Chapter 8: Mid-Autumn Festival

Soon, Xie Zhen ran over from a distance, examining Xie Xian from top to bottom. Fortunately, her sister was not injured, but she was crying quite loudly. She turned her head, and her round almond eyes stared angrily at Gao Tongtong.

Feeling guilty, Gao Tongtong glanced at her and then at Xie Rong, not knowing where to put her hands. “I didn’t mean to, it wasn’t intentional…”

Xie Rong asked expressionlessly, “I don’t know what Ah Xian did to make Miss Gao so angry?”

If he hadn’t arrived just in time, Xie Xian would probably have bumped into the hill. She is only three years old. If something happened, how could he explain it to his parents? How cruel must someone be to lay hands on such a young child?

Gao Tongtong finally saw him, but it turned out to be in this way.

The eight-year-old girl already knew quite a bit.

She began to regret. If she had been kinder to Xie Xian just now… Afraid of tarnishing her image in his eyes, she attempted to explain, “She wanted to see the hairpin on my head, but it’s a birthday gift from Gao Xun. I was afraid she might damage it, so I didn’t let her see… Later, she tried to snatch it, and I accidentally pushed her…”

Although Xie Xian was crying, her ears were still sharp. Upon hearing this, she anxiously raised her head, “Big brother, I didn’t snatch it. I didn’t…”

Xie Rong withdrew his gaze, wiped the tears from her face with his hand, “Do you want her hairpin?”

Xie Xian’s face, covered in tears and snot, nodded in grievance.

Xie Rong showed no blame towards her, patting her flower bud-like head, “It’s okay. Tomorrow, big brother will buy you an even prettier one when he goes out. Ar Xian is so beautiful; she deserves an even more beautiful hairpin.”

In other words, Gao Tongtong’s hairpin wasn’t attractive enough.

Gao Tongtong blushed with embarrassment, finding his words more uncomfortable than a direct insult. She felt utterly embarrassed, especially considering she had dressed up carefully before coming, yet he didn’t spare her a second glance.

After comforting Xie Xian, Xie Rong looked at her again, restoring his cold expression, “This is the Xie residence, Ah Xian’s home. Since Miss Gao has come to visit, she should understand the etiquette of being a guest. If you don’t understand, there’s no need to come again in the future.”

Despite being young, Xie Rong was extremely protective. His two sisters were his treasures, and if anyone dared to bully them, he wouldn’t be polite.

At the moment, Gao Tongtong was a prime example. A pampered girl from her family, when had she ever been criticized directly? Unable to bear it, she angrily retorted, “What’s so special about it? I won’t come again if I don’t want to!”

After saying that, she ran out of the Chunhua Wu with her head down. In the distance, the two children swinging on the swing didn’t think much when they saw their sister run away. They continued to play joyfully.

Gao Xun witnessed the whole process and apologized for his sister, “I’m sorry. I’ll go back and tell Uncle and Aunt to talk to my sister.”

Xie Rong didn’t say anything. He picked up Xie Xian and walked out. When turning around, he said to Xie Zhen, “I’ll take Ah Xian back first. Gao Gao, be careful and don’t hurt yourself.”

This was both advice and a warning to Gao Xun.

Xie Zhen nodded, watching her brother and sister walk away.

After the events just now, both Xie Zhen and Gao Xun were not in the mood for fun. They sat by the pond, feeling a bit gloomy. Xie Zhen reached out and poked Daqian Sui’s head, and Daqian Sui immediately retreated into its shell.

Gao Xun asked her, “Why did Ah Xian insist on seeing your sister’s hairpin?”

Xie Zhen stiffened, looked around like a thief, and then whispered, “I’ll tell you, but you can’t tell anyone.”

Was it about sharing a secret? Gao Xun was excited, “Of course!”

So Xie Zhen leaned over to his ear and explained the whole story in a low voice. After finishing, she lowered her head guiltily, “That’s why I want to buy a new one for mother.”

Gao Xun suddenly understood, realizing why the sisters were so concerned about Gao Tongtong’s hairpin.

He patted his chest like a little man, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely find one exactly the same for you!”

Xie Zhen was delighted, finally showing a smile, and Gao Xun smiled lightly.

*

After seeing off the Gao family, Madam Xie returned to the main house and immediately noticed that her dressing table had been tampered with.

Summoning Shuangyu and Shuangyan for inquiries, she learned that it was the mischief of Xie Zhen and Xie Xian. She had initially planned to call the two and ask what was going on, but these little rascals both wore mysterious expressions, as if afraid that others wouldn’t know they were guilty, with faces that screamed, “I did something wrong.”

Looking at the two mischievous figures in front of her, Leng Shi had an idea and changed her approach, “I heard that Ah Xian was wronged today, is that true?”

Xie Xian took the opportunity to approach her and complained, “Mother, Gao Tong pushed me…”

Madam Leng patted her head, “Why did she push you?”

She whimpered, “Because I wanted to see her hairpin…”

Madam Xie hugged her on her lap and earnestly advised, “In the future, whatever you want, Mother will buy it for you. There’s no need to envy others, understand? Also, you can’t take others’ things randomly. Today’s incident is a lesson; remember not to do it again.”

The two little ones nodded obediently.

Madam Leng was a model of raising daughters in luxury. In terms of food, clothing, and expenses, she never let her two daughters suffer. Originally, the family’s situation was good, and coupled with Madam Leng’s pampering, one could easily imagine how delicate the little girls were brought up.

Although she lectured them on the surface, Madam Leng had different thoughts in her mind. The second daughter of the Gao family was not a good companion. In the future, she should let her daughter have less contact with her.

Seeing that Mother was not angry and seemed not to have noticed that they had broken her hairpin, Xie Zhen hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Mother, tomorrow I want to go out with Gao Xun. Is it okay?”

Madam Leng didn’t even think about it, “No, you can’t.”

She sighed disappointedly, approached and hugged Madam Leng’s legs, lifting up her moon-like pale face, “Why not? Why, why?”

This was a tantrum.

Madam Leng pinched her nose, “Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, you must stay at home.”

Mid-Autumn Festival is a day for family reunions, and one should sit together to eat and appreciate the moon. Going out for a stroll is not something Madam Leng approves of.

Xie Zhen had made plans with Gao Xun and couldn’t afford to lose here. She squeezed out the teardrops in her eyes, used all her tricks to act cute, and said, “I’ll just go out for a while. I’ll definitely be back before dinner… Mother, let me go out, okay? I promise to be good in the future!”

Madam Leng almost couldn’t resist, but in the end, she refused.

Just when Xie Zhen was at a loss, Xie Liqing came back and mentioned that he would take Xie Rong out tomorrow. Winter was approaching, and it was a good time to buy some fabric to make winter clothes for the children. Xie Zhen saw a glimmer of hope and insisted on going along.

Xie Liqing’s heart softened, and he didn’t persist for long before agreeing.

Xie Zhen happily circled around his legs, “Father is so good, Father is better than Mother!”

Madam Leng looked helpless.

*

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Xie Zhen woke up early.

It had rained the night before, and the weather was cooler than usual. She chose a embroidered silk shirt for herself and tied a lake-green chiffon skirt. After the Shuangyu finished helping her with grooming, she happily bounced into the main hall. Before getting close, she heard Gao Xun’s voice inside.

It turned out that Gao Xun had woken up earlier than her, and he had been worried about their appointment from yesterday. He came to the Xie mansion before dawn.

“I brought seven or eight attendants; I will surely protect Ah Zhen,” he assured Xie Liqing and Xie Rong.

Xie Rong remained silent for a moment, then decisively refused, “No.”

Even if he brought more people, Gao Xun was so slender. What if something really happened? How could he protect his sister?

Gao Xun couldn’t persuade Xie Rong, so he turned to Xie Liqing, “Uncle Xie, do you trust me…”

Xie Liqing coughed and, sharing the same opinion as his son, hesitated, “We are also going out. If you don’t mind, why not join us?”

Gao Xun, feeling a bit disappointed, thought he could spend some time alone with Xie Zhen today. Having one Li Yu was bad enough, did he have to deal with one more father and one more brother? He hesitated for a while, “Where is Uncle going? I’ll find you later. I promised Ah Zhen that I would buy her a hairpin.”

Xie Liqing briefly explained today’s schedule, and then he left.

Watching his departing figure, Xie Zhen entered the house and asked, “Father, why did Gao Xun leave?”

Xie Liqing laughed heartily as he lifted her up, “Young Master Gao wanted to take you out, but father refused. He said he wanted to take you to buy a hairpin. My little lamb, what kind of hairpin do you want?”

This Gao Xun, why did he have to mention everything!

While Xie Zhen was angry, she also feared being discovered, so she lied, “Ah Xian likes the hairpin on Gao Tongtong’s head, and I want to buy it to give to my sister.”

This lie was well told, and Xie Liqing didn’t really inquire further. He led her and Xie Rong out of the house. The Gao family’s carriage was parked at the Li mansion’s entrance. Gao Xun watched helplessly as Xie Zhen and her father and brother walked away, waving to him.

Gao Xun kicked the ground in frustration, wondering why Li Yu hadn’t come out yet. If he didn’t come out soon, he would just follow Ah Zhen!

*

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, the streets were livelier than usual. People were bustling, shouting, and the variety of shops presented a dazzling sight.

Following her father, Xie Zhen arrived at the fabric market and helped pick several fabrics that Mother liked. She chose two for herself and her sister. Despite her young age, her aesthetic taste was unique, and even the shopkeeper praised her choice of colors.

Xie Liqing also took her and Xie Rong to the bookstore and bought several books. Unknowingly, they strolled for an hour. The three rested at a teahouse, and a servant from the Gao family came with a message, “Sir, our young master is waiting downstairs. Could Miss Xie please come down?”

Xie Liqing was still concerned, but he couldn’t repeatedly refuse, fearing it would hurt the child’s feelings. So, he picked up Xie Zhen and said, “I’ll go down and take a look.”

Downstairs, Gao Xun had the carriage stop by the roadside.

Inside the carriage, Li Yu didn’t quite understand, “Why stop here?”

Gao Xun smiled mysteriously, “Waiting for someone.”

He didn’t pay much attention, lifting the curtain to look outside. Just in time, he saw Xie Liqing carrying Xie Zhen downstairs.

The gentle sunlight illuminated Xie Zhen’s jade-like clear and delicate little face. A smile adorned her face, making her appear both mischievous and adorable.

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