Chapter 221

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

At this moment, the little girl who had slowly walked out of the Shangshufang together with Yan Jie also stepped forward with light steps. She bowed respectfully and properly to An Wang, and said in a soft, delicate voice: "Greetings, Your Highness An Wang."

An Wang fixed his gaze on the little girl before him, who was of an age similar to his own son, yet whose bearing was so dignified, steady, and meticulously proper in her salute, and he couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

Seeing this, Yan Jie hurriedly introduced her to his father with high spirits: "Father, this is a good friend I made at the Shangshufang, named Xia Xile." Upon hearing this, An Wang amiably greeted Xia Xile: "Miss Xia Xile, hello."

At this moment, Xia Xile tilted up her exquisite little face, staring fixedly at An Wang. A brilliant, flower-like smile bloomed at the corners of her mouth, her two deep dimples faintly visible, making her appear all the more lively and adorable, bringing joy to the heart.

An Wang wore a smile and asked with great interest: "Little girl, may I ask who the adult in your family is?"

Xia Xile blinked her spirited large eyes and replied crisply: "Replying to the Prince, my father is an Adjudication Official of the Secretariat, named Xia Huaian."

An Wang nodded slightly, indicating he already knew. He responded lightly: "Oh... so it's Adult Xia!" Immediately after, An Wang's gaze swept the surroundings, then he gently asked Xia Xile: "Then, little lass, has your family's carriage arrived?"

Xia Xile hurriedly pointed to an exquisitely decorated carriage not far away and said cheerfully: "It's here, it's here, right over there!" As she spoke, she stretched out her hand to indicate the direction.

An Wang looked in the direction she pointed, and upon seeing that carriage, he earnestly admonished: "Since the carriage has arrived, then hurry home, don't let the elders at home worry."

Xia Xile nodded obediently and replied: "Got it, Uncle An Wang, see you next time!" Finished speaking, she turned and ran hopping and skipping toward her family's carriage. When she reached the carriage, she didn't forget to turn back and wave at An Wang and Yan Jie, calling out in a delicate voice: "Uncle An Wang, Yan Jie, see you next time!"

Seeing this, An Wang revealed a benevolent smile and likewise waved back: "Good, see you next time!" Yan Jie beside him also grinned and waved, saying loudly: "Lele, see you tomorrow!"

After watching Xia Xile board the carriage, An Wang then turned to look at Yan Jie and said softly: "Alright, we should head back too."

Finished speaking, the two boarded the carriage together. Once aboard, Yan Jie was like an opened chatterbox, excitedly recounting to An Wang the knowledge he learned at the Xuetang today and the various interesting happenings in the Shangshufang.

An Wang sat quietly to the side, wearing a smile as he listened seriously to his son's narration, chiming in agreement from time to time, his eyes full of kindness and relief. Just like that, father and son chatted and laughed all the way, the atmosphere exceptionally harmonious.

Not long after, they arrived at their destination. When they returned home, they saw the Wangfei and two others had already returned, sitting around the table in the Wangfei's courtyard, discussing some matter with focused expressions. The three were so engrossed that they didn't even notice An Wang and Yan Jie enter the courtyard.

At this moment, only Yan Shuang'er's voice was heard: "In my view, the second one is pretty good!" Qianqian beside her hurriedly retorted: "I think the first one is better, ah, I can hardly wait."

The Wangfei pondered slightly, then gave her opinion: "Hmm... I also think the second is more proper. After all, the first is too rushed, no time to prepare it well enough, while the third is too late, liable to delay matters. However, ultimately we must wait for Si'er to return and hear his opinion."

An Wang slowly walked forward, stood to the side and listened quietly for a while, finally understanding what exactly they were discussing. However, Yan Jie, following behind, was completely baffled. He curiously stepped forward and asked: "Mother, what exactly are you discussing?"

This sudden question gave An Wangfei a genuine fright. She whipped her head around, seeing Yan Jie standing beside the table, his height only just level with the tabletop, and said in surprise: "Jie'er, when did you return? How was there not a sound at all, you scared Mother to death!"

Just then, An Wang, who had been standing silently behind the Wangfei, suddenly spoke: "We've been back for a while." His words barely fell before Wangfei was startled again, her whole body trembling. She reproached: "Ah, you rascal, you've been back this long and didn't make a peep, what's gotten into you father and son today?"

An Wang unhurriedly walked before the stool and slowly sat down, then said with a smile: "It's because you were chatting too intently, to the point you completely didn't notice Jie'er and me come in."

At this moment, Yan Jie was staring fixedly at the paper on the table. He even stood on tiptoe, his face full of curiosity as he asked: "Mother, what is written on this paper?"

Hearing her son's question, An Wangfei snapped back to her senses as if waking from a dream. She hurriedly explained: "Ah, look at my memory! This is the auspicious day we specially calculated for your Second Brother when we went out."

Yan Jie perked up immediately at this, and immediately followed up: "What auspicious day?" An Wangfei smiled faintly and replied in a gentle voice: "Jie'er, soon you will have a Second Sister-in-law. We are carefully selecting a suitable day to welcome your Second Sister-in-law through the door."

Yan Jie blinked his innocent large eyes and continued curiously: "Then who exactly is the Second Sister-in-law?" Qianqian beside him could no longer contain her excitement and blurted out impatiently: "It's Xingyu Elder Sister!"

Yan Jie nodded in sudden realization, muttering: "Oh, so it's Xingyu Elder Sister. Xingyu Elder Sister is really nice, last time she even bought Jie'er lots of delicious things, and she always speaks so gently to Jie'er.

That's wonderful, Xingyu Elder Sister is about to become my Second Sister-in-law!" It could be seen that Yan Jie was also full of joy for Shangguan Xingyu.

Just then, An Wangfei seemed to suddenly recall something important. She abruptly turned her head to look at An Wang and asked urgently: "Right, didn't I have you enter the palace before? How did it go?"

An Wang shook his head helplessly, replying with a hint of complaint: "Hmph, only getting anxious now? When this King returned, there wasn't even a human shadow to be seen in this house." The Wangfei immediately replied: "Wasn't that because we rushed to calculate the date? And with you going out, we were all very much at ease!"