Chapter 119

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Time flies like a shuttle, white horses pass through gaps, and the Shangshufang has already arrived at the winter break. At this time of year, the climate gradually turns cold; though not yet bitterly freezing, considering that all who study here are descendants of high officials and nobles, whenever the weather turns cold, they no longer go to the Shangshufang for lessons.

On this day, it was the final lesson of the semester. When class ended, Qianqian was overjoyed, her pretty face beaming with smiles, as if she had already carefully planned the subsequent outing itinerary.

When the teacher announced that today's lessons were over, all the children in the hall were extremely excited, after all, the long vacation was about to arrive. Everyone tidied up their own belongings at breakneck speed, and the scene presented a busy yet orderly sight.

They gathered in twos and threes, enthusiastically discussing where to go next for fun and recreation. Among them, Qianqian's presence was naturally indispensable. Only to see her enthusiastically discussing with her good friend Qi Xi the plan to go shopping together tomorrow.

However, Ai Jiao, being a boy, had no interest in such activities at all, so he chose to stay out of it. He casually muttered a sentence: "Anyway, Elder Brother doesn't need to come to the Shangshufang anymore this time, and besides, Sister-in-law is about to give birth, so Elder Brother just happens to have time to wholeheartedly take care of her!"

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart. These words made Qianqian slap her forehead, suddenly realizing: "Oh! I kept feeling just now as if I had forgotten something important, so that's it! Indeed, Big Sister is about to have a baby! Xi Xi, let's change the day to go shopping; the most urgent matter now should be to go visit my Big Sister first. Shopping can be done anytime, but I haven't seen Big Sister for a long time!"

Qi Xi heard these words and immediately agreed cheerfully: "Alright, then the two of us will go to Ai Jiao's home together tomorrow to pay a visit."

Ai Jiao, upon hearing this, couldn't help but be overjoyed. Thinking that his little companions would come to his home tomorrow to play and visit, he was overjoyed and couldn't wait to rush home to arrange and decorate in advance, so as to better entertain everyone. Thus, in no time, everyone had quickly packed up their needed items, and then they all set out on their way home, each returning to their own home.

At dinnertime, the brightly lit Shan Tang was filled with tempting aromas. Qianqian sat at the table, her face brimming with uncontainable joy. She enjoyed the food heartily while happily thinking about the upcoming vacation. That excitement made every dish on the table seem exceptionally delicious to her; her chopsticks kept picking up food and sending it into her mouth, and she simply couldn't stop eating.

The Princess Consort beside her looked at Qianqian's wolfing-down appearance and couldn't help but feel very curious, asking softly: "Qianqian, why are you eating so much today?"

Qianqian raised her head, with a grain of rice still stuck at the corner of her mouth, and replied with a beaming smile: "Mother, because the long vacation starts tomorrow! I'm in a super good mood, so I especially want to eat!" After saying that, she buried her head again and continued to battle with the food.

After hearing this, the Princess Consort suddenly remembered that Qianqian had indeed mentioned the upcoming long vacation a couple of days ago, but she hadn't taken it to heart at the time; now the vacation had come so quickly, it really caught her off guard.

She had already grown accustomed to the quiet after the children went to school every day; just thinking about the bustling scene of chickens flying and dogs jumping during the upcoming vacation, she couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

Just then, Qianqian suddenly put down her bowl and chopsticks, and said excitedly: "Right, Mother, I want to go to the Shangshu Fu tomorrow to visit Yan Xiner!"

The words had just fallen when Yan Shuang'er, sitting on the other side, immediately interjected: "Elder Sister, I want to go with you too!"

Seeing this, the Princess Consort pondered for a moment and said: "That's fine; after all, I'm still not entirely at ease letting the two of you go alone. How about we all go together tomorrow?"

An Wang, who had been eating silently all along, also spoke up at this time to express his stance: "Since you all want to go, then go. However, this Prince has a mountain of affairs and it's not convenient for me to accompany you. But, you must remember to check if Xiner is lacking anything; if there is a need, prepare it properly in time." Saying this, his gaze swept gently over everyone.

Back in the day, An Wang was famous for being decisive in killing and cold-hearted and ruthless. However, ever since these adorable children came into the family, his hard heart had gradually softened, and he began to act like an ordinary father, caring more and more about the children's matters and worrying about everything.

However, the current An Wang's children under his knees liked him more and more, and even no longer feared him. The whole atmosphere became increasingly warm and harmonious, and a sumptuous meal came to an end in such a scene of familial joy.

Early the next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows into the room, casting a golden glow. Qianqian and Yan Shuang'er slowly woke from their dreams, stretching and yawning, enjoying this lazy and comfortable time.

After they finished washing up, they went together hand in hand to the courtyard where the Princess Consort was. It turned out that last night everyone had already discussed and agreed; today they would go together to visit Yan Xiner, and for this the Princess Consort had specially instructed the kitchen to send all of this morning's breakfast to her own courtyard. Not long after, Qianqian, Yan Shuang'er, and Yan Jie all arrived at the Princess Consort's courtyard to have breakfast together.

After finishing breakfast, the group began to pack their luggage in a flurry to set out. Originally, Qi Xi had also planned to go together, but just last night, Qi Xi suddenly sent someone to deliver a verbal message, saying that her mother needed to return to her maiden home today and requested that she accompany her.

Upon learning this situation, Qianqian hurriedly had a servant pass a message to Qi Xi: "It's fine, it's fine; even if you can't come to keep me company, my Mother and Sister Shuang'er will go with me." Thus, although it was a pity to be without Qi Xi's company, having family by her side, Qianqian's mood was still very happy. After the group finished packing, they boarded the carriage and set out.

The few people sat securely on the exquisitely decorated carriage; the wheels rolled slowly, and they did not drive straight to the Shangshu Fu. When they passed by the exceptionally lively Jishi, they decided to stop and stroll around this place full of the breath of life.

After entering the Jishi, everyone's gaze was immediately attracted by the dazzling array of goods. Especially the Princess Consort, who happily selected all kinds of items for the children. Only to see her first pick up an exquisite baby bottle, examine it carefully, then nod in satisfaction, take it and pay to buy it; next she picked up a colorful rattle, shook it lightly, and a crisp, pleasant sound rang out instantly, drawing the attention of the people around.