Chapter 125: Visiting the Hou Manor

Chapter 125

Visiting the Hou Manor

That evening, Nie Shuang dressed the triplets in the bright green, red, and blue outfits gifted by the Hou and Xu Shi. As soon as the carriage stopped, Butler Wang rushed out to greet them. In the past, he had looked down on this Young Furen, the daughter of a merchant, and had even found ways to subtly trouble her. Never had he imagined a day when he would have to treat her with the respect of someone who held sway over the household. Though she hadn’t officially returned to live in the Hou Manor, both the Hou and Elder Furen had given strict orders to treat her with the utmost care, ensuring she wouldn’t feel slighted in any way. So, here was Butler Wang, standing at the entrance since the early afternoon with his aged face, waiting. He had also been instructed to increase the manor’s security because Princess An Le was due to visit as well. He couldn’t fathom how this Young Furen had managed to get so close to someone of such high status.

Butler Wang adapted quickly, like a chameleon. As soon as he saw Nie Shuang, he began showering her with compliments and immediately led her inside to meet the Hou and Elder Furen.

The triplets looked around, unfamiliar with their surroundings. The Hou Manor had been passed down for generations and carried an air of ancient grandeur. Being in the capital, where land was as precious as gold, it wasn’t as sprawling as the Nie family’s mansion in Huangjing City, but compared to other old noble families in the capital, the Hou Manor was still one of the grandest and most beautifully decorated.

Upon entering the main hall, the Hou stood up quickly, clearly excited, and rushed over to meet his grandchildren, even forgetting his cane. Xu Shi had been waiting anxiously all day for the children, unable to focus on anything else. As soon as the elderly couple saw the children, they rushed to greet them at the door, practically forgetting everything else. The Hou’s voice trembled as he spoke,

“How are my dear grandchildren? Was it difficult living outside?”

Xu Shi subtly tugged on his sleeve, signaling that his words might offend. What if the daughter-in-law decided to take the children and leave? The Hou quickly caught on and corrected himself.

"Grandpa just worries when Gandpa doesn’t see you all. I wasn’t implying that daughter-in-law didn’t take good care of them.”

His apology at the end of the sentence was directed straight at Nie Shuang. She stifled her smile, not feeling the least bit offended. It was clear the elderly couple genuinely loved and cared for their grandchildren. She handed the children to their wet nurses, who placed them on the rug that the Hou had someone laid out in the room in preparation for them. As soon as the children touched the ground, the Hou scooped up Xiao Hua Hua into his arms.

“My precious granddaughter, Grandpa has missed you so much.”

Anyone witnessing the scene would think he hadn’t seen the children in years, even though they had just parted ways the previous day. Xiao Hua Hua was used to her grandfather, so she wasn’t startled when hugged tightly. In fact, she giggled, thinking her grandfather was playing with her. Her chubby little hands playfully grabbed at his face.

Seeing his granddaughter’s smile, the Hou’s heart melted. He immediately ordered snacks and toys to be brought in. It seemed that the Hou had ordered someone to prepare everything even though he had only returned to the capital yesterday. Nie Shuang couldn’t help but admire the thoughtfulness and attentiveness of the children’s grandparents.

Xu Shi also longed to hold her little granddaughter, but since she was unable to snatch her beloved granddaughter from the Hou, she turned her attention to the two older brothers. As soon as Bao Bao and Bei Bei noticed their grandmother’s gaze, they clasped their hands and bowed without needing to be told. Nie Shuang praised them for being well-behaved, bringing a warm smile to Xu Shi’s face. She lovingly patted their heads, cherishing these moments with her grandchildren. It was truly the happiest time for her, though it was a pity that Nie Shuang had no plans to return to live at the Hou Manor.

The maids arrived to pour tea for Nie Shuang and brought a variety of sweets for the children. Bao Bao glanced at his little sister still nestled in his grandfather’s arms, then at Bei Bei, who was watching their mother. Quietly, he crawled toward a small table. Using the table to support himself, he stood up. Seeing the delicious treats, a bright smile spread across his face. Just as he was about to reach out for one, his grandmother’s voice called from behind him.

"Bao Bao, you must ask permission from the adults before eating anything. You are part of the Hou family, and even though you’re still young, you must learn proper manners."

Bao Bao ignored his grandmother’s warning and grabbed a pastry, stuffing it into his mouth, crumbs scattering across his chubby cheeks. The grandmother smiled fondly, shaking her head as she softly muttered,

"So stubborn and spoiled, just like his father."

Nie Shuang nodded in agreement with Xu Shi, but neither woman stopped him. Meanwhile, Xu Shi personally picked up a sweet and fed it to Bei Bei. This grandson was much more reserved than his brother. When he ate, he would sit and eat properly. However, when it came to tussling with Bao Bao, he could be just as mischievous.

Finally, the Hou looked up. Noticing the snacks, he picked one up and fed it to his beloved granddaughter. Xiao Hua Hua, eyeing the last piece of pastry, pointed at it, signaling the Hou to give it to her. Just as Bao Bao reached for it after finished one, the Hou, indulging his granddaughter, snatched it away and gave it to Xiao Hua Hua.

"Ai!"

Bao Bao cried, reaching out his hand towards the Hou.

"Yum, yum, yum."

"My dear Bao Bao, eat something else for now. Your little sister wanted this one."

Bao Bao watched in disappointment as his grandfather broke the treat into small pieces and fed it to his sister. He glanced over at Bei Bei, who was happily munching on his own snack while their grandmother held the other half of a pastry, ready to feed it to the second grandson. Bao Bao stared so intensely that drool began to drip from his mouth, but his grandmother paid him no mind. The Hou, in an unusually good mood, ordered more pastries to be brought. But Nie Shuang stopped him, saying that too many sweets wouldn’t be good for the children. She lifted Bao Bao into her arms and gave him some water instead. Just then, someone came in to announce the arrival of Princess An Le. Both the Hou and Elder Furen quickly composed themselves, setting aside the pastries and assuming proper decorum. When Princess An Le entered, they both greeted her with deep bows.

“No need for all the formalities, I consider Sister Nie as family, and both the Hou and Elder Furen are like elders to me.”

Princess An Le said. The adults exchanged greetings while Bao Bao took advantage of the moment to hold onto the table and sneakily grab remaining pastry from the plate and stuff it into his mouth. A series of coughs from Bao Bao suddenly drew everyone’s attention. Nie Shuang rushed over to check on him, worried that he might be choking.

"You little glutton!"

She scolded Bao Bao, who looked downcast, and gave him some water to drink. Princess An Le, seeing Da Ge, smiled brightly and exclaimed excitedly,

"Sister Nie! This must be Da Ge Bao Bao. He’s so adorable, just like a miniature version of the General."

As she spoke, she reached out to pinch Bao Bao’s soft, rosy cheeks, completely unbothered by the crumbs still smeared around his mouth. The little boy looked up at her, and upon seeing the beautiful woman, his eyes squinted as he smiled, showing off his small, newly grown teeth. Princess An Le found his amusing expression utterly endearing and leaned down to plant a kiss on his chubby cheeks.

"And these are Bei Bei and Xiao Hua Hua, Your Highness,"

Nie Shuang introduced Bao Bao’s two younger siblings. Xiao Hua Hua, upon seeing the unfamiliar adult, remembered what her mother had taught her and clasped her hands together in greeting without needing any prompting. Her polite gesture earned an immediate, admiring gasp from the princess.

"What a well-mannered little girl. Sister Nie, you’ve really raised your children wonderfully."

Meanwhile, Bei Bei continued eating the treats his grandmother fed him, entirely unbothered by the happenings around him. He glanced briefly at An Le and then went back to focusing on his snack, showing no interest in the new person. His indifference made Princess An Le chuckle.

“Bei Bei!”

Only when he heard his mother’s voice did Young Master Bei Bei awkwardly bow in greeting to the princess. Princess An Le played with the children for a while before excusing herself to use the restroom, accompanied by maids from the Hou Manor and her attendants. Just then, Song Ren returned home. Upon hearing that his sister-in-law had brought the children to visit, he felt delighted and hurried to his father’s quarters. Since he did not hold a position as high as his older brother, he rarely attended important court functions and had never met Princess An Le before. When he saw a maid from the Hou’s household leading an unfamiliar young woman, he assumed she was one of Nie Shuang’s attendants and politely nodded in greeting.Princess An Le, curious, glanced at Song Ren, wondering if this was the second young master who was supposed to marry Chen Yuelan. She paused to study him intently. Song Ren, feeling her gaze, grew slightly uncomfortable. This beautiful lady was quite bold, staring at a man without the slightest restraint. He lowered his eyes and walked past her, but despite his attempt to appear indifferent, a faint blush crept onto his chiseled face.