Chapter 37: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
第37ç« : Taiping Embroidered Ball
Suisui wasn’t sure if she should accept the gift, so she instinctively looked toward Feng Xuanrui.
The Taiping embroidered ball was exquisitely made, with a bright red string base, golden loops for decoration, and the finely crafted embroidered ball at its center, making it a delicate little ornament.
Feng Xuanrui hadn’t heard of such an item before, but he thought that regardless of what it was, even if it were just a blade of grass, it still represented the blessings of an elder. So he nodded at Suisui.
Seeing this, Suisui smiled shyly at Madam Sun. "Thank you, pretty aunty."
After thanking her, Suisui remembered that Brother Ronglin always talked about wanting a younger sister. She thought, if he had a sister of his own, maybe he wouldn't compete with her brother for attention anymore.
With this in mind, Suisui looked earnestly at Madam Sun and said, "Pretty aunty, you’ll definitely give Brother Ronglin a little sister. I’m sure of it!"
A child’s simple and innocent words had the magical ability to charm anyone. For Madam Sun, having another child was indeed a sincere wish. Hearing Suisui’s blessing, her smile deepened as she gently held Suisui’s hand, reluctant to part with her.
Since they had to continue their journey, they couldn’t linger for long. Soon, Suisui and Feng Xuanrui boarded the carriage.
Behind them, Sun Ronglin was on the verge of breaking down. His eyes were red from crying, and if not for the servants holding him back, he might have climbed into the carriage with them.
Earlier, Suisui hadn't fully understood the weight of the situation, but seeing Sun Ronglin like this made her feel sad too. Her big eyes filled with tears, and Feng Xuanrui, watching her, felt his own eyes redden.
Waving to Sun Ronglin, Feng Xuanrui called out, "Remember to write letters! If your handwriting is ugly, I’ll definitely make fun of you!"
Sun Ronglin had been on the verge of a full-on wail, but Feng Xuanrui’s challenge sparked a reaction. "My handwriting is great! Grandfather taught me personally! You better not write too sloppily!"
Sun Ronglin’s competitive nature kicked in, and for a moment, all he wanted was to challenge Feng Xuanrui to a calligraphy contest right then and there.
After the brief exchange, Sun Ronglin's eyes turned back to Suisui, who was already in the carriage and looking back at him. His tears returned, and he frantically waved, "Suisui, remember to write to me!"
Suisui nodded obediently at first but then shook her head with embarrassment. "But Brother Ronglin, I don’t know how to write."
Suisui had struggled just to survive, let alone learn anything. In a farming household, even the most favored child might not have the opportunity to be educated.
So, literacy? Completely unrealistic.
Sun Ronglin hadn’t considered this. He froze, speechless, after hearing her words.
Seeing him at a loss, Suisui looked helplessly at Feng Xuanrui.
Feng Xuanrui, uninterested in Sun Ronglin’s thoughts, simply held Suisui’s hand and led her into the carriage, leaving Sun Ronglin with a cool, composed back.
In Feng Xuanrui’s mind, he thought: That little chubby boy is too annoying! He actually expects Suisui to write letters to him?
Hmph! Not happening! I’ll make sure of it!
Feng Xuanrui, feeling a twinge of jealousy, thought to himself: It's already more than generous of me to lower myself to write him letters. And now he’s daring to expect letters from Suisui?
No way!
Even I haven’t received one!
Trying to dispel his sour mood, Feng Xuanrui, once they were seated in the carriage, comforted Suisui. "It’s enough for your brother to write letters. You don’t need to worry about that."
Remembering that Suisui couldn’t read, Feng Xuanrui added, "Don’t worry about not knowing how to read yet. Once we return to the palace, you’ll study with me in the primary school, and you’ll learn in no time."
Primary school? What kind of place was that?
To Suisui, it sounded like an unfamiliar, sacred, and noble place. She couldn't help but wonder: Would she be worthy of going there?
Not wanting her brother to worry, Suisui pushed down her doubts and worries and obediently nodded.
Outside the carriage, Sun Ronglin cried his heart out, shouting as he waved his hands, "Suisui, remember to write!"
"Suisui, I’ll send you toys as soon as I get new ones!"
"Suisui, make sure to come visit me when you have the time!"
The little boy’s voice was so strong and full of energy that it echoed even inside the carriage.
Feng Xuanrui, listening to the shouts, couldn’t help but sneer, "Why is his voice so loud?"
"What 'sister'? She’s my sister!"
Despite his tough words, tears welled up in Feng Xuanrui’s eyes, and before long, he was crying too.
Feeling embarrassed, he turned his head, only to mistakenly turn in the wrong direction and find himself face to face with Suisui’s equally tearful eyes.
Seeing her brother cry, Suisui’s tears immediately fell, and in a soft voice, she murmured, "Brother, I feel sad."
Parting was a bittersweet moment.
Not wanting Suisui to stay sad, Feng Xuanrui wiped his tears haphazardly and tried to cheer her up. "Let’s think about something else, and maybe we won’t feel so bad."
As he spoke, an idea popped into his head. "I heard that Wen Prefecture has some interesting dough figurines. I didn’t get a chance to see them on the way here, but we can stop on the way back."
Wen Prefecture bordered Qing Prefecture, and it was on their route back to the capital.
Suisui didn’t know where Wen Prefecture was, but dough figurines? They sounded interesting! Children were easily distracted, and Suisui quickly forgot her sadness as she excitedly discussed the figurines with Feng Xuanrui.
By the time the sound of Sun Ronglin’s cries had faded into the distance, their conversation about dough figurines was also coming to an end.
Listening carefully, Feng Xuanrui realized he could no longer hear Sun Ronglin crying. This made him sigh softly, "Ah..."
Leaving the capital hadn’t been so hard. Thinking about parting with his usual playmates back home, he hadn’t felt this sad. Perhaps it was because he knew he would be returning soon and they would meet again.
But here in Qing Prefecture, who knew when he might return?
So the sadness of this goodbye seemed to weigh twice as heavily on him.
Hearing her brother sigh, Suisui asked in confusion, "Brother, what’s wrong?"
Children were quick to forget, and Suisui had already moved on from the sadness of parting.
Not wanting to upset her again, Feng Xuanrui shook his head dismissively and picked up the Taiping embroidered ball hanging around Suisui’s neck to take a closer look.
Just then, the system provided Suisui with some information about the Taiping embroidered ball.
"The Taiping embroidered ball is a traditional handicraft from Jin Prefecture."
"It’s made by weaving twelve flowers together, symbolizing peace and harmony with family throughout the twelve months of the year."
"In Jin Prefecture, it's often used as a token of affection between young men and women."
"But if given by an elder, it represents a wish for safety and happiness."
Because it was a local craft from Jin Prefecture, Feng Xuanrui hadn’t seen one before. Now, examining it closely, he nodded approvingly, "It’s quite thoughtfully made."
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