Wen Sunian's mood was not just joyful but also tinged with a ripple of excitement, though he wasn't completely lost in an unthinking haze.
Clenching Xia Ting's hand, his voice soft and tender, he said, "Mm, I'll be responsible for Tingting, forever and ever."
Until the end of my life.
In truth, he wanted to wish for a next life, but those things were too ethereal. Rather than thinking about the illusory and nonexistent, it was better to focus on the person before him, the one who was real.
With these thoughts, Wen Sunian tightened his grip on Xia Ting's hand.
As soon as Xia Ting realized what she had blurted out, she felt a pang of annoyance. But she quickly thought that since it was already said, there was no use in being overly delicate about it.
Besides, instead of wasting time on such things, it would be better to read a bit more or write a few more notes.
Of course, reading storybooks in the morning had been quiet enough. In the afternoon, she needed to find something more interesting, something with a bit more action, so that Wen Sunian wouldn't get bored.
After her body had recovered, Xia Ting had also longed to experience the bustling world, the everyday life of the common people.
Thinking of this, Xia Ting smiled and said, "Mm, me too."
After saying this, she quickly shifted the topic to their afternoon plans: "Let's make kites. When the weather is good, we can go to the estate and fly them."
Now, in spring, the temperature was pleasant, and the wind wasn't too strong, making it perfect for flying kites.
Once the weather got warmer, they would likely become less inclined to go out or exert themselves.
Wen Sunian naturally deferred to Xia Ting in all matters. Hearing her suggest making kites, he pondered and asked, "Tingting, where do you want to start?"
Although Wen Sunian had never made one before, there was always a first time for everything, a first clumsy attempt.
If it was to accompany Xia Ting, Wen Sunian felt he would be more than willing!
But what was the first step in making a kite?
Would someone please remind him?
There really wasn't anyone!
Xia Ting also had no experience. She had only watched her sisters fly kites from inside the carriage, gazing enviously. She had never even held the materials for making a kite, let alone actually made one.
Now, if she were asked to explain, she wouldn't know how.
Then, the two of them cast their gazes of inquiry towards Chang Fu, Bao Qing, and the others.
Chang Fu: .
Don't know, next!
Bao Qing: ..
Don't know, next!
Finally, it was Aunt Chi who smiled and said softly, "I've seen other young ladies make quite a few before. I still remember some things. Shall we take it slow?"
Since only Aunt Chi in the entire room knew how, Xia Ting didn't think of asking anyone else, so they decided to figure it out as they went.
What would be the fun in succeeding on the first try? Exploring slowly was more enjoyable!
Aunt Chi had never actually made one herself, because Xia Ting didn't need it, and she didn't want to tire Aunt Chi.
Therefore, she had only watched others make them before.
Now that she was doing it herself…
She found it quite difficult.
First, there was the frame. This needed to be sturdy, otherwise, it would fall apart before it even got airborne. That would be quite something.
So, Aunt Chi was very diligent in constructing the frame, occasionally recalling how others had made them in the past.
Of course, the frame Aunt Chi was making was just a demonstration. In the end, Xia Ting and Wen Sunian would still need to do it themselves.
It would be much more meaningful to fly a kite they made themselves when they went out to play.
Otherwise, if they waited for others to bring them ready-made ones, the joy of making kites together would be lost.
So, the two of them watched very attentively.
Aunt Chi only made a simple, long strip of a frame.
"Is that a worm?" Xia Ting asked softly after a long while, unable to hold back.
Aunt Chi's frame wasn't very large, only about an arm's length. Looking at its shape and form, it did indeed resemble a worm.
In response, Aunt Chi's hands, which were tying the frame, paused slightly. Then, with a composed expression, she replied, "It's a worm."
Actually, she was trying to make a snake!
Of course, making a dragon was impossible, as it would offend royalty.
But making a snake was permissible. She had noticed that some of the people from before also made such things.
It seemed that long, slender objects were easier to get airborne?
Aunt Chi hadn't observed much, so she could only make what she had seen.
Xia Ting took a general look at the steps and key points, then prepared to start working with Wen Sunian.
Wen Sunian was also a quick learner, at least that's what he thought of himself.
So, as soon as Xia Ting said something, he followed along.
The first kite they made was naturally by imitation, a worm!
Aunt Chi: …
Fine.
A worm it is.
"Actually, I wanted to make an eagle," Xia Ting murmured softly as she imitated Aunt Chi's worm (… ).
Wen Sunian was also learning along, and they were working together.
After all, their skill levels were limited.
Hearing Xia Ting say this, Wen Sunian replied in a gentle tone, his expression doting, "Then let's make an eagle."
Aunt Chi: ?
Wait, have you even learned to make a worm yet? And you're already thinking of making an eagle?
They haven't learned to walk, and they're already planning to run?
Aunt Chi couldn't help but inwardly complain, but in the end, she didn't really say anything.
Just as Wen Sunian doted on Xia Ting and indulged her whimsical ideas, supporting the young girl in whatever she wanted, Aunt Chi also abandoned her own strict rules.
After all, whatever Xia Ting wanted, Xia Ting should have, and the young lady deserved to be pampered.
Xia Ting and Wen Sunian, one dared to speak extravagantly, and the other dared to indulge her.
The two of them hadn't even mastered making a worm, yet they were already trying to make an eagle.
The problem was, Aunt Chi didn't know how to make an eagle, which made things a bit difficult.
What should they do?
Fortunately, Chang Fu was observant. He had coaxed Bao Lu to find a servant in the manor who knew how to make kites.
It was from the Marquis's courtyard, and it was said that this servant had made kites for Xia Qin before.
It was an elderly wet nurse, an old servant of the household, whom Xia Ting naturally recognized.
However, Xia Ting remembered that Madam Su had already retired to the estate for recuperation two years ago, as she was truly quite old.
Madam Su was the Marquis's wet nurse. Her age was even greater than the Old Madam's. Before she even entered the Xia mansion as a wet nurse, she had endured many hardships.
Therefore, compared to the Old Madam, who had always lived in comfort, she appeared older.
Two years ago, the Marquis and the Old Madam had sent her to the estate to live in retirement. Her children also had land and houses there, so living closer would improve her mood.
Now, why had she returned?
Xia Ting, somewhat surprised, softly called out, "Madam Su," before asking with confusion, "When did you come back, Madam?"
Madam Su was a kind and gentle old lady, about the same height as Xia Ting, and slightly plump.
Upon hearing Xia Ting's question, Madam Su smiled and replied, "Replying to Sixth Miss, I entered the mansion this morning. It was raining, so I stayed indoors and didn't come out."
Xia Ting didn't ask further about why Madam Su had returned, as the old lady would occasionally miss the Old Madam and the Marchioness and return to the mansion for a few days.
Therefore, Xia Ting didn't pry into such matters, but rather said in a somewhat spoiled tone, "Does Madam know how to make kites?"
Since Bao Lu had found her, she should know how to make them.
Xia Ting placed great hope in Madam Su.