Chapter 9

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Night fell, moonlight like water spilled across the earth. Knocking and shouting came from outside the study — it was Xiao Jin and Xiao Yin reminding Yan Shuang'er it was time to rest. However, Yan Shuang'er had locked herself inside the study, refusing entry to anyone. Xiao Jin and Xiao Yin exchanged a helpless glance, only able to pace anxiously outside the door. Just then, Xiao Yin suddenly spotted a small figure at the doorway — little Qianqian was hugging a white goose bigger than herself, peering around curiously.

"Third Miss, Fifth Miss has come to find you for bedtime!" Xiao Yin had a flash of inspiration and shouted toward the inside of the study. Hearing the voice, Yan Shuang'er hurriedly hid the book in her hand, then swiftly pushed open the study door and walked out.

Yan Shuang'er froze at the sight before her: an adorable little doll hugging a large goose as tall as herself, standing at the doorway like a glutinous rice ball. Seeing Yan Shuang'er come out, little Qianqian immediately ran over excitedly, mumbling: "Third Elder Sister, sleepy time~"

Yan Shuang'er smiled faintly, instructed Xiao Jin to take Yan Qianqian to the bedroom and make the bed for her. Then she ordered Xiao Yin to bring hot water to prepare for washing up. After everything was tidied up properly, Yan Shuang'er entered the bedroom and discovered the little milk-baby already lying obediently on the bed, clutching the big white goose tightly in her arms, her little eyes closed.

Meanwhile, the Princess Consort was not quite at ease about little Qianqian, so her personal maid Chunxi went to Qianji Garden to check. Chunxi went to Qianji Garden and was told Fifth Miss had gone to Third Miss's for bedtime. Chunxi stepped lightly into Wufangyuan, and the moment she entered she saw such a warm scene — Yan Shuang'er leaning against the bed, a book in hand, and beside her lay an adorable little doll, sleeping soundly. Seeing this, the worry in Chunxi's heart instantly dissipated; she smiled faintly, turned, and left to report back to the Princess Consort.

On the other side, the Princess Consort learned all was well, and a relieved smile appeared on her face as she said softly: "This little rascal really is a clever one!" At that moment, An Wang had just finished washing up and was preparing to get into bed. Hearing the Princess Consort's words, he smiled helplessly in agreement. The two looked at each other and smiled, then lay down together on the bed, enjoying the peaceful night.

And inside Wufangyuan, Yan Shuang'er gently stroked the little doll's head, her eyes full of doting. The little doll stirred slightly, as if sensing Yan Shuang'er's care, a satisfied smile curling her lips. Yan Shuang'er looked at the little person before her, a warm emotion welling in her heart, and she asked gently: "Little Sister, what did you see today?"

Yan Qianqian opened her eyes in a daze, replying sleepily: "Just got to Chapter Two..." Then she closed her eyes again and continued sleeping. Yan Shuang'er smiled faintly, set the book aside, and gently patted the little doll's back, coaxing her to sleep.

Just then, the little doll suddenly woke up, mumbling: "I want to hear a story..." Yan Shuang'er soothed softly: "Alright, then Elder Sister will tell you a bit more, okay?" The little doll nodded happily, blinking her big eyes as she waited for Yan Shuang'er to tell a story.

Yan Shuang'er picked up the book, turned to Chapter Two, and began to read: "Wang Keren was reborn back to her sixteen-year-old self, when she first met Jiangnan Tong." The little doll listened quietly; before long, she was fast asleep again. Seeing this, Yan Shuang'er carefully set the book down, afraid of waking her. She gently closed her eyes, feeling the quiet and warmth around her.

The entire Wangfu was immersed in a stretch of tranquility, as if time had stopped flowing.

When dawn's light spread across the whole Wangfu, accompanied by a loud rooster's crow, a new day cheerfully began! Early-rising Yan Shuang'er and Yan Wang had long since tidied up and rushed to Shangshufang. As for a certain little lazybug who didn't have classes, she had only just opened her eyes, blinking her big sleepy eyes.

Suddenly, the little doll shouted "Baozi!" At that moment, Baozi pushed the door open and walked in carrying a basin of face-washing water. Looking at the little mound of cuteness on the bed, Baozi said with a smile: "Fifth Miss is awake!" Following behind, Mantou also walked in beaming, asking: "Miss, which outfit do you want to wear today?" Qianqian stared at the two garments in Mantou's hands — the left one yellow, the right one blue. She thought a moment, then chose the yellow one. After Baozi finished washing up Yan Qianqian, she let Mantou dress her in the yellow little skirt and tie her hair into two super-cute bun buns.

Today's Qianqian is going out! The day after tomorrow is the Princess Consort's birthday, and Qianqian still hasn't prepared a birthday gift for her. So today she plans to take Mian Tiao out to pick a special gift for the Princess Consort.

After eating breakfast, Qianqian impatiently dragged Mian Tiao and cheerfully arrived at the main street. The extraordinarily lively main street was lined with stalls everywhere, cries and hawkers' calls rising and falling. Qianqian pulled Mian Tiao along, touching here, poking there. The stall owners, seeing this adorable little doll, all smiled broadly and recommended their own wares.

Arriving at a sugar-figurine stall, Qianqian looked at the vivid sugar figurines displayed before her, delighted enough to dance hand and foot. She pointed at a little-horse-shaped sugar figurine and said in a milky voice: "Boss, Qianqian wants this little horse sugar figurine." The boss lowered his head and saw a little doll with two bun buns, wearing a goose-yellow little skirt; he hurriedly picked up the horse-shaped sugar figurine and handed it to Qianqian. Little Qianqian clutched the horse-shaped sugar figurine tightly, eyes glued to it; a good while passed before she spoke to the boss. "Boss, Qianqian also wants a little dog sugar figurine." The boss chuckled and took down another dog sugar figurine, handing it to little Qianqian. Qianqian looked it over, then turned and handed the dog sugar figurine to Mian Tiao: "Mian Tiao, eat sugar figurine!" Mian Tiao took the sugar figurine and asked the boss: "Boss, how much money?" The boss smiled and answered: "One sugar figurine two wen, two makes four wen." Little Qianqian counted on her fingers, mumbling: "One is two, two makes four." The boss laughed: "Little doll is really clever!" Mian Tiao counted four copper coins from the money pouch and handed them to the boss. The boss took the money, watching the two little fellows walk away hand in hand.

Little Qianqian ate the sugar figurine while asking Mian Tiao: "Mian Tiao, what do you say we buy for Mother?" Mian Tiao thought a moment and said: "Buy jewelry? Or how about headwear?" Qianqian thought this idea not bad. The two went to the largest jewelry shop on the whole street. Qianqian pulled Mian Tiao around several counters for several rounds, but didn't find any jewelry she liked.

So the two walked on and entered a shop selling headwear. Just inside, Qianqian spotted a golden hairpin displayed in the counter, topped with two exquisite little white flowers paired with blue leaves. Below the slightly larger flower hung a round little pearl, and on the pearl perched a butterfly the same color as the leaves. Beneath the butterfly's two little wings dangled three tassels. That hairpin looked lifelike, exquisite and pretty, emitting a unique charm. Qianqian took a fancy to it at first glance, a flash of delight crossing her eyes. She didn't ask the price, directly telling the boss: "I'll take this hairpin, please wrap it up for me."

The boss looked at this richly dressed little miss before him and secretly guessed she must be from a wealthy family. He hurriedly nodded agreement: "Right away!" Then quickly wrapped the hairpin carefully and tied a big pink ribbon bow. Because this was a birthday gift for Mother, Qianqian had specially instructed the boss to do so.

Afterward, Mian Tiao took out a silver note from the silver money bag at her waist and handed it to the boss. Transaction complete, the two together set foot on the road home.

However, just as they walked along the road, an unexpected thing happened. An unidentified object suddenly flew out at high speed from the third-floor window of a nearby Jiu Lou, hurtling straight toward Yan Qianqian. In the blink of an eye, Shiyi, lurking in the dark, instantly launched herself forward and caught the unidentified object with astonishing speed. When everyone focused their eyes to look...