Chapter Thirty-Seven: Greetings, Cousin
The Ancestress looked at Tao Ming with worry filling her eyes and opened her mouth to speak, but Tao Ming forced a smile to reassure her.
The Seventh Prince offered comfort, saying, “Grand Matriarch, the Saintess is a blessing to Weishui. Heaven will surely protect her, you need not worry.”
The Ancestress could only nod and echo his words.
The Seventh Prince, unwilling to delay further, declared, “Let us depart.”
Immediately, attendants stepped forward to lift Softie, who was startled and clung tightly to Tao Ming’s leg, refusing to let go.
The Seventh Prince’s lips curled in a faint smile. “Let the Saintess be cared for by her mother.”
“Thank you,” Tao Ming replied, ever perceptive.
With one child in each arm, she followed behind the Seventh Prince. From behind, she heard the Ancestress quietly say, “Mingming, let Xiahe and Dongxue accompany you.”
The Seventh Prince turned back, “That won’t be necessary. There will be attendants to serve the Saintess along the journey.”
The Ancestress fell silent.
The Seventh Prince walked at an unhurried pace, making it easy for Tao Ming to keep up, though the grand procession trailing behind made her uneasy.
They left the long street, coming to an open space where several carriage-like vehicles waited. The carriages were made from unknown woods, complete with doors and windows. The foremost carriage was particularly large, its entire body a dark purple hue. Tao Ming estimated it to be about fifteen meters long, ten meters wide, and five meters high—a veritable moving house.
But there were no animals harnessed in front to pull it. How would it move?
As she pondered this, a group of guards led several horses forward, their bodies pure white and each sporting a single horn on its forehead. Softie exclaimed, “Mom! Mom! It’s a unicorn from My Little Pony!”
The Seventh Prince, hearing this, turned his head. “In the other world, do you call Longma ‘unicorns’?”
Tao Ming was about to respond, but Softie piped up, “Uncle, this is a unicorn.”
The Seventh Prince smiled, “The Saintess calls me uncle, but that’s not quite right.”
Tao Ming felt a surge of doubt, and Softie asked, “What is ‘uncle’?”
Tao Ming wanted to bang her head against the wall and quickly signaled Softie to say no more.
The Seventh Prince, watching Tao Ming’s frantic gestures, remarked, “The Saintess is so innocent and adorable, I won’t mind.”
Tao Ming was unsettled by his use of “I” when referring to himself.
The Seventh Prince boarded the carriage first. Tao Ming looked around, uncertain.
“Come aboard!” the Seventh Prince called out in surprise.
Tao Ming shivered, “It doesn’t seem appropriate.”
The Seventh Prince chuckled, “You ought to call me cousin.”
Tao Ming was dumbfounded.
The Seventh Prince offered his hand. “For safety, let’s travel in the same carriage.”
Tao Ming ignored his hand, first helping the two children onboard. She braced her right hand on the edge and vaulted up herself. Aside from nearly tripping on her skirt, her movement was quite graceful.
Inside, the carriage was cool and comfortable, divided into two sections. The front half spanned the width of the carriage, while the rear was split into several rooms.
The front section was clearly a sitting room, as wide as the carriage and about five meters deep. The wooden walls were decorated with intricate designs: a figure stood atop a tall altar, kneeling crowds surrounding, as if some mysterious ritual was underway.
There were two windows on each side, draped with gauze curtains.
The floor was covered with a thick carpet, and at the center stood a low table resembling a tea table, set with tea ware and several plates of pastries.
Softie cheered, kicked off her shoes, and ran to grab the snacks.
Tao Ming felt a headache coming on but could do nothing. She helped Nuonuo remove her shoes and sent her to join Softie. Then she placed their tiny shoes neatly at the edge of the carpet, took off her own, and joined them. Kneeling was uncomfortable, so she sat cross-legged instead.
The Seventh Prince watched Tao Ming’s movements, smiled, and removed his own shoes, seating himself across from the three.
Someone called from outside, “We depart!”
The carriage began to move, gradually picking up speed, yet remained steady. Tao Ming thought the shock absorption was impressive.
Softie, eating, said, “Nuonuo, try this one, it’s delicious.”
Nuonuo, with a mouthful, pointed at another plate and mumbled, “This one’s good too.”
Tao Ming felt awkward, thinking she hadn’t neglected these two little ones at home.
The Seventh Prince, seeing Tao Ming’s embarrassment, interjected, “These pastries are made by the Imperial Kitchen. You won’t find them anywhere else.”
Tao Ming had no retort.
The Seventh Prince smiled, “You needn’t be afraid of me.”
Tao Ming remained silent.
The Seventh Prince smiled again, “I heard you returned from another world?”
Tao Ming replied expressionlessly, “Yes.”
“Aren’t you curious how I know?”
Still expressionless, Tao Ming said, “Not curious.”
The Seventh Prince grinned, “The other world must be interesting, to raise such an intriguing woman as yourself.”
Tao Ming’s lips twitched. She thought to herself, I’ve already met one man as sheltered as you.
The Seventh Prince continued, “Your father is Qin Siyu?”
Tao Ming nodded.
“My mother is Qin Siyu’s sixth sister. You should call me cousin.”
Tao Ming calculated mentally: his mother was her father’s sister, making her his aunt. He was indeed her cousin.
But aloud, she said, “That wouldn’t be appropriate.”
The Seventh Prince spoke softly, “Why not? We are family.”
Tao Ming thought, Who’s family with you? I’m a native Earthling.
“Very well, cousin, hello.” Tao Ming didn’t want to argue further.
The Seventh Prince’s joy deepened, “Is ‘hello’ how you greet in the other world?”
Tao Ming suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. “Yes.”
“Hello, cousin.”
......
Once the procession had turned the corner and disappeared from sight, the Ancestress swayed unsteadily. Madam Li hurried to support her, whispering, “Let’s go back.”
The Ancestress nodded, allowing herself to be led into the manor.
Back in Qiluo Courtyard, the Ancestress sat and rested for a long while before asking, “Madam Li, did you send word to Sisi yesterday?”
Madam Li replied, “Don’t worry, I handled it personally.”
Chuncao hesitated, then said, “Ancestress, the young masters are still waiting outside.”
The Ancestress sighed, “Let them go home for now.”
Chuncao answered and stepped outside, “The Ancestress has spoken. Gentlemen, please return home.”
The crowd dispersed.
The Ancestress sat for a while longer before saying, “I didn’t expect them to leave so hurriedly—they didn’t even enter the manor, nor allow anyone to attend them. I simply can’t rest easy.”
Madam Li comforted, “Miss Cousin seems clever, and the two young ladies are very bright. They’ll surely be safe.”
“I hope so.”
......
On the carriage, Tao Ming continued her half-hearted conversation with the Seventh Prince. After the two little girls were full, they clamored for toys. Unable to refuse, Tao Ming produced some simple wooden toys. Softie, somewhat sullen, took one and played quietly.
Softie relayed to Nuonuo, “Why won’t Mom give us the cooking toys?”
“Because there’s a stranger here.”
“Shall we drive him away?”
“No, Mom would be in danger. We have to protect her.”
“All right then, I’ll listen to you.”
......
Tao Ming watched the two quietly conspiring, feeling a strange calm. Was something happening she didn’t know about?
The Seventh Prince noticed Tao Ming’s gaze lingering on the children and smiled, “You value them greatly?”
Tao Ming pursed her lips, “What mother doesn’t value her children?”
“Most people value sons over daughters. You are different.”
Tao Ming snorted, “Sons aren’t as close as daughters.”
The Seventh Prince rested his head on his left hand, idly fiddling with his teacup, “That’s true, but most do not think so.”
Tao Ming replied offhandedly, “What others think has nothing to do with me.” In truth, she wanted to say, “None of my business,” but restrained herself for the children’s sake.
The Seventh Prince was silent for a moment, then said, “I wish I could visit the other world.” He stared intently, awaiting her reaction.
Tao Ming’s face remained impassive, “Go if you wish. Why are you looking at me?”