Chapter 715 - 260: Chaoyang
Chapter 715: Chapter 260: Chaoyang
It was around this time that news of Xu Shizai’s family returning from Jiangnan reached the estate.
They returned for two reasons. First, this year marked Xu Shizai’s triennial performance report to the court. Second, they needed to deliver the dowry prepared for Chang Yao.
Chang Yao’s wedding was scheduled for August of the following year. While it seemed a long way off, marrying off a daughter in a wealthy family was a complex affair, burdened with enough etiquette to drive one mad. If they didn’t start making arrangements six months to a year in advance, the bride would lose face upon entering her new home.
The wife of Xu Suying’s second brother was from the Liu family. Everyone in the household referred to her as the Second Madam, or Mrs. Liu. As the daughter of a military general, she had a spirited and forthright personality, complete with a slightly childish streak. Ever since she returned, she spent her time carrying Chaoyang around for strolls.
A few days later, Chaoyang’s heart grew wild, and to everyone’s surprise, he wanted to dart out into the streets from dawn until dusk.
Chen Wanqing rarely crafted incense these days. She lacked inspiration and worried that lingering scents on her clothes might be harmful to Chaoyang. However, the recent snowfall evoked a sense of nostalgia. Remembering the time she made incense for Zhao Jing the previous year, her hands grew itchy, and her visits to the incense room became much more frequent.
By the time she finished crafting a new fragrance and dispatched someone to deliver the recipe and incense pills to Princess Kangning, Chaoyang had already developed a terrible habit—if he didn’t go out for a stroll every day, he would scream and cry.
It just so happened to be the end of the year. The court was on holiday, leaving the household packed with idle people both inside and out.
If the Liu Family was too occupied, De’an and Xu Yanhe stepped up. If those two were bogged down with studies assigned by Xu Shizai, Xu Yanlin and Miss Huang would immediately fill the gap. Even if they were assigned chores, there were still Kaiyan, Mrs. Zhao, Xiang’er, Changsi, and Chang Nian. If it weren’t for the fact that Yao’an and Kailing were still too little to properly hold a baby, they would have eagerly carried Chaoyang outside as well.
After all, Chaoyang was irresistibly adorable. He had large, watery eyes with pitch-black pupils. When he tried to babble, he drooled profusely. Despite being a little messy, he looked exactly like a golden child standing before a Bodhisattva. Who could possibly resist him?
Chen Wanqing had been holding Chaoyang in the estate’s greenhouse, admiring the flowers. When the little boy ungraciously shrieked and whined in protest, she finally learned from the servants just how freewheeling Chaoyang’s life had been lately.
She immediately tapped her son’s nose and chided, "I’ve never seen anything like you. You’re only six months old, and you’re already desperate to run outside. When you get a bit older, will this estate even be able to contain you?
"It’s a good thing your father isn’t home. He is incredibly strict about the rules. If he knew you were this mischievous, he would definitely clamor to start your schooling as soon as possible..."
She carried her son out of the greenhouse, fed him his milk, and gently patted Chaoyang to sleep.
Taking advantage of her son’s nap, Chen Wanqing went to the adjacent study, picked up a brush and paper, and began to write a letter. Ever since completing her postpartum confinement, she had developed a habit of writing letters on a regular basis. Some were sent out via courier, while others were kept tucked away. Yet without exception, she would append a small portrait at the end of every letter. It was a sketch of Chaoyang, documenting him growing bigger day by day.
Once the letter was finished, Chen Wanqing picked up a book detailing the geography and customs of the Western Regions, leisurely flipping through its pages.
Just as her interest peaked, she suddenly heard the panicked voices of a maid and a nanny outside.
"Young Master, how did you wake up, Young Master?"
"Zhaocai, hurry and put the Young Master down! It’s so cold, and the Young Master isn’t dressed yet..."
Hearing this, Chen Wanqing dropped her book and bolted outside.
She was a step too late. All she caught was the sight of Zhaocai darting toward the doorway with Chaoyang strapped onto its back. Clad only in a padded jacket and little trousers, Chaoyang clung for dear life to Zhaocai’s neck, bouncing around on the dog’s back until he was dizzy.
Perhaps worried that the baby might fall, Jinbao ran tightly alongside Zhaocai, ready to nudge him back up at a moment’s notice should he slip.
She thought, "What on earth is going on? How did they even form an organized gang?"
With no time to dig into the details, Chen Wanqing hastily called out, "Zhaocai, Jinbao, come back here at once!"
The dogs were quite obedient. The moment they heard her voice, they stopped in their tracks and glanced back. Chaoyang remained sprawled on Zhaocai’s back. Lifting his head, he flashed a massive grin that revealed his two prominent front teeth, his saliva dripping onto the dog’s fur—DRIP, DROP.
Chen Wanqing’s heart nearly stopped, but she forced herself to lower her voice to a gentle, coaxing tone. "Zhaocai, come back here. It’s freezing outside. Chaoyang cannot go out."
Taking advantage of the moment Zhaocai began to slowly amble back, CuiYa broke into a sprint. She scooped Chaoyang up in one fluid motion and rushed him back to Chen Wanqing.
Thinking the maid was simply playing a game with him, Chaoyang erupted into delighted giggles, causing his drool to flow even more frantically.
Chen Wanqing stared down at this fearless little brat. Upon further reflection, she deduced that he must have expressed such an overwhelming desire to go outside that Zhaocai felt compelled to carry him. Exasperated, she lightly smacked the little rascal’s chubby bottom.
"You really think you’re something, don’t you? Barely a person yet, and you’re already causing this much trouble. Just wait until I tell your father—I’ll have him paddle you good."