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Chapter Sixteen

Qi Jingyan was silent for a moment, then lowered his voice and asked, “Meng Yuning?”

Just as Meng Yuning was about to drift into sleep, she heard someone call her name and instinctively replied, “Hmm?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Qi Jingyan’s eyes. He stared for a while at the woman curled up on the bed beside him—a small, tight bundle—before slowly withdrawing his gaze.

Yi’er held a little rabbit in one hand and a small fox in the other, gently rocking them with great delight.

Qi Jingyan reached out to stroke the boy’s head. “Do you like them?”

Yi’er nodded. “Yes.”

Qi Jingyan said, “Then tomorrow, your brother will learn to make some for you.”

The little boy lifted his head and finally showed the first smile of the evening. “Yi’er wants many, many.”

Qi Jingyan smiled, “Alright.”

---

The next day.

Meng Yuning slept deeply and soundly, waking only when the daylight had fully brightened the sky.

Stretching lazily, she opened her eyes and found herself in an unfamiliar place. After a moment’s daze, she recalled following Qi Jingyan and his companions into the remote mountains.

At that moment, she was alone in the room; Qi Jingyan and his brother had gone somewhere unknown.

Sitting up, her first thought was that sleeping on a bed was much more comfortable than on the carriage.

However, the bed had nothing laid on it and felt a bit hard and uncomfortable. She resolved to see if she could find some dry grass or something to make a mattress.

Just then, a strong scent of rice porridge wafted in from outside, and her stomach gave a loud rumble.

She pressed her hand to her belly. “Hungry.”

Putting on her shoes, she stepped down and tidied her collar. From her bundle, she took out the only wooden comb she had, loosened her hair, combed it neatly, and tied it simply into a bun, re-inserting the golden hairpin she had worn earlier.

Folding her cloak and placing it by the bedside, she stepped out.

The sunlight was brilliant, and the mountain air was exceptionally fresh. Meng Yuning took a deep breath twice, feeling her spirits lighten.

Qi Jingyan sat in his wheelchair, holding a piece of foxtail grass, studying it intently. Little Yi’er leaned against the wheelchair, peering curiously. Both were focused, unaware she had come out.

Mu Yun, Mu Feng, and others were nowhere to be seen; only Doctor Tang was by the two stoves, tending a large pot of rice porridge bubbling gently. On the other stove, medicine simmered, steam rising through the vent in the lid.

She approached Qi Jingyan and bowed. “Good morning, Your Highness, and good morning, Little Highness.”

Qi Jingyan looked up and nodded slightly in response, then resumed fiddling with the foxtail grass.

Seeing her, Yi’er shyly hid behind Qi Jingyan’s wheelchair, peeking out with half his round, adorable face.

The little boy’s head was round and his big eyes sparkled charmingly.

Meng Yuning’s heart softened as she pointed to the small rabbit and fox in his hands and smiled. “Little Highness, do you want more?”

The boy nodded, then shook his head, glanced at Qi Jingyan, and said proudly, “Brother will make them for me.”

Qi Jingyan’s hand paused, and he glanced down.

Following his gaze, Meng Yuning noticed the ground beside the wheelchair littered with chewed-up foxtail grass—clearly the result of his efforts.

She couldn’t suppress a silent laugh. Even the all-capable future regent of the novel had things he couldn’t do.

Sensing her amusement, Qi Jingyan looked up at her. Meng Yuning quickly pressed her lips together to stifle her smile, pretending nothing had happened. She reached for some foxtail grass from his hands, then crouched before Yi’er, twisting and weaving as she spoke, “Little Highness, watch carefully. Just wrap this, then twist that, and tie—simple as that, and the little rabbit is done.”

Looking at the lifelike little rabbit in her hands, Yi’er nodded, then looked up at Qi Jingyan with a soft voice full of expectation: “Simple little rabbit, Brother, can you make it now?”

Qi Jingyan was speechless.

He knew those words were meant for Yi’er but were actually teaching him.

His pale fingers were so nimble that although he watched closely, he still couldn’t figure out how the little rabbit was woven.

Meng Yuning also looked up at Qi Jingyan.

The two pairs of eyes—one big, one small—were equally clear and earnest.

Qi Jingyan fell silent for a moment and then handed some foxtail grass to Meng Yuning. “Please make another.”

Meng Yuning smiled and agreed, taking the grass and about to start weaving when Qi Jingyan gestured for her to turn around. “Face me.”

“Oh, alright.” She stood, turned, and crouched beside Yi’er again. “Your Highness, Little Highness, watch carefully. First like this, then like that, and then like so…”

This time, she deliberately slowed down, almost in slow motion, weaving a little rabbit complete with head, legs, and tail. Then she looked up at Qi Jingyan. “Your Highness, did you see clearly?”

Qi Jingyan: “Yes.”

Meng Yuning encouraged, “Then Your Highness, you should try.”

“Alright, I’ll try.” Qi Jingyan took some foxtail grass and tried to follow her method. He quickly discovered that while his eyes understood, his hands did not. After several attempts and snapping several stalks, he still couldn’t make the shape.

Watching his long, elegant hands clumsily struggling with the grass, Meng Yuning couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Realizing this, she quickly covered her mouth. “Sorry, I just thought of something funny. Please continue, Your Highness.”

Qi Jingyan glanced at her indifferently, then looked down and continued to fiddle with the grass.

Seeing that the handful of foxtail grass on his lap was nearly used up, Yi’er couldn’t stand it anymore. He reached out, took the remaining strands, and handed them to Meng Yuning with a look of disdain. “Brother is clumsy.”

Qi Jingyan looked at the scattered grass on the floor, patted Yi’er’s head, and said to Meng Yuning, “Thank you.”

Meng Yuning nodded silently, still suppressing her laughter, afraid she would burst out again.

She weaved the remaining foxtail grass into a little dog, made a peach-shaped heart, and at Yi’er’s request, made another little dog, a nine-tailed fox, and another heart—everything paired perfectly.

The little boy clutched the grass figures in his hands, smiling broadly.

Looking at Yi’er’s thin face lit up with happiness, Qi Jingyan nodded at Meng Yuning. “Many thanks.”

Meng Yuning smiled and stood. “Your Highness need not be so formal; as long as the Little Highness likes them.”

From a distance, Doctor Tang called, “Porridge is ready, time to eat.”

Several voices responded from the mountain: “Coming!” “Got it!” “On our way!”

Meng Yuning paid no mind to Qi Jingyan and his brother and went to the mountain spring to wash her face and hands. She then broke off a small willow branch, peeled it to use as a toothbrush, and brushed her teeth.

Just as she finished, Mu Yun and others came down the mountain one after another, carrying bamboo and branches or bundles of firewood—everyone had brought something.

They placed their items in a corner, washed their hands, then each took bowls and chopsticks, ladled some plain porridge, and squatted to eat noisily together.

Doctor Tang ladled a bowl for Meng Yuning. “I just cooked this simply; Meng girl, don’t be picky.”

Meng Yuning had thought Qi Jingyan brought her along because of her cooking skills and that from now on she would be in charge of all meals. She had already prepared herself to be the cook for everyone.

Unexpectedly, no one called for her this morning, letting her wake naturally and enjoy a ready meal. How could she be picky? She gratefully accepted the bowl. “Thank you, Doctor Tang.”

She then asked, “Are Your Highness and the Little Highness not eating?”

Doctor Tang ladled a bowl for himself. “His Highness said he wasn’t hungry and skipped breakfast. Mu Yun and the others searched the mountain early and found a few bird eggs for the Little Highness; I just cooked them for him.”

That was well arranged, and Meng Yuning was not the type to worry excessively. She found a wooden stump to sit on and ate slowly.

After finishing, she intended to wash the bowl, but a guard stepped forward and took the large basin of dishes to wash.

Mu Yun and the others went back up the mountain, and Meng Yuning, unable to stay idle, followed them. “I’ll go have a look too.”

Qi Jingyan called after her, “Miss Meng.”

She turned to him. “Your Highness?”

He held out his palm and gestured for her to come closer.

Obediently, she stepped forward.

Qi Jingyan glanced at the hem of her skirt. “Mu Yun and the others have gone to gather things and won’t be back soon. If you want to bathe and change clothes, now’s a good chance. Go ahead.”

Looking down, Meng Yuning saw mud stains on her skirt—leftover from a fall while climbing yesterday. Though mostly dried and scrubbed off, it still looked untidy.

Moreover, since leaving the capital, she had been traveling continuously without bathing. Though spring was not yet hot, it was uncomfortable.

She had planned to find a chance to wash today but hadn’t expected Qi Jingyan to be so considerate as to arrange it for her. Grateful, she bowed. “Thank you, Your Highness. I will heat water immediately.”

Qi Jingyan pointed toward the stoves. “Doctor Tang has already boiled water. Yi’er and I will be outside, so no one will disturb you.”

Looking toward the stove, she saw water boiling in the big pot.

Doctor Tang picked up a cleaver and headed up the mountain. “I’ll also go see if there are any treasures up there.”

Qi Jingyan added, “The wooden bucket by the wall was left by the previous owners. It’s for bathing and has been cleaned. You can use it.”

Without delay, Meng Yuning bowed to Qi Jingyan, went to the pot, and ladled half a wooden basin of hot water. Weighing it carefully, she didn’t add more, then carefully carried the half basin back inside.

She then went out again, struggling to drag the wooden bucket inside and placing it in the center of the room.

Pouring in the hot water, she fetched two and a half basins of hot water and two and a half basins of cold water, then closed the door and fastened both bolts.

Approaching her small bed, she knelt by the window, looked outside, and just then caught Qi Jingyan’s gaze through the glass.

They met eyes for a moment. Qi Jingyan said nothing but rotated his wheelchair slowly, turning his back to the window.

Watching the tall and upright figure sitting in the wheelchair, Meng Yuning leaned on the window frame and politely, yet with a hint of humor, spoke as if consulting him, “Your Highness, I’m going to wash now. If you need me, call out. Otherwise, please don’t turn back this way.”

The window was low, with neither paper nor curtains. If he looked over, he might see something embarrassing.

Qi Jingyan said quietly, “...Hmm.”