An Ran smiled and shook her head.
Promises must be kept, whether made by adults or children. As Nian Ge'er's mother, she should set a good example to better raise him. If her words and actions don't match, how can she expect Nian Ge'er to respect her in the future?
"What you say you'll do, you must do. That's called keeping your word." Anran took the opportunity to teach Niange'er, "If Niange'er wants to do this, then Mother should do it too."
Nian Ge'er nodded, seemingly understanding, and firmly remembered An Ran's words.
Lu Mingxiu didn't speak, but looked at his wife and son with gentle eyes. Although it was extremely cold, his heart was warm.
The family went inside together.
An Ran and Lu Mingxiu went to change their clothes. Nian Ge'er habitually followed An Ran. After she let down her hair, changed her clothes, and washed her face, she hurriedly changed into a casual lotus-colored jacket. Although she no longer had the domineering noble air of the Marquis's wife in public, she had become more gentle and approachable.
She carried Nian Ge'er to the large kang bed by the window, and the two of them started playing cat's cradle.
Before long, Lu Mingxiu came over, took a book, and sat down beside them. He kept glancing at the two of them, but after a short while, he hadn't actually read more than a few pages.
Dinner was quickly set out in the side room. Lu Mingxiu was worried that An Ran's arm would get sore from carrying Nian Ge'er all the time, so he picked up Nian Ge'er first. Seeing that Nian Ge'er was pouting and still wanted to find An Ran, he said firmly and decisively, "You're a little man now, you can't always let your mother carry you."
What kind of reason is that? Does it mean that because he's not a child anymore, his father should hold him?
An Ran couldn't help but shake her head with a smile, seeing Nian Ge'er puffing up his cheeks and making faces at her as she followed behind.
She was naturally happy to see Nian-ge'er finally starting to resemble a child again.
After dinner, seeing Nian Ge'er still following An Ran like a little tail, it was clear that he wanted to sleep with An Ran again.
Lord Lu tried to hold back, but he couldn't resist.
"Ninth Sister, I think Nian-ge'er's arm injury is almost healed." Lord Lu cleared his throat and said to Nian-ge'er in a serious tone, "How can a little man always sleep with his mother?"
The two of them already had very limited opportunities for intimate gestures, and with Nian Ge'er in the middle, it became even more inconvenient.
"Mother!" Nian Ge'er suddenly felt a sense of crisis. Ignoring his father, who always interfered with his time with his mother, he looked pitifully at An Ran. "My arm hurts, not always, but occasionally at night—" Nian Ge'er was afraid that An Ran would worry, and also afraid that his father would take him away.
Even though she knew that Nian Ge'er's arm was almost healed, An Ran's heart softened as soon as he acted cute.
Therefore, An Ran said in a consultative tone, "My lord, I think Nian-ge'er is still too young. Let him stay a few more nights. Once his arm no longer needs the ointment, let him go back to his own room, okay?"
Two pairs of equally beautiful big eyes blinked at him, and even the cold and hard Lord Lu was willing to succumb to their charm.
He had no choice but to agree.
Anran and Niange cheered and went happily into the inner room, leaving only Lord Lu with a wry smile.
When will this end?
******
Leisurely days always pass quickly. Lu Mingxiu's three days of reflection at his residence were over, and it was time for him to return to court.
Fortunately, An Ran was already used to waking up early, so even though Lord Lu moved very quietly, it still disturbed her. An Ran deliberately positioned herself in the middle, leaving Nian Ge'er inside, so that it would be easier for her to get up and see Lu Mingxiu off.
Lu Mingxiu wanted her to sleep a little longer, but An Ran insisted on getting up.
Afraid of waking Nian-ge'er, Lu Mingxiu went to the side room to change his clothes. An Ran was already quite adept at helping at this point, no longer as flustered as before.
Earlier, the kitchen had prepared some porridge, delicious snacks, and pickles, which were brought over so that Lu Mingxiu could have something to eat first. Winter is cold, and going out so early in the morning without eating something hot would definitely make him hungry, and it would be uncomfortable to swallow a belly full of cold air.
An Ran only escorted Lu Mingxiu to the corridor, and then Lu Mingxiu told her to go back.
The wind outside wasn't exactly biting, but it was certainly chilly. An Ran had only hastily put on some clothes and tied on a cloak, but she was still rather thin.
"Don't bother seeing me off, it's too cold right now." Lu Mingxiu tightened An Ran's cloak and instructed, "Go back inside and warm up quickly. Nian-ge'er will be looking for you when he wakes up."
An Ran did as she was told and went back. "Then please be careful on your way!"
Compared to those low-ranking officials in the capital with modest backgrounds, Lord Lu was already quite fortunate. Some people had to set off for court before dawn, even walking in the cold wind. Fortunately, the Pingyuan Marquis's residence wasn't far away, and Lord Lu wasn't used to riding in a sedan chair; riding a horse was much faster.
This winter has been quite cold.
An Ran watched Lu Mingxiu leave, then quickly returned to her house.
A warm fragrance wafted over, and even though the room was cozy, An Ran didn't immediately take off her cloak; she was extremely sensitive to the cold. Lord Lu had to leave so early in the morning—how cold must it be!
Perhaps she could make a warm coat for Lord Lu?
An Ran remembered that she still had two pieces of fine leather, which Yu Zhou had given them. It was a real waste to leave them lying around. She would find them when it got a little brighter and plan to make a garment for Lord Lu.
"Madam, why don't you go and rest for a while? There's nothing else to do today." Seeing that Anran looked a little tired, Jinping advised from the side, "You were exhausted at the Marquis's residence yesterday and didn't rest at noon. Why don't you stay and sleep with the young master for a while longer?"
Anran missed her warm bed terribly and decided to take another nap.
Nian-ge'er was sleeping soundly wrapped in a blanket, his little face rosy, with two dimples faintly visible.
She lifted the covers and got into bed. As if sensing her presence, Nian Ge'er moved closer to her on his own. An Ran patted Nian Ge'er again, and he stopped moving and slept more soundly.
When I woke up again, it was already fully light.
The weather was nice today; the sun was shining brightly, but it wasn't warm. However, after dressing warmly and walking along the covered walkway, taking a breath of fresh air, I didn't feel cold at all. Instead, I felt refreshed and invigorated.
It wasn't good to stay cooped up indoors all the time, so Anran took Nian Ge'er out for a stroll and quizzed him on his previous lessons.
Nian-ge'er's homework was always reassuring. An Ran asked him a few questions casually, and he answered them all correctly. There were also things that An Ran hadn't made him memorize, but had only mentioned to him, and Nian-ge'er had memorized them all. An Ran couldn't help but praise him a lot.
Despite An Ran's constant encouragement and praise these days, Nian Ge'er still smiled shyly, but at this moment, there was finally a hint of confidence in his eyes.
Just as Anran was about to lead Niange'er back, Songyang suddenly rushed over.