Gu Shi ultimately acquiesced to Qin Liusi's benevolence. After all, the children's father was on a path of exile, and if anything were to happen, the two sons would be the cornerstone of their third branch. Gu Shi hesitated momentarily, then addressed Qin Liusi, "Xier, Aunt San's promise of repayment in the future is akin to painting castles in the air. But enough of that. Let me say this: your kindness, your favor, is engraved in the heart of our third branch." A drop of kindness would be repaid with a spring, a principle they had adhered to since the days of her mother's and her own safety. Qin Liusi smiled faintly. "Aunt San, take good care and fortune will follow."
Gu Shi's mind cleared, a glimmer of hope sparking within. Was fortune truly on the horizon? She didn't dwell on it too much, instead instructing the nanny to bring the two sons over to present their respects to Qin Liusi. Qin Liusi was gentle with the two newborns, observing them awake and unbound, their hands resting by their lips, which brought a smile to her face. She gently took each baby's hand, placing a finger on their tiny wrists before releasing and repeating the gesture with the other. "If the children feel unwell, seek Qihuang. She has been by my side for years and is somewhat knowledgeable in medical arts," Qin Liusi advised Gu Shi. "Very well," Gu Shi nodded with a smile.
Qin Liusi bid farewell after patting the heads of the two infants. "Bao'er, escort your elder sister out," Gu Shi instructed her daughter, who had been hiding by the door. Qin Mingbao timidly approached Qin Liusi, paying her respects with a soft and timid voice, "Elder sister, Bao'er accompanies you." As Qin Liusi departed, Qin Mingbao followed behind, grasping her robe's hem. When they stepped into the courtyard, Qin Mingbao's hand instinctively reached out, catching Qin Liusi's attention. She glanced down, only to see Qin Mingbao release her grip and look up at this tall figure, a mix of admiration and gratitude in her eyes. Qin Mingbao's round face flushed red with shyness.
Before the incident at the Qin family, she had never met Qin Liusi. She had only vaguely heard from her mother about an elder sister who, due to poor health since childhood, had been fostered at the old estate. Upon finally seeing her, this elder sister was formidable, having not only saved their mother but also their two brothers. She must be a celestial sent by the heavens. Qin Mingbao knelt down suddenly, earnestly kowtowing to Qin Liusi. Qin Liusi was taken aback by this sudden gesture. Helping the girl to her feet, she inquired, "What's the matter? Why did you kneel before me?" Qin Mingbao looked up at her with admiration and gratitude in her eyes, her voice soft and tender. "Elder sister saved my mother and brothers. I have no way to repay her except to pay my respects. But in the future, when I am capable, I will surely repay you, sister. I swear it!"
Qin Liusi's smile grew richer, her sincerity deepening as she looked at the girl with her round eyes and chubby cheeks, her hair tied in a simple bun with a red string, clad in coarse fabric with a cloth belt around her waist, just like the children from the rural households, innocent yet sincere. She pinched the girl's cheek thoughtfully, then retrieved a banknote from her sleeve, handing it to her. "This is a gift from your elder sister. Keep it for yourself and use it to buy treats in the future." Qin Mingbao was astonished, glancing at the amount on the banknote, her eyes widening. She then looked up, but her sister's figure had already disappeared through the courtyard gate. Qin Mingbao took a few steps forward in pursuit, but seeing her sister gone, she returned to Gu Shi's room, handing her the banknote and recounting the encounter, feeling somewhat apprehensive. "Mother, should I return this to my elder sister?" Gu Shi looked at the banknote's value of one hundred taels, then sighed, patting her daughter's head. "You are indeed fortunate. Since it's a gift from your elder sister, keep it for yourself. But always remember this kindness and repay it a thousandfold in the future." Without that stroke of luck, how could Qin Liusi have taken notice of her? Qin Mingbao looked at the banknote, somewhat perplexed.