Five years later.
Snow blanketed the entire Imperial City in white. Perhaps because New Year was approaching, the streets bustled with people coming and going.
Ye Tangtang held a two- or three-year-old toddler's hand in her left hand, with another at her right. The two little ones looked very much alike, yet each had his own charm.
The little one on her right had round eyes and was utterly adorable. His cheeks were rosy and radiant, his lips pink and plump, his nose well defined, and his skin fair. Even his large eyes, like black grapes, sparkled with liveliness.
The little one on her left was different. His features were somewhat aloof, his figure slender and straight. Dressed in blue, he stood with his back as straight as a pine, but his exquisite little face wore no expression, warning strangers to keep their distance.
As they walked along the street, passersby turned to look, especially dazzled by the handsome couple and the two children beside them.
"What beautiful little babies. They look only two or three, and they're so adorable."
"They're just too cute. So handsome."
Hearing the voices nearby, Ye Tangtang lowered her head to look at her two darling boys. The one on her left was the older brother, Little Yuanxiao, and the one on her right was the younger brother, Little Tangyuan.
As Little Tangyuan walked, he spotted something to eat at a stall-bright red fruit-and tugged at his mother's sleeve.
"Mommy, eat o'ᆺ'o."
The little fellow lifted his big head and spoke in a soft, babyish voice.
Ye Tangtang looked up. Sure enough, her little dumpling was standing in front of a stall selling candied hawthorn skewers.
She had no idea why, but Little Tangyuan had taken entirely after her: the moment he saw food, his