Chapter Nine: Encountering a Rival in a Narrow Path
Rong Jichang was so frightened that his face turned pale, and Rong Yan also began to cry loudly. After all, they were just children under ten years old. Rong Ji was so anxious that he started to hit Rong Yan. The family servants had already dispersed to search for people everywhere
With wolves in front and tigers and leopards behind, all kinds of thoughts flashed through A Wu's mind; it is now unavoidable to lead the wolves to drive away the tigers.
Taking advantage of the dispersing crowd, he approached and signaled to his accomplice, tripping up her father and separating him from Rong Yan. Although A Wu was initially oblivious, as soon as Li Guizi got close, she was overwhelmed by the scent emanating from him. Startled, she turned around to find a man with ulterior motives staring intently at her. A Wu was not a true child; feeling a sudden panic, she frantically pushed her way through the crowd and ran away. Although A Wu was initially oblivious, as soon as Li Guizi got close, she was overwhelmed by the scent emanating from him. Startled, she turned around to find a man with ulterior motives staring intently at her. A Wu was not a true child; feeling a sudden panic, she frantically pushed her way through the crowd and ran away.
After leaving the bookstore, Rong Yan pulled A Wu around to look at various things, pointing out those interesting little items such as bamboo-woven grasshoppers, sugar-blown figurines, and colorful spinning windmills. As A Wu watched, she regained a hint of childhood joy. In fact, much of Miss A Wu's childhood was spent lying in bed, making today's sense of playfulness particularly delightful.
Now, Chu Mao is merely a sixteen-year-old youth in terms of nominal age, and he is also the cousin of A Wu from a previous life, thus A Wu should call him brother. However, A Wu feels somewhat uncomfortable about this. Yet, as she currently has a request, she decides to set aside past grievances for the time being, opting to act cute and seek help first. A Wu is not someone who lacks the ability to adapt as a 'good woman'.
Who would have thought that such an elegant and ethereal person, as graceful as a pearl or celestial dew, would actually be the infamous Emperor Zhengyuan, who ultimately plotted treason, murdered his brother, and slaughtered the capital, causing all who heard of it to change color in fear
Awu gritted her teeth, blinked her big eyes, and with a heart full of anguish yet a cheerful exterior, opened her arms towards Rong Jichang, saying, "Father, hug."
As for the Princess Chang, the Emperor Zhengyuan, however, did not grant her a swift end; it was like cutting flesh with a dull knife, which was truly painful. In the end, it forced the Princess Chang to lose all her dignity, kneeling on the ground in repentance and begging for mercy
After the juggling performance, when the juggler was collecting money while holding a plate, the crowd suddenly dispersed. Rong Jichang momentarily lost sight of the two little ones, and by the time he found them again, only Rong Yan was left in front of him.
Ah Wu has not personally experienced these events, but being a bystander has already left a face full of blood and tears
It turns out it was bought for Brother Jie, the siblings are truly very affectionate, and Rong Jichang paid with a smile.
"Brother, save me." Awu raised his head, his face filled with fear, looking up at Chu Mao with wide, tearful eyes, pleading for help
Rong Jichang was reluctant to let Awu down to the ground, holding her all the way and foolishly smiling with pride. Passersby on the road would stop and turn back to look at Awu, and some bold ones even wanted to come forward and tease her, provoking Awu to pout in anger and bury her head in Rong Jichang's neck
Those little trinkets were the missing embellishments of Princess Corning's childhood, unexpectedly realized here. Two children, resembling golden boys and jade maidens, chattered away as they held hands, running and laughing, while Awu also cast aside any teachings of modesty and virtue.
It is not surprising that Chu Mao, at such a young age, has such profound thoughts; indeed, the princes in the palace are early to understand human affairs, as they have palace maids to instruct them when they are around fourteen or fifteen years old
Walking on the bustling street, Awu keenly spotted a bookstore and imitated the tone of her four-year-old niece from the Anguo Gongfu, saying: "Daddy, books." In fact, the earlier "Daddy, hug" was also learned from her niece, as Awu, a woman who had once been in her twenties, had long forgotten what it was like to be a child
Awu hugged Rong Jichang's neck and sniffed at him; fortunately, there was no strange smell, which was tolerable. However, she disdainfully moved her head away by half a foot. Nevertheless, this action did not affect Rong Jichang's affectionate feelings for his daughter.
Isn't it said that enemies do not gather? Yet, the greatest nemesis of Senior Awu has unexpectedly appeared right before his eyes
Rong Jichang hurriedly stepped forward to embrace Awu. Ever since this daughter "grew up" in the past six months, she has been extremely averse to close contact with others, and even his occasional desire to kiss her apple-like little face was not permitted. Now, suddenly receiving this treatment, how could Rong Jichang not be overjoyed
failure
The people around were initially puzzled by a big man chasing a little girl, but now they understand that it is a servant pursuing his own master, and thus they did not intervene.
Li Guai Zi did not expect the young girl to be so alert, and quickly pursued her.
Rong Jichang was also a lover of books. Since his beloved daughter enjoys them, he might as well take her inside to browse around and buy her some calligraphy practice books, as Ah Wu's calligraphy has been improving significantly lately
Thus, Rong Jichang, with a beaming smile, embraced Awu, followed by Rong Jie and Rong Zhen, as they all exited through the main gate
Chu Mao was also softened in heart by those rabbit ears, thinking that if his future daughter could be as lovely and delicate as this little girl, he would be satisfied
The youngest daughter's body is both soft and fragrant, like a sweet-smelling dough, melting Rong Jichang's heart into a tender mush. Even if at this moment Awu were to ask for the stars in the sky, he would be willing to build a ladder to fetch them for her
As Li Guizi was about to catch up, Awu was in a state of great anxiety when a pair of black boots, embroidered with golden dragons and inlaid with gem-like eyes, appeared before him
"Miss." Li Guizi saw Awu stop and approached, intending to grab her, saying, "You should come back with me quickly."
Upon seeing Awu, Liu Xiang, the guard who was usually cold-blooded and bloodthirsty, felt his heart soften
Ah Wu, after all, had never experienced such a situation. In a moment of panic, she inadvertently ran in the opposite direction of Tong Rong and Ji Chang and her cries were drowned out by the crowd. She had no choice but to muster all her strength to run. Fortunately, although she was small and had short legs, she was agile. The crowd was dense, and she skillfully maneuvered through the gaps between people's legs. Li Guai Zi found it difficult to catch up with her for the time being, so he devised a strategy and shouted, "Miss, do not be afraid, the old servant cannot catch up with you."
"Ying Ge'er, take good care of your sister." Rong Jichang could only shout behind as the two monkeys ran ahead, unable to catch up with the two little creatures.
The little girl who suddenly caught everyone's eye in front of him made Chu Mao, who usually did not concern himself with trivial matters, stop in his tracks
The person before me resembles an immortal, with eyes like stars, a nose like a gallbladder, a tall and slender figure, an outward charm, an inner grace, a demeanor akin to a phoenix, and an aura that transcends the mundane, prompting one to involuntarily exclaim, what a truly "extraordinary and unparalleled" young man.
"Ah, does our Awu want to read a book?" Rong Jichang gently touched Awu's rabbit ears
Rong Ying is still a child; although she agreed verbally, it is uncertain whether she truly understood it in her heart. There was a monkey show by the street, and the two little ones eagerly squeezed in to watch. Awu and Rong Ying, taking advantage of their small stature, managed to get to the very front of the crowd, while Rong Jichang and his companions could only stand on the outskirts.
Due to differing political views, the Grand Princess has always disliked the Fourth Prince, born of the late Empress Xiaozhen, and has supported the Sixth Prince, born of the current Empress. It is only natural to consider the fate of the Grand Princess's residence after the ascension of Emperor Zhengyuan.
The Emperor Zhengyuan harbored a deep-seated desire for revenge, swiftly striking down his former enemies with ruthless precision, leaving no trace behind. The cries of anguish from the noble families in the capital echoed through the heavens, and blood flowed for three consecutive days, yet he remained undisturbed in his slumber
This girl has a pair of eyes as brilliant as the stars, Chu Mao thought. He had seen many beauties, and the current Xiang Guifei is renowned as the most beautiful woman of the Great Xia Dynasty. Yet even she does not possess such a pair of eyes that can make one forget the world at first glance. It is easy to imagine that when this girl grows up, she will undoubtedly be a beauty.
I did not expect to encounter him on this narrow path of enmity
Awu looked up.
Awu is wearing a bright red cotton coat embroidered with golden patterns and peonies, paired with a skirt in pale yellow adorned with entwined peonies. She is adorned with a double fish jade pendant gifted by her grandfather during the New Year celebrations, and her hair is styled in a flower bud shape, resembling a doll from a New Year painting. Most wonderfully, when she goes out, her wet nurse, fearing she might feel cold, specially brings her a rabbit hat that children love to wear during the New Year.
Rong Jichang deeply valued the teachings of his wife and did not intend to bring Awu along
The guard Liu Xiang, who was beside Chu Mao, was also taken aback, not knowing which family's little girl had unexpectedly run out on her own. She was truly too adorable, her face redder than the tenderest peach blossom in spring, her little mouth pinker than rose jelly, her chubby body, and her snow-white wrists resembling lotus roots adorned with a pair of gold bracelets. Most charming of all were her pair of rabbit ears; this girl was as lovely and festive as a New Year painting doll.
Today, Rong Jichang did not go out with a group of literary friends to recite poetry and admire the moon. Instead, he displayed great paternal affection and personally took Rong Jie and Rong Yan out to see the lanterns. Upon seeing this, A Wu was so anxious that she nearly compromised her status as a refined lady, wanting to jump up.
At that time, Awu had already died, and his soul was wandering in the world. He witnessed the events that followed and harbored deep resentment towards this Emperor Zhengyuan
Although Awu was loved by her parents in her previous life, she never had the experience of being carried by her father for such a long distance. In that moment, she did not seem to mind this "stinky man" who was Rong Jichang as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
It is said that Awu was indeed targeted by a group of human traffickers
Awu's bunny hat is not precious; it is made of snow-white rabbit fur. However, the wet nurse's craftsmanship is exquisite, with two pointed bunny ears standing upright, just perched on top of her flower bud-like head, giving it a particularly upright appearance. Once worn, it charmed everyone, and those who saw her couldn't help but want to pinch her plump little face.
Both the title of "Zheng" and "Yuan" are used, as if he is afraid that people do not know the unclear origins of his imperial throne
Ah Wu has endured, do you think this county princess is like any random cat or dog that you can touch
In the crowd, one can see from afar the little girl, as radiant as a pearl glistening in the morning dew, laughing joyfully in her father's embrace, possessing a brilliance of which she herself is unaware
It is a pity that Awu does not understand appreciation
The results of Awu's translations were all contemporary texts, which left Rong Jichang quite astonished. Awu ignored his surprise and flipped to the book she was looking for, directly placing it into Rong Jie's hands, "Brother, look."
This beautiful young girl, Li Guizi had never seen in his entire life. Now, seeing her, he felt a surge of excitement, thinking that he could surely sell her for a high price
For the mother of Princess Awu, life is not precious; rather, the dignity she takes pride in is the most valuable. Yet, Emperor Zhengyuan does not seek her life, but rather aims to utterly destroy her dignity