Many years ago, the Ke Mansion.
Gu Xueqin held the breakfast and walked into the backyard under the scattered sunlight, the only sound was her footsteps.
She arrived at the guest room and did not enter immediately, she stretched her head inside to look. She saw that the only surviving little girl from the Ying family was curled up on the bed.
“Little Bing’er hasn’t woken up yet?”
“Lady, this girl didn’t sleep all night. When I tried to persuade her to rest, she just stared at me without saying a word, it was very scary,” the maid said with lingering fear.
“That means she just fell asleep…”
“Lady, so many people in the Ying Mansion… Only she survived, and her body is still so cold. Could it be that something ominous possessed her?”
The maid lowered her head as she noticed her usually mild-mannered mistress’s eyes gradually becoming stern.
“I don’t want to hear such talk again in my house.”
After dismissing the maid, Gu Xueqin entered the room to check on Little Ying Bing’s condition and sighed in relief upon finding no illness.
Just as she stood up to leave, she felt a cool sensation in her hand.
She found that the little girl’s face was pale, her lips tightly pressed together. Although her body was cold, sweat trickled down her furrowed brows.
“Mama, don’t abandon me…”
“I’m here, go to sleep quickly.”
Later, Ying Bing often felt a warm hand in her dreams.
Time passed.
That pitiful little face gradually matured in her eyes, the fear and worry disappeared, and her slightly dazed eyes shone brightly under the sunlight.
Gu Xueqin was momentarily stunned.
The once pitiful little girl had grown into a graceful young woman, and she was about to get married soon.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes, why did you come?”
“I came to bring some things and to pick you up for your new home in the Ziyang Mansion.”
Gu Xueqin sat on the bed, gathered the stray hair behind Ying Bing’s ear, and then opened the packages.
“New home in the Ziyang Mansion?”
Ying Bing tilted her head.
“Letting that brat come to fetch you from your mother’s house, how can he avoid coming to our door if he wants to propose? There’s no way a bride would come to the groom’s house herself; people would laugh at us,” Lady Gu said seriously.
Ying Bing lowered her eyes, “But I don’t have any family…”
Gu Xueqin hummed while pulling her hand out, “Whoever dares say my Little Bing’er is an orphan, I’ll disagree first. Old Ke, right?”
“Right, right, right.” Old Ke, who usually valued his dignity, now looked like a lapdog to his wife.
Ying Bing was taken aback by the familiar touch of Gu Xueqin’s hand. Before, she didn’t know where this familiarity came from, but hearing that word just now made the familiarity suddenly tangible.
“Mama…”
A soft voice with a hint of confusion filled the bedroom, making it seem as if a pin could be heard dropping.
Even though there were four people in the room, not even their breathing could be heard.
Gu Xueqin’s expression was incredulous as she opened her mouth, “Little Bing’er, what did you just call me?”
Ying Bing raised her head, looked at Gu Xueqin for a long time, and softly repeated, “Mama.”
“Yes, yes, good daughter, Mama will comb your hair for you.”
Gu Xueqin was overjoyed, struggling to steady the comb several times before finally holding it firmly.
Old Ke was at a loss, standing up and sitting down again, muttering about inviting all his colleagues for a celebration, no drinking until they’re drunk, even though he knew this was just a betrothal feast, he couldn’t help but be excited.
Whenever he attended his colleagues’ weddings or their grandchildren’s full moon celebrations, he was often asked:
“When will your family have more members?”
“How are the two little ones recently? I thought I’d be drinking your old Ke family’s wedding wine first.”
Every time he heard such questions, Old Ke could only drink and smile without answering, giving the impression that everything was under control but not quite the right time to inform everyone.
“…”
Shang Qinqing’s expression was unexpectedly calm.
She seemed to casually walk out of the room without a word.
“Hey? Why are you down here, Qinqing?”
Qin Yuzhi looked bewildered as she was pulled to a corner of the Qiushui Pavilion.
“Haa…” Shang Qinqing clutched her heart and collapsed on the ground, then gasped heavily, as if having an asthma attack, continuously taking deep breaths.
“What happened? Tell me quickly.”
“Haa… haa, wait for me.”
Shang Qinqing realized no one was paying attention and rolled on the ground.
“Don’t scare me, what happened?”
“Little Bing’er called Lady Gu ‘Mama.'”
“Sss…”
Qin Yuzhi leaned back, as if struck by lightning.
Thus…
The rolling figure on the ground changed from one to two.
“….. What happened to them?” Shang Li raised her face and asked.
Shang Wu yawned, “They both got sick, what… Oh, high bl**d sugar, eat less sugar, or you’ll end up like them too.”
“I understand, sister.” Shang Li nodded fearfully.
Ke Mo searched for Shang Qinqing for a long time and finally saw her near the banyan tree. He hadn’t approached when he heard her whispering with Qin Yuzhi.
“Lady Gu was moved to tears when she heard Little Bing’er call her ‘Mama.'”
“How could I miss that?”
Ke Mo: “!”
Ice Chunk started calling her ‘Mama’?
Little Ke crossed his arms, looking solemn. Since Little Mama has already changed her way of addressing him, he should also change. He couldn’t continue calling her ‘Childish Ghost’; he should call her…
“Lady Gu was so moved she cried while combing Little Bing’er’s hair.”
“But isn’t this a happy occasion?”
“She said she feels complicated thinking about her daughter getting married…”
“????”
Question marks kept popping up on Little Ke’s forehead.
If he remembered correctly, there was only one Ke son in the Ke family.
Ke Mo, confused, went upstairs but was stopped by Old Ke, who was guarding the entrance like a security guard.
“Talk outside if you have anything to say.”
“…Dad, do you think there’s a possibility you’re hiding something from me?”
“What is it?”
“When we were kids, did you accidentally switch me with the Ying family’s child? Actually, Ice Chunk might be your real child.”
“?”
Seeing his father hesitate and instinctively reach for his belt, Ke Mo cleared his throat and spoke seriously.
Ke Mo did not wish to ruin the pleasant atmosphere, but he knew this betrothal feast would not be peaceful.
Although the Qingyuan Sect had made detailed arrangements, no one could guarantee there wouldn’t be any unexpected incidents.
Ke Mo said solemnly, “Dad, when the time comes, you and Mom shouldn’t use the excuse of going to the toilet to pass by the bridal chamber.”
“Which dog-damned person dared to disrupt my Ke family’s good fortune?”
When Ke Dalong heard someone causing trouble, he flew into a rage.
Ke Mo helplessly said, “The Huanmo Sect and the Lingxi Gate, I estimate there are at least two Seventh Stage cultivators, and I didn’t count the Sixth Stage, but there should be no less than ten.”
“…”
Ke Dalong, who was raging, fell silent for a moment, then said with a lighter tone, “Hmph, I understand. When the time comes, I will take you and Mom to a safe place. If those cunning villains ever fall into my hands…”
“Dad, let’s go inside and talk.” Ke Mo signaled him to lower his voice.
“No, can’t you see I’m standing at the door? Your mom is trying on Little Bing’er’s betrothal dress.”
“Ssss…”
Ke Mo, who initially wanted to go in, now felt he had no choice but to enter.
