Chapter 43: Little Rabbit

“Master, look at this little rabbit, isn’t it beautiful!” Suqing said to Ji Tianxin, her voice bubbling with excitement.

When Suqing first began serving Ji Tianxin, Master Bai had warned her that the young mistress was reserved and not like ordinary children. Suqing should speak often, coax her, and try to make her laugh. Even if she didn’t respond, it was good for her to listen.

Master Bai said that the mistress was far too lonely.

At the time, Suqing hadn’t really understood, but as she spent more time with her charge, the meaning became clear.

So, Suqing, who was proud and rarely spoke among outsiders, became as lively as a little yellow oriole around Ji Tianxin, chattering away endlessly.

At first, Ji Tianxin found the noise bothersome, but she grew accustomed to it.

Following Suqing’s pointing finger, Ji Tianxin saw a small rabbit lantern hanging on a vendor’s rack.

She rose up on tiptoe, stretching out her small hand to try and reach the rabbit.

“Your Grace, look, isn’t that the little girl?” Lin Si turned hurriedly to inform Sike Yan, who stood beside him.

But Sike Yan’s gaze was already fixed on the little girl.

Ji Tianxin’s sleeves were especially wide, and as she stretched up, they slipped down, revealing a half-length of her pale, delicate arm, glowing translucently in the sunlight.

Moreover, the sight of a little girl standing on tiptoe, reaching for something high, tugged at many hearts on the street—they all longed to dash over and fetch the rabbit for her.

She was simply too adorable!

Even Sike Yan’s eyes flashed with a rare brightness, and the corners of his lips curved into a faint smile.

Ji Tianxin had no idea her gesture had melted so many hearts; she simply wanted to see if she could take down the rabbit. But as she stretched, she realized she couldn’t reach it, and felt a bit frustrated.

Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, another—much larger—hand reached out, plucking the rabbit down with effortless grace.

“How much for this?” A gentle, elegant voice sounded behind her.

Ji Tianxin turned to see a youth, handsome as jade, smiling at her.

He looked about fifteen or sixteen, refined and distinguished, his features carrying a trace of noble bearing.

Ji Tianxin’s brows drew together slightly.

At the same moment, Sike Yan, seated in a nearby tavern, furrowed his brows in response.

“Your Grace, isn’t that…” Lin Si recognized the youth immediately.

The youth paid for the lantern, then held it out to Ji Tianxin.

“Little sister, is this what you wanted?” Duan Yu shook the rabbit in front of her, almost as if teasing a child.

But seeing that Ji Tianxin stared at him without blinking, he felt a touch embarrassed.

“Yes,” Ji Tianxin nodded, “but since you’ve bought it, and there’s no more, I don’t want it now.”

Duan Yu was caught off guard by her words, a little embarrassed himself.

“I’ll give it to you.” He placed the rabbit lantern in her hands, quickly adding, “I saw you liked it from afar, so I thought to buy it and give it to you.”

Duan Yu didn’t know what had come over him, acting so out of character in front of a child.

Ji Tianxin glanced at the rabbit now in her hands, then looked up.

Her lips parted in a slight smile, “Thank you.”

Seeing her accept the rabbit, Duan Yu couldn’t help but smile as well, his fondness for this little girl growing even stronger.

She was straightforward, unpretentious, and gracious—clearly not the daughter of an ordinary family. Yet he had no idea whose child she was.