Chapter 71 - 70: Treating Them Like Two Dogs (Third Update)

Chapter 71: Chapter 70: Treating Them Like Two Dogs (Third Update)

Seeing the little one’s pitiful expression, Xu Jing almost couldn’t resist softening her heart.

But in the end, the rationality in her heart prevailed, and she said seriously, "No, I heard from Xianyun that your current teacher is someone your father specially found for you, a very capable scholar at the Imperial College.

A teacher this skilled is willing to teach a little kid like you, so you should be grateful, respect your elders, and study hard. If you stay with Mom, you won’t be able to learn from your teacher. Your teacher will be unhappy, and your father will also be unhappy."

Whether considering the practical or emotional factors, Xu Jing felt it was best for Little Point to stay with Xiao Yi.

The life Xiao Yi could provide was something she couldn’t offer for the time being.

Moreover, she didn’t think she currently had the time and energy to take good care of a little child.

The little one lowered his eyes sadly, biting his lower lip tightly.

He understood that Mr. Wen would be unhappy this way, and so would his dad.

But... but he really didn’t want to leave Mom. It was so hard for her to say she liked him, was willing to hug him and kiss him...

Seeing him like this, Xu Jing also felt uneasy inside. She sighed quietly, ruffled his little head, and said, "Chang Xiao, rest assured. If you miss Mom, you can come see Mom anytime. Mom’s place isn’t very far from your home in the Western Capital, right?

When there’s a chance, Mom will also visit you in the Western Capital, okay?"

Xiao Huai’an pouted, sullenly saying, "Will Mom really come see Chang Xiao?"

Why did he feel like Mom was lying to him?

Mom surely doesn’t like Chang Xiao anymore, nor Dad either. That’s why... that’s why she’s so eager to drive them back to the Western Capital!

"Uh..."

Realizing she hadn’t completely redeemed herself in this little guy’s heart, Xu Jing took a deep breath and resolved, "You’re doubting Mom again, aren’t you? Since you came here, has Mom ever lied to you? If Mom says she’ll come see you, she definitely will!"

Although she really didn’t want to set foot in that troublesome place until her wings were fully grown.

But... finding some time to sneak to the Western Capital to see this little one should still be possible.

Yet this time, no matter what Xu Jing said, the little guy remained sullen and unhappy.

She held him in her arms, sighed quietly, and was at a bit of a loss as to how to comfort him.

Xiao Yi, who had been hiding in the shadows without speaking, only stepped into the courtyard’s twilight at this moment, his voice slightly low, "Chang Xiao, boys can’t always act like this."

Xu Jing was slightly surprised, looking with some astonishment at the unexpected guest, while Chunxiang, who had accompanied Xiao Yi in, wore an expression of helplessness.

Miss and the little lord had been so engrossed in their conversation earlier that they hadn’t noticed their arrival at all, even entirely ignoring her announcement.

She was about to step forward to explain the situation when Xiao Yi spoke first, "I wonder if Miss Xu would mind an extra pair of chopsticks for dinner tonight?"

Normally, when Xiao Yi visited Xu Jing, Xiao Huai’an was very excited and happy. But tonight, he remained listless, only glancing at Xiao Yi before snuggling closer to Xu Jing, burying himself deeper into her embrace.

For the first time, he felt his favorite dad was too mean.

Mom must really dislike Dad too, which is why she’s unwilling to return to the Western Capital with them.

Xu Jing, sensing the little one’s movement in her arms, had no mind for anything else. She nodded absently, "Of course, it’s not a problem. Chunxiang, go to the kitchen and tell Chunyang that Vice Minister Xiao will be joining us for dinner tonight."

"Yes, Miss."

After Chunxiang left, the small courtyard was left with only Xu Jing, Xiao Yi, and Xiao Huai’an.

Xiao Yi glanced at the little one who was unwilling to emerge from Xu Jing’s embrace, his brows slightly furrowing, though he said nothing further. He sat across from Xu Jing, his deep eyes looking at the mother and child, "How’s your injury?"

Xu Jing gently patted the child in her arms, distractedly replying, "It’s nothing major, just a bit inconvenient to move. Thanks to the carriage borrowed from Vice Minister Xiao and the two drivers he specially found, today wasn’t much of a problem."

Xiao Yi watched the woman bathed in the warm afterglow opposite him, noticing her somewhat distracted expression, and his heart sank a bit, "Good that it wasn’t a problem. I heard from Chen Hu that the business at Xinglin Hall is doing well."

"It’s quite stable, with a steady daily income."

With this income, she could certainly enjoy a life free from worry about food and clothing.

However, it’s not enough. To confidently establish herself in this world, she still needs more silver and more strength.

"I heard from Chen Hu that many people want to buy your Atractylodes Qi Pill. He said even he has to wait five days for it. Do you have enough manpower now?"

As she spoke of this, Xu Jing couldn’t help but feel a bit troubled, "Actually, not really. The most important thing for the Cheng Brothers and Sisters now is to improve their medical skills, so they don’t have much time to help with the medicine-making.

Currently, Chunyang and Chunxiang are the main ones making the medicine. But besides that, they have to manage the household too, so even with nonstop work, they can’t make much."

She could have helped, but unfortunately, she had become half a cripple, and could only watch helplessly.

Xiao Yi’s eyes flickered, his lips slightly parting.

However, before he could say anything, the woman in front of him said, "So, I’ve already planned this out. Once I’m more financially secure, I’ll adopt a couple of clever children from Bitian Fang and train them from a young age. There’s still a lot of need for people in the future."

She didn’t dare to randomly buy people from outside; those already of a certain age have too many tricks up their sleeves. It’s better to train her own from a young age.

Xiao Yi was taken aback.

After Xu Jing finished speaking, she looked at Xiao Yi with a probing gaze, "Vice Minister Xiao, you seemed to want to say something just now?"

Xiao Yi: "..."

What did he want to say? He wanted to say if she lacked manpower, he could help find some useful people for her. He also wanted to say if she needed help in any area, she could come to him anytime.

But she seemed to have already thought of a solution to the problem. This time when they met, she had always been like this. No matter what predicament she fell into, she seemed to be able to calmly find a way out.

She had asked for his help twice before, not because he was Xiao Yi.

Even if he had been a nameless stranger, as long as he could help her, she would have sought him out all the same.

It should be said that the fact it was him had only added to her troubles.

How could he not see that in matters outside the case, she was always making efforts to draw a line with him, to maintain distance? If he hadn’t taken the initiative to speak last time, she wouldn’t have asked him to find reliable officers to help her out.

He had a premonition that even if he offered to help her, this woman would decline with a perfunctory face.

She neither needed his help nor wished for it.

This fact caused Xiao Yi’s heart to sink again. After a moment of silence, he said in a light tone, "Nothing."

At this moment, Chunxiang came over to call them for dinner, temporarily putting the topic aside.

Throughout the meal, Xiao Yi barely spoke.

And usually the most lively Xiao Huai’an was obviously not in the mood tonight. After finishing his bowl of rice, he timidly shrank back into Xu Jing’s embrace, hugging her tightly without saying a word.

Xu Jing: "..."

Heaven above, can she chase away this gloomy father-son pair??

They’re really affecting her appetite!

However, looking at the little one in her arms, she sighed quietly to herself.

Oh well, she couldn’t let go. She’ll just see it as having adopted a little puppy and a big non-speaking wolf-dog!

Being sad also consumes a lot of energy, and while nested in Mom’s soft, sweet-smelling arms, Xiao Huai’an soon fell asleep.

Xu Jing herself had finished eating by then, and she looked speechlessly at the little one clutching her clothes, sleeping sweetly. She was just about to ask Chunyang and Chunxiang to take him back to his room.

The man beside her suddenly took out a small, exquisite blue brocade box with flower and bird drawings on it, and placed it on the table in front of her, saying, "There’s something I’d like to return to Miss Xu. Please, open it and see."

Return to her?

Xu Jing looked at Xiao Yi with some confusion, then picked up the box and opened it, her eyes widening slightly.