Chapter 507 – A family of three (2)

“It’s only because she likes your new clothes,” said Ji Man. “You should be feeling happy, ah. It’s only your clothes this time. She didn’t break any of your valuable vases.”

At the mention of this, Marquis Moyu felt a headache coming on. Little Sangyu was almost four years old and was especially mischievous. She would always target expensive items when it came to destroying things, and she loved to cling to him. The day before yesterday, she had broken an antique vase in his collection. And, he could only glare at her. He couldn’t bear to hit her or scold her.

That wasn’t a big deal. The crucial point was that this girl would cry, ah. While crying horribly, she would run to Ji Man and complain about him. With a face that showed she was sympathetic towards their daughter, Ji Man would say, “Is our daughter important, or is a vase important? Why did you act so mean towards her?”

Ning Yuxuan: “…” He truly felt very wronged. He hadn’t even said one scolding word towards Sangyu. He couldn’t even display a slightly mean expression? Outside, he was clearly the awe-inspiring and grand Marquis Moyu. Anyone that saw him would respectfully lower his or her head. So, why did he have no status at all at home? Even a little girl could bully him!

However, since little Sangyu was like a perfect miniature replica of her mother, he endured it. What else could he do?

The family of three had a routine of taking an evening stroll. Ji Man was wearing  a rouge-colored dress, and Marquis Moyu was wearing a formal robe embroidered with dragons while little Sangyu was dressed more casually. She was wearing something that Ji Man had made her. It was a two piece princess-style outfit with a top and small skirt. She looked very lively and cute in it.

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On the capital’s southern side, by the riverbank of a long river, the family of three could often be seen. Right now, Marquis Moyu was in a high position of power. The only real difference between him and the emperor was just a matter of titles. Ji Man also had a chokehold on the capital because of her rice business. It would be easy for either of them to do something that would affect a myriad of people.

But, they were just randomly strolling outside. From a distance, the guards followed them and saw Marquis Moyu picking up little Sangyu and putting her on his shoulder. As they walked, he and Ji Man bickered over something.

“Back then, you behaved so coldly in front of me. How would anyone be able to see that you like me?” Ning Yuxuan felt quite troubled.

“Just because you couldn’t tell, that defaults to me not liking you?” Ji Man raised her eyebrows. “Well, you treated me so poorly for such a long time. I still remember that household punishment of five-rods thick rattan!”

“I didn’t have a choice…” His imposing manner weakened.

“Oh, so it was because you didn’t have a choice that you decide to treat me unfairly. Was that just playing around for you?” Ji Man laughed. “How nice of you, thanks.”

Ning Yuxuan was unable to respond. He insufferably huffed and turned his head away from her. He had wronged her several times back then, but all of those times were because of misunderstandings, ah. Hadn’t he already started to compensate her for those incidents?

“When did you start to have feelings for me?” Ning Yuxuan couldn’t resist asking when they had reached halfway in their stroll.

Ji Man lowered her head and seriously thought about it before saying, “Guess?”

Marquis Moyu honestly guessed, “From that time when you wanted me to say, “I love you”?”

No, that was wrong. If he said those words, she would return to her world. When she was still thinking about returning, she definitely didn’t have feelings for him. Ning Yuxuan shook his head. “No. Perhaps, it was when you found out that Haohao is your son?”

Ji Man touched her chin and said, “Actually, I don’t know either.”

Angry, Ning Yuxuan stopped walking and looked at her in dissatisfaction while still carrying their daughter.

“What’s the point in pursuing this answer?” Ji Man yawned. Pulling him by the arm, she continued walking forward. “When we get back, I’ll continue telling you stories from One Thousand and One Nights.”

His face sunk. The normally dignified marquis shook his head like a child. “I don’t want to hear it!”

It had already been three days, and she still wanted him to listen to that story!

“It can’t be helped. My period is really bad this time,” Ji Man helplessly grumbled. “How about you go to Qing-er‘s courtyard then?”

Ning Yuxuan furrowed his brow. He glanced at Ji Man’s face from the side. Sighing, he answered, “I’ll listen to that story then.”

Men liked having a lavish life of having multiple wives and concubines, but he had already gotten used to their warm and cozy family life of three. Moreover, he didn’t want to ruin it. In the first half of his life, he had already gotten his full of seeing all sorts of women. In the second half, he decided that having one woman that was most suitable to him was enough.

As for Qing-er, she was willing to stay in her courtyard and watch over Xi-er as he grew up. Ning Yuxuan gave her unconditional freedom and financially supported her. He wouldn’t treat her unfairly.

After all, in the later stage, she had helped him with many things. But, no else knew about this.

There was a gentle evening breeze. At first, when other people saw this family leisurely strolling, they would smile at them, then respectfully move to the side. After a long time of these routine walks, when other people on the path had seen them many times, the other pedestrians remained undaunted and continue walking normally as if they hadn’t seen them.

However, during each of these evening strolls, the passersby couldn’t resist sneaking a few glances at them. The family’s tranquil happiness caused envy in others.

Of course, when important national figures walked outside, they would meet with danger. Marquis Moyu’s family wasn’t an exception. When three or less assassins came, Ji Man and Sangyu would stand by the side and cheer for Ning Yuxuan. When there was more than three assassins, the family of three would stay on the side and cheer for the bodyguards instead.

Ji Man really liked these days. It was pleasantly comfortable without being boring.

As for when she started to like Marquis Moyu, Nie Sangyu was probably the only person that knew. After all, they had shared the same heart at first.