Chapter 170: Chapter 170: Temperament
The family walked towards Tingfeng Pavilion. By the time they arrived, having spent quite a bit of time strolling, little Li was hungry again.
Qin Xiao took them to the Piano Room, where Xiao Li sat on a low stool to nurse little Li, while Qin Xiao led Mianmian to a piano and seated her beside him as he elegantly began to play.
As Qin Xiao’s fingers moved slightly, the pleasant sound of the piano filled the room...
When the piece was finished, little Li, who had been nursing, was already asleep. Xiao Li adjusted her clothes and came over with the child, "Your son uses your piano playing as a lullaby."
Qin Xiao chuckled lightly, "I wanted to play the guzheng for you, but with both kids here, the guzheng is a bit loud, so I played the guqin instead."
Xiao Li smiled, "That’s fine. Next time, we can leave the kids in the room, and you can play for me alone."
Qin Xiao nodded with a smile, "Alright."
Mianmian, listening at the side, chimed in, "Daddy, Mommy, I want to come too. We can just put the little brother in the room."
Saying this, Mianmian rushed into Qin Xiao’s arms for a hug.
Qin Xiao and Xiao Li glanced at each other and smiled at Mianmian’s words.
Xiao Li looked down at her son, smiling lightly, "Little Li, oh little Li, you’re being left out now."
Deeply asleep, little Li responded to Xiao Li with merely a shallow breath.
Since little Li was asleep and they were tired from the walk, they decided not to go anywhere and stayed in the Piano Room instead.
Qin Xiao held Mianmian in his arms, teaching her to play the guqin.
Watching Qin Xiao teach their daughter, Xiao Li spoke, "Uncle, whether it’s guqin or guzheng, for a girl in modern society, learning it can occasionally be useful.
But why do you men need to learn it?
On regular days, I’ve never seen you play. Besides the villa, there’s not even a guqin or guzheng elsewhere in the house.
These don’t have much practical use. Why is it that it’s required at the clan school?"
Qin Xiao smiled as he explained, "The main point of learning to play the guqin or guzheng is not to use them later in life.
Rather, during the learning process, they can develop one’s temperament and character.
Nini, you’ve met some members of the Qin family’s branches in S City and here in B City too. Haven’t you noticed their distinct temperament?"
Xiao Li thought for a moment. Indeed, the Qin family members she encountered were all easy-going, with a sunny disposition, yet carried a warm vibe that made them comfortable to be around.
After the family stayed in the Piano Room for quite a while, they stood up to leave. Xiao Li glanced at the stairway, remembering the romance Qin Xiao gave her last time at Tingfeng Pavilion, and couldn’t help but smile.
Qin Xiao took little Li from Xiao Li’s arms, and seeing Xiao Li looking elsewhere, he glanced in that direction, "Want to go upstairs?"
Xiao Li shook her head, "Another day! Little Li is asleep, and it’s windy upstairs."
With one arm holding the child, Qin Xiao used his other hand to squeeze Xiao Li’s hand, "With the two little ’lights’ here, going up would ruin the atmosphere. Next time, when they’re not here, we’ll go up."
Not wanting Mianmian to understand, Qin Xiao referred to the two children as ’lights’.
Mianmian, just as he hoped, had no idea her dad once again intended to leave her and her brother behind to spend time alone with her mom.
Xiao Li nodded with a smile, "Okay, next time we’ll go up. Let’s head to the courtyard!"
Qin Xiao released Xiao Li’s hand and, holding the children properly, the family of four left Tingfeng Pavilion.
When they returned to the courtyard, little Li was still asleep, so Qin Xiao laid him on the bed to sleep. Xiao Li, feeling a bit sore from walking all afternoon, lay down on the bed too.
Lively little Mianmian was still full of energy. To keep her from disturbing Xiao Li and little Li, Qin Xiao took her out to play.
Xiao Li initially intended not to sleep but just to rest for a bit, yet lying there, she too fell asleep.
Having just given birth, her body was indeed not as strong as before. Previously, she could endure a lot!
She slept until little Li awoke, and his cries stirred her awake.
Groggily sitting up, she glanced out the window; it was getting dark, almost nightfall.
She switched on the light and then picked up little Li, feeling his diaper area. It was somewhat damp; it was time for a change.
Just as she was about to put little Li back on the bed and fetch a new diaper, the room door opened, and Qin Xiao entered with Mianmian.
Qin Xiao and Mianmian had returned earlier, but seeing the lights off and knowing Xiao Li and the baby hadn’t woken yet, they played in the courtyard and didn’t come upstairs.
Seeing the lights on from downstairs, Qin Xiao brought Mianmian up.
Upon seeing Qin Xiao enter, Xiao Li didn’t get up and asked him to fetch the diaper.
Qin Xiao washed his hands first, then brought the diaper over to change little Li.
Watching Qin Xiao adeptly handle the task, Xiao Li smiled, "Uncle, you seem to be better at changing the baby’s diaper than I am."
Qin Xiao smiled without a word, carefully adjusting the diaper’s fit and tidying the child’s clothes. Once done, he handed the baby to Xiao Li to nurse.
While Xiao Li was feeding the baby, Qin Xiao made a quick internal call, and by the time the feeding was done, dinner had been delivered.
Seeing the dinner being brought in, Xiao Li asked, "Aren’t we eating with Mom and Dad tonight?"
Qin Xiao replied with a smile, "No, I’ve asked the kitchen staff to warm the wine for Dad. Let’s let Mom and Dad enjoy their time together."
In the Qin parents’ courtyard, just as they were about to head to the dining hall, the servants arrived with dinner.
Hearing from the servants that Qin Xiao had arranged for dinner to be sent to their courtyard, Mother Qin knew they weren’t going to the dining hall either.
After the servants set the table, Father Qin chuckled upon seeing the bamboo leaf wine.
"When did they dig up the bamboo leaf wine?"
Father Qin asked.
The servant replied, "This afternoon, Second Master personally went to the bamboo courtyard to dig it up."
Father Qin nodded, then poured a small cup for himself and Mother Qin. They ate and drank, feeling quite pleased.
The next day, Mianmian was still eager to explore the manor. After breakfast, she was ready to head out again. But Xiao Li, having wandered around yesterday, felt reluctant to move today.
Qin Xiao suggested Xiao Li rest in the courtyard while he took Mianmian around.
Knowing Xiao Li was in the courtyard and not going out, Mother Qin came over.
Xiao Li was sitting in the courtyard with little Li, enjoying the sun. At this time of day, the sunlight wasn’t too harsh, just perfect.
For a baby, some sun exposure is a natural way to supplement calcium.
Seeing Xiao Li holding the baby, Mother Qin walked over to take the child, "Why not let the servants hold him? This little one is growing strong now, and holding him too much might hurt your arm."
Xiao Li laughed, "It’s fine, Mom. I’ve already completed my month-long recovery, so I don’t need to be that careful anymore."