‘Mom! Mom!’ The ninth child, Lin Huan Zhen, appeared, bringing another headache. He ran quickly, and she worried about him falling. ‘Mom, Shang is bullying Lin again!'”
Huan Zhen reported seriously, standing quietly to the side.
“Che’er, call the tenth uncle to handle this, then have the eleventh uncle write me a report!” Frustrated, the same drama played out every day.
“Mom, Shang and Lin are here,” Huan Che said, walking with Huan Xi to pull the two young brothers over.
“Mom, woo…” The tenth child, Huan Lin, cried loudly, pointing at the one-and-a-half-year-old Huan Shang, “Little brother bullied me again!”
“No, no…” Huan Shang, walking but only able to speak simple words, had bullying skills rivaling his father Tian Mei’s; none of his ten older brothers were exempt.
“Good! Lin’er, don’t cry. Little brother doesn’t understand.” Softly comforting Huan Lin, he quickly stopped crying.
“I know little brother didn’t mean it. Lin’er won’t cry!” Huan Lin sensibly wiped his tears. Not yet three, he inherited Mo Li’s temperament, always tolerant.
“Madam, you’re on your twelfth pregnancy; why are you still nervous?” The midwife from Phantom Love Manor, puzzled, remarked, “You’ve given birth to eleven sons, what is there to worry about!”
“I want to give birth to a daughter!” I said firmly.
“Don’t zone out!” The midwife felt helpless with my state and could only remind me repeatedly.
“Congratulations! Congratulations!”
“Finally, the midwife’s face bloomed with a smile, holding the newborn child, saying, ‘It’s a young lady!’
‘Really?’ Excited, I sat up from the bed, tears flowing down. On a warm winter afternoon, it suddenly started snowing heavily. I smiled, finally having what I had been waiting for.
‘Little Love!’ Nan Gong Mo happily held our daughter.
‘Let me tell you,’ I said to my eleven husbands, ‘She is the daughter of all of you. Her name, given by my father, is Xue Qian Lian!’
After finishing, I suddenly felt weak and passed out.
Three years later…
‘Oh, Feiyang ge ge is so nice!’ Climbing onto his leg, she kissed him on the face, making him turn red with laughter as she clapped and called out, ‘Ge ge is blushing!’
‘Hehe…’ He smiled and pulled out a beautiful string of beads from his pocket, shimmering in the sunlight.
‘So pretty, give it to me!’ She reached out to grab it, but he dodged.
‘Be good! When you turn sixteen, I will give it to you.’ His smile brightened, and she stared, giggling. Since Feiyang ge ge said so, she would wait.
Four years old—
‘Don’t run, give me back my things!’ They dared to steal her candied hawthorns.”
She would tell her older brothers to never let bad kids near their home again. Looking at the disappearing figures, her eyes filled with tears when a beautiful candied hawthorn floated before her. Lifting her gaze, she saw a handsome young boy.
“Pretty girls shouldn’t cry!” he said, handing her the candied hawthorn. “I’ve taught those bad kids a lesson. This is for you, take it!”
“Thank you!” she replied, eating it while watching him. His clothes were ordinary, but his temperament was undeniable, especially his resolute face, which was now warm as he smiled at her.
“Want to play together?” he suddenly asked, extending his hand.
“Okay!” she said, placing her hand in his and starting to run.
He took her to a place with water and trees, where he climbed trees to catch little birds for her and even fished in the river. It was incredibly fun. As the sunset approached, he pulled her to sit on the grass, wiping the sweat from her face with a smile.
“Lian Lian, do you live in Huanqing Manor?”
“Yes!”
“I’m leaving tomorrow and may not return for a long time.” His tone lowered before he looked at her determinedly. “But I will definitely return when you’re sixteen. You must wait for me!”
“Yes! I’ll wait for you!” she nodded, waving the grasshopper she had folded. “I’ll protect it and wait for you to find me.”
“Okay!” he smiled, holding her hand.
Five years old —
Bermuda
“Shang ge ge, you’re bullying me again, I’ll tell Eleven Dad!” Puffing her cheeks, she glared at Tian Xuan Shang, who laughed in front of her. All ten of her older brothers doted on her, but he always loved to torment her. She would ensure he felt Eleven Dad’s paddle.
“You wouldn’t dare!” His eyes showed fear despite the bravado.
“I will!” She ran towards the house, where her parents were talking to Grandpa White.
“Good little sister, ge ge won’t do it again.” Shang ge ge chased her, but she ignored him. He anxiously tugged at her clothes. ‘Thud—’ She fell to the ground.
“Woo…” It hurt. Lying there, she cried loudly, refusing to be consoled.
“What happened?” A pleasant voice sounded overhead as she was lifted up.
“Xuan ge ge, Shang ge ge bullied me.” Before her was Jiang Uncle’s son, already seventeen, handsome and elegant, inheriting his father’s business talents.
“Little Lian Lian, be good! Don’t cry. Xuan ge ge will make crystal shrimp dumplings for you, okay?”
“Okay!” At the mention of food, she stopped crying, letting Xuan ge ge lead her while giving Shang ge ge a fierce glare. She wouldn’t forget this grudge.
Mommy and Daddy brought my brothers and me to the royal palace, saying there would be many delicious pastries, which excited me.
I completely inherited my mother’s love for food, though unfortunately, I can’t cook. She comforted me, saying it doesn’t matter, and I can just find a husband who’s good at cooking. I am a pampered daughter, and it’s no sin to not be skilled in household chores.
As soon as I entered the palace, I was captivated. Celestial music and fragrant aromas filled the air. Since it was a festival, the palace was crowded, and I soon got separated from my family. But I wasn’t worried; it was a perfect opportunity to explore on my own. I picked up a plate of pastries and wandered to a quiet garden. Suddenly, I caught a whiff of an enticing smell – how could someone be cooking here?
I rounded a small house and saw someone cooking inside. He seemed only a few years older than me, sweat streaming down his forehead, but he looked satisfied. Following my mother’s teachings, I observed his appearance – he was as handsome as my brothers!
“Who are you?” he noticed me.
“Are you cooking? It smells so good!” I flashed a smile and walked towards him.
“Do you think so?” His eyes sparkled.
“Of course!” I nodded eagerly.
“Then I’ll treat you!” He brought the dish to me, looking expectantly.
“…” I took a bite and looked up, asking, “Do you want to hear the truth?”
“Of course!”
He nodded firmly, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.
“To be honest, your dish is missing something. It looks good and tastes okay, but it doesn’t make people exclaim in delight.” I spoke candidly, watching his expression freeze. Did I say something wrong? Though I hadn’t learned Mommy’s culinary skills, I knew how to critique a dish.
“What do you think is missing?” He seemed eager to learn.
“…” Prompted by his question, I pondered, resting my chin on my hand before saying, “Probably experience. My mommy says that to cook a dish well, you must have a deep foundation, just like practicing martial arts.”
“Is your mother a chef?”
“No way! My mommy is a great beauty!” I said proudly.
“What’s your name?” He suddenly looked at me intensely, making me feel slightly uncomfortable.
“I’m Jiang Xue Qian Ren! You can call me Lian Lian!”
“Lian Lian…” he murmured softly.
“Second Prince! Second Prince…” Palace maidens’ voices suddenly called from outside.
“I have to go!” He ran out, turning back to smile, “Lian Lian, remember, I’ll marry you in ten years!”
“Huh…” Blinking, he’s the Second Prince? He wants to marry me? Wow! This trip was worth it. I must tell Mommy – she’ll be just as excited!
Seven years old – Chiya Country
