CHAPTER 400: CHAPTER 394: MARRIAGE PROSPECTS

"That’s a maple tree!"

"This kind of tree turns fiery red in autumn. From afar, the leaves look like flowers or flames. When you go on an autumn outing, these maple leaves are quite a sight!"

Yuan Bao could only enlighten the two younger brothers.

The two little ones, upon hearing Yuan Bao’s explanation, instantly turned into a hundred thousand whys.

"Big sister, why do the leaves on a maple tree turn red?"

"Yeah, yeah, aren’t all leaves supposed to turn yellow?"

"Big sister, big sister, are there maple trees in the Capital?"

"Big sister, can we go see them, please?"

...

Yuan Bao felt overwhelmed by the rapid-fire questions of the two little ones.

"Mei, go ask little uncle and Ruan in the front if they want to take a break. Just say that these little ones want to see the maple trees!"

Unable to cope with the incessant chatter from the two little ones, Yuan Bao decisively gave in.

If they were at home, she could at least avoid them.

Unfortunately, they were on the road now.

If she ran out of the carriage, these two little ones would either chase after her or start howling in the carriage. The pitiful howls would be unbearable to listen to.

Upon receiving Yuan Bao’s instructions, Mei Jiu urged her horse forward and stopped beside the carriage where Yuan Yindi and Ruan Wan were riding, conveying Yuan Bao’s message.

"Let’s take a break then!"

Yuan Yindi, also defeated by her two sons, knew that this request could not be refused, otherwise, the whole journey would be fraught with chaos.

The group quickly stopped by the roadside.

Upon learning they could go see the maple leaves, Yuan Shouqian and Yuan Shouxun immediately jumped off the carriage. Despite their small size, they moved with the agility of little monkeys.

Because Yuan Bao practiced martial arts, these two little brothers imitated her, and as a result, they were much more agile than other children their age.

"Big sister, hurry up!"

The two little ones jumped off the carriage and, seeing that Yuan Bao was still inside, stopped and called out to her.

"I’ll let you run a hundred steps ahead, and whoever I catch first will get their butt spanked!"

Yuan Bao stepped out of the carriage, smiling as she looked at the two little ones.

She couldn’t scold them for their normal playfulness, but she could teach them a lesson through other means. Yuan Bao was quite cunning!

"Big brother, take care of your little brother!"

Yuan Shouxun, hearing Yuan Bao’s words, immediately looked at his big brother.

Yuan Shouqian quickly responded, "Alright, little brother, I’ll let you run thirty steps ahead!"

"If I still catch up to you, you can’t blame me!"

"How about it? Am I generous, big brother?"

"Thank you, big brother!"

Upon hearing that Yuan Shouqian would let him run thirty steps ahead, Yuan Shouxun’s eyes sparkled.

Then, the two little brothers started running.

However, Yuan Shouxun did not know that his big brother, who said he would let him have thirty steps, started running after him when he had barely run ten steps, silently following behind using his Basic Body Technique.

...

In the end, Yuan Shouxun lost!

"Big brother, you cheated!"

"Little brother, this is called ’all’s fair in war,’ as said in the art of war!"

"I don’t like you anymore!"

Betrayed by his big brother and having his butt spanked by Yuan Bao, Yuan Shouxun felt very hurt.

"Little brother, you’ve disappointed me. You don’t even realize the thoughtful intentions your big brother has for you!"

"I’m heartbroken!"

Yuan Shouqian, accused by his brother, did not explain but instead acted like he was misunderstood by his brother.

Yuan Bao watched her two brothers fight their little battle of wits, stepped forward two paces, and gave each of them a flick on the forehead.

"You two are such drama queens!"

"Now, start running up the mountain using the Basic Body Technique!"

They talked non-stop in the carriage, so now was the perfect chance to wear them out a bit.

Poor little brothers, they had no idea they were being used by their big sister to vent her frustration.

Yuan Yindi and Ruan stood by the roadside, smiling as they watched Yuan Bao discipline the little ones. The couple looked like a perfect match, standing there like a pair of celestial beings.

Even though they had been married for eight years, they were still as affectionate as newlyweds.

In the lives of Yuan Shouqian and Yuan Shouxun, they were truly unexpected additions.

If it weren’t for their big sister Yuan Bao, their childhood might have been rather difficult.

After all, their parents’ eyes were mostly only for each other and rarely on the boys. Even their mother mostly had eyes for their father, occasionally remembering she had two sons.

Speaking of irresponsible parents in the world, these two could definitely top the list.

"Wanwan, do you think Jiaojiao’s brothers will cry a lot when she gets married in the future?"

Yuan Yindi turned to Ruan Wan, smiling as she spoke.

"For sure!"

Ruan Wan replied without hesitation.

She was very aware that she was not a responsible mother to her two sons.

Big sister as mother!

This phrase aptly described Yuan Bao.

"Wanwan, Jiaojiao is already ten years old. Do you have any thoughts about her future marriage?"

Yuan Yindi had been pondering this issue for some time.

On his trip back to the Capital, unless unforeseen events occurred, he was likely not to be assigned elsewhere but to remain in the court.

"This is something we probably can’t decide!"

Ruan Wan glanced at Yuan Yindi, "Jiaojiao is Mr. Ying’s disciple and also the court-appointed Princess Jiafu. Her marriage will need Mr. Ying’s approval and have to be discussed with the Emperor uncle!"

"..."

Upon hearing Ruan Wan’s words, Yuan Yindi sighed silently.

Yuan Yindi was already a high-ranking official with a position of significant influence in the Daxia court.

Yet even so, he was still powerless in certain matters.

"Fifth brother, don’t worry too much. Although we can’t decide Jiaojiao’s marriage, our opinions might still have some influence!"

Ruan Wan tried to comfort Yuan Yindi after discerning what he was worried about.

Yuan Yindi gently held Ruan Wan’s hand, "I know. I’m just thinking that once we’re in the Capital, many will come to visit us!"

"At that time, I’m afraid it’ll be a lot of work for you, Wanwan!"

"Don’t worry, fifth brother, I’ll handle it!"

Ruan Wan, being the legitimate daughter of the Ruan family and granddaughter of the Eldest Princess, was well-versed in the interactions of noblewomen.

While Ruan Wan and Yuan Yindi chatted about Yuan Bao’s future, Yuan Bao had already taken her two brothers up the mountain to see the fiery red maple trees.

"Big sister, these maple trees aren’t that pretty at all!"

"Yeah, the leaves aren’t anything special."

Their expectations for the maple trees were dashed upon seeing them up close.

"They looked beautiful from afar, but up close they’re just so-so. Big sister, why is that?"

Yuan Shouqian couldn’t figure it out.