TSWPF -Chapter 214 Flustered

Li Qingning leaned against Li Qingling and gently shook her little head, saying it wasn’t her sister’s fault.

It was because she feared her sister would worry that she hadn’t told her.

Li Qingling reached out and ruffled Li Qingning’s little head. “From now on, Ningning, if anything makes you unhappy, don’t keep it to yourself. Come tell me, okay?”

Seeing her hesitate, Li Qingling added, “If you don’t want to tell me, you can tell Rou Rou. Just don’t bottle up your worries inside, or it could make you sick, understand?”

Fortunately, they had noticed in time this once; she could guide her emotionally and prevent any psychological issues.

To make sure something like this wouldn’t happen again, she had to remind them carefully.

Li Qingning knew her sister was worried about her. To avoid causing her sister concern, she obediently nodded.

“Good girl…”

Li Qingling kissed Li Qingning’s little head, then pulled Liu Zhirou close, half-hugging her with one arm. “Rou Rou, same goes for you. If anything bothers you, don’t keep it inside. You can tell your sister or Ningning, okay?”

Liu Zhirou’s heart was more delicate and sensitive; she was even more prone to hurt. Li Qingling worried she would bottle things up inside rather than speak up.

If left unchecked over time, small issues could grow into big problems.

Liu Zhirou softly leaned against Li Qingling, a small smile on her lips, obediently responding.

In her mind, whatever her eldest sister-in-law said was right and meant for her own good; she simply needed to listen.

Li Qingling said “good girl” to her as well and gently coaxed both of them to close their eyes and rest. Once they woke up, they would have reached the next city.

The two little ones had been frightened by the woman’s scream, keeping their nerves on edge. Now, reassured by Li Qingling’s gentle coaxing and leaning against her, they soon fell asleep.

Worried they might catch a chill while sleeping, Li Qingling reached over and gently covered them with a blanket from the carriage.

With the two little ones taken care of, she finally had time to look at Xiao Hua. She quietly asked where they were planning to go.

Xiao Hua glanced at the woman before answering in a low voice, “Miss Li, my madam and I are heading back to the capital. Are you… going to the capital too? Could we come along?”

Carrying both the young master and two women didn’t seem safe. Following Li Qingling would at least be safer. “Once we return, we’ll make sure to reward you properly.”

Hearing this, Li Qingling gave Xiao Hua a faint glance. “Little Miss Xiao Hua, you don’t need to say things like that—it makes it sound like I’m after your reward.”

Even though the woman’s attire indicated a well-off family, Li Qingling didn’t care about such matters. “Our family is going to the capital anyway; it’s just on the way.”

She couldn’t leave a recently delivered mother behind—it would trouble her conscience. This time, she decided to do the right thing all the way and send her home, though she wanted to make things clear in case anything went wrong.

Looking down at the sleeping woman, she explained the possible mishaps along the way to Xiao Hua, letting her decide if she really wanted to go to the capital with them.

While saving someone was good, it had to be done within reason.

The woman had just delivered prematurely; her body was fragile and should rest quietly, not endure a long journey back to the capital.

Seeing Li Qingling’s frank expression, Xiao Hua felt embarrassed and blushed. “I’m sorry, Miss Li. I’m not good with words. Please forgive me.”

She felt guilty for speaking carelessly; Miss Li didn’t seem like someone who would be after small gains—how could she say such offensive words?

Li Qingling wasn’t angry. She asked again if they really wanted to accompany them to the capital. If anything happened, it couldn’t be blamed on them.

After hesitating, Xiao Hua said, “Miss Li, could we wait until my madam wakes up and ask her opinion?”

Her heart leaned toward going with Li Qingling—it was at least safer.

“Of course,” Li Qingling said generously. Seeing Xiao Hua’s pale face, she added, “The little one is asleep. You can put him beside your madam and take a short rest too.”

She worried that if the woman hadn’t fully woken, the young maid might collapse too. That would only make things more chaotic.

Xiao Hua looked at the sleeping young master, shook her head, and said she wasn’t tired.

With the carriage bouncing, she feared waking him up, so it was better for her to bear the burden herself.

Li Qingling raised an eyebrow but let it go; if others didn’t follow her advice, there was nothing she could do.

She adjusted the two little ones in her arms, leaned her head against the carriage, and closed her eyes.

She had been assisting in the delivery and was already exhausted; she needed to rest too.

Not sure how long she slept, Li Qingling was awakened by the young master’s crying.

She opened her eyes groggily, seeing Xiao Hua anxious as she tried to soothe him, though he cried loudly without pause.

Rubbing her temples, Li Qingling smelled a foul odor and realized why he was crying.

“Xiao Hua, the little one has… pooped.”

“Ah?” Xiao Hua looked up blankly.

Li Qingling repeated it.

Now Xiao Hua understood and smelled the stench. “W-What should we do? There’s… there’s nothing here. How… how should we handle this?”

She felt embarrassed—the stench in the enclosed carriage was even worse.

She reached for the curtain to open it and let the smell out.

“Don’t…” Li Qingling hurriedly warned, “Your madam mustn’t catch a draft. Don’t open the carriage curtain.”

Xiao Hua hastily withdrew her hand and apologized repeatedly.

Her admiration for Li Qingling grew.

Seeing that Li Qingning and Liu Zhirou were awake, Li Qingling put the two little ones down and scooped up the crying young master.

Strangely, as soon as he was in her arms, he stopped crying.

Seeing him so obedient, Li Qingling tapped his little nose lightly and asked the coachman loudly how long until the city.

If they arrived soon, they could wait to clean him in the city.

The coachman, after asking a local, said it would take roughly two more hours.

If they waited two hours, the mess might dry.

No choice—Li Qingling had the carriage stop. She planned to clean the little one outside.

Cleaning inside would make the carriage unusable.

“Ningning, can I borrow one of your outfits for him?” she asked. The little one was wrapped in a small blanket; only one blanket remained. If used, it might get soiled again.

Li Qingning generously agreed and even handed over a new outfit.

Xiao Hua was even more moved, resolving to inform her madam and ensure proper thanks.

Li Qingling waved her off. “His skin is delicate. He can’t wear new clothes—it might chafe him. Give me something you’ve worn a couple of times.”

Pleased with Li Qingning’s generosity, she nodded approvingly.

Though usually mischievous, Li Qingning was big-hearted and generous, no wonder she was the village’s little leader.

Li Qingning promptly retrieved worn clothes and handed them over, feeling sorry for the little one who couldn’t wear new clothes.

Li Qingling took the clothes and instructed Xiao Hua to bring a fresh water pouch and handkerchief.

Xiao Hua didn’t know anything; she did whatever Li Qingling told her.

Once they got off the carriage, Liu Zhimou arrived. “Xiao Ling, what happened?”

“Nothing serious. The little one pooped. Help me clean him,” Li Qingling smiled, placing the young master in Liu Zhimou’s hands. She quickly opened the blanket and handed the handkerchief to Xiao Hua.

The moment the little one felt air, he cried again.

Startled, Xiao Hua quickly dampened the handkerchief, wrung it out, and gave it to Li Qingling.

She silently admired Li Qingling—so young, yet knowing so much more than her.

“Clothes…” Li Qingling, fearing he’d catch cold, cleaned him quickly and asked Xiao Hua for the outfit.

Once she got it, she dressed the little one efficiently.

Li Qingning’s clothes were too big, but they had no smaller ones, so they made do.

“All done. Good baby, don’t cry!” Li Qingling held him gently and soothed him.

The young master sniffled, pouted, and leaned against her, stopping his cries.

Liu Zhimou smiled. “Looks like he likes you.”

“Of course—I watched him be born. I even cut his umbilical cord! He can’t catch a draft, so I’ll take him back to the carriage. Two more hours to the city; we’ll rest there.”

“Okay…” Liu Zhimou helped Li Qingling into the carriage before returning to his own.

Li Qingling sat down inside and met a pair of calm, clear eyes.