Chapter 12: The Demon Lord Junzhu's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 12: Went Out Once, Bought a Younger Brother?

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

"It's all those useless trash — every little trifle has to be memorialized to annoy Us." The Emperor rubbed his brow, saying irritably, "Every last one of them is a wine-sack and rice-bag; not a single one can set Our mind at ease."

Just then, An Wang walked in. Seeing him, the Emperor's mood improved slightly. "You've come at just the right time — accompany Us for a game of chess." Eunuch Sun was very sharp-eyed; he immediately set up the board on the small couch to the side. The two moved to the couch and began their match.

The Emperor held the white stones, An Wang the black. As they played, the Emperor asked casually, "I hear Dongying Guo has been restless lately."

An Wang replied at once: "Indeed, they are restless. This younger brother has already dispatched people to Yu Zhou to investigate; at the latest, we should have news by tomorrow."

The Emperor nodded with satisfaction, smiling at An Wang. "Dachang having a worthy minister like you truly puts Our mind at ease!"

An Wang was flattered and hurriedly said: "Many thanks for Imperial Elder Brother's praise; this is merely this younger brother's duty. Since Imperial Elder Brother is so at ease, then allow this younger brother to speak of a vexing matter."

"Oh? Do tell. We want to hear just how vexing it is." The Emperor asked, puzzled.

Thereupon, An Wang recounted in full detail today's incident of his own daughter striking the Minister of Rites' eldest son, and expressed his helplessness. Upon hearing this, the Emperor said, "Hmm, truly vexing." As if he could already imagine Rong Guifei coming over weeping to tell him her younger brother had been beaten, begging him to adjudicate. And the Minister of Rites impeaching An Wang in the grand hall, accusing him of indulging his daughter in assaulting his son... The Emperor rubbed his aching brow.

Then the Emperor burst into hearty laughter. "Never expected your daughter to be so mischievous as to actually strike someone. However, the Minister of Rites' son also deserved a lesson, lest he grow up spoiled and arrogant."

An Wang smiled wryly: "Yes, this father has no way to handle her. Just hope this affair doesn't blow up too large."

The Emperor consoled: "Enough. We are aware of this matter; it is merely children's squabbles."

An Wang nodded repeatedly, promising to properly instruct his daughter. The two then continued their game.

That very evening, Rong Guifei arrived at the Yudi carrying a bowl of ginseng soup. Rong Guifei entered with a gentle face, holding a bowl of leftover soup, expressing concern for the Emperor and urging him to cherish his dragon body. The Emperor had her set the soup aside but did not drink. The Guifei massaged his shoulders while seemingly babbling that her younger brother had been beaten today... Before the Emperor could hear her finish, he ordered servants to send Rong Guifei back, and informed her to discipline her own younger brother. Rong Guifei had just prepared to weep and complain to the Emperor, but before her tears could fall, she was already escorted out by Eunuch Sun. She could only return to her Qin Dian in helpless resignation. This matter was thus dropped. (This is all aftermath)

Meanwhile, at Qianji Yuan, Yan Qianqian had just woken from her noon nap. She roused herself, put on her little shoes, and asked Mantou, "Mantou, have Elder Sister and Fourth Brother returned?" Mantou replied they had not, but it would be soon; they should be on the road. Qianqian brought Mantou and Miantiao, preparing to go to the gate to welcome San Jie and Fourth Brother. The three waited at the gate, waited and waited, when suddenly they saw a carriage driving toward them. Fixing their eyes, it was precisely the Wangfu's carriage. Qianqian immediately ran up happily. But those who alighted were not San Jie and Fourth Brother — they were Second Brother and their Mother. Qianqian called out joyfully, "Second Brother, Mother, where did you go to play? Why didn't you bring Qianqian?" Yan Si answered as he stepped down: "You slept like a little piglet; couldn't wake you no matter how we called — how could we bring you out to play?" Little Qianqian pouted unhappily. The Wangfei lifted the carriage curtain and handed the small bundle-like thing she held in her arms to Yan Si. Yan Si gently received it, cradling it in his arms; servants helped the Wangfei down from the carriage.

Qianqian stared wide-eyed at the small bundle in Second Brother's arms and asked curiously, "Brother, what is this?" Yan Si wore a roguish grin: "Bought it for you." Qianqian was beside herself with excitement. Yan Si squatted slightly, unwrapped the bundle, and inside lay a pink, tender little baby. Qianqian excitedly reached out and lightly touched the baby's cheek — soft and squishy — she was overjoyed.

Yan Si smiled: "This is a gift for you. Do you like it? From now on, he is your younger brother."

Qianqian turned to look at the Wangfei, eyes full of questioning. "Mother, you went out one trip and bought Qianqian a younger brother?"

The Wangfei nodded. "That's right. Does Qianqian like him?"

Qianqian asked, "Why not a younger sister?"

The Wangfei asked in return, "Why must it be a younger sister?"

Qianqian answered, "If it were a younger sister, Qianqian could give her Hua Hua. And could sleep together with her. Elder Sister said boys and girls cannot sleep together. So Qianqian wanted a younger sister."

The ill-intentioned Yan Si looked at his sister and replied, "Little sister, did you see that little basket? Because when we bought him, the babies were all placed in little baskets — you couldn't tell boy from girl. The boss wouldn't let us pick ourselves."

Qianqian said, "Then alright. A younger brother is fine too. Qianqian will take good care of him."

The Wangfei watched her children from the side and did not explain. Perhaps for a three-year-old child, rather than letting her know the child's parents had both passed away, deceiving her by saying they bought a younger brother back was easier for her to accept.

As they spoke, another carriage slowly drove toward the Wangfu.

After Yan Wang and Yan Shuang'er alighted, they called out in unison, "Mother. Second Brother..." Qianqian bounced over and said to them, "San Jie, Fourth Brother, Mother bought us a younger brother."

The two faces were full of question marks???? What the hell? Is this even legal? They glanced at the Wangfei; seeing she had no intention of explaining, they asked no further. The group walked inside together...

The Wangfei sent someone to summon Yan Xiner. Several people sat down together in the Front Hall. The Wangfei glanced at Yan Si and had him take Qianqian to play in the garden. Qianqian had not seen Second Brother for several days, so she happily followed Yan Si off.

When Yan Xiner arrived at the Front Hall, the Wangfei sat in the main seat; the other brothers and sisters sat on either side. The Wangfei held a child in her arms. Seeing Yan Xiner arrive, she hurriedly had her sit. Once seated, Yan Xiner asked, "May I ask for what matter Mother summoned me?" The Wangfei then spoke: "Xin'er, Shuang'er, Wang'er — you should all have seen the child in my arms. From now on, he is your younger brother. He is the child of my maternal aunt. His father died in battle; his mother, overcome with grief, followed his father in death. Only this pitiful child remains. I intend to adopt him." Yan Xiner carefully asked, "Mother, then does he count as an adopted son?" The Wangfei continued: "I have spoken with your father. Our intention is not to tell him his origins. After all, living in another's house, we fear he would be ill at ease. So we will treat him as our own flesh and blood. From now on, he is your blood younger brother, named Yan Jie." Everyone hurriedly expressed that they would treat him as a true younger brother. The Wangfei added, "Qianqian is still young and hasn't been told; we'll tell her when she's a bit older."

Yan Xiner listened and lightly nodded, showing she understood. She looked at the adorable infant in the Wangfei's arms, and a surge of protectiveness rose unbidden in her heart. The infant blinked, curiously observing the people around.

Yan Xiner smiled in reply: "Mother, rest assured. We will take good care of our younger brother." The Wangfei revealed a gratified smile, stroking Yan Xiner's head.

Everyone gathered around the infant, filled with anticipation for the future. What changes will this tiny life bring to Yan Mansion?