Chapter 443: Granting a Mother and Son a Moment of Warmth

Chapter 443: Chapter 443: Granting a Mother and Son a Moment of Warmth

The moment Shen Ningning mentioned Fang Qingdai’s name, everyone present fell silent.

All eyes turned in unison to Second Master Xie.

His handsome, composed face was perfectly calm.

"Let Ningning do as she pleases. There’s no need to worry about me," Second Master Xie said.

His history with Fang Qingdai was all in the past. He couldn’t let it restrict the children’s interactions.

Since Second Master Xie had spoken, Xie Suzhi said, "On the day the tailor comes, Ningning, you can invite General Fang over. I’ll take your second uncle and your brothers out, so we won’t be home to disturb you."

That way, Fang Qingdai could be more at ease.

Shen Ningning blinked her big eyes and said with a clever, playful smile, "Why go to all that trouble? If we invite her to the house, Aunt Qingdai will refuse just to avoid any gossip."

The little girl already had a plan.

She grinned. "I think I’ll just have one of my brothers accompany me and Aunt Qingdai to Brocade Manor, the biggest tailor shop in the city, to order the clothes."

As she spoke, Shen Ningning pointed a small finger at Xu Jingxi. "Third Brother can go with me. He’s free, anyway. The National Academy has no classes these days."

Xu Jingxi froze for a moment, then hesitated before giving a gentle smile. "Alright."

Beside them, Xie Ming’an furrowed his brow. "I’m free, too. Let Third Brother stay home and study. I’ll go with you."

Shen Ningning glared with her bright eyes, full of authority. "What do you mean you’re free? You’re not free, you’re busy!"

She hugged Xu Jingxi’s arm. "I want Third Brother to go with me. You smelly Second Brother, you just go be busy."

Xie Ming’an, holding his teacup, frowned even more deeply.

’There’s a certain kind of ’busy,’ and it’s called ’my little sister thinks I’m busy!’’

Shen Ningning shot him a look, warning Xie Ming’an not to argue anymore.

She had her reasons for doing this.

Fang Qingdai missed her son, but she was afraid that visiting him often would cause gossip in the Capital City.

So, for the past five years, even though they had privately acknowledged their relationship, Fang Qingdai had been extremely restrained and never initiated contact.

If they happened to meet on the street, she was afraid to even look at him for too long, fearing it would affect Xu Jingxi.

Shen Ningning’s heart ached for the mother’s plight, so she used the pretense of getting clothes made to give her and Xu Jingxi a chance to spend time together.

Thinking of this, the little girl shook her head helplessly and sighed.

’Aunt Qingdai has to go through me just to see her own son. And why? Because there’s no mistress in this manor.’

’If only Mother were here.’

Shen Ningning had thought this countless times.

The late April sky was bright but not scorching, and a gentle breeze was blowing.

Shen Ningning and Xu Jingxi arrived by carriage outside Brocade Manor.

Fang Qingdai had readily accepted the invitation earlier and had even arrived well ahead of time.

"Aunt Qingdai~" The little girl, dressed in a lime-green skirt, was like a plump green sprout in the sunlight, brimming with vitality.

Shen Ningning hopped down from the carriage, her face a picture of rosy delight as she greeted her enthusiastically.

Fang Qingdai’s serious expression immediately softened into a smile when she saw the brother and sister.

She walked over, carrying two oil-paper packages.

"I just arrived a little while ago. I bought some candied fruit and almond junket for you ahead of time. You can have some if you get tired during the fitting."

As Fang Qingdai spoke, she cast a gentle sidelong glance at Xu Jingxi.

Upon seeing her, Xu Jingxi was exceptionally calm. He bowed politely with his hands clasped and said, "General Fang."

A wave of bitterness washed over Fang Qingdai. Shen Ningning, afraid she would let it show and be seen by the passing crowd, broke the silence between them with a cheerful tone.

"Let’s go inside and take a look! I heard Brocade Manor got a lot of Heavenly Fragrance Silk this time, and that two master artisans can dye it a golden-purple color. I have to see it!"

Brocade Manor knew Princess Funing was coming and had made preparations long in advance.

As soon as Shen Ningning’s party entered the shop, two female attendants greeted them with beaming smiles. All the staff in the shop set aside their work and greeted her in unison.

"Please feel free to choose whatever you like, Your Highness. Today, the shop is serving only you," an attendant said with a smile.

She was a regular customer at Brocade Manor. After coming into money, she had ordered clothes for all four seasons for her grandmother and herself here.

Therefore, Brocade Manor already had Shen Ningning’s measurements. The little girl only needed to pick the patterns and colors she liked, and once she decided, they would begin the design process.

In about fifteen days, the new clothes would be delivered to their manor.

With Fang Qingdai’s help, Shen Ningning chose four outfits in golden-purple, rouge, azure-pink, and stamen-yellow.

The patterns she chose were butterflies, a magpie on a branch, auspicious clouds, and the Eight Treasures motif.

After she had finished choosing, Shen Ningning showed no intention of leaving. Instead, she turned to look at Xu Jingxi, who had been standing quietly by her side the whole time.

"Third Brother, I think you need a couple of new outfits, too."

Xu Jingxi looked down at his own brand-new robes.

He couldn’t help but chuckle. "Father just had new clothes delivered half a month ago."

Fang Qingdai looked at Xu Jingxi, her eyes growing warm.

Ever since he was taken in by the Xie family, it was clear that Second Master Xie treated him well.

’He’s truly been well cared for.’

Shen Ningning said with the confidence of someone in the right, "Yes, they’re new clothes, but they’re so plain!"

"Third Brother, look around! Which of the noble young masters in the entire Capital City doesn’t wear purples and blues? You’re the only one who wears either dark brown or navy, just like Second Uncle, always picking such somber colors."

Xu Jingxi was taken aback. "Is that so? But doesn’t the Crown Prince also wear black robes often?"

Caught off guard by his retort, Shen Ningning’s rosy face flushed as she gave a little cough.

"Who says? He wears red sometimes, too."

With that, the little girl crossed her arms and played her trump card. "Anyway, your clothes are too plain. I’d be embarrassed to be seen with you. Next time, I’ll just take smelly Second Brother instead."

Xu Jingxi’s expression immediately changed, and he quickly reversed his stance. "I’ll get new clothes too."

Her objective achieved, Shen Ningning pushed Xu Jingxi in front of Fang Qingdai. "Aunt Qingdai, then I’ll have to ask you to help my third brother pick out a few outfits!"

Mothers all love buying clothes for their children.

Of course, Fang Qingdai knew Shen Ningning’s intentions and was incredibly grateful.

She looked at Xu Jingxi, a little hesitant. "Would Jingxi be alright with me helping him choose?"

Xu Jingxi’s tone was mild. "I’ll do as my sister says. I’ll have to trouble you, General Fang."

His calm and polite demeanor nonetheless made Fang Qingdai’s eyes curve into a smile.

"It’s no trouble at all, no trouble at all. You have your studies, so we must pick comfortable fabrics."

Xu Jingxi was already half a head taller than Fang Qingdai. He stood beside her, watching as she carefully selected fabrics.

The two of them exchanged a few words from time to time, while an attendant enthusiastically offered suggestions nearby.

Shen Ningning sat resting in a chair, swinging her little feet as she watched the scene, feeling deeply pleased and gratified.

’Third Brother Xu Jingxi has never known what it feels like to be cared for by a mother, and Aunt Qingdai wants to make it up to her son in any way she can.’

’I hope today will be an unforgettable experience for them.’

Just as Shen Ningning was relaxing, the troubled voice of a female attendant came from the entrance.

"I’m terribly sorry, young master, but our shop is currently attending to a distinguished guest. Please come back another day."

The other person’s voice was filled with cold fury. "I’d like to see which ’distinguished guest’ is more important than me. Move!"