Chapter 377: Beneath Kindness, Unexpected Terror Emerges
In Baihe Temple, under the introduction of Song Jicai and Zhang He, Zhao Yao met their mothers and sisters.
Zhang He’s mother was evidently a general’s wife, tall and mighty, exuding an aura of sternness and determination. From her appearance, it was clear that Zhang He’s mother had once been on the battlefield and slain enemies.
Back in the day, Zhang He’s mother often fought side by side with his father and achieved numerous military honors, becoming a renowned female general. After the establishment of Great Zhou, she no longer accompanied her husband to suppress rebellions, but instead retired to the inner quarters to care for the children and household.
Zhang He’s sister was named Zhang Yue. She was born on the night of a full moon, hence the name "Yue" (Moon). Logically, girls born under a full moon would typically have a gentle and quiet temperament, but Zhang Yue was the exact opposite. She was as reticent and emphatic as her father Zhang Gong, serious and decisive.
Song Jicai’s mother had an ordinary appearance, medium height, and a somewhat thin and weak physique. She looked gentle and amiable, but she too had been a female general, having seen battle and killed enemies.
His eldest sister was called Song Weiwei. Hearing her name, one might assume she was a gentle and serene girl, yet she was not; her nature was quite the opposite of her name. She had a rather fiery temper and wasn’t very patient.
Song Jicai’s second sister was named Song Xiaoxiao. True to her name, she always wore a kind and amiable smile, making people feel irresistibly drawn to her. In fact, she was quite a scheming girl, as Song Jicai personally expressed. Zhao Yao felt the term "devious" more appropriately described her.
Zhang He and Song Jicai’s mothers and sisters were familiar with Zhao Yao. They had seen Zhao Yao in the palace before and found him quite adorable.
Zhao Yao’s appearance was definitely appealing, especially to women.
Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Song had always lamented that their children weren’t good-looking or adorable. They longed to have children who were both beautiful and cute, but unfortunately, they didn’t have such fortune.
The image of an ideal child in their hearts was someone like Zhao Yao.
The moment Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Song saw Zhao Yao, they nearly couldn’t resist hugging him. Though they were strict in front of Zhang He and Song Jicai, they were very cordial and friendly to Zhao Yao.
Seeing their mothers suddenly behave as if they were different people, Zhang He and Song Jicai even wondered if their mothers were possessed.
Who was this person with such a tender and kind smile?
Who was speaking in such a gentle and soft manner?
Was this truly their mother?
Did their mothers perhaps suffer some brain injury rescuing Princess Consort Ying from the assassin earlier?
Shen Sen and Chu Huan were also quite frightened seeing their two aunts and three sisters being so gentle; this was definitely not the aunts and sisters they knew!
After chatting with Zhao Yao for a while, and finding him sweet-spoken and lively, Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Song liked him even more.
Zhang He quietly complained to Song Jicai, "Are our mothers putting on a play? They’re squeezing their voices when they speak."
Song Jicai couldn’t take it and rubbed his goosebumps, saying with total disdain, "Listening to them talk like this is really uncomfortable."
"Are our mothers really possessed?" Zhang He found his usually fierce mother and sister quite frightening, but discovered that now, when they spoke in a gentle tone to the eldest, they were even more terrifying. "I feel like I won’t be able to sleep tonight."
Song Jicai nodded in agreement, "I think I’ll have nightmares tonight."
Chu Huan said with amusement, "Aunts and sisters are probably afraid of scaring the eldest, so they’re acting like this..." At this, his expression momentarily turned to horror, "So gentle." Honestly, aunts being this gentle was quite terrifying.
Shen Sen wholeheartedly agreed with Zhang He’s remarks, "Today, your mothers and sisters are scarier than usual."
"The eldest isn’t afraid of them at all," Zhang He was full of admiration, "doesn’t he find them very..." As a son, he couldn’t unfilially say "disgusting."
Chu Huan exclaimed, "I’ve never seen the aunts smile so happily."
"The eldest is really impressive, making the aunts so delighted." Shen Sen’s admiration for Zhao Yao, the eldest, increased even more.
Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Song warmly invited Zhao Yao to visit their homes when he had the time and said they would personally cook their hometown dishes for him.
Mrs. Song also mentioned her dumplings were especially delicious and insisted Zhao Yao must try them.
Mrs. Zhang quickly added that her roast goose was tasty too and urged Zhao Yao to try it as well.
Zhang Yue and Song Weiwei couldn’t cook, but they could hunt. Zhao Yao could tell them directly what he wanted to eat, and they would catch it for him immediately.