Chapter 647

Chapter Eight: The Three Little Ones—Niannian 8

“They said Steward Liu’s illness has become serious, and everyone else couldn’t make it back. Niannian happened to have the time, so she returned on everyone’s behalf.” Wen Xiu sighed as she spoke.

Over the years, Xu Heming and Li Zhiwei had traveled from place to place with their children, accomplishing many things that benefited the country and its people.

They had even established several schools for girls.

Yet the couple still showed no intention of returning.

“Steward Liu’s health has been worsening day by day these past few years.” Thinking of Liu Ming’s illness, Cheng Qingli nodded.

Then she glanced at Niannian, who was playing nearby, and asked, “So, has that girl Niannian decided whether she wants to settle down and marry?”

Cheng Qingli looked at her sister-in-law with an unmistakably gossipy expression.

“I wouldn’t dare ask her about that. What, are you thinking of finding a match for Niannian?” Wen Xiu asked curiously, looking at her lively sister-in-law.

“Hehe, I do have someone in mind. But this matter will only work if her parents agree.” Cheng Qingli smiled.

Still, she knew very well that Xu Heming probably wouldn’t approve.

Prince An’s Residence

“Open the door! Open the door!”

The Third Prince pounded on the gates of Prince An’s Residence.

Over the years, the masters of the residence had all been away, and only a small number of servants remained behind.

After a long while, a young servant finally opened the gate. He looked at the Third Prince outside, but had no idea which family this young nobleman belonged to. Puzzled, he asked, “Young master, whom are you looking for?”

The servant was rather curious. The masters of Prince An’s Residence were all away, while this young man clearly looked wealthy and important. He wondered who he had come to see.

“I’m looking for your young commandery princess! Where’s Niannian?” The Third Prince tried to walk into the residence as soon as he finished speaking.

“Please stop, young master. Our mistress hasn’t returned to the residence. Could you have mistaken the place?” The servant frowned, suspecting that this might be some kind of swindler.

Dressed respectably and acting as though he had known their young commandery princess for years, perhaps he intended to find an excuse to stay at Prince An’s Residence.

With that thought, the servant crossed his arms and looked the Third Prince up and down.

The Third Prince had not visited Prince An’s Residence in the past few years, and none of the current servants recognized him.

“She hasn’t returned? How is that possible?” The Third Prince frowned. He remembered that the girl had clearly said she was the young commandery princess of Prince An’s Residence. How could she possibly not be there?

“Young master, everyone knows that our masters are away from the residence. You aren’t trying to find an excuse to freeload here, are you? I’m telling you, with our masters gone, a servant like me can’t make any decisions. Please leave!” After saying this, the servant pushed the Third Prince outside and slammed the gate shut with a bang.

“Your Highness! Why did you run off? You should hurry back to the palace.” A Nan finally caught up with his master. He simply couldn’t understand why the Third Prince had come running to Prince An’s Residence in the first place.

“A Nan, that man said she was the young commandery princess of Prince An’s Residence. How could she not have returned?” the Third Prince asked dejectedly.

“Your Highness, perhaps we heard wrong. She might be the commandery princess of another family,” A Nan suggested after thinking it over.

“Let’s return to the palace first.” The Third Prince felt utterly dispirited.

He cursed Xu Qingshi inwardly. All he had done was bring Xu Qingshi’s little sister back to the palace once, yet Xu Qingshi had guarded against him like a thief and sent Niannian away to stay with Prince An and his wife.

Xu Qingshi, who was currently fighting on the battlefield, had no idea what the Third Prince was thinking. Otherwise, he would certainly have dragged the Third Prince onto the battlefield to put him through some training.

The man actually dared to set his sights on his little sister.

Niannian had dinner at the Li residence with Li Tianyou and Li Tingzhou.

“Niannian, will you be leaving again this time?” Li Tianyou asked as he looked at his granddaughter with a kindly smile. His wife had passed away two years earlier, and he was already an old man. He did not know whether he would live long enough to see all his children and grandchildren marry and establish themselves.

“Grandfather, if you miss me, I’ll stay a little longer to keep you company,” Niannian said considerately as she placed some food in Li Tianyou’s bowl.

“Good, good!” Li Tianyou nodded with a smile.

“Niannian, if you ask me, you should just stay here at your uncle’s home. You can return after your parents come back,” Li Tingzhou said with a smile as well.

“That sounds like a good idea. I’ll have your courtyard tidied up later,” Wen Xiu added with a smile. All the children, including Xu Qingshi, had their own courtyards at the Li residence. Whenever they wanted to return, they could stay there.

“Oh, if all of you keep treating me this well, I might not be able to bear leaving later,” Niannian said playfully.

“Then don’t leave! Find a good young man in the capital and marry him,” Li Tianyou said with a light cough.

“Grandfather, I don’t want to get married yet.” Niannian pouted unhappily.

“Besides, Father and my big brother said they can afford to support me!” Her childish declaration made everyone laugh.

“Father, girls from our family never have to worry about finding a husband. If Niannian doesn’t want to marry, we’ll simply support her. It’s not as though we can’t afford it,” Li Tingzhou hurriedly agreed.

Wen Xiu shook her head with an amused smile at how much Li Tingzhou doted on his niece.

“Auntie, listen! Uncle said he’ll support me,” Niannian said, smiling as she took Wen Xiu’s hand and acted coquettishly.

“Of course we will. Our family could support not just one Niannian, but eight or ten of you without trouble! And if your uncle ever runs out of money to support you, I have plenty,” Wen Xiu declared proudly, patting her chest.

And so, Niannian stayed in the capital, accompanying her grandfather and visiting Liu Ming. Before she knew it, half a month had passed.

That day, Niannian could no longer resist and secretly slipped away to Qingyu House.

“Miss, everyone who wishes to dine at Qingyu House has to reserve a number in advance. Without one, I’m afraid you can’t dine here,” the waiter told Niannian with a smile.

Niannian frowned. She knew Qingyu House was popular, but she had never expected it to be this popular.

If only she had known, she would have asked Aunt Qing to reserve a place for her first.

“Is your manager here?” Niannian asked, wondering whether she could ask Aunt Qing to make an exception.

“I’m sorry, but the manager isn’t here today,” the waiter replied with a smile.

“Oh? Where did this little beauty come from? Are you trying to dine at Qingyu House? How about I take you inside, then?” Jiang Yu’s eyes lit up the moment he saw Niannian’s beautiful face.

Such a stunning beauty—he had to get acquainted with her.

His mother had been talking lately about finding him a wife. Wasn’t this girl the perfect candidate?

“Jiang Yu, mind your words and behavior!” Xie Yanzhi said from behind him with a frown.

“I didn’t say anything wrong. I just want to invite her to dine with me. What’s the problem?” Jiang Yu retorted unhappily.

“Stop fooling around. The Third Prince will be arriving soon. What will it look like if you bring some random girl along?” Xie Yanzhi glanced at Niannian. He had to admit that the young lady was exceptionally beautiful.

However, he only took one look before turning away and no longer paying her any attention.

“I’m not fooling around. She only wants to dine here. My inviting her has nothing to do with meeting the Third Prince later,” Jiang Yu said. He thought that having such a beautiful girl dining nearby might even put the Third Prince in a better mood.