TSWPF -Chapter 446 Envy

Li Qingling had no idea she had just been “given a nice person card.” At this moment, she looked utterly bewildered at Nianxia. “Nianxia, what did you just say? Am I hard of hearing?” Did she hear wrong? How could Liu Zhihao be here? Isn’t he supposed to be stationed at the border?

Unable to contain herself, Nianxia repeated the words, making sure Li Qingling clearly understood—it really was Liu Zhihao who had come.

She quietly took a breath and waved Nianxia off, signaling her to leave. She would pass the news along to Liu Zhimou herself.

Sitting in her chair, she lifted her teacup and slowly drank a cup of tea, gradually calming her emotions.

Liu Zhimou came out after changing clothes, and the first thing he saw was Li Qingling, lost in thought.

He raised an eyebrow, walked over, slightly bent, and looked at her. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?” He noticed her furrowed brows and troubled expression.

Li Qingling put down her cup, looked up at him, cleared her throat, and said, “Your cousin is here.”

“Cousin?”

Which cousin?

Before Liu Zhimou could ask, Li Qingling added, “Liu Zhihao.”

“Him?” Liu Zhimou raised his brow in surprise. “How does he have time to come here?” Generals stationed at the border couldn’t leave their posts casually. How could he come here? Isn’t he afraid the Emperor would scold him?

A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind as he pinched Li Qingling’s cheek gently. “Don’t worry. I’ll go see him.”

Li Qingling softly acknowledged him with a hum, then reminded him to ask if Liu Zhihao planned to stay the night. If he did, she would arrange everything properly.

Liu Zhimou gently stroked her cheek. “Don’t worry. After I ask, someone will come back to inform you.”

Li Qingling responded with another hum.

He kissed her forehead and told her to rest. Only after seeing her nod did he leave, reassured.

Striding into the main hall, Liu Zhimou immediately noticed Liu Zhihao sitting there. Truly befitting a general stationed at the border—just sitting casually on a chair, he exuded a commanding, chilling presence.

“Big brother, what are you doing here?”

Liu Zhihao looked at Liu Zhimou. “I was ordered by the Emperor to return to the capital, and on the way through Ninghua County, I decided to stop by and see you all.”

Seeing his cousin here, thriving in Ninghua County, must have put their grandfather at ease.

In fact, as soon as this cousin returned to the Liu family, he had lost his grandfather’s favor. From the letters their grandfather wrote him, it seemed he wished he could watch over this cousin every day to make up for the lost years. If he weren’t restricted from leaving the capital, he would have come long ago.

“You must have had a long journey. Have you eaten?”

Liu Zhihao said he hadn’t. Liu Zhimou instructed the servants to prepare something simple to eat and fill his stomach.

Liu Zhimou glanced at him, then stood and left. After finishing instructions for the servants, he returned to sit and carefully observe Liu Zhihao. Judging by his travel-worn appearance, he had clearly been on the road continuously, with little rest.

“Big brother, do you want to freshen up before eating?”

Liu Zhihao shook his head. “No, I’m used to it.”

“Don’t you want to hold your niece?”

At this, Liu Zhihao paused. His main reason for coming was to see his niece, so that when he returned to the capital, he could tell their grandfather and ease his mind.

He raised his arm and sniffed. After several days without bathing, he did smell a bit unpleasant.

“All right, then arrange a room for me. I’ll freshen up.”

To meet his niece properly, he had to clean up first.

Seeing him agree so readily, a hint of amusement flickered in Liu Zhimou’s eyes. Indeed, Xiaoxiao had quite the charm—enough to make a general like Liu Zhihao obedient.

Liu Zhimou led Liu Zhihao to Liu Zhiyan’s courtyard and arranged a room for him to freshen up.

After Liu Zhihao entered, Liu Zhimou sent servants to summon Li Qingling and the others to the dining hall to meet Liu Zhihao.

For someone used to military expeditions, speed was everything. In less than a quarter of an hour, Liu Zhihao emerged from the room, leaving Liu Zhimou astonished. Was he that fast? Had he even cleaned properly?

His eyes subtly scanned Liu Zhihao, noting his neat appearance—he must have washed.

“What are you looking at? Thinking I’m more handsome than you?”

“….”

Liu Zhimou had seen narcissists before, but never someone so full of himself. He almost rolled his eyes, forcing a fake smile. “Truly, I’ve never seen anyone as handsome as big brother, I really admire you.” Black, almost reflective hair… handsome?

Liu Zhihao snorted and strode forward, asking Liu Zhimou if he had brought his niece.

“She’s in the dining hall waiting,” Liu Zhimou replied.

Upon entering, they saw a circle of people seated. Everyone except Mr. Luo stood to greet Liu Zhihao.

Liu Zhihao smiled faintly in response.

His eyes were glued to the little one in Li Qingling’s arms. He clenched and unclenched his hands behind his back, finally clearing his throat and asking Liu Zhimou to hand over his niece.

If it weren’t for keeping distance from his sister-in-law, he would have rushed forward already.

Liu Zhimou chuckled, took the little one from Li Qingling, and walked to Liu Zhihao. “Reach out your hands.”

Liu Zhimou shook his head after looking at her. He didn’t want to hold her himself—this tiny bundle was so soft and small, he feared hurting her.

“What’s the matter? Don’t want to hold our little girl because she’s a girl?” Liu Zhimou feigned annoyance at Liu Zhihao.

“Of course not!” Liu Zhihao shook his head frantically. He’d never seen such a beautiful child—perfectly inheriting the best traits of her parents.

Liu Zhimou, unashamed, said, “Naturally.” “Xiaoxiao, this is your uncle Liu Zhihao. Do you want to be held by him?”

Upon hearing this, Xiaoxiao giggled and reached out to Liu Zhihao, lunging forward.

The sudden move startled him, and he quickly caught her.

Once in his arms, Liu Zhihao froze, afraid to move. This little soft bundle was too fragile.

Xiaoxiao shifted slightly to get comfortable, then lifted her head and looked at Liu Zhihao with wide, round eyes.

After a moment, she glanced at Liu Zhimou, then back at Liu Zhihao, letting out two little “ah” sounds.

“What… did she say?” Liu Zhihao asked Liu Zhimou, earnestly.

Liu Zhimou gently patted her head and explained with a smile, “Xiaoxiao said we look a bit alike.” Liu Zhihao and he did resemble each other somewhat. No wonder the little one felt close to him.

“Smart girl,” Liu Zhihao relaxed, his usually stern expression softening.

Xiaoxiao giggled, reaching her little chubby hands toward Liu Zhihao’s face, pressing her mouth against it and smearing a bit of saliva—an act of affection.

Naturally, this made Liu Zhihao tense again. He had never been this close to anyone, and he felt a bit at a loss.

His usual chilling aura could intimidate both adults and children alike. He had never experienced a child approaching him so boldly.

This was a first.

“This is how Xiaoxiao shows she likes someone. Looks like she really likes you, Uncle,” Liu Zhimou said, a twinge of jealousy in his heart. “Xiaoxiao, daddy’s here. Want daddy to hold you?” He reached out to take her back.

Unexpectedly, Liu Zhihao stepped aside and swiftly left the dining hall.

“….”

Was his big brother trying to snatch his daughter? Liu Zhimou panicked and rushed after him.

Xiaoxiao thought he was playing with her. Seeing Liu Zhimou coming, she giggled excitedly.

Seeing Liu Zhimou almost catch up, Liu Zhihao activated his light-footed skill and leapt into the air.

Unexpectedly, Xiaoxiao got so excited she kept giggling. Whenever he paused, she protested, patting his hands, urging him to continue flying.

They played like this for an hour. Only when Xiaoxiao tired did they stop.

“Xiaoxiao is brave,” Liu Zhihao remarked. A true Liu family trait.

For the first time, Liu Zhimou realized Xiaoxiao liked being flown around by others. He scooped her up, gently wiping sweat from her forehead. “Hungry from playing? Huh?” Her cheeks were rosy from excitement.

Xiaoxiao smiled at Liu Zhimou and raised her hands toward Li Qingling, making happy noises.

Li Qingling smiled, took her, and led her away for milk.

Liu Zhihao, observing Li Qingling thoughtfully, turned to Liu Zhimou. “Didn’t you hire a wet nurse? I don’t see one around.”

“No,” Liu Zhimou shook his head. “She’s fed personally by her mother. Don’t assume it’s because of money—we just choose not to hire one.” He immediately saw through Liu Zhihao’s thoughts.

“Why?” In his experience, only poor families fed their children personally. Wealthy families in the capital always hired wet nurses.

Liu Zhimou explained further.

After listening, Liu Zhihao looked at Liu Zhimou deeply. No wonder the little one was so close to her parents…

He felt a twinge of envy. His cousin had a lovely wife and child by his side. Life seemed so happy.

Liu Zhimou patted Liu Zhihao’s shoulder and laughed. “Feeling envious of my precious daughter, aren’t you?”