Wolf-Raised Cub with a Space: Surviving the Disaster Years

Chapter 203: Chapter 203: Madam, Shen Siyi

Xie Suzhi’s expression stiffened for a moment.

A moment later, he explained, "The maid who used to serve my wife once mentioned that when she visited your home, you were about the same age in months as my daughter."

"Therefore, I deduced that your birthday is also in March."

When Shen Ningning heard this, her eyes sparkled like the stars.

"So I was born in March! That’s in the spring!"

Grandma Qin had told her that spring was a wonderful season when all life is reborn, full of vibrant energy.

The little one’s heart filled with joy. ’I really wish Mom and Dad could see me now,’ she thought, ’growing strong and healthy, just like a blade of grass in spring.’

Xie Suzhi smiled gently and patted her little head. "It’s getting late. Ningning, you should get some rest."

"You don’t have class at the National Academy tomorrow. Godfather will take you home and bring some gifts to visit Grandma Qin."

Shen Ningning beamed, her round, almond-shaped eyes overflowing with light.

"Okay, Godfather, Brother! Sweet dreams!" With that, she gave a little wave and went into her room.

Muchun and Wanchun curtsied before following her.

With the help of the two maids, Shen Ningning soaked in a bathtub filled with hot water.

The two maids were very proper. After some conversation, Shen Ningning learned that they were sisters from the same mother.

Muchun was the older sister, two years older than Wanchun.

In comparison, Wanchun had a livelier and bolder personality, while Muchun was a bit more quiet and refined.

As Shen Ningning happily chatted with them, she said mischievously, "Sisters, I’m going to show you how long I can hold my breath."

With that, she took a deep breath and submerged her small body completely in the tub.

Muchun and Wanchun exchanged a glance. Wanchun was the first to laugh. "Commandery Princess, you’re amazing."

However, after a little while, the little girl still hadn’t come up.

Muchun’s expression grew worried. "Commandery Princess? Aren’t you coming up?"

The little girl didn’t answer. Suddenly, her limbs went limp and she floated to the surface.

"AHH—!" Muchun and Wanchun screamed in unison, both reaching out to pull Shen Ningning from the water.

"Commandery Princess!" Muchun’s voice was on the verge of tears.

Shen Ningning’s small, rosy-white face had her eyes tightly shut.

Just then, she suddenly spurted out a mouthful of water, opened her bright, sparkling eyes, and gave a mischievous grin.

"Don’t be scared! I didn’t faint. Grandma Qin gets scared all the time when I hold my breath like this."

Muchun and Wanchun instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

The adorable Commandery Princess was so naughty. She had given them a real fright.

After her bath, Muchun gently lifted Shen Ningning out and wrapped her in a dry silk cloth.

The little girl’s skin was fair and rosy. Freshly bathed, the tips of her black hair clung to her pale little face.

Her large, limpid eyes, dotted with water droplets, gazed obediently at Muchun.

From time to time, she would lift her arms to help Muchun dress her.

She was as docile as could be.

Like a beautiful porcelain doll, quiet and still.

Wanchun had already made the bed. A pale blue Mermaid Silk canopy hung over the Huali wood canopy bed.

On the bed itself, three layers of soft cushions were laid out, topped with a thin, warm, and soft goose-down quilt.

It provided warmth without being heavy.

At the foot of the bed, a small gilt-bronze incense burner released faint wisps of calming Agarwood smoke, meant to soothe the mind and aid sleep.

All this luxury made Shen Ningning feel as if she were in a dream.

It wasn’t that she felt she didn’t deserve it; rather, the scent of the Agarwood seemed to be deeply embedded somewhere in her memory, as if she had smelled it somewhere before, long ago.

It made her feel at ease.

Muchun extinguished the candles and walked over to see the little girl lying on her side, her small hand tucked under her chubby cheek.

Her large eyes were half-open, a little drowsy and a little vacant as her mind drifted.

Muchun smiled gently and sat on the footstool. "Commandery Princess, would you like me to tell you a story?"

Wanchun came in with two Luminous Pearls and placed one in each corner of the room for light.

This was a special instruction from Chancellor Xie, who was afraid the Commandery Princess might not be used to her new surroundings and would be scared of the dark.

Therefore, there needed to be some light, but not so bright as to be glaring.

When the Luminous Pearls appeared, the room filled with a warm, magnificent glow, as if she were immersed in gentle, golden waves rippling in a soft breeze.

Shen Ningning’s voice was soft and sweet. "Sister Muchun, I don’t want to hear a story. I want to hear you talk about your past."

Wanchun also sat on the footstool, and the two maids watched over the little girl on the bed.

They both smiled, and Wanchun said, "Our mother was Madam’s dowry maid."

"Madam? That’s my godmother, right?" the little girl asked.

Muchun nodded. "The Madam was exceedingly kind and gentle. When I think of her, I feel that no beautiful word in the world is enough to describe her."

As they spoke, Shen Ningning learned that the late Madam Xie, Shen Siyi, had been a masterful physician.

The conversation continued, following the thread of Shen Siyi’s past.

According to Muchun, their mother had a difficult birth with Wanchun; it was a near-death experience.

It was Shen Siyi who, after producing a few unremarkable herbs from who-knows-where, managed to save both mother and daughter.

No matter the strange or difficult illness, for Shen Siyi, it was something that could be cured with just a few bowls of medicinal soup.

Not only that, but when Shen Siyi was alive, she was always dedicated to promoting equality between men and women.

She encouraged her husband, Chancellor Xie, to fight for fairness for women when participating in all governmental decisions.

Any woman in the Capital City who suffered domestic abuse or was cast out by her husband’s family for being unable to bear children only needed to seek out Shen Siyi, and she would intervene.

"It’s a pity. Such a good woman, yet so ill-fated." As Wanchun spoke, tears fell from her eyes.

Muchun patted her, signaling her not to forget her manners in front of the Commandery Princess.

Wanchun wiped away her tears and, trying to change the subject, said, "The Commandery Princess must be fated to be with the Master and Madam. You even share a slight resemblance to them."

Muchun sighed and chided her softly, "Wanchun!"

’Why bring up such a sore subject? The Commandery Princess’s birth parents are gone. Saying such things will only remind her of her sorrow.’

Wanchun quickly apologized. "Commandery Princess, I didn’t mean anything by it. Please forgive me."

Shen Ningning blinked her dark eyes, her pale cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.

She smiled sweetly, her dimples showing faintly. "Sister Wanchun, you don’t have to apologize. Being able to resemble Godfather and Godmother is a happy thing!"

As she spoke, she rubbed her eyes. "Mmm, I’m getting a little sleepy."

Muchun and Wanchun immediately stood up, tucked Shen Ningning’s quilt in snugly, and removed the Agarwood burner.

"Rest well, Commandery Princess. We will be taking turns keeping watch in the outer room. If you need anything, just call for us." With that, the two of them lowered the curtain and left.

After they left, however, Shen Ningning’s eyes remained open as she stared blankly at the bed canopy.

The questions in her heart swirled like unsettled dust.

’If I’m not Uncle Xie’s biological daughter, then why did I dream of being held so gently by my mother, with those calming words on the wall?’

「The next day.」

Shen Ningning did not have to attend the National Academy, so Xie Suzhi had a carriage loaded with numerous gifts to go with her to visit Grandma Qin.

Xie Suzhi also didn’t forget to reward the wolf pack, ordering another carriage full of fresh meat and large bones to follow behind.

Shen Ningning didn’t see Xie Mingxu and asked curiously, "Godfather, isn’t Brother coming with us?"

Xie Suzhi adjusted the collar of her clothes. The autumn air was cool today, and he felt that Shen Ningning was not dressed warmly enough.

"Your brother isn’t coming. He has to go to the palace today to help handle the matter of the deserters from the border," he answered with a gentle smile.

However, when Shen Ningning heard the word "deserters," she couldn’t help but bite her lower lip and nervously twist the hem of her clothes.

Their carriage rumbled away.

Not long after, Second Madam Xie, accompanied by her maid, furtively boarded a carriage and departed in the opposite direction.