Chapter 19: I Touched Grandpa's Beard

Everyone raised their heads, some puzzled, Cheng Ru'an asked: "Why did the second son of the Lu family come looking for Tuan Tuan?"

Xiao Ningxun stood up: "Tuan Tuan met him once at Wanlingyuan, Grandmother, Mother, no need to worry, I'll go see." Having said that, he turned and walked out.

Arriving at the gate, they saw Lu Qingjia standing in front of the carriage, with two servants behind him.

Seeing Xiao Ningxun, he immediately smiled and went up to him: "Brother Xiao! I came to find your sister, to take her to Wanlingyuan to see the snow leopard! I brought a box of dried meat! I will definitely touch it today!"

His little myna, never leaving his side, followed up his words with a shout: "Snow leopard! Snow leopard!"

Xiao Ningxun frowned secretly, but kept his expression neutral: "Tuan Tuan caught a chill yesterday and is recuperating; please come another day."

Upon hearing this, Lu Qingjia's face fell like a deflated balloon: "Oh, really unfortunate. Well then, I'll come another day. Farewell."

"Farewell." Xiao Ningxun turned to leave, but then— "Wait a moment!"

Looking back, Lu Qingjia took out a brocade box from the carriage and shoved it into his hand: "This is a new trinket I just acquired, called Nine Curves Golden Ripple."

"Please give it to your sister for me; she's young and sick, surely bored, so it'll be perfect for her to amuse herself with."

Xiao Ningxun lowered his head to glance at the brocade box, feeling displeased— Tuan Tuan is my sister! What is this kid after! Yet he kept his manners: "Thank you."

Lu Qingjia brightened up: "This trip wasn't in vain! You must be sure to give it to her, Brother Xiao; next time I come I'll ask her about it in person."

"Got it, got it, farewell, farewell." Xiao Ningxun clasped his hands, ignored him further, and turned back.

Returning to Tranquil Orchid Garden, he casually placed the brocade box on the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

Guo Taiyi was summoned again: "Same as yesterday, just get some sleep."

Even so, Cheng Ru'an's tears still flowed: "Tuan Tuan, haven't you slept enough? Wake up soon, Mother is about to go mad with worry."

The next day, dawn was just breaking.

Tuan Tuan gave an "un", stretched a big yawn, blearily opened her eyes, and saw Mother lying with closed eyes beside her bed, as if asleep.

She reached out her little hand and rubbed Cheng Ru'an's hair: "Mother, why aren't you coming up to sleep on the bed?"

Cheng Ru'an suddenly opened her eyes and gripped her little hand: "Tuan Tuan! You finally woke up! Where do you feel uncomfortable? Tell Mother."

Xiao Ningchen and Xiao Ningxun brothers also rushed over at once: "Tuan Tuan! How are you? Anywhere feeling unwell?"

Tuan Tuan blinked, looked down at herself: "I'm fine! I slept well! Second Brother, Third Brother! You're here too? Mother, I'm hungry."

Cheng Ru'an burst into tears of joy: "Someone! Quick! The young lady is hungry! Right, go tell the Old Madam at once!"

Cheng Ru'an dressed her, then Xiao Ningchen scooped her up in one motion: "Come on, Second Brother will take you to eat!"

Thinking that Tuan Tuan had slept so long because of his leg, Xiao Ningchen felt heartbroken beyond words; these past two days it felt as if countless fine needles were incessantly pricking his five viscera and six bowels, making him both anxious and pained.

Fortunately! She finally woke up.

The Old Madam also hurried over; during this breakfast, Tuan Tuan ate a great deal under the greedy gazes of the several adults.

Cheng Ru'an still wasn't reassured, and summoned Guo Taiyi again to the Prince's Mansion.

Guo Taiyi finished taking Tuan Tuan's pulse: "Everyone need not worry, the young lady's health is fine! However, that she could sleep this long is truly something I've never seen before."

Cheng Ru'an's eyes flickered: "The little girl is mischievous; I suppose she played too long and just feels a bit weak."

"Grandpa, am I sick?" Tuan Tuan stared at the beard drifting from his chest, her eyes rolling.

"No, no, no illness at all! However, the medicine I prescribed, please have the young lady take it as directed for a few days."

"The medicine is bitter! I won't take it!" Tuan Tuan shook her head solemnly.

"Children must listen, the medicine has to be taken." Guo Taiyi looked at her rosy little face and laughed while coaxing her.

"But I don't want to eat it!" Tuan Tuan puffed out her little mouth.

Guo Taiyi found himself in a dilemma, looking pleadingly at Cheng Ru'an.

Cheng Ru'an was about to speak when Tuan Tuan blurted out: "Unless... Grandpa lets me touch your beard!"

Guo Taiyi stared, then laughed: "Ah, so that's what you're thinking. All right, go ahead and feel it."

Upon hearing this, Tuan Tuan giggled, and placed both little hands on Guo Taiyi's white-and-gray beard: "Wow! Grandpa, your beard is so soft! Softer than the snow leopard's fur!"

The adults all laughed.

After Guo Taiyi left, although everyone hoped Tuan Tuan would rest well, she had slept so long that she couldn't stay still.

However, Cheng Ru'an wouldn't let her leave the room, so she could only play inside.

Although Tuan Tuan was unwilling, this time she couldn't prevail over the Princess Consort, but fortunately she still had her two brothers keeping her company.

Suddenly, the brocade box on the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, which no one had seen before, caught Tuan Tuan's attention: "What is that?"

Xiao Ningxun took down the brocade box and handed it to her: "It's from Lu Qingjia, whom we met at Wanlingyuan that day; he gave it to you, though I don't know what it is—let's open it and see."

"Mm!" Tuan Tuan put the brocade box on her footstool, opened it, and saw inside a white jade glazed glass pool, with two small fish covered in golden scales and inlaid with pearls lying within.

Tuan Tuan's eyes widened: "Wow! It's really beautiful! Is this a gift for me?" She reached out her little hand to touch the fish, then the white jade pool, unable to put it down.

Seeing this, Xiao Ningchen and Xiao Ningxun exchanged a glance, both simultaneously regretting not having thought to get Tuan Tuan more such delicate toys— letting an outsider snatch the opportunity!

As if answering her question, a servant's voice came from outside: "The Second Young Master of the Ministry of Personnel has come again, requesting to see the young lady!"

Tuan Tuan pointed at herself: "See me?"

Xiao Ningxun frowned, annoyed at the repeat: "It's the boy who gave you that gift, the one always carrying a myna bird."

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Myna! I like that little bird!"

Xiao Ningchen said: "Please let him in."

Moments later, Lu Qingjia entered, wearing a light blue robe, his eyebrows and eyes full of spirit.

Before the person arrived, the little myna's voice drifted in: "I know this inside out! Know it know it know it!"

"Oh dear! You're all here!"

Tuan Tuan sat in Xiao Ningchen's arms, staring at the little myna, her eyes bright.

The three youths clasped hands in mutual salute.

Xiao Ningxun spoke first: "My sister's health is fine now; she can't go to Wanlingyuan."

"I came today just to inquire after her health, not to take your sister to Wanlingyuan. However, I do indeed have an important matter."

Lu Qingjia took out a small visiting card from their sleeve and handed it to Tuan Tuan.

Xiao Ningchen took it over, only to see the words "Request Alliance Card" written in large characters on the cover of the visiting card.

Opening it further, it read: "The Youth Roaming Alliance wishes to present Ning Prince's Mansion's young miss Tuan Tuan as the junior alliance leader."

Lu Qingjia respectfully presented it.