Chapter 669: Candy Diplomacy (1/2)
Zhu Junyang personally went to the Yu Residence to pick up Xiaocao. He saw that she had a host of maidservants behind her, all of them carrying boxes full of candies and desserts. He remarked out of tenderness, “What are you doing up so early ah? Don’t bother with that bunch of stinky brats and do this again in the future!”
“It’s not a big deal. I have servants helping out so it’s not a lot of work for me. It’s nice to give the kids a treat!” Yu Xiaocao grinned at him as she took the hand he offered her and entered the carriage.
Zhu Junyang looked at the sparkling and shining pink rays of light that came off of the jeweled flowers in her hair. It made her exquisite and fair little face seem even more transparent and glowy. His eyes were stuck on her as if he couldn’t look away. Glittery and shining jewels truly suited the little lass. In the future, when Treasure Pavilion had more diamonds and precious stones come in, he needed to bring them all back to let the lass get first pick!
Yu Xiaocao felt her face turn bright red after feeling the fiery gaze at her back. This fellow was more and more unable to restrain the look in his eyes. In about half of a month, she was about to become his bride and then they would truly become one household. Originally, she had been quite nervous and keyed up, but this guy would always make his presence known and would express his red-hot feelings to her. It made her have a bit of happiness within the embarrassment within her. Gradually, her complicated feelings had gone away and she became more tranquil and calm. She was now convinced that he was her soulmate in this life!
Since they both lived in the western part of the capital, it didn’t take very long for them to arrive at Imperial Prince Jing’s Estate. As soon as they entered through the side door, a group of brightly dressed kids sped over noisily. Xiaocao knew already that these were Zhu Junyang’s nephews from his older sister. She stopped and smiled gently at the little kids who were giggling as they ran towards them.
The youngest one of them was an adorable little fellow and ran the slowest. He did his best to keep up with his older brothers. His chubby and sweet little face was bright red with effort. As a toddler who hadn’t reached the age of three, it was already pretty good that he could run steadily, so how could he possibly catch up with his older brothers, who were whizzing by? He was so frustrated by this that he was about to cry. Behind him was an elegant young boy who looked to be around eight to nine years old. He was following them at an unhurried pace. Although he looked quite leisurely, he kept his eyes attentively on his younger brothers and kept his speed the same as the youngest one as he strolled forward.
“Third Maternal Uncle, Third Maternal Uncle!!” Zhu Junyang’s expression immediately changed when he saw the group of small devils running towards him. He felt his head start to hurt again.
He advanced forward a step to protect the little lass behind him as he was afraid that this group of little guys would knock into her. He picked up the four and half year old, Lu Jiayu, and placed him on his shoulders and then picked up two other boys, one in each hand as he stiffly said, “Why did you guys run into the outer courtyard instead of obediently staying next to your mother? What about Pei’er ah? If he fell, what would you all do?”
The second son, Liu Jiaqi, pinched the rock hard muscle on his third maternal uncle’s arm. He was already eight years old and it had been a long time since someone had last held him up in the air. His maternal uncle was so strong and clearly looked a lot more difficult to deal with than his father (Lu Nianhua: I, your father, am teaching you guys to be independent! I absolutely refuse to admit that I am weak!).
The third son, Lu Jialong, giggled happily. His personality took after his mother and he was quite simple-minded, which made Lu Nianhua quite worried about this son of his.
The youngest, Lu Jiapei, almost burst into tears when he saw his second older brother occupying the highest space that used to be his. He pulled on his third maternal uncle’s pants and incessantly whined, “Third Maternal Uncle, Pei’er also wants to be hugged. Pei’er wants to be held up high!” He almost pulled Zhu Junyang’s pants down from his antics.
Yu Xiaocao watched as Zhu Junyang wrangled with the kids. He resembled a Christmas tree with the children hanging off of him and the scene in front of her had unlocked a whole new view of Imperial Prince Xu. He was being pushed around by a herd of children. Despite the helpless expression on his face, his eyes were full of gentleness——this man would definitely become a good father who loved his children in the future!
Since Xiaocao could see the kids from her vantage point, Lu Jiarui naturally also saw the young lady, who had a smile in her eyes, behind his third maternal uncle. Her skin was so fair that it almost looked transparent. She had a pair of very large eyes, so big that they seemed like they could see straight through a person’s soul. She looked so small, and it seemed like such a waste that she was paired up with his rough and crude third maternal uncle! His father had told him that a person’s eyes couldn’t trick people. His future third maternal aunt had a pair of eyes as gentle as water and resembled the purity of ice and jade. They were full of kindness and he could tell in an instant that she was someone who loved children and had a kind and gentle heart!
If Zhu Junyang knew that his eldest nephew from his sister, who normally seemed quite sensible and clever, believed that he wasn’t good enough for the little lass, then he would definitely start vomiting blood——he had praised that kid for nothing!
When Yu Xiaocao saw that Zhu Junyang’s clothing, which had been very tidy earlier, was now a complete mess, as if he was an eggplant that had just been trampled over, she hurried up to rescue him as his pants had been almost pulled down to his knees. She advanced forward and stooped over to hold the plump little fellow who was hollering at his third maternal uncle, begging to be held.
Lu Jiapei, who had been unable to find a place on his third maternal uncle to hold on, was almost about to cry when he suddenly felt someone pulling on his armpits. His two feet left the ground and he immediately fell into a gentle and fragrant hug. It felt warm and soft and reminded him of the time when he was still a baby and had been held in his mother’s arms.
Zhu Junyang was afraid that the little fat fellow would squirm along, causing the lass trouble, so he hurried over out of concern. When he saw the actual scene, he almost felt blood come up into his mouth. The young brat, who was usually as lively as a monkey, was currently nestled quietly into Xiaocao’s chest. It was as if the disturbance he had caused earlier had just been an illusion. What annoyed him even more was that stinky brat had unexpectedly hugged his future wife’s neck and had given a messy ‘muah’ on the little lass’s delicate cheek!
“Mother said that Third Maternal Uncle had gone out to bring my third maternal aunt back. Are you my third maternal aunt ah?” Lu Jiapei’s voice was sweet and tender. The Lu Family had good genes and all of the kids were as beautiful as porcelain dolls. The little fellow’s large eyes were opened wide and he had a face full of innocence. Yu Xiaocao felt her heart soften immediately.
The three children on Zhu Junyang all turned their attention towards her. Lu Jiayu, who was riding on his third maternal uncle’s neck, regarded the strange young maiden with curiosity. He blinked his large eyes and childishly corrected his younger brother, “That’s not right, she only becomes our third maternal aunt after marriage. Right now, we can only call her ‘auntie’! Nice to meet you, Auntie! I am Lu Jiayu and I’m the fourth in the family. Auntie, Yu’er really likes you ah!”