The common folk were eagerly chatting.
A stall by the roadside.
A passerby took a sip of tea and started a conversation with those around: "Hey, hey, hey, have you heard? The illegitimate daughter of the Minister’s Wife who’s been wandering outside has been found."
Passerby B: "I know, my cousin’s brother’s sister’s husband works as a servant in the Ye Mansion."
Passerby D: "I couldn’t have imagined! Lord Minister, who keeps himself pure and doesn’t take concubines, turns out to have a wife with an illegitimate daughter outside."
"Sigh."
Another passerby, while cracking sunflower seeds, said: "The Lord Minister should assert his authority at home again, not let that shrew have her way."
...
Rumors spread like wildfire, disturbances outside may cease, yet authorities can’t forbid them, they must gradually rise to correct and stop them where wisdom prevails.
On the night market street.
A little girl in a Shu Brocade dress embroidered with gardenia, with twin buns, adorned with a red gold hairpin and a pearl pendant, wearing cloud-patterned shoes, and a light purple pouch with intricate designs at her waist, looked petite and adorable. It was a bit bulging; it didn’t take much imagination to know silver was inside.
Beside her, a little traitor in a dress with emerald patterned brocade with black hair tied with a gold jade hairband, simple and clear, exuding tranquility.
Walking side by side, they resembled a golden boy and jade girl, causing many passersby to frequently turn their heads.
In their hearts, they marveled, whose children are these, so charming!
Ye Zhi and the little traitor strolled the street, often overhearing discussions about her mother’s illegitimate daughter.
Where did this all start?
The little girl’s almond eyes sparkled, cheeks flushed, as she lightly parted her red lips: "Xiao Chen, why do people say my mother has an illegitimate daughter? I already have a brother and sister, that’s enough. I don’t want another sister because then everyone would only dote on her and not on me."
Her worried expression was evident.
The little traitor understood her concern and gently held her soft, delicate hand, reassuring: "Don’t worry, they’re just making things up. Mrs. Ye doesn’t have an illegitimate daughter."
After thinking for a moment, he added: "Even if you did have a sister, I’d still treat you better than her."
Those last words made the little girl beside him beam with joy.
She pressed on: "What if she’s cuter than me? And has a better personality too. Will you still treat me better than her?"
Shen Chen was nine years old, Ye Zhi eight; their innocence not yet shed, their conversation was pure and adorable.
Before the little boy could respond, Ah Tao, trailing behind, interjected, declaring her loyalty: "Miss, I’ll definitely treat you the best, even if there are ten more cute little misses, I’d still treat you the best."
Saying so, she cheekily winked at her young lady.
Having expressed her sincerity, she continued to follow the two young masters at a respectful distance!
Ye Zhi also gave Ah Tao a bright smile, then turned back to look at the little traitor, who hadn’t answered yet.
"In my heart, you are the best,"
The boy’s cringeworthy voice responded firmly.
She instantly smiled back: "Hee hee, me too, you’re the second-best partner in my heart."
Second? "Then who’s first?" the little traitor asked, his child’s voice tinged with nervousness.
He couldn’t help but wonder if it was Li Du; is she still thinking of Li Du?
Thinking of this made him slightly anxious.
Ye Zhi patted the pouch at her waist, swinging it slightly by its cord, and said offhandedly: "It’s the Thirteenth Princess Qinglian. But even though you’re second-best, you and she are equally important in my heart."