As they walked, Ling Chuxi ate the chestnut cakes Xia Zhuoyi bought and even casually stuffed some into Little White’s mouth too. Little White’s ears twitched, indicating it didn’t really like such sweet snacks. The fifth princess on the other hand, liked sweet snacks very much. Although she held her own pack of chestnut cakes in her hand, she would still sneak some from Xia Zhuoyi’s pack from time to time.
The three of them kept walking until they reached a small alley that was located somewhat far away, it was at the end of White Stone City. They stopped before a simple house. Xia Zhuoyi went forward and knocked on the door. Very quickly, the sound of hurried footsteps was heard. The person who opened the door was Zhong Xingkai, whom both Ling Chuxi and the fifth princess had met before.
When Zhong Xingkai saw his own young master standing there alongside Ling Chuxi and the fifth princess, he was momentarily startled. However, he quickly recovered himself and quickly greeted them excitedly, “Miss Ling Chuxi, you are here. Please come in. Young master, why didn’t you notify me of your bringing guests back? I could have made preparations beforehand.”
“We decided to come at the spur of the moment. There’s no need to be so courteous Uncle Zhong,” said Ling Chuxi with a gentle smile.
“Uncle Zhong, Chuxi is here to take a look at mother’s eyes. Where is she?” said Xia Zhuoyi.
Uncle Zhong was dismayed as he suddenly recalled something. He quickly turned aside and motioned to invite them all in. “Is that so? Miss is inside. Miss Ling Chuxi, please come through this way.” Just then, Zhong Xingkai had recalled that when they were in Crouching Tiger Ridge, he saw Ling Chuxi attending to the fifth princess’ two secret guards. Now that he thought about it, Ling Chuxi should have some medical skills. Perhaps she could treat his Miss’s eyes then.
Xia Zhuoyi guided Ling Chuxi and the fifth princess through the front door and into the courtyard where Ling Chuxi saw a middle-aged woman standing by the window. Her tranquil face was somewhat similar to Xia Zhuoyi’s. Although she was probably not be considered a peerless beauty, the warmth and poise she radiated made others feel comfortable in her presence.
“Zhuoyi, is that you? You’ve brought friends back with you?” called out the middle-aged lady in surprise as she saw Ling Chuxi and the fifth princess. Her gaze was a little unfocused. It seemed as though there were indeed problems with her eyes. This was Xia Rulin, Xia Zhuoyi’s mother.
“Yes, mother. These are my friends, Ling Chuxi and…” Xia Zhuoyi hesitated when it came to introducing the fifth princess as he wasn’t sure how to address her. But then, the fifth princess introduced herself.
“My name is Fu Huayi. It’s nice to meet you, madam.” The fifth princess might be an unruly person, but her upbringing as part of the royal family instilled very good etiquette in her.
“It’s very nice to meet you all. Welcome to our humble home. Elder Brother Zhong, please go quickly to buy some vegetables. I will cook some dishes in a bit. Oh, no. Perhaps you should boil some water to serve our guests tea first.” Xia Rulin seemed happy and excited over having guests and issued a stream of instructions to Zhong Xingkai to make preparations.
“Chuxi, Huayi, please take a seat.” Xia Rulin was beaming. “This child, Zhuoyi, has never brought home any friends before. He has finally brought some friends home today.”
This sentence allowed Ling Chuxi to suddenly come to an understanding. So, this was it then. Xia Zhuoyi had always been moving about on his own without anyone else to call a friend. That was why his mother was so happy at him bringing over guests today. Ling Chuxi recalled that Xia Zhuoyi was alone during the experiential training competition too.
“This child, Zhuoyi, is such a loner. He’s extremely introverted. I was worried he wouldn’t be able to make friends, but now I don’t have to worry anymore,” said Xia Rulin in a comforted tone.
“There is no need to worry anymore, madam…” replied Ling Chuxi as she looked at Xia Rulin’s smiling and happy face. Ling Chuxi’s heart was touched by this. Mother—a foreign yet warm word. No matter whether it was in this life or the last, she had never experienced such warm and motherly love. Sometimes, in the depths of her heart there was a deep admiration and sadness when it came to this.
Just call me Aunty Xia. That would be fine,” interrupted Xia Rulin with a smile.
Aunty Xia? Ling Chuxi was astonished. Right then, Xia Zhuoyi pipped up from the side, “I took my mother’s family name.”