandmother that even if Mr. Shi doesn't agree, you still have to listen to Master Li's lessons carefully."
Ji Ling pursed her lips and puffed out her cheeks: "Imperial Grandmother must ask Mr. Shi more times for Ling'er. Maybe Mr. Shi will agree!"
Shi Muwǎn nodded with a smile. Seeing Ji Huang's expectant face beside her, she couldn't help but stroke his little head.
Huo Qizhou observed her profile. In his dark pupils was the face of a woman seriously making a deal with a child. Her charming and bright eyes were filled with a smile, which made people couldn't help but trust her a little more.
Why hadn't he seen her be so patient before? He couldn't help but feel strange.
Ji Heng took the two younger ones away, leaving the two older ones standing there.
Naturally, Shi Li wanted to stay and catch up with Shi Muwǎn and ask about her situation. Huo Qizhou didn't think it appropriate to stay longer. After saluting, he left under the pretext of needing rest.
Just now, Shi Muwǎn's voice when coaxing the children wasn't very soft, so Shi Li heard it clearly. He looked at his younger sister with a smile: "How are you going to ask me?"
Shi Muwǎn didn't expect that her second brother actually had a bit of a dark - bellied side. Did all these gentle and elegant handsome guys have some tricks up their sleeves?
"Second Brother, don't tease me. If I want to ask, I'll just ask directly. There's no need for me to be polite with you." Shi Muwǎn touched her cheek. Fortunately, it wasn't hot.
"You! There were too many people just now, so I didn't get a chance to ask how you're feeling. Are you in a lot of pain? The news Big Brother sent really scared me. Are you really not injured? Don't use the same excuse you used to deceive the children to deceive me."
"Of course I'm fine. Otherwise, how could I be chatting with you all for so long? I just accidentally fell into the water and caught a cold." Shi Muwǎn coughed inappropriately. Shi Li quickly patted her back.
"How can this not be a big deal? Falling into the water in winter, you're really lucky not to have burned your brains out! I won't delay you any longer. Go back and rest quickly."
Shi Muwǎn didn't want them to worry, so she obediently replied: "Yes, Second Brother."
Shi Li helped her get back into the sedan chair. He didn't turn around and leave until the sedan chair had gone far away.