Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 218 The Promise of Expectation

In the palace of the Nanzhao Kingdom, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows and illuminating Gu Liuli's bedroom with a bright and warm glow. Little Nan Yi and Little Nan Yao, like two joyful little deer, skipped and hopped into Gu Liuli's room.

"Mother, Mother!" Little Nan Yao's voice was clear and melodious, like birdsong in spring. Her little face was flushed from running, and her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Grandpa and Grandma told us that they will definitely take us to Jiangnan in the future!"

Xiao Nanyi followed behind his younger sister, trying his best to maintain the composure of a little man, but his eyes were also full of longing for his grandfather and grandmother: "Mother, when are we going?"

Gu Liuli put down the book she was reading, a gentle smile appearing on her face. She gently beckoned the two children to sit beside her: "Yao'er, Xiao Yi, come here quickly. We'll wait for next time. Since your royal grandparents said so, they will definitely keep their word!"

Xiao Nanyao nestled in Gu Liuli's arms, her fingers twirling the hem of her clothes, and said in a slightly coquettish tone, "Mother, I really want to hear Grandpa tell stories, and Grandma's pastries are especially delicious."

Xiao Nanyi nodded in agreement, "Yes, Mother, Grandfather also promised to teach me horseback riding and archery."

Gu Liuli gently stroked Xiao Nanyao's hair and patted Xiao Nanyi's shoulder: "When Grandpa and Grandma have time, they will definitely fulfill your wishes."

Xiao Nanyao suddenly sat up straight, her eyes lighting up as if she had thought of something very important: "Mother, I heard from the palace maid that Grandfather and Grandmother went to Jiangnan. It's so beautiful there, with lots of pretty flowers and a huge lotus pond."

Xiao Nanyi also became interested and quickly added, "Yes, and there are also small, curved boats that you can row on the river. Mother, is Jiangnan really that wonderful?"

Gu Liuli smiled and nodded: "Jiangnan is indeed a very beautiful place, with clear waters and lush mountains, and picturesque scenery. Grandfather and Grandmother must have seen many interesting things there."

Little Nanyao's eyes were filled with longing. She held Gu Liuli's hand and shook it repeatedly: "Mother, I really want to go to Jiangnan with Grandpa and Grandma. Next time they go, can we go together?"

Xiao Nanyi looked at Gu Liuli with anticipation: "Mother, I want to go too. I also want to fish in the rivers of Jiangnan and see how the fish there are different from those in the palace ponds."

Looking at the two children's innocent and adorable appearance, Gu Liuli felt a surge of affection, but also a touch of helplessness: "My darlings, Grandpa and Grandma's journey has been very arduous, and you are still young. The journey is long. Let's go together when you're a little older, okay?"

Xiao Nanyao pouted slightly, a hint of disappointment on her face, but she quickly cheered up: "Then, Mother, let's make a pinky promise. When I grow up, Grandpa and Grandma will definitely take us with them when they go to Jiangnan again." As she spoke, she stretched out her chubby little hand and hooked her little finger around Gu Liuli's finger.

Xiao Nanyi quickly reached out his hand and joined in the little agreement: "Yes, pinky promise, no take-backs allowed."

Looking at the two children's earnest expressions, Gu Liuli felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She nodded vigorously and said, "Okay, let's pinky swear. When you grow up, Grandpa and Grandma will go to Jiangnan again, and we'll go together."

Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi smiled contentedly, their faces beaming with happiness. Xiao Nanyao leaned against Gu Liuli's chest, closed her eyes, and seemed to already see herself playing amidst the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan: "Mother, when I arrive in Jiangnan, I will pick lotus flowers and eat sweet pastries."

Xiao Nan Yi excitedly described his plans: "I want to ride horses, run across the fields of Jiangnan, learn to row boats, and compete with my grandfather."

Gu Liuli listened quietly to the two children's fantasies, nodding in response from time to time. A warm scene of the family traveling in Jiangnan also appeared in her mind.

"Mother, are there gardens in Jiangnan as big as the palace?" Xiao Nanyao suddenly opened her eyes and asked curiously.

Gu Liuli smiled and said, "There are many beautiful gardens in Jiangnan. Although they are different from the gardens in the palace, they each have their own characteristics. The gardens there are full of all kinds of flowers, trees and shrubs, as well as exquisite rockeries and clear ponds."

Xiao Nanyi's eyes lit up: "When we go to Jiangnan, can we stay in a garden?"

Gu Liuli gently tapped Xiao Nanyi's nose: "When we go, Grandpa and Grandma will definitely make arrangements. Maybe we really can live in a beautiful garden."

Little Nanyao clapped her hands happily: "Great! I want to grow up quickly so I can go to Jiangnan to play!"

At this moment, Xiao Nanyi seemed to remember something, took out a small wooden carving from his pocket, and handed it to Gu Liuli: "Mother, this is a small boat that I made myself. When we go to Jiangnan, we can use it to row on the river."

Gu Liuli took the small wooden carving and examined it carefully. Although the craftsmanship was still rough, she could see Xiao Nanyi's dedication: "Xiao Yi, you are really amazing. This little boat is so beautiful."

Not to be outdone, Xiao Nanyao took out a painting from her purse: "Mother, look at my painting. This is what our family looks like in Jiangnan."

Gu Liuli took the painting. It depicted her family with childlike strokes, each with a happy smile on their face. The background was a beautiful scene of Jiangnan, with green mountains and clear waters, lotus ponds and small boats.

“Yao’er’s painting is really good. When Grandpa and Grandma return, we’ll show them this painting. They’ll be very happy,” Gu Liuli said.

Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi exchanged a glance, their eyes full of anticipation: "Great! When Grandpa and Grandma see this painting, they will definitely praise us."

In the days that followed, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao talked about Jiangnan every day. They imagined the beautiful scenery and interesting things there, and looked forward to growing up quickly so that they could fulfill their promise to go to Jiangnan with their grandparents.

One day, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao were playing in the Imperial Garden. When they saw the lotus flowers in the pond, they were reminded of the lotus ponds in Jiangnan.

“Brother, the lotus pond in Jiangnan must be much bigger than the one in our palace,” Xiao Nanyao said.

Xiao Nanyi nodded in agreement: "And the lotus flowers there must be even more beautiful. When we go, we must pick a lot of them to bring back."

Just then, a butterfly flew by, and Xiao Nanyao was immediately attracted to it. She chased after the butterfly, saying, "Brother, come and chase the butterfly! Maybe there are such beautiful butterflies in Jiangnan too."

Xiao Nanyi followed behind his younger sister with a smile. They played and laughed in the Imperial Garden, as if they were already immersed in the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan.