Chapter 26: Received the Invitation to the Horse Race

Cheng Ru'an gently lifted her husband, placed a few soft pillows behind him so he could rest comfortably against the headboard, then brought a cup of hot tea and served it to him. Only after he drank it did she sit steadily at the bedside and slowly recount everything that had happened in the Prince's Mansion recently.

Xiao Yuanhang listened silently, his expression solemn and his gaze sharp. "So many things happened! You've been through a lot, An'er."

Cheng Ru'an's eyes reddened, and she silently grasped her husband's hand.

"The child Tuan Tuan, the moment I first saw her I felt a deep affection, as if our blood truly ran together. An'er, thanks to you for bringing her back."

"The first time I saw her, I felt the same."

He pondered for a moment, then waved his hand lightly: "I'm still weighed down and very fatigued; I'll need to spend some more time recuperating."

"From today onward, have Guo Taiyi come by the day after tomorrow; don't let anyone know I've awakened. Keep everything as it is, stay put, and once I've recovered, I'll settle the accounts with them item by item."

Cheng Ru'an nodded: "Very well. The Prince's health is the most important. The other matters can wait."

Xiao Yuanhang clasped his wife's hand, his voice soft: "You've suffered enough, An'er."

Cheng Ru'an choked up instantly: "No, it's not a hardship, as long as you're healthy, I…" Remembering the arduous days and nights of the past two years, she could not continue.

Xiao Yuanhang gently pulled her into his arms and wiped away the tears on her face.

"Second Brother! Third Brother! Come quickly! I have a secret to tell you!" Tuan Tuan's voice reached them before she could dash into Second Brother's Chen Zhenxuan Hall.

The two brothers exchanged a smile; Xiao Ningxun stood and ushered her out. Tuan Tuan plunged into his arms, settled onto his elbow, and Xiao Ningxun deftly lifted her, holding her securely: "How did Tuan Tuan know Third Brother was also here?"

Tuan Tuan looked around; only the three siblings were inside, then said: "Mother said Second Brother still has to be supported when walking in front of others! So it must be Third Brother who came to Second Brother's side!"

Xiao Ningxun brought her tiny hand to his lips and kissed it: "What a clever little imp!"

Xiao Ningchen felt a tickle of amusement and extended both hands: "Second Brother, may I hug Tuan Tuan?"

"Hmm!" Seeing Tuan Tuan reach out toward Xiao Ningchen, Xiao Ningxun hurriedly handed her to Second Brother. Xiao Ningchen placed her on his lap and stroked her hair: "What secret does Tuan Tuan want to tell us?"

Tuan Tuan wrapped one hand around Second Brother's neck, the other around Third Brother's, pulled their heads close, and whispered: "Dad's awake! He said he loves me! Mother said this is a secret only our family can know!"

The two brothers were unusually delighted: "Really?"

Tuan Tuan looked at them oddly and said: "Of course it's true! Oh, and Mother also said Dad just woke up and wants to sleep, so we should go to Yangzheng Pavilion again tomorrow."

The two instantly understood; their parents had something personal to discuss.

A servant's voice sounded outside the door: "Second Young Master Lu requests an audience, saying he's here to deliver an invitation to the young miss."

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Xiao Huamei's here? I want to see Xiao Huamei!"

The two brothers wore impatient expressions, muttering "That brat, why is he coming to Tuan Tuan again!" Yet their sister's hopeful face could not be disappointed.

"Let him in."

Before Lu Qingjia arrived, Xiao Huamei fluttered in with a soft patter; Tuan Tuan leapt from Second Brother's arms, waving her little arms and hopping high: "Xiao Huamei! Xiao Huamei! I'm here!"

Xiao Huamei circled the room, swooped toward her, looped a few times over her head, then settled on her shoulder, nudging her face with her tiny head.

Lu Qingjia entered and said: "Xiao Huamei! Why do you turn away from me when you see the Alliance Leader?"

Tuan Tuan smiled proudly: "Xiao Huamei likes me!"

"You're a grown man, why argue with a little bird!" Xiao Ningchen said coldly.

Xiao Ningchen's expression remained cold and hard, showing no remorse; Lu Qingjia, a bit intimidated, shrugged and dared not retort.

Xiao Ningxun asked: "You're here to deliver an invitation to Tuan Tuan? What invitation?"

"Tomorrow, there's a polo match at Shanglin Garden! It's organized by my family and counts as the first gathering of our Youth Alliance, so I'm personally delivering the invitation to the Alliance Leader."

Lu Qingjia pulled the invitation from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Ningxun: "If the two brothers are interested, feel free to join as well."

Tuan Tuan clutched Third Brother's hand and looked at the red, gold‑embossed paper, its delicate horse illustration catching her eye: "So pretty! Horse club?"

Lu Qingjia laughed: "It's not a horse club, it's a polo club. Polo… is just a game! I'll be playing too; my horse is a thousand‑mile fine steed, gorgeous and swift!"

"I named it 'Chasing Wind'; with it I'm sure I'll win! Young Alliance Leader, will you cheer for me?"

"Game? A horse's game?" Tuan Tuan's eyes brightened: "Brother? I want to go! Can I?"

Seeing his sister want to go, Xiao Ningxun was about to agree when Xiao Ningchen cut in: "You go back first; this matter must be reported to the Princess Consort before a decision can be made."

Lu Qingjia's face fell: "Oh."

Tuan Tuan walked over, tugged his hand, and looked up at him: "Mother will let me go!"

Mother is so kind to me; she'll definitely agree!

Lu Qingjia's eyebrows shot up with excitement: "Little Tuan Tuan, you must keep your word! I've already told everyone in our Youth Alliance that you'll go, so you can't embarrass me now!"

The two brothers didn't pay attention to what the others were saying; their gazes fixed on the little hand Tuan Tuan was holding onto Lu Qingjia.

Xiao Ningchen's brows furrowed; if he weren't still unable to move freely in front of others, he would have rushed over. Tuan Tuan is my sister; that brat has no right to touch her hand!

Xiao Ningxun walked over, pulling Tuan Tuan to his side: "Go back. If Mother agrees, I'll send someone to your residence to give you a reply."

Lu Qingjia was a carefree fellow who had been bragging in front of his friends; now that the invitation was delivered and Tuan Tuan had agreed to go, he had nothing else on his mind: "I'm heading back now! Tuan Tuan!"

"See you at the polo match! Xiao Huamei! I'm back!" He followed his master out of the Prince's Mansion.

Xiao Ningchen watched his back, his brows furrowing: "The dust flies on the arena and injuries are common at polo matches; Tuan Tuan isn't suited to go."

Tuan Tuan pouted, a bit dejected, and Xiao Ningxun looked at her with concern: "Second Brother, I'll go with Tuan Tuan; I won't let anything happen to her."

Xiao Ningchen glanced at his younger brother and sister: "Let Mother decide this matter."

During dinner, the two brothers told Mother about the matter.

"Mother! I want to go! May I?" Tuan Tuan looked at the Princess Consort, her big eyes watery.

Cheng Ru'an smiled faintly: "You may, but you must have Third Brother go with you."

"Great! Great!" Tuan Tuan cheered: "We can go watch the horse race!"

Xiao Ningchen instructed his younger brother: "Take several people with you and make sure she never leaves your sight." Xiao Ningxun nodded in agreement.

Early the next morning, Xiao Ningxun took Xiao Er and several Prince's Mansion guards and escorted his sister to Shanglin Garden.