Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Lady, This Is Inappropriate

“Does the Fifth Lady have any free time? Our Grand Lady Qin wishes to invite you to visit the Qin residence.”

Qin’s Grand Lady’s personal maid, Caidie, bowed respectfully to Suyan.

“Since it’s Lady Qin’s invitation, how can I refuse? I’ll go with young Master Ming right away,” responded Suyan.

“Then please follow me, Fifth Lady and young Master Ming,” Caidie smiled gently.

“Lady, please lead the way.”

Suyan held Ming as they followed Caidie out of the Xu Mansion.

Why is everyone so skilled after eight months?

Just as Qingwan was about to cry with her nose scrunched up…

Both children were so adorable that Qing and Suyan felt their hearts melting.

“Hmm,” Ming nodded.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry.”

Ming stood up, helping Qingwan walk step by step.

This was Ming’s first time leaving the back courtyard.

Lady Zhao worried that Suyan might feel uncomfortable, so she dismissed the servants and asked Suyan about embroidery.

Qingwan walked clumsily like a little duck toward Suyan.

“Sister Suyan, please accept this.”

The layout of the Qin residence was very similar to the Xu Mansion. When Ming entered the Qin residence, he even felt like he was back at home.

“Qingwan, how could you sit on Brother Ming? Get down quickly.” Lady Qin picked her daughter off Ming and placed her on the ground.

Little Qingwan suddenly felt a sense of loss.

“Don’t cry,” Ming corrected again.

“Not crying,” Ming said firmly.

“Yah yah yah!”

Ming saw a large lake filled with colorful koi fish swimming around, each one looking plump and well-fed.

“Buh buh.”

The calligraphy hanging on the walls wasn’t from any famous artist but was signed by Lady Qin herself.

The Xu Mansion felt like a giant park; Ming couldn’t estimate its size anymore.

Walking out of the Xu Mansion, it only took a few steps to reach the Qin residence.

Lady Zhao pressed a jade token into Suyan’s hand.

“Don’t cry.”

What did Ming feel about the architecture of the two mansions?

After much thought, Ming could only think of two words—luxurious!

However, when Ming arrived at Grandma Qin’s courtyard, he noticed many differences compared to the Qin and Xu residences.

Qingwan stopped crying and happily hugged Ming, giving him a kiss “ba jia.”

“Don’t cry.”

[Strength +2, Stamina +1, Back Flexibility +1, Arm Strength +1]

In these past months, Ming would see Qingwan once a month on average, watching her grow bit by bit.

Hearing her daughter start speaking simple sentences, Lady Qin’s eyes lit up.

Seeing Ming fall too, Qingwan’s prelude to crying was interrupted by giggles.

Hearing her mother’s reprimand, Qingwan started wailing “wah wah wah.”

“Giggles…”

The not-yet-one-year-old Qingwan happily waved her hands and feet upon seeing Ming arrive. Her big eyes sparkled like bells, and her chubby cheeks made people want to cuddle her.

Lady Qin turned around to look at her overly excited daughter.

But Qingwan was still too young; after walking a few steps, she plopped onto the ground.

After several attempts, no matter how Ming tried to coax her, she refused to get up.

He told me to sit on him!

Seeing this, Ming quickly approached Qingwan, wiping her tears with his sleeve and saying in a baby voice, “Don’t cry, don’t cry.”

“Puh puh.” Qingwan sniffed, blinking her eyes and mimicking Ming’s words.

Ming began doing push-ups.

The courtyard where Lady Qin lived had common wildflowers rather than the expensive flowers planted in the two mansions.

“Please don’t be so formal, Fifth Lady.” Lady Zhao stood up smiling, placing the little girl down. “Go play with your brother Ming.”

Under Caidie’s guidance, Suyan knocked and entered the room. The decoration inside was simple—just a table, a bed, and an ordinary vanity.

“Aww~”

From his mother’s arms, Ming observed the scenery along the way.

It’s normal.

Lady Qin sensed her daughter was overly excited and turned to check on her.

However, after a few steps, Qingwan lost her balance and landed on her bottom with a “plop.”

Feeling the up-and-down motion beneath her, Qingwan joyfully waved her tiny hands, laughing even more.

Realizing what Ming meant, Qingwan plopped onto Ming’s waist.

When Qingwan looked confused, Ming lay flat on the ground and patted his back with his short arms.

“One, two, three…”

“Bu pu.” Qingwan imitated.

Back then, the Duke of Qin and the Duke of Xu were sworn brothers who fought side by side, closer than real siblings. Naturally, the layouts of their mansions would be similar.

Ming glanced at his mother and Lady Qin before pulling Qingwan up again.

I just got a sudden idea, but carrying Qingwan while doing push-ups works better.

Looking at the information popping up in his mind, Ming did push-ups faster.

Without a doubt, the mansion of a duke was grand. It took fifteen minutes to walk from the back courtyard to the front.

Artificial hills and rocks were arranged artistically, pavilions dotted the paths, corridors connected various buildings, and the carvings on the corridors were lifelike, clearly the work of master craftsmen.

On the other side, Qingwan and Ming played on the ground.

Suyan also let Ming down.

[Strength +2, Stamina +1, Back Flexibility +1, Arm Strength +1]

Ming quickly lay down, creating a scene where Qingwan pinned him down.

“Lady, this is inappropriate,” Suyan tried to decline.

“Fifth sister, don’t refuse. It’s just an access token. Sister Chen can bring Ming here anytime later,” Lady Qin quickly pushed Suyan’s hand back.

Looking at the two children, especially Ming, a flicker of regret crossed Lady Qin’s face.

What a clever child!

Why must he be a secondary son with such an awkward identity?