Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 579: Beating Drums and Gongs to Send off the Second Watch on the Bridal Sedan (4)
"Xuan Yue, it looks like we won’t make it to the next town before the rain comes," Tian Yi said, sitting on the coach-box of the carriage, a worried expression on his face.
Xuan Yue vigorously whipped the horses and, glancing up at the already low clouds in the distance, nodded in agreement, "Yeah, there’s neither village ahead nor a place to stay behind. Nowhere to seek shelter."
"Why look for a place to stay? Look at that forest; the trees are so thick they could serve as your bed."
"Hmmph, I’ll leave that pleasure to you," Xuan Yue shot a glare at Tian Yi, who was being cheeky, and continued driving the carriage.
As they spoke, a fierce wind had risen, swirling the dust and debris from the ground. Inside the carriage, they could already hear the howling whist of the wind outside.
Feng Xuxu lifted the curtain and peered out to see that the gusting wind had begun to swirl the dry, yellow leaves. A mass of dark clouds gathered at the horizon, clearly about to unload their burden. She let the curtain fall and turned to address her half-resting companion, "Husband, it looks like it’s going to rain. We should find a place to stop."
Dugu Chen opened his clear eyes and nodded, "Alright." He paused, then called out to Xuan Yue outside, "Find a spot to stop. We’ll proceed after the rain stops."
"Yes, Master."
Xuan Yue drove the carriage into a concealed spot and stopped.
No sooner had the carriage halted, than two children along with their mother alighted, followed by Dugu Chen. He surveyed the area and found it quite suitable, with rock mounds providing a windbreak and even potential for hunting in the mountains if hunger pressed.
Quickly, Tian Yi and Di An fetched a tent from the second carriage and set to work erecting it; in no time at all, it was up.
Qiqi made a round around the tent and peeked inside, then came out beaming, draping her arms over the two of them, "You two are really capable, knowing how to do everything."
"Little Master, all this is nothing to us. We learned it by the time we were in our teens. Back when the Master was fighting battles on the field, setting up tents was our first lesson," Tian Yi boasted, his hands busy, but not forgetting to sing his own praises.
Qiqi had only heard of her father going to war at a young age, but no one had ever detailed the stories to her. Now Tian Yi’s mention stirred her curiosity further.
"Uncle Tian Yi, tell me about my father’s battles," she implored.
"I dare not speak careless words, Little Master. If you wish to know, it’s better to ask the Master himself," Tian Yi was clearly too full of himself to realize that the Little Master’s curiosity wouldn’t be easily dismissed.
Seeing Tian Yi’s reluctance, Qiqi turned to look at Xuan Yue, "Tian Yi won’t tell, you speak."
"Little Master, I cannot speak of it either."
Qiqi pouted and turned away, walking over to her father. She rubbed against his thigh and said softly, "Dad, do you like me?"
Dugu Chen looked down at the son clinging to his leg and with an imperceptible arch of his eyebrow, replied: "Of course."
"Then, then, will you answer a question for your son?" Qiqi asked timidly, looking up at her father’s expressionless face.
"I don’t even know what the question is; how can I answer you?"
"Right, oh dad, you are great, you are so incredible." First heap some praise to dazzle dad.
Dugu Chen corners of his mouth twitched: "You’ve learned from your sister how to butter dad up first, but unfortunately, it won’t work on your father," he said, shaking his head with pursed lips.
Seeing his plan fail, Qiqi’s eyes rolled as he thought of another plan, "Then, dad, what would work on you?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
"Nothing will," Dugu Chen replied.
"Hehehe, that’s where you are wrong, dad. A beauty trick would surely work on you," Qiqi revealed a sly smile, eyeing his father.
Dugu Chen’s brows furrowed, his displeasure evident, "Hmph, a beauty trick... you’d think of that."
Qiqi stuck out his little mouth, looking up at his father, who was unyielding, "Then, dad, what would it take for you to tell me about your battles?"
"Simple. If your mother bears another brother or sister, I’ll tell," Dugu Chen said calmly, his long lashes shielding the mirth in his eyes.
Qiqi rolled his then responded as if it were the simplest task, "Alright, I’ll talk to mom."
"Yes, and what will you say to her?" asked Dugu Chen, surprised at how easily his son agreed.
"I’ll tell the truth," Qiqi blinked, his face a picture of innocence as he gazed at his father.
Dugu Chen felt exasperated, casting a wary glance at his son, "Perhaps it’s best you don’t."
"Don’t say what?" Feng Xuxu arrived, holding up her dress, curious about the intense gaze between father and son.
"My lady, it’s nothing," Dugu Chen hastily interjected, fearful that Qiqi might blurt something out on impulse.
Qiqi grinned at his father’s nervous expression—so, it wasn’t about the ineffectiveness of beauty tricks; when mom appeared, dad became as docile as a lamb from Mianyang.
"Mom, you’re mighty," he declared, watching his father defiantly.
Dugu Chen laughed, a hint of mischievousness on his face, "Indeed, my son, now that you know your mother’s might, excellent! We’ll celebrate when we return to the palace with two hours of horse-stance practice every morning."
Before Qiqi’s smile could even fade, his father’s words floored him. Looking at his father’s grin, he couldn’t help but think his father was smirking triumphantly.
"Mom~"
"No need to call. Your mom will surely agree with me," Dugu Chen said, embracing his wife as he turned and entered the tent.
Qiqi, red-faced and indignant, watched as his father stole his mother away, pouting as he followed them into the tent.
"Huh, brother, you came in too?" Yueyue hopped over to Qiqi’s side, blinking in surprise. She had just seen her brother outside, and now, in a blink of an eye, he was inside the tent.
"Of course, it’s starting to rain outside. Should I stay out like an idiot and get drenched?" he snapped at his sister in a low voice.
