The carriage from Rui’s Mansion was the first to arrive at the imperial palace.
Zhi’er was in the courtyard, playing games with the palace servants!
Suddenly, a light and youthful voice came from the entrance—
The palace servants around her bowed their heads in respect: "Greetings to the Eldest Heir."
Zhi’er turned her head and saw Bai Xuanmo with his hair tied up in a crown and radiant in red clothes, stepping inside.
Bai Xuanmo walked up to the little girl and picked her up in his arms.
He narrowed his long eyes and smiled softly, "Let big brother see if Little Ball is still as adorable in the new year."
Zhi’er looked behind him with her round eyes.
"Where’s Uncle and elder aunt?" the little one asked softly.
Sniffing the milky scent on her, Bai Xuanmo felt quite fond.
He laughed gently: "My father and mother went to pay respects to Uncle first. I couldn’t wait to see you, so I came ahead."
As he spoke, Bai Xuanmo pulled out a thick Red Envelope from his sleeve.
"This is your New Year’s money; call me big brother, and I’ll give it to you."
Zhi’er pouted and turned her little head away, very proudly, "Hmph, I won’t be tempted."
Bai Xuanmo seemed to have expected this, just raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled, "Oh? So determined?"
As he finished speaking, he waved, and a servant immediately brought over a food box.
Even before opening it, a fragrant aroma filled the air.
Zhi’er smelled the sweet scent!
She turned back immediately, blinking her big eyes, curiously asking, "What is it, it smells so good~"
Holding her with one hand, Bai Xuanmo opened the food box with the other hand.
Inside were six neatly arranged bean paste pastries in the shape of peach blossoms.
The outer skin was golden, and the filling was rich and full.
One could imagine that a bite would be crispy, sweet, and soft.
Bai Xuanmo smiled and said, "These are pastries I sent someone to line up for early in the morning, reputed to be irresistible."
"I didn’t eat even one, waiting to let my sister try first."
Zhi’er stretched out her two little hands, eyes shining: "Let Zhi’er try~"
Bai Xuanmo raised an eyebrow: "Then you must call me big brother."
"Big brother!" the little girl compromised without principles.
Her voice was soft, and her round little face was adorable.
Satisfied, Bai Xuanmo chuckled softly, his face appearing even more gentle and charming.
He immediately picked up a bean paste pastry and handed it to Zhi’er.
The little girl held it with both hands, eating joyfully.
"Ooh~ delicious!" Zhi’er loved it a lot.
Bai Xuanmo seized the opportunity and asked pleasantly, "Then let brother ask you, am I your favorite among all the princely heirs?"
Zhi’er’s little face puffed up while eating.
Chewing the bean paste pastry, she still raised her big eyes to look at Bai Xuanmo innocently.
Then, the little girl extended her right hand, showing three fingers.
Bai Xuanmo was puzzled: "What does this mean?"
"It means if big brother wants Zhi’er to say that, you have to add three more bean paste pastries for me!" the little girl asserted righteously.
Bai Xuanmo was stunned for a moment, then laughed softly.
He gently pinched Zhi’er’s soft cheek: "Little Ball, you’re really smart, you even know how to negotiate with your brother."
"Otherwise, how about this, big brother teaches you a poison technique, not only for self-defense but also to kill, which is better than eating three more bean paste pastries."
Zhi’er’s dark eyes glistened, and she replied softly, "No~ Zhi’er doesn’t want to kill anyone, and brother shouldn’t do it either; it’s not right to harm others."
Before Bai Xuanmo could respond, a sound of something shattering came from Ruizhu Palace.