CHAPTER 417: CHAPTER 385: JINBAO WANTS TO EAT THE SUGARCOATED HAWTHORN IN HIS SISTER’S HAND

One month...

Wen Wan calculated the time, and it seemed that the couple returned to the capital around the time the Empress Dowager just passed away.

It should have been ordered by Emperor Guangxi for them to return.

Wen Wan instinctively glanced at the invitation, which indicated a pilgrimage to Fahua Temple.

She looked puzzled and asked the servant, "Why did Granny Qi suddenly think of going to such a place?"

The servant, unaware of his mistress’s pregnancy, simply said, "After the Northwest army’s defeat, Mr. Qi was ordered to lead reinforcements. Granny Qi couldn’t be at ease and wanted to go to the temple to pray for him."

This explanation made sense to Wen Wan.

She nodded, "Go back and tell her I am free, but not today. Hmm, tomorrow. Let’s meet at the West City Gate tomorrow."

Fahua Temple is located on Mile Mountain outside the West City, a relatively serene place.

Su Yaoqi had chosen this place precisely for Fahua Temple’s location and its tranquil environment.

The Su Family’s servant, having received confirmation, quickly returned with a reply.

Upon hearing that Wen Wan was available, Lin Xiaoyue was in high spirits for the entire day.

The next day was a clear day with not a cloud in the sky.

Lin Xiaoyue, without indulging in sleep, got up with her daughter at dawn. The cook, knowing that Granny Qi was going on a long trip, had prepared steamed egg custard and bird’s nest porridge early.

They had just finished washing up when breakfast was served.

Early in the morning, Lin Xiaoyue didn’t have much appetite and only ate a few bites with Ah Nuan before putting down her spoon.

She then asked Jin Zhi to find a clean set of clothes for Ah Nuan to take along, just in case.

With everything ready, Lin Xiaoyue led her daughter out the door, got into the carriage, and headed for the West City Gate.

She arrived a bit early, and Wen Wan had not yet arrived.

Hearing a candied haw seller outside and seeing her daughter swallowing her saliva, Lin Xiaoyue instructed Jin Zhi to buy a skewer.

The little girl happily accepted it, listened to her mother’s warning, "Don’t take big bites, be careful not to choke, understand?"

She mimicked the action of something stuck in her throat uncomfortably as she spoke.

The little girl understood, giggled a couple of times, nodded, and began licking the sugar coating.

Wen Wan arrived at the West City Gate at the appointed hour.

The city gates were wide open, merchants and peddlers flowed in continuously, and the city was bustling and lively.

Peeking through the curtains, she saw the Su Family’s carriage stopped by the roadside. Wen Wan did not get down but waited for her own carriage to approach and called out to the people opposite from about ten feet away.

Lin Xiaoyue heard the voice, quickly pulled the bamboo curtain up, leaned out, and met Wen Wan’s gaze by chance.

Wen Wan smiled and asked her, "Why did you come so early?"

Lin Xiaoyue replied, "With such good weather, who would want to sleep? Going out to play is the proper thing to do."

Seeing a small head next to Wen Wan, Lin Xiaoyue raised an eyebrow, "Brought your son?"

"The little guy loves to play. If I don’t take him out, he’ll certainly throw a tantrum." Wen Wan said as she reached out to hold Jinbao by the back to prevent him from accidentally falling backward.

"I also brought my daughter," Lin Xiaoyue said with a smile, "With the man not at home and not fully trusting the people in the residence, I had no choice but to tie a string to the belt."

Wen Wan chuckled and looked at the sky, "It’s about time. Let’s start!"

They stopped talking, each lowered their curtain, and instructed the coachman to set out for the city.

Jinbao sat next to Wen Wan, shaking his head as he recited Thousand Character Classic.

Before leaving, Wen Wan had told him that if he could recite the section taught yesterday, he would be allowed to go with them today.

Watching her son working hard to recite so he could go out and play, listening to his childish, clear voice, Wen Wan couldn’t help but imagine what her husband, Song Wei, was like at this age.

Her mother-in-law said that her husband was not so well-behaved as a child, especially in the early years of his enlightenment. He loved playing with the village kids, but as he grew older, the increasing signs of bad luck made even acquaintances distance themselves, gradually shaping his current personality.

The road out of the city was not near, and Wen Wan drifted into a nap during the journey, eventually awakened by Jinbao.

Knowing they had to be energetic to climb the mountain today, the little one had slept well the previous night. Throughout the long carriage ride, he showed no sign of sleepiness and, while Wen Wan was asleep, peeked out the carriage curtains.

Everything from the birds joyfully flying above in the sky to the mooing buffaloes in the fields was new and delightful to him.

The carriage stopped at the foot of Mile Mountain, and they would have to walk up from there.

Wen Wan walked side by side with Lin Xiaoyue, holding her daughter with her left hand and her son with her right hand.

Wen Wan noticed the little guy’s eyes always darting to the left, and she asked, "What are you looking at?"

The little guy pointed his chubby finger over and said earnestly, "Sister can’t carry it, Jinbao can help."

Wen Wan followed his finger and saw Ah Nuan holding a string of sugared hawthorns, having only eaten one fruit, leaving the rest intact on the stick.

Wen Wan: "Why are you being so insincere? Do you really want to help your sister carry the candied hawthorn?"

Jinbao, always listening to his mother’s advice to be sincere, swallowed and said, "Jinbao wants to eat sister’s candied hawthorn."

Wen Wan: "..."

Lin Xiaoyue: "..."

Wen Wan thought it was necessary to teach her son to be a refined gentleman, to learn to be modest and not to reach out and ask the little sister for food.

But before she could speak, Ah Nuan already understood and handed over the candied hawthorn, "Here..."

Jinbao looked at the delicate girl in front of him, thinking that the candied hawthorn in her hand must be tastier than elsewhere, wanting to reach out and take it.

Wen Wan promptly said, "Your brother was joking, Ah Nuan, keep it for yourself to eat. When we get back, Aunt will buy you some, okay?"

Jinbao’s little hand shrank back halfway.

Lin Xiaoyue saw the little guy across was drooling and said indifferently, "Ah Nuan has just had breakfast before leaving, and probably has no appetite now. She ate one and didn’t eat more. If Jinbao wants it, give it to him."

She didn’t say her daughter found the hawthorn inside the sugar too sour and didn’t want it herself, giving it to others somewhat felt like an insult.

Lin Xiaoyue finished speaking, took the hawthorn from Ah Nuan and personally handed it to Jinbao.

Jinbao was hesitant to accept it and looked at Wen Wan’s reaction first.

Wen Wan said, "My little rascal has always been like this, don’t bother with him."

Lin Xiaoyue: "It’s just a string of candied hawthorn, why make a fuss?"

Seeing Wen Wan not giving in, she tested, "Hey, if your son doesn’t take it, I’ll eat it myself."

"Go ahead," Wen Wan didn’t blink, "I’ll buy him something else later."

"Alright then, you’re rejecting free favors. I’ll keep it for myself to satiate my cravings." Lin Xiaoyue said, and bit off a piece of hawthorn.

Wen Wan saw her enjoying it, and asked, "Isn’t the candied hawthorn sour?"

"Very sour, very sour." Before Lin Xiaoyue could speak, her daughter answered, wrinkling her brow and making a funny face as if her teeth were affected by the sourness.

Wen Wan, hearing the little girl’s description, felt her mouth watering pleasantly, and softly murmured, "Back in our place, you didn’t seem to like this flavor."

Lin Xiaoyue heard this and smiled, "Can I compare the past to now?"

That comment seemed to have multiple meanings; Wen Wan glanced at her, eyes falling directly on her belly, hesitantly asking, "Are you pregnant?"

Lin Xiaoyue raised an eyebrow, "Missed out on the first, got ahead with the second, does this count as vindication?"

Wen Wan was amused by how she described it, "You’re not having the child for me, how does that count as vindication? Besides, we’re not sharing the same husband, why compare with me?"

"Why not compare?" Lin Xiaoyue grew more excited, "Look, we both got married six years ago; your husband followed the path of literature, mine the military, one took a civil exam, the other a martial exam — doesn’t it sound similar?"

Wen Wan nodded, said it seemed similar.

Lin Xiaoyue started counting with her fingers, seemingly settling accounts, "Later, we both entered Hongwen Academy in the same year. You had a son almost a year old, could study freely, while I, pregnant by surprise, had to abandon this rare opportunity, letting you outstrip me.

Let’s talk about our firstborns, shall we? You have a son, while I have a daughter, such a big difference, right? In any calculation, I’m losing, being overwhelmed by you for so long, gotta turn the tables now."

She momentarily paused, then looked at Wen Wan smugly, "I invited you over today just to show off, isn’t it enviable?"

Wen Wan said, "Not enviable, I’m jealous."

Seeing the satisfied smile on the other’s face, she secretly rolled her eyes, "Lin Xiaoyue, how old are you still comparing this and that, is it childish?"

"No matter how childish, I only compare with you." Lin Xiaoyue was not ashamed at all, "You see, our experiences are so similar, why should you always be a step ahead in everything, right?"

Wen Wan was speechless, "Why don’t you talk about how your husband is a First-Grade Left Army Commander while mine’s just a Sixth-Rank Imperial Scholar?"

"We’re not comparing husbands."

"Get lost," Wen Wan curled her lip, "If we don’t compare husbands, then why are you comparing children with me? Anyway, without a husband around, can you manage to conceive by yourself?"

Lin Xiaoyue blushed at her words, but quickly responded, "Hey! You know what? Your husband’s rank isn’t as high as mine, yet you’re having a son. Isn’t that another invisible step ahead?"

Wen Wan: "..."