Wang Dongxue and Ji Youyuan had been in the Illusion Sect for some time and, in their hearts, deeply missed the Ji matriarch and Xiaosuisui. Although they kept in touch through letters, the inability to see or touch them made their yearning grow with each one they read.
"Donât worry, Suisui will be fine," Ji Youyuan quickly reassured her, patting her belly, which was significantly larger than that of a typical three-month pregnant woman. "She has Seventh Brother, Second Brother, Eldest Brother, and Third Brother protecting her. Sheâll be safe." He quickly added, "Donât get too agitated, or our little daughter in there might kick you!"
Only then did Wang Dongxue calm down.
"Itâs strange, isnât it?" she said. "Most people donât show at three months. But look at me, my belly is already prominent, like Iâm five months along."
Ji Youyuanâs lips curved into a slight smile as he gently shook his head.
There are some things best left unsaid until thereâs certainty. Anyway, Second Brother is already on his way to the Illusion Sect.
"If youâre tired, go back to your room and rest. Iâm going to write a reply to Seventh Brother."
ăMeanwhile, at the Ji Mansionă
Xiaosuisui stood at the entrance of Ji Youlinâs courtyard, holding two curved blades. The Ji Mansion was vast. Everyone had their own courtyard, and the master of each courtyard enjoyed absolute freedom within it. Of course, whether they were in their courtyards or not usually depended on if they would be accompanying the Ji matriarch for dinner in her courtyard that evening.
Xiaosuisui had been waiting here for more than two hours, but Ji Youlin still hadnât returned.
Xie PanâEr and she had each moved a small stool to sit by the entrance, cracking sunflower seeds.
"Canât you just go back to your room and have Yunxiang and the others wait here for your Uncle Six, then notify you when he returns?" Xie PanâEr asked.
Xie PanâEr knew there were seven princes in the Ji Family. She knew the seventh prince, the second prince, and the eighth prince.
As for the third prince...
could she even say she knew him? The third prince of the Ji Family always wore a veil, and she had never seen him remove it.
As for the other princes, she had met the eighth prince, but they werenât very well acquainted. She knew the sixth prince of the Ji Family was in Capital City. She had been at the Ji Mansion for quite some time but had never seen him. It was rumored that since arriving in the capital, the sixth prince hadnât shown himself publicly, always elusive.
Now, Xiaosuisui sat at the entrance of this seemingly uninhabited courtyard, holding two curved blades, saying she was waiting for her Uncle Six.
Xie PanâEr felt that Uncle Six, who was never home, was unlikely to return anytime soon, meaning Xiaosuisui was probably waiting in vain.
However, Xiaosuisui sitting here waiting was far safer than her wielding those two curved blades that looked taller than she was.
So Xie PanâEr indulged her and kept her company.
While cracking sunflower seeds, Xie PanâEr started to worry about her brother again. Although the seventh prince had repeatedly assured her that her brother was fine in the Celestial Prison and that he would uncover the truth, she couldnât help but feel anxious.
"This is Uncle Sixâs courtyard, so he has to come back eventually!" Xiaosuisui declared. "As long as I wait here, Iâll definitely get to see him!"
Xiaosuisui finished the last sunflower seed in her hand. As she turned to grab more from Xie PanâEr, she suddenly noticed Xie PanâEr repeatedly cracking open the same sunflower seed shells. Puzzled, Xiaosuisui asked, "Are these sunflower seeds that delicious, pretty sister? Youâre even eating the shells!"
Xie PanâErâs hand trembled, and her face darkened.
She wished a hole would swallow her up!
"I... I was just lost in thought," she stammered an explanation and then fell silent.
Xiaosuisui finally realized that her âpretty sisterâ wasnât her usual self. "Pretty sister," she asked, "are you worried about Brother Xie Si?"