At around 2:00 Shen Shi, Xiao Heng and Xiao Xun returned from the palace and came to pay their respects to their mother.
Yin Hui looked at her older son, then at her little son, and asked with a smile, “Did you feel sleepy while listening to the lecture today?”
Xiao Xun, who had slept a lot, naturally wasn’t sleepy. Xiao Heng picked up the sachet his mother had prepared for him from his waist and said, “Fortunately, you prepared refreshing incense for me.”
In the morning class, San Lang and Liu Lang yawned all over the place, and Xiao Heng was sleepy a few times, but smelling the sachet helped him make it through.
“Mother, I saw the Imperial Grandfather today.”
Xiao Xun described his encounter with him excitedly. He had already shared the same thing with his brother in the carriage.
Yin Hui’s heart tightened slightly, but she didn’t relax until the younger son finished speaking. Xiao Xun was so honest and studious. Yin Hui thought, even if her father-in-law didn’t praise him, he wouldn’t be angry because Xiao Xun didn’t go to the studying hall in the morning.
“Did you tell anyone else about this?”
Xiao Xun shook his head, “I only told my brother.”
Xiao Heng added on the side, “The elder brother and others don’t know.”
Yin Hui was very pleased. It stood to reason that it was worth showing off that the children could talk to their Imperial Grandfather, but neither of her two children were ostentatious.
The maids brought two plates of pastries for appetizers, and the two brothers and sister sat down to eat together.
When the setting sun filled the courtyard again, Wei Luo came back and changed into his normal clothes in front. The three were playing around in the yard. Xiao Xun was the first to spot his father, and just as he was about to shout out, he saw An Shun’er following behind his father, holding a big cage in his hand.
Xiao Xun’s gaze was fixed on the inside of the cage.
Xiao Heng was also stunned.
Xiao Ning happily ran towards her father.
Wei Luo bent down to hug his daughter, but Xiao Ning avoided her father’s hand, moved to the side of the cage that An Shun’er was carrying, and stared into it intently.
Wei Luo then stopped and beckoned his sons to come too.
Soon, the three surrounded the cage.
Wei Luo looked towards the room, through the glazed window, saw Mrs.Yin looking that way, and quickly shrank back.
“Father, what kind of dog is this?”
Being drawn back by Xiao Heng’s question, Wei Luo sat next to them and explained, “This dog type is called Chow Chow. It is docile and intelligent, and very loyal to its master.”
Xiao Xun asked expectantly, “Father, there are three of them here, are they for us?”
Wei Luo, upon hearing that, said, “Well, you all worked hard in spring farming yesterday, this is a reward, let’s each choose one.”
Xiao Xun was about to jump up from happiness. He couldn’t stop smiling, showing two rows of small white teeth.
Three two-month-old Chow Chow dogs, one with pure black hair, one with pure white hair, and the other with pure autumn leaf yellow hair, were fluffy and huddled together in a pile, their six black eyes vigilantly looking out.
Xiao Heng first asked his sister which one she liked best.
Xiao Ning looked at each puppy and pointed to the white one.
After she was picked, Xiao Heng allowed Xiao Xun to make the next choice.
Xiao Xun picked the one with yellow autumn leaves hair, thinking that the black one was a bit fierce.
Xiao Heng naturally chose the black one, favoring its majestic quality. As the elder brother, he believed his dog should be more majestic.
After the choices were made, An Shun’er carried the three little dogs outside. The trio of dogs ran around in the unfamiliar yard, and the two brothers and sister joyfully chased after them.
Xiao Xun sprinted under the window and noticed his mother observing them from inside. Excitedly, he exclaimed, “Mother, Father Prince praised us for our hard work in spring farming. This is his reward for us!”
Yin Hui smiled warmly at her son.
After that, Xiao Xun continued to chase his chow chow.
Yin Hui looked at the smiling faces of the children and shifted her gaze to Wei Luo, who sat in the corridor, seemingly observing the children with only a majestic side profile visible.
Xiao Heng had accompanied him for spring plowing in his previous life twice, acquiring a sun-kissed complexion each time, yet she never witnessed him bestowing any rewards.
Yin Hui had a vague sense that Wei Luo’s acquisition of three dogs might be related to her inquiries the night before.
“Sister!” Xiao Heng suddenly exclaimed, but it was Xiao Ning who had fell while chasing the dog.
Without much thought, Yin Hui swiftly put on her shoes and headed outside. However, when she reached the main room’s doorway, Xiao Ning had already risen and resumed her joyful pursuit.
Yin Hui glanced at Wei Luo and noticed that he, too, was observing her with the same indifferent expression.
Acknowledging his ability to reward the children, Yin Hui decided to overlook his neglect in caring for Xiao Xun. She returned to the main room to prepare tea.
As she turned around, Wei Luo’s countenance darkened. However, shortly after, he saw her emerging with a bowl of tea, heading towards him.
The somber expression on His Highness Prince Shu’s face swiftly dissipated.
Yin Hui proceeded slowly due to the tea in her hands. Her white skirt adorned with embroidered flowers rippled like water, and her red satin shoes were faintly visible.
She was a vision of beauty, with graceful manners that pleased the eye.
Wei Luo remained seated, observing her approach step by step.
Yin Hui smiled and handed over the tea bowl, saying, “Why don’t you sit in the room? I’ve been waiting for you inside.”
Hearing her words, Wei Luo cast a profound gaze at her.
Her small mouth proved adept at conversation; just a while ago, she had been sitting by the window, as still as a mountain.
He sipped his tea with eyes cast downward. Yin Hui settled beside him, observing the children, and inquired, “Where did you come across the Chow Chows? Judging by their color, they can’t be from the same litter, can they?”