Chapter 25: The World Outside

Mother Wang wiped away an imaginary bead of sweat and greeted the little one with a cheerful smile. "Little Mistress, you’ve come! Little Taro, hurry and help the Little Mistress wash her hands so we can prepare for lunch."

"Coming, Miss, let’s go." Little Taro took the little girl’s hand, and the two walked one after the other toward the old well not far away.

Mother Wang glanced at a figure hidden in the trees and gestured briefly. Then, her blade flashed with expert precision, slicing translucent, rosy-pink meat and arranging it neatly onto an exquisite porcelain plate patterned with symbols of prosperity. After drizzling it with a vibrant sauce, she skillfully carved a pink flower to place on the far left of the dish, completing a fragrant and enticing meal.

"Miss, Miss, don't run! Wait for Little Taro, wait!" Little Taro cried out. The little girl had washed her hands and darted back before she could even stop her.

The little girl paid her no mind. Was washing hands really that complicated? All that scrubbing here and there—wasn't it tedious? Didn't they hear her stomach growling?

"Mother Wang, I want to eat." Her large eyes were locked onto the porcelain plate, and her chubby hand couldn't help but reach out. Just as the delicious morsel was within her grasp, it was snatched away by a smaller hand. "Miss, you cannot."

"Why? I’m hungry." She looked aggrievedly at the stern-faced Little Taro. She was hungry and wanted meat!

Just as Little Taro was about to speak, Mother Wang chimed in, "Miss, come and sit down. Everything here is your favorite."

The chubby hand shot out like lightning, grabbing a slice of tender meat and stuffing it into her small mouth. She swallowed it whole, then looked at the bewildered Little Taro with a haughty air, clapped her hands, sat down, and picked up her chopsticks to feast.

"Miss..." Little Taro let out a mournful sigh, but the little girl was far too busy burying her face in her food. In the presence of something delicious, no one could distract her unless it was her father or mother.

Watching the little girl regain her vitality, Mother Wang felt a great sense of relief. As long as the young miss could eat and still had an appetite, it meant there was nothing seriously wrong.

After lunch, the little girl covered her mouth, hiccuping incessantly. Little Taro also covered her mouth, but for a different reason—she was afraid she might laugh out loud and annoy Lingwei.

Leaning comfortably against the large wooden chair, the little girl grew tired of her hiccups, and the thought of her missing parents suddenly surfaced. "Little Taro, do you think Mother and Father will come back?"

Little Taro lowered her hand and sat up straight. "Miss, that is certain. I believe the General and the Princess will return safely. We just need to wait for them at home."

The little girl tilted her head, watching Little Taro’s determined expression, and felt a glimmer of hope. Her father and mother were great heroes with formidable martial arts; surely no one could defeat them.

"Why am I still so small? If I were grown up, I could go find them myself."

"Miss, we are still small. Not only would we be unable to help, but we might even become a burden to them. Let us just wait obediently at home." Little Taro spared no effort in her persuasion, terrified that the little girl might run off on an impulse.

"Little Taro, what is the world outside like? Is the sky the same as it is here at the General’s Mansion?" The little girl looked up at the vast blue sky and murmured. She longed so deeply to step outside the gates, if only for a single glance.

Little Taro turned away, looking sad. After a moment, she began to recount the things she had experienced lately. When she mentioned the monkey shows happening outside, the listless little girl suddenly became energized. "Is there really a monkey show? Is the monkey just like the one in my picture book?"

"Yes, Miss, it is exactly the same as the one in your book. The General is truly amazing; he drew the monkeys perfectly." Little Taro sighed in admiration. Most of the little girl’s books were compiled by the General in his spare time, filled with various animals, plants, and people of all different skin tones.