Chapter 53: Like a Skinned Rabbit

“Forget it, let’s just go home and eat! Xiaolian and Haizi must be waiting for us to bring news about Nan, right?” Zhang Xiaolan spoke without much thought, not expecting Li Rui to be so eager. Her stomach was already rumbling with hunger—how could she wait for him to catch and roast a pheasant for her? It would be better to return home for a ready meal.

“All right, let’s go home! Lanlan, you’d better hurry up. Hyah!”

For some reason, Li Rui felt a sudden joy in his heart when he heard Zhang Xiaolan say, “let’s go home.” Without another word, he spurred the horse to a quicker pace.

“Young master, miss, you’re finally back! We’ve been waiting for you for ages,”

In front of the Ma Xing Manor, Xiaolian and Haizi sat slumped on the threshold, their chins propped on their hands, looking listless as they waited. But the moment they heard the sound of hooves, their spirits revived. Xiaolian sprang to her feet and called out with delight, while Haizi, equally pleased, stood up, ready to take the reins as they dismounted.

“Why are you waiting out here? Isn’t it hot?”

Zhang Xiaolan glanced at the sweltering afternoon—the heat was oppressive even under the eaves. Riding out in the sun should have been worse, but the breeze on horseback made it more bearable.

“We were just worried about the situation over there! How’s Nan? Did she have a boy or a girl?”

Xiaolian had already grilled Haizi about Nan’s condition, her concern evident.

“She had a little boy, so tiny he looked like a skinned rabbit.”

Zhang Xiaolan’s odd description made Xiaolian wrinkle her nose in disbelief. Li Rui, though he hadn’t seen the child, doubted he could be as unsightly as she claimed.

“Miss! How could a newborn look like a skinned rabbit? I’ve seen my younger brothers and sisters right after they were born—they weren’t like that!”

Xiaolian voiced her skepticism. She’d been present at the birth of her siblings. They might not have been pretty, but never as bad as Zhang Xiaolan described.

“Nan’s child was premature and weak, and almost got stuck during labor. He was in the womb too long, so his whole body turned a bit purple. Of course he looked awful—just like a skinned rabbit.”

Seeing Xiaolian’s doubt, Zhang Xiaolan explained: a premature baby’s skin could appear thin and reddish, and after being trapped in the womb, the skin color changed as well.

She refrained from mentioning that the cord had been wrapped around his neck, and that he hadn’t cried for a long time after birth—otherwise, Xiaolian would only worry more.

“Oh—what a pitiful child.”

After hearing the explanation, Xiaolian finally understood. Both Nan and her baby were unfortunate indeed. In such times, it was hard enough for a full-term child to survive, let alone one born early.

“My stomach is pitiful too. Quick, make something for me and Brother Li to eat!”

Zhang Xiaolan patted her belly. She’d been starving, and with Xiaolian drawing her into talk about Nan’s troubles, now she felt ravenous.

“Everything’s ready and hot! We were just waiting for you and the young master—come in quickly,” Xiaolian said, realizing it was already past midday. They must be famished.

“Brother Li, let’s go eat.” Zhang Xiaolan grabbed Xiaolian with one hand, and with the other, tugged at Li Rui’s sleeve as they went inside.

This simple gesture made Li Rui’s heart surge with emotion. He was both elated and shy. In ancient times, a man and woman wouldn’t openly display their affection, but Zhang Xiaolan’s closeness was a clear sign of her fondness.

After lunch, Zhang Xiaolan didn’t bother with a nap. It was late enough that if she slept, she’d have to get up soon for dinner, so she decided to skip it altogether. She went to find Li Rui to return the book she’d borrowed last time, but was surprised to find him painting in his room.