Chapter 53: Little Sizi and Little Qingyue

Looking at Li Shimin's departing back, Chen Yan couldn't help muttering, "If you won't give it, then don't give it—why so fierce?"

"I originally wanted to try shooting both sides, but now it seems there's no chance."

After speaking, Chen Yan sighed, looking very regretful.

Turning back to Cai Duke's mansion, he found Du Ruhui still in a deep sleep, not knowing when she would wake, so he instructed Du Gou on a few precautions.

After washing his hands, refusing Du Gou's invitation to stay for a meal, he shouldered the medicine box and went home.

"Ah brother, the chubby one is here~"

Not long after stepping inside, the eagerly‑awaited Xiao Sizi ran over, crashing into his arms like a little cannonball.

Chen Yan showed a gentle smile, "Sizi, have you been good at home~"

"I'm being good~"

The little fellow replied seriously, "I'm soft and sweet, I'm fragrant and sweet, still soft and fragrant and sweet."

Chen Yan: "......"

Qing'er brought a roughly five‑year‑old little girl over, smiling, "Young master, after you went out, Sizi was indeed very good."

"She brushed her teeth herself, washed her face, and after eating she played in the backyard with Xiao Qingyue."

Xiao Qingyue is the little girl beside Qing'er, Xiao Shunzi's younger sister.

At first she had no name; Zhang Yi and Xiao Shunzi called her Ya'er, and Chen Yan gave her a name—Qingyue.

Originally Zhang Yi and Xiao Shunzi wanted Xiao Qingyue to take the Chen surname, but he didn't agree, letting her keep her deceased father's surname, full name Zhao Qingyue.

Since Sizi came to the house, when Chen Yan sometimes has no time to look after her, he lets Xiao Qingyue play with Sizi.

"Young master." Zhao Qingyue's voice was soft and sticky, like a little adult, as she bowed to Chen Yan.

Chen Yan found it a bit funny, lightly tapped her head, "Haven't I told you many times?"

"Don't call me Young master, call me Ah brother."

Xiao Qingyue solemnly shook her head, "No, Mother said, Young master saved Qingyue's life, gave her a name, spent money to hire a teacher to teach Qingyue to read and write."

"Qingyue will later be a maid for Young master, serving him all her life to repay the kindness."

Chen Yan was speechless—this Zhang Yi, what does she teach kids?

She makes a five‑year‑old child think all day about being his maid.

"Qingyue, Ah brother doesn't need you to be my maid to repay the kindness."

"The reason Ah brother hired a teacher for you to study is to hope you understand reason, know the Dao, so that later you can do what you want, what you like, understand?"

Zhao Qingyue tilted her head, thought a moment, and replied, "Young master, Qingyue just wants to be your maid."

Chen Yan: "......"

Qing'er giggled teasingly, "Well done, little Qingyue, actually trying to steal your sister Qing'er's rice bowl."

"When you grow up, won't I have nothing to do?"

"No." Xiao Qingyue said, "Mother said, Sister Qing'er is incompetent, hasn't stayed overnight in Young master's room yet, hasn't fulfilled a maid's duties."

"When Qingyue grows up, Sister Qing'er will do whatever she wants, Qingyue......"

"Alright, alright, stop it."

Chen Yan only felt a headache and interrupted Qingyue's words.

Qing'er's smile froze on her face.

She looked at Chen Yan resentfully.

Does she not want it?

Mainly because Chen Yan doesn't give her a chance!

When Chen's mother first took her in, that intention was already there, and Qing'er had already prepared.

Unfortunately Chen Yan kept refusing, citing her still being young.

Now she's grown up, Chen Yan still won't let her stay when he rests.

Qingyue's words really pierced her heart.

Chen Yan rubbed his temples, squatted down, and earnestly said, "Qingyue, you're still young, many things you don't understand."

"You can't just follow your mother's arrangements; you should have your own life, live your own life, marry someone you love."

"No......"

Xiao Qingyue was about to say more, but Chen Yan gently gave her a light head‑bang, sternly saying, "Do you listen to me or your mother?"

Xiao Qingyue covered her head, whispered, "I… I listen to Young master."

"Fine, since you listen to me, from now on call me Ah brother, understand?"

"Okay, Ah… Ah brother." Xiao Qingyue saw his stern face, thought he was angry, and hurriedly called out.

Chen Yan satisfiedly patted her head, handed the medicine box to Qing'er, "Help me boil all the knives and needles inside with hot water, then dry them carefully, and store them in a cool place for a while."

"Alright, got it." Qing'er quickly took the medicine box, slung it on her back, and was about to leave when she suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, Young master, just now the Crown Prince sent someone to say the tavern has been decorated according to your request and can open tomorrow."

"Xiao Shunzi has already sent the wine to the tavern; should we prepare some things needed for the opening?"

Chen Yan was a bit surprised.

The Eastern Palace people acted quickly, actually decorating the tavern so fast.

He thought it would at least take until evening, or tomorrow.

"Then let Xiao Shunzi prepare; you take the trained maid, plus the back‑kitchen staff, go to the tavern, get familiar with the environment."

"Oh, also, let Xiao Shunzi go out to purchase ingredients, deliver them directly to the tavern; he will temporarily serve as the shopkeeper."

"Huh?" Qing'er was slightly startled, puzzled, "Young master, letting Xiao Shunzi be the shopkeeper, what about our Marquis's residence?"

Although many affairs in the Marquis's residence are handled by Qing'er, the maids are also under her supervision.

But she only handles the mansion interior, not the outside.

Outside the mansion, such as purchasing ingredients, is usually assigned to Xiao Shunzi.

And their Bo Mansion has few servants; if Xiao Shunzi is sent out to be the restaurant manager, wouldn't these tasks have no one to do?

Chen Yan glanced at her, "When Xiao Shunzi hadn't come before, how did our Bo Mansion manage?"

Qing'er pursed her lips and fell silent.

How else could we manage?

She worked hard to get here.

Chen Yan also knew Qing'er was usually quite tired, and comforted, "Alright, this time the opening is urgent, and I forgot a few things."

"Let Xiao Shunzi hold the post for two days first; I'll find a manager later, so you won't have to work so hard for long."

Qing'er looked skeptical, "Really?"

"Really, I'm not lying to you!"

"Mm yeah, thank you, Young Master, you're so kind." Qing'er was happy, hopping away with her medicine box.

Chen Yan wore a helpless expression.

That girl is still as foolish as before.

He lowered his head and saw Xiao Sizi glance at him, then at Xiao Qingyue, looking thoughtful.

Curiously, he asked, "Sizi, why aren't you speaking?"

"What are you thinking about?"

Since Xiao Qingyue called him just now, Sizi hadn't said a word, which didn't fit her personality.

Xiao Sizi, with her small hand propping her chin, her tiny eyebrows slightly furrowing, "Ah brother, I… I think, I need seven… how many… to become a big duck."

Chen Yan suddenly felt an ominous premonition and tentatively asked, "Xiao Sizi, why do you suddenly want to grow up?"

"It's… to grow up, then I can… for brother…"

"Alright, alright, stop talking. From now on you're not allowed to play with Xiao Qingyue!"

Xiao Qingyue: "......"

"......"