Though her age was small, her desire to monopolize was very strong. Her own things belonged to her only, no one else was allowed to touch them. As her father, Wei Kun was clear about it. Hearing these words, he was naturally embarrassed to urge her again.
She didn’t agree, and Wei Zheng definitely didn’t have a good reason to demand it. Furthermore, looking at Wei Kun, it appeared that he wouldn’t assist in making a decision. He stood to the side pretending to trim the flower branches, while sharpening his ears to eavesdrop.
Wei Zheng flattened her lips and mumbled: “I’m your younger sister… You can’t give me one potted flower?”
So she knew she was the younger sister now?
Ah Luo blinked her eyes unconvinced, and went over to Wei Kun’s side to pull on his sleeve, “Daddy, Wei Zheng said she was my younger sister, but how come I’ve never heard her call me elder sister?”
Wei Kun coughed and looked at Wei Zheng.
Wei Zheng’s face flushed, this could be considered as shooting herself in the foot. She faltered for a long time, but eventually called out ‘fourth elder sister’.
Wei Luo’s lips blossomed in a smile. Finally showing mercy, she gave her a pot of fringed iris. This flower species wasn’t uncommon, one could find it anywhere. Holding the flower pot, Wei Zheng was extremely annoyed at heart. Unwillingly and with no feeling, she muttered ‘Thank you, big sister’, then turned around to run into her own room.
*
After the weather transitioned to summer, it would quickly be time for the Dragon Boat Festival (May 5).
At present, besides gardening and fishing outside, Wei Luo liked to visit Mrs. Han’s room the most. There were many strange and fantastic things in Mrs. Han’s room. According to rumors, they were all secret recipes that she had created in the palace. Bottles and jars were spread all over the dressing table, this one for soft skin, that one to whiten the skin, and more that could turn the body fragrant… Of course, there were also many things intended for a female’s intimate parts, but seeing Ah Luo’s young age, Mrs. Han didn’t explain them all to her.
Once Wei Luo completed the etiquette lessons for the day, she would come here to fiddle with the fragrant jade dew (Gyokuro) balm, trying this thing, touching that thing. Mrs. Han found it very rare for a child to be interested in these. At first she was amused, but eventually, whenever she created something new, she would pull Wei Luo along each time to try it out. Either keeping a pomander, or using an aromatic liquid to bathe with. These things didn’t only contain flower petals, but also had a few medicinal herbs mixed in. They were beneficial for the body, and wouldn’t harm a small child using them. However, in the short span of a month, Wei Luo’s cheeks became even more tender than they originally were. Though they weren’t lacking before, now it seemed as if water would squeeze out if they were pinched, rosy white, lustrous, and moist.
She was still only six years old. Once she grew up, who knew how attractive she would be.
Saying she was a young source of trouble wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
A few days before the Dragon Boat Festival, Count Zhongyi’s family paid a visit, also bringing Song Hui and Song Ruwei along. Count Zhongyi’s successor Song Baiye and his wife Madam Xu were preparing to travel back to Luoyang. Madam Xu’s mother had fallen sick, so the married couple had decided to go back to Luoyang for a visit. Due to the long distance, they didn’t plan to take Song Hui and Song Ruwei. Furthermore, after the Dragon Boat Festival had passed, it would be time to celebrate the Empress’ birthday. Count Zhongyi was already old, and it was inconvenient for him to walk around, thus Song Hui had to represent Count Zhongyi’s family and present the birthday greetings to Empress Chen. As a result, they definitely couldn’t take Song Hui to go back with them.
Song Baiye had come over this time, in hopes that the two families would visit each other more often. During the time he and Madam Xu weren’t present in the capital, Duke Ying’s residence could give more care to Count Zhongyi’s residence.