Chapter 343 - 341: Choked on Major Gossip (First Update)

Chapter 343: Chapter 341: Choked on Major Gossip (First Update)

This scene looked just like any other ordinary day.

Xu Jing couldn’t help but mock herself inwardly; how could Xiao Yi possibly think that she and the original Xu Jing were not the same person? Such bizarre and supernatural things were beyond anyone’s imagination.

She withdrew her gaze and instructed Qiushui to bring up the candles she made today according to her instructions. These candles were specially ordered by Qiushui to be made by a candle craftsman. Because the process was not too complicated, they were ready in just half a day.

It turned out to be five candles as thick as an index finger, all dyed in Xiao Huai’an’s favorite blue color. A small bamboo stick protruded from the base of each. Under the curious and expectant eyes of the children, Xu Jing carefully placed the candles on the soft cake. She then asked Shen and the others to extinguish the surrounding lights and lit the five candles on the cake one by one.

As the flames flickered to life, Xiao Huai’an couldn’t help but exclaim with delight. Watching the little one wrapped in the warm yellow candlelight, Xu Jing softly laughed and said, "Chang Xiao, you can make a wish now. After you make your wish, blow out the candles, and the heavens will hear your wish and help you make it come true."

Xiao Huai’an’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Xu Jing, and the other children all watched eagerly, almost green with envy.

Then, just as Xu Jing directed, he clasped his hands together and suddenly declared loudly, "I... I wish I could have a little sister to play with soon!"

He said it, and before anyone could react, he puffed up his cheeks and blew out the five candles in front of him with a "poof".

Almost simultaneously, the servants on standby relit the surrounding lights, and the courtyard was bright once more.

Only then did the adults come to their senses, and they all glanced teasingly at Xu Jing and Xiao Yi.

Zhao Shao Hua even laughed heartily, "Jing, you said it, that the heavens would grant Chang Xiao’s wish."

Xu Jing: "..."

How could she have known that this little kid’s wish would be something like that!

It was like digging a hole for herself to jump into!

What followed was the usual cake-cutting segment. The children and many of the women liked the fragrant, sweet, and soft cake very much. Except for Zhao Jingming, most of the men didn’t care for it much, so in the end, Zhao Jingming ended up getting most of it.

After dinner, the group sat and chatted for a while. The adults were fine, but several of the younger children began to get drowsy after eating and drinking their fill.

Song You’an was the first to fall asleep. Zhao Shao Hua looked at Song You’an, held by the nurse, and with a helpless smile said, "It’s getting late, I shall take my leave. An is worn out today; he usually doesn’t sleep this early."

Xu Jing glanced at the sky, then at Xiao Huai’an, whose eyelids were already drooping, and smiled, "Looks like our little birthday star is sleepy too."

Xiao Huai’an jolted and quickly sat upright, rubbing his eyes with one hand, mumbling, "I’m... I’m not sleepy. I can still eat and play..."

The women couldn’t help but burst into laughter, and Mrs. Pei was the first to stand up, saying, "Alright then, we will take our leave as well, so as not to disturb your rest."

With Zhao Shao Hua and Mrs. Pei saying so, the others also bid their farewells.

Xiao Yi and Xu Jing personally escorted them out. Just as they reached the main gate, Zhao Shao Hua suddenly asked, "Huh, where’s Qingyun?"

Everyone paused, looking around, and indeed, Song Qingyun was nowhere to be found.

Xu Jing’s heart skipped a beat, thinking about Xiao He, who hadn’t spoken much all evening, and glanced around carefully again.

Sure enough, Xiao He wasn’t there either.

She quickly cleared her throat and said, "I’ll go find Song Erniang."

With that, before anyone could say anything, she turned and went back inside.

Xu Jing returned to the courtyard where they had dinner earlier but found no signs of the two besides the servants tidying up.

After a moment’s thought, she walked towards the closest outhouse. She stopped abruptly at a corner as she heard Xiao He’s hoarse, low voice from the other side of the corner—

"...Are you really considering marrying Sun Sanlang?"

Song Qingyun’s voice carried hints of anger, "Let go of me first."

Xiao He was silent for a moment, with a few suppressed sighs, "Qingyun, why do you always disregard me?"

It was the first time Xu Jing had seen Xiao He so humble and powerless.

Song Qingyun’s voice was evidently flustered, "I... I haven’t disregarded you; it’s just that I... don’t have feelings for you. Under such circumstances, if I married you, it would be unfair to you..."

"I don’t care."

"..."

"Then aren’t you afraid it’d be unfair to Sun Sanlang if you married him?"

"I don’t even know Sun Sanlang... Besides, if I really married him in the future, I would surely fulfill the role of a wife..."

"Song Qingyun, why would you rather marry a stranger than marry me?"

"Ah! Xiao He, what are you trying to do..."

Xu Jing’s heart tightened; that guy Xiao He wouldn’t force anything, right? He didn’t seem like that kind of person!

She was hesitating whether to take a peek when footsteps suddenly approached from behind. She turned quickly and saw Zhao Shao Hua, eyes widened, as if choking on a big melon.

Worse, just as she and Zhao Shao Hua were staring at each other, Song Qingyun suddenly came running out from the other side of the corner. Upon seeing them, her face, already slightly flushed, turned even redder. Her peach blossom eyes gazed at them confusedly for a moment before she suddenly ran past them and out.

"Song Erniang..."

Xu Jing instinctively wanted to chase after her, but Zhao Shao Hua stopped her, saying, "I’ll take care of Qingyun, and as for Xiao He..."

She looked up at Xiao He, who was slowly walking over, brows furrowed, scrutinizing him repeatedly, seemingly still unable to process the situation. Finally, she said, "If you really care for Qingyun, propose to the Song Family properly. With your character and abilities, mother-in-law would surely give you priority consideration."

With that, she turned and chased after Song Qingyun, muttering all the while, "Yet his intentions were deeply hidden, I previously couldn’t tell at all that he had feelings for Qingyun..."

Xiao He sighed softly and leaned against the wall.

Xu Jing glanced at him and said, "You didn’t propose because you’re worried it’d be difficult for Song Erniang, and also afraid she’d refuse."

After all, Song Erniang didn’t want to marry him.

Xiao He looked up at the moonlight in the sky, his lips pressed slightly together, "I don’t understand why she would rather marry a stranger than marry me."

Xu Jing looked at him for a while, saying, "It shows that Song Erniang actually cares about you."

Regardless of whether the care involved romantic feelings.

At least, she didn’t want Xiao He to get hurt because of her.

But she wouldn’t consider whether Sun Sanlang would get hurt because of her.

Xiao He was slightly stunned, turned to Xu Jing with a light smile, stood straight, and said, "I like that explanation. Thank you."

With that, he waved his hand and walked towards the main gate.

Xu Jing watched his back for a while and followed.

In the end, Zhao Shao Hua left with a blushing and silent Song Qingyun. Before leaving, Song Qingyun gave Xu Jing a look, a look that made Xu Jing feel this young lady seemed to have something to say to her.

She couldn’t help but stand at the door, deep in thought. Beside her, Xiao Yi suddenly took her hand, and whispered, "Just now, it was Jingchen with Song Erniang, right?"

Xu Jing abruptly turned her head, looking at him in surprise, "How did you know?"

She thought she hadn’t been that obvious, right?