"His fingers are so small, so thin. I don't even dare to touch them. I'm afraid they will break if I touch them."
"Look, look, his eyelashes are so beautiful."
Xiao Man's usually fierce and proud demeanor was completely gone. She looked with curiosity at the little guy lying there and commented on him. There was never a time when she did not find it interesting. She had rarely seen such a small child, and it was the first time she was able to observe him so closely.
"Is he a boy or a girl?"
Xiao Man's mouth did not stop. After chattering for a while, she suddenly asked.
Yang Fan couldn't help but laugh. "Won't you know when you see for yourself?"
Xiao Man rolled her eyes at him and ignored his crazy words. She lowered her head and carefully reached out a finger to lightly touch Xiao Qi's palm. Feeling the warm and tender little hand, she smiled happily.
The two stayed here for more than an hour. Yang Fan bid farewell to Duoduo. Xiao Man reluctantly followed Yang Fan out of the mansion through the corner door. She asked, "Where are we going now?"
Yang Fan said, "We have to walk around. I'll take you to Xiu Wen Workshop, to where I live."
"Okay!"
Xiao Man happily agreed and followed Yang Fan to Xiu Wen Workshop.
The Xiu Wen Workshop had passed its busiest time in the morning. The pace of life in the neighborhood had slowed down again. The bare-chested Hu cook had just suppressed the fire and was slowly flipping through the baked bread in the pot. Jiaodong's Master Meng folded two rolls of fine white cloth that had already turned yellow and gently covered the steamer to prevent the steam from escaping.
After recognizing Yang Fan, they all greeted Yang Fan in pleasant surprise. Old Yuchi, who was baking the baked bread, threw down the bamboo tongs. As he wiped his hands on his apron, he came over with a smile. Curling his long beard, he laughed and said, "It is rare that Erlang has the time to visit the workshop. Who is this girl?"
Old Yuchi looked at Xiao Man and nodded in satisfaction. Then he looked at Yang Fan and his smile became slightly warm. Master Meng stood behind the stove and gave Yang Fan a thumbs up.
Yang Fan smiled. He knew that their rich imagination was only limited to the matters between men and women. He couldn't explain anything to them in front of Xiao Man, so he just said, "Uncle, you go ahead with your work. I'm going to Brother Qiao 'er's house to take a look. We'll talk when I come back."
"Alright, alright, alright. You can go and do your work."
Old Man Yuchi opened his throat and let out a rough laugh. "Of course, of course. You two are good brothers. I knew you came back for Brother Qiao. Haha, didn't you bring back a beautiful young lady? You don't want Brother Qiao to be the center of attention, do you?"
"Yo! This Hu old man even knows how to brag. What did he say about focusing on the beauty in front? "
As Yang Fan walked, he greeted acquaintances along the way. Xiao Man followed him all the way, facing all kinds of speculations, sudden realization, and ambiguous gazes. She asked Yang Fan with some confusion.
Yang Fan smiled and waved at a few acquaintances on the side of the road. He said calmly, "You don't have to pay attention to them. They often say some inexplicable things and do some inexplicable things. You just need to know that they are good people."
When he passed by the second intersection of Cross Street, Yang Fan thought he would see Big Sister Noodles, who was wearing a little blue dress and working hard there. Who would have thought that when he reached the intersection, not only did he not see the beautiful figure busy at work, even the small shed had been torn down. Naturally, the panel under the shed and the stove were all gone.
Yang Fan was stunned. Why didn't Sister Pasta open her stall? She even tore down her stall. This is …
Yang Fan's heart was full of doubts. He really wanted to immediately turn and go to Pasta's house, but after thinking about it, he decided to go to Maqiao's house first. If something really happened, he might be able to find out more about it.
Yang Fan quickened his pace and rushed to Maqiao's house. He pushed open the gate and shouted, "Auntie, Auntie, it's me, Yang Fan!"
"Xiao Fan?"
With a cry of surprise, the door opened and Maqiao ran out of the house like a gust of wind. When he saw Yang Fan, he laughed heartily and rushed over to give him a bear hug.
Yang Fan immediately felt at ease after being hugged. Looking at Maqiao's appearance, it was unlikely that something had happened. It was also unlikely that something had happened to Pasta's house. Otherwise, he wouldn't be smiling so happily when he saw him.
Yang Fan patted him on the back and smiled. "Let go! You've only been in the army for a short period of time, but your strength has increased quite a bit. You're going to strangle me to death. "
Maqiao laughed heartily and let go. When he saw Xiao Man, he was startled at first. Just as he was about to tease her with some flowery words, he suddenly recognized Xie Duwei from the palace. He couldn't help but jump in fright. He said in surprise, "Xiao Fan, why did you … bring Xie Duwei here? You … "
Yang Fan said, "Xie Duwei and I disguised ourselves to go out of the palace on an errand. I heard that you were looking for me, so I came along. Quickly invite Xie Duwei into the house to sit."
"Oh! Oh, yes, yes. Please come in, please come in. "
Maqiao walked into the house with a tentative expression. At the same time, he shouted, "Auntie, there's a guest."
"Who's here?"
Ma's mother came out of the house with a happy face. When she saw Yang Fan, she smiled. "It's Xiao Fan. I haven't seen you for a long time. Maqiao, this brat, what kind of distinguished guest is this? Isn't he just with his own family … hmm? "
Ma's mother suddenly saw Xiao Man standing behind Yang Fan and her voice suddenly stopped. She looked at Xiao Man up and down and quickly walked over. She pulled her hand and carefully looked at it. She clicked her tongue and praised, "Oh, whose daughter is this? So beautiful, you guys are …"
Maqiao squeezed through the door and said, "Auntie, why are you asking? Quickly invite them into the house. Come on, come on in and sit down. "As he spoke, he pushed his mother away and let them into the house.
When Ma's mother saw that Yang Fan had brought back such a beautiful girl, she was interrupted by her son. She couldn't help but poke him hard on the forehead and said in a low voice, "You're so troublesome. You're poor all day long. Look at Xiao Fan. I said that a dog that bites doesn't bark. Look at her ability. She brought back a beautiful girl quietly …"
Xiao Man's hearing was very good. She clearly heard Ma's mother's deliberately lowered voice. She vaguely guessed why so many people had a strange look in their eyes along the way. She also guessed what Ma's mother had misunderstood. She couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. When she entered the house, she said embarrassedly, "Auntie, what are you talking about?"
Yang Fan said, "You see, I've already said that they often say some inexplicable things and do some inexplicable things. You just need to know that they are good people. Don't worry so much."
After a while, Maqiao came in with a big dustpan and said with a smile, "Come on, come on, have some dates and walnuts."
Yang Fan moved his body and let him put the big dustpan between him and Xiao Man. He asked, "Brother Qiao, why did you send me a letter to come back? Also, why did Sister Ning's stall close? "
Maqiao suddenly became a little shy. He coughed twice and said, "Oh, you mean this … Ahem! This … that … you can listen to my mother later. "
It was the first time that Yang Fan had seen him show such an expression. He couldn't help but be surprised and said, "You also have times when you are embarrassed? Tell me, what is it? "
Before Yang Fan could grab him, Maqiao had already slipped out and shouted, "Mother, mother, Xiao Fan is calling you!"
Yang Fan couldn't help but laugh. "What's wrong with this kid?"
After a while, Ma's mother came in and said with a smile, "Xiao Fan, why did you call Auntie?"
Yang Fan said, "Auntie, why did Maqiao send a letter to ask me to come back?"
Ma's mother smiled and said, "Good news! Auntie checked the almanac. The ninth of next month is an auspicious day, suitable for holding a happy event. Qiao 'er is about to get married. You are his good brother. When the time comes, you must come back to attend the wedding! "
Yang Fan said curiously, "Brother Qiao 'er is about to get married! Who is the bride? "
A thought suddenly flashed through his mind. Yang Fan couldn't help but call out, "Sister Ning?"
…
The noble princess was dressed splendidly, followed by two palace maids, walking towards the Hall of Martial Accomplishment.
The two palace maids behind the noble princess were carrying a carved and elegant flat box. No one knew what was inside.
"My daughter is here, call her in!"
Wu Zetian had just finished dealing with the memorials and had just given a few instructions to Shanghai Wan'er. Hearing that the noble princess wanted to see her, she said with a smile.
The noble princess entered the Hall of Martial Accomplishment. Seeing Empress Wu, she quickly walked forward and curtsied, "My daughter greets the Empress."
Wu Zetian said, "Hehe, my daughter, how did you find the time to visit me today?"
The noble princess said respectfully, "I obtained a few hundred years old ginseng. Thinking of how the Empress has been working day and night, I quickly sent it to the palace for the Empress to nourish her body."
After the noble princess finished speaking, she moved to the side. Two palace maids carried the wooden box forward, as if they were holding a plaque, and showed it to Empress Wu.
The noble princess waited for them to stand still, then quickly moved forward and gently opened the lid of the box. Inside was a black velvet cushion, and on top of it was an old ginseng. This ginseng wasn't a carrot. Although it was a few hundred years old, it didn't look thick or long. Instead, its roots were very fine. Although the trunk of the ginseng wasn't big, the long roots spread to every corner of the box. The density of the roots was like a beautiful painting.
When Wu Zetian saw this, she couldn't help but praise, "It really is a good ginseng. My daughter, it's rare to see your kind intentions."
Wu Zetian turned to Wan'er and said, "Wan'er, send someone to bring some of my 'motherwort face cream' and give it to my daughter."
Wan'er agreed and stepped forward. Just as she was about to give the order, the noble princess suddenly had tears in her eyes. She knelt down in front of Wu Zetian. Wan'er was startled and quickly moved to the side to avoid arousing suspicion.
The noble princess excitedly said, "The Empress really cares for my daughter. She is as kind as a real mother. My daughter has lost her support at a young age. Although she lives a luxurious life, it is difficult for her to enjoy the happiness of being at the feet of her parents. I … I have a presumptuous request. I would like to kneel before the Empress and recognize the Empress as my mother. I hope the Empress will agree to it! "
"What?"
Wan'er's eyes widened in surprise. She looked at the wrinkled, white-haired, and old noble princess.
She was the daughter of a great ancestor. Speaking of which, Empress Wu had to call her aunt. She … she wanted Empress Wu to be her godmother?
Wan'er couldn't believe her ears!
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