My little ancestor!
How could she say everything out loud?
I snatched the little dumpling down from midair and clamped my hand over her mouth, offering the onlookers an awkward smile. “Excuse me, I have to go take care of something.”
She hadn’t even finished her sentence, but I knew exactly what she meant to say.
This thoughtless girl, this life she really has it out with those hundred little fairies.
Si Zhiruo, who already had her little baby teeth, was a bit upset at having her mouth covered, tempted to bite down, but when she saw me looking rather embarrassed under all those gazes, she hesitated.
Who could handle this scene?
If we didn’t run now, by next year the entire social circle would be spreading outrageous rumors about me.
I—Si Xinyan—have no shame at all.
Finally reaching a quiet spot, I solemnly lectured my daughter, “Don’t teach the other kids to say things like that next time.”
“Why not?” Si Zhiruo tilted her head.
“Because…” I paused, finally thinking of an explanation. “A lot of people, like Mama, are loyal to true love. Not everyone likes to hear things like that.”
Si Zhiruo didn’t really listen.
She might be young, but she already had a mind of her own.
Especially on this issue—she was stubborn to a fault.
“The more wives, the better. That’s how it is in the novels. The main character gets more and more wives, and every time they start a new adventure, they meet a new little fairy—each with a different personality.”
I sighed, defeated. “Fine, you’re old enough to think for yourself. Just keep those thoughts to yourself, don’t go teaching other kids.”
Why do I sound like a weary old mother?
Si Zhiruo blinked her innocent big eyes at me, asking, “But they all adore me. I just strolled around, and already have a dozen followers!”
“…….”
That natural leader’s charisma.
I didn’t even know where to begin to comment.
“It just means they like playing with you,” I said quietly.
It’s good that my daughter is popular.
But… isn’t this a bit too popular?
It’s only been a short time, and she’s already king of the kids. Some of them are four or five, and they’re all following her every word.
Little Dou Ding is a perfect example. After just a few words from Si Zhiruo, she took them as gospel, insisting her mother must also enjoy the highest of privileges.
“Mama, why aren’t you saying anything?” Si Zhiruo shook my arm, whining for attention.
What am I supposed to say…
Judging by her expression, she clearly wanted more praise.
I managed a smile. “Mm, you’re amazing, my daughter—a real leader.”
I exchanged helpless glances with Su Liumeng, who was walking over.
Who isn’t a first-time mom, after all?
How exactly am I supposed to educate my daughter…
At this point, I even felt like just letting go, letting her develop and grow freely and happily, without any interference.
Su Liumeng had just learned what happened and warned the onlookers not to spread word of it.
She looked at me and shrugged.
There was nothing she could do, either.
After thinking a moment, Su Liumeng added, “Actually, when it comes to raising children, it’s better not to interfere too much. It’s like growing a tree—so long as they don’t stray from what’s truly right and wrong, let them grow as they wish. That way, their childhood will be happiest.”
“Raising trees, raising people—it’s all the same.”
I gripped my little dumpling’s hand, keeping her from running off.
With her cheeks puffed out, I hoisted her in front of Su Liumeng like carrying a bundle of cargo. “Do you really think she’s clear on right and wrong? Guess what she almost said—she wants to find me a hundred wives…”
Su Liumeng fell silent.
“Suddenly, I feel that the occasional spanking isn’t a bad thing.”
“Who are you planning to hit?” Si Zhiruo glared at her. She was already upset Mama wouldn’t let her play, and now Su Liumeng wanted to egg her mom on to hit her—how outrageous.
Si Zhiruo clung to my clothes, craning her neck and protesting, “It’s not a hundred wives, it’s a hundred pretty little fairies. They don’t all count as wives—at most, they’re little wives. Mama, you need to get your facts straight.”
I glanced at my palm, then at Si Zhiruo’s adorable face.
Forget it. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
If we’re talking right and wrong, she’s not exactly wrong.
She just loves Mama and wants to give Mama the best. What’s wrong with that?
“Let’s go home.” I held my daughter higher, taking Su Liumeng’s hand with the other.
“Can you still carry her? Let her walk on her own,” Su Liumeng suggested.
Si Zhiruo pouted unhappily, “You’re a meanie! Trying to take away my right to be carried—next time, I won’t let you be the main wife!”
Su Liumeng was stunned.
So she was the main wife?
Was she supposed to be grateful for being given the Empress’s seat?
A thousand worries flashed through Su Liumeng’s mind—she was afraid that, with how spoiled Si Zhiruo was, I might actually agree to such wild ideas.
But the next second, she caught my reassuring gaze and immediately straightened her back with confidence.
No way.
Her wife loves her too.
How could something like that happen?
—
2045, mid-January. The first snow fell with no warning.
Si Zhiruo was growing so fast. Not even a year old, but already eighty centimeters tall, happily running about on her own. At home, she was always clamoring to go outside—to the grass to catch ants and grasshoppers, to the river to fish…
The apartment was no longer big enough for us. After discussing with Su Liumeng, we decided to return to the Su Family’s old estate.
We could spend the New Year here, let our daughter play in a natural environment, and let the two maids visit their families.
Returning to the mountains where we had last barbequed, Si Zhiruo clearly remembered the place. Her little legs bounced ahead, leading the way. “Mama, I remember this place! Last time, you even took out an old fortune teller here!”
I was speechless.
For such a cute little princess, it really wasn’t necessary to always brag about “taking people out.”
Si Zhiruo took another step forward, pointing at a big stone. Her eyes sparkled. “That’s right! This is the spot. I remember it clearly. Mama was still pregnant with me, so you couldn’t climb the mountain and had to rest here. Then you grilled meat with the two maids!”
In a flash, Si Zhiruo appeared in front of me, craning her neck, eyes pleading. “Mama, Zhizhi wants barbecue too! I want to eat the barbecue you make yourself!”
As she spoke, she pouted, “I’ve never even tasted it.”
“I’m a little jealous of those two maids—they got to eat your grilled rabbit!”
“Alright, alright, Mama will grill for you today, okay?”
“Yay!” The little one jumped for joy.
This time, I brought only my daughter.
I didn’t want to bring too many people.
Because I wanted to spend more time with her.
I stared at my pale fingertips.
Through the capillaries beneath, my clear eyes gradually filled with a trace of sadness.
At least during her growth, as she learns about the world, I will be there with her.
“Mama, why are you dazing out again?”
“I heard someone say last time that you’re like a robot. I was so angry, I beat those two up!”
A robot?
Hearing that term again, my mouth twitched.
That’s too much.
Who’s a robot?
I just like to zone out and don’t show much expression.
Does that make me a robot?
“Come on, let’s set up the grill!” Si Zhiruo grabbed my hand, bouncing forward.
She was full of life, so different from how I was as a child.
Watching Zhizhi so happy and lively, I couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.
“Alright, Mama will barbecue with you.”
“Tell me, little Zhizhi, who’s going to catch the rabbit?”
Just hearing “rabbit,” the little one was already drooling. She tasted it once, back when she was in my belly, and never forgot. Now, just recalling the flavor, she couldn’t help but swallow.
“Me, of course!” She raised her little hand, volunteering with glee. “Mama, your body’s still recovering, so let me do it! It’s just a rabbit, I’ll pluck the whole mountain bare if you want!”
“…….”
“Don’t catch too many—just enough to eat. If you catch too many, it’ll be a waste to process them all.”
“Right, just enough to eat.”
With my help, Si Zhiruo managed to assemble the grill.
“All done!” She clapped her little hands. “Mama, you start the charcoal. I’ll go catch rabbits and be right back!”
“Alright, be careful—don’t catch too many.”
I’m not telling her to be careful for her sake.
I’m telling the mountain animals to be careful.
Don’t get caught in excess.