CHAPTER 402: CHAPTER 396: NO RUSH

"Big sister, what is this?"

As the elder brother, Yuan Shouqian was the first to notice the small grass-woven cage next to Yuan Bao, naturally discovering the various insects confined within.

"This, ah, is a grasshopper, a praying mantis, a cricket..."

Yuan Bao smiled and began to explain the various little insects within the small grass-woven cage to her two younger brothers.

In fact, during these eight years in Yanmen County, Yuan Bao had plenty of interactions with these little creatures, after all, she often had to go to the mountains to practice the Breathing Technique.

In comparison, the brothers Yuan Shouqian and Yuan Shousun weren’t as diligent as Yuan Bao.

Although the two little brothers followed and learned a lot, without needing to practice the Breathing Technique, they mostly trained by themselves in the mansion.

"Big sister, can these be eaten?"

As a seasoned foodie, Yuan Shouqian didn’t think of playing first, but eating.

"They can be eaten!"

"Of course, these things are mainly fun to play with!"

"This cricket, for example, can be made to fight!"

"As for the praying mantis, if you observe carefully, you might even grasp the Mantis Fist..."

With eloquent descriptions, Yuan Bao spoke grandly to hook the two little fish.

Poor little guys had never seen much of the world, and quickly got persuaded by Yuan Bao.

Children are naturally playful; once they learn about new ways to play, they become immediately interested. Besides, their usually strict sister did not express any objections, so they naturally ran wild.

Thus, during the journey that followed, Yuan Shouqian and Yuan Shousun had toys to occupy them and didn’t bother Yuan Bao nor went to their parents with endless questions.

"County Princess, shouldn’t you intervene?"

Seeing the boys so lost in play, Hu Niuniu couldn’t stand it, cautiously suggesting to Yuan Bao.

Yuan Bao glanced at Hu Niuniu with a smile and said, "Don’t worry, let them play a bit more!"

Since going to settle accounts with the two rascals, it’s certainly better to let them enjoy a bit more first.

Only in this way would they remember the lesson deeply.

"But..."

"No buts, just mind your own business!"

Yuan Bao calmly glanced at Hu Niuniu.

Seeing Yuan Bao’s laid-back attitude, and noting Nanny Xue and Mei Jiu’s calm manners, Hu Niuniu realized that Yuan Bao was doing this deliberately.

Fine, let me mind my own business!

Because Yuan Bao had prepared these little toys for Yuan Shouqian and Yuan Shousun, the journey back to the Capital became much quieter.

"Jiaojiao, when do you plan to deal with them?"

On the third day, Ruan Wan found Yuan Bao and spoke smilingly.

"Ruan, surely you wouldn’t feel sorry for them?"

Yuan Bao looked at Ruan Wan and replied with a laugh.

Ruan Wan snorted and rolled her eyes at Yuan Bao, saying, "I am worried you’ll feel sorry when the time comes!"

"Don’t worry, I won’t feel sorry at all!"

Yuan Bao had long planned to give the little guys a deep lesson.

Since this was all part of her scheme, there’s no reason she’d feel sorry?

Failing to teach when young leads to regret when old.

These two little ones were effectively Yuan Bao’s younger brothers, and educating them to become accomplished individuals fell undeniably under her responsibility. After all, they had parents like theirs.

"Then that’s settled!"

Ruan Wan spoke no more.

Yuan Bao continued letting the little guys play all the way, even assigning people to accompany them.

Until the day before entering the Capital, Yuan Bao asked for their small grass-woven cages to be collected with the excuse that entering the Capital meant they had to study well and strive for progress.

"Big sister, then when can we play again?"

Though the grass-woven cages were taken away, Yuan Shousun was not one to easily compromise. Compared to his elder brother Yuan Shouqian, Yuan Shousun was definitely a particularly stubborn little guy.

Even though Yuan Shousun was smart and quick-witted, sometimes he was incredibly bull-headed.

"Didn’t you play all the way here, and still not had enough fun?"

Upon hearing Yuan Shousun still wanted to play, the smile on Yuan Bao’s face began to fade.

"I’m done, I’m done!"

Having deeply experienced his big sister’s methods before, Yuan Shouqian immediately prepared to lead his little brother away upon noticing his sister’s expression changing.

However, Yuan Shousun’s stubbornness emerged.

"Big sister, I haven’t had enough fun!"

Yuan Shousun earnestly looked at his big sister, "Just let me play for two more days!"

"Two days?"

Rather than immediately reason with her little brother, Yuan Bao squinted at him.

"Yes, yes, just two days!"

Seeing Yuan Bao’s reluctance to finalize her words, Yuan Shousun used his little smarts again.

"Alright, then let you play two more days!"

"But remember, it’s you who asked for two more days; if you want to play again after that, don’t blame me for settling accounts with you!"

"Yes, yes, big sister, don’t worry!"

Yuan Shousun’s eyes brightened hearing Yuan Bao.

Meanwhile, Yuan Shouqian was crestfallen.

He never expected his big sister to be so agreeable; alas, he regretted his words too late. He had said he had enough fun, so now he couldn’t think of going back on his word.

Even at five years old, Yuan Shouqian knew one must be truthful in life, in speech and action.

And Yuan Bao’s teachings over the years were consistent: A man’s word is like the water poured forth, spit becomes a nail.

Ultimately, as a little man of principle, Yuan Shouqian did not go back on his words but looked enviously at his younger brother continuing to play.

"Big sister, so what should I do now?"

"You should study!"

Yuan Bao smiled at her elder younger brother.

"Oh..."

Yuan Shouqian seemed rather lackluster.

However, as his big sister said, the path he chose, he must walk even if crawling.

...

Back in the Capital, the group headed straight for Juan Shui Alley in East-West City.

Yuan Yindi had purchased a house here before Lunar New Year, knowing he would be reassigned back to the Capital, so he made sure the house was arranged beforehand.

And over the years, the money Yuan Yindi earned was largely spent on this house.

Living in the Capital was no easy feat.

Without some wealth, even serving as an official in the Capital, life was quite tight, even to the extent of having to rent a small apartment temporarily.

To be polite, if not for the tips Yuan Yindi received from Yuan Bao, making Yuan Pandi and Yuan Zhaodi set up a cheap eatery, his situation wouldn’t have been much better now.

Of course, if he resorted to Ruan Wan’s dowry, it was another matter entirely.

The house Yuan Yindi acquired in Juan Shui Alley was not large. Though it was a three-section courtyard, it sat on a small plot, being quite narrow.

Yet even so, this courtyard set him back almost eighty thousand silver taels.