Widowed for Five Years, the Widow is Pregnant with the Emperor’s Child

Chapter 214

“Not going back!”

Little Mingyang refused without a second thought, turned around with her hands behind her back, and started to strut away with an imposing air.

She hadn’t had enough fun yet.

But after taking several steps with her little short legs, she was still in the same spot.

Little Mingyang twisted her head to glare at Lu Yuanduo, who was holding her by the collar. “How dare you!”

How dare he stop her from moving forward!

Lu Yuanduo looked down at the little one, who only reached just above his knees. After a moment’s thought, he decided not to let go of the hand gripping her collar, lest the little one lean back and lose her balance.

“Mm, your minister dares indeed.”

Her gaze landed right on the jade pendant tied at his waist. Little Mingyang’s big, jet-black eyes stared at it intently, like glossy grapes.

Lu Yuanduo: “Does the princess like this jade?”

Little Mingyang nodded and blinked. “It’s pretty.”

Lu Yuanduo swiftly untied the jade pendant and handed it to her. “Then I’ll give it to the princess.”

The ring-shaped jade was a bit smaller than an adult’s palm, but to three-year-old Little Mingyang, it was too big for one hand to hold; she could barely grasp the knot.

Seeing this, Lu Yuanduo squatted down, tied the pendant around her waist, and continued, “The princess ran off on her own, shaking off the attendants. If I’m not mistaken, if you don’t go back now, you might not be able to come out again later.”

As he spoke, faint voices from the palace attendants could be heard in the distance: “Princess! Princess!”

A hint of guilt flashed across Little Mingyang’s little face. She stretched out her arms and said pleadingly, “I’m tired. I want to be carried.”

Lu Yuanduo sighed, then bent down and lifted the spoiled little princess.

The three-year-old princess was much lighter than her older brother had been at that age; she felt like a ball of cotton in his arms.

Lowering his gaze to her eyebrows and eyes, which resembled her mother’s, Lu Yuanduo’s expression was a mix of helplessness and affection.

The little one looked like her, but her temperament was nothing like hers.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his face. Little Mingyang had grabbed his beard and yanked it, then quickly pulled her hand back, mumbling an excuse: “The Grand Tutor has a beard, but my father doesn’t.”

“Father looks younger than the Grand Tutor.”

He paused at that, then Lu Yuanduo explained calmly, “His Majesty is a year older than your minister, but he doesn’t grow a beard, so he looks a bit younger.”

He grew his beard to appear dignified and stern, unafraid of looking older, but her father—well, that was another matter.

...

Half an hour later, Lu Yuanduo delivered Little Mingyang to the Zichen Hall.

Jiang Fusheng, who had been pacing back and forth at the hall’s entrance waiting for news, let out a sigh of relief when he saw them, dashing over, “Oh, my little princess! Where have you been?”

Little Mingyang patted Lu Yuanduo on the shoulder, and he set her down.

Standing on the steps, the little girl glanced toward the main hall and whispered, “Eunuch Jiang, are my father and mother inside?”

Jiang Fusheng bent down, flicked his whisk, and smiled warmly, “Yes, the Emperor and the Empress were worried sick when they heard the princess was missing!”

Little Mingyang blinked, a flicker of unease dawning on her. She asked again, “Is my elder brother here too?”

Jiang Fusheng nodded, “Naturally, the Crown Prince is also inside.”

At that, Little Mingyang let out a tiny sigh of relief. She climbed two more stone steps, then turned back and grabbed Lu Yuanduo’s hand. “The Grand Tutor should come too and explain to my father and mother.”

With an outsider present, her parents would surely hold back.

The corner of Jiang Fusheng’s mouth twitched. This would not do—dragging him along might make things worse. His Majesty would not appreciate the Grand Tutor showing up before Her Majesty.

Lu Yuanduo knew this well. He hesitated for a moment, ready to refuse: “Princess...”

“Little Treasure!”

A ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‍clear, urgent voice rang out. Yun Wan rushed out from the hall and down the steps, her eyes scanning her daughter from head to toe. “Where did you go? Why are you such a mess?”

Not only was her dress covered in dust and grass clippings, but her neatly styled hair was all disheveled, and of the two symmetrical flower pins, only one remained.

Realizing her mischief had worried her mother, Little Mingyang lowered her head, fiddling her fingers, and said sheepishly, “I hid a little too far away while playing hide-and-seek.”

“A little too far? You’ve already learned to play with words.”

Yun Wan was both annoyed and amused.

Lu Yuanduo glanced at her only once before lowering his gaze, burying the restraint and forbearance deep in his heart, forcing himself to look away as he stood quietly to the side.

Emperor Jingxuan arrived a moment later, his sharp eyes narrowing. “How does Grand Tutor Lu come to be here?”

After confirming that the child was safe, Yun Wan noticed the person standing nearby. When she saw it was Lu Yuanduo, a flicker of surprise crossed her face.

Lu Yuanduo bowed in explanation: “Your minister happened to meet the princess on the way. Assuming that Your Majesty and the Empress must be anxious for word of the princess, I escorted her here personally.”

He recounted the whole story. Emperor Jingxuan’s brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed as he responded calmly, “Thank you for the trouble, my minister.”

Lu Yuanduo: “It’s hardly a bother. Your minister still has important matters to attend to, so I take my leave.”

He withdrew, his gaze subdued, burying every emotion deep in his heart, reverting to the stern, aloof Grand Tutor he was in public.

The only thing he could do with his life was to devote himself fully to assisting the child he had watched grow up.

--

Inside the Zichen Hall, Little Mingyang tucked her hands into her sleeves and peeked up at Yun Wan, who was frowning. “Mother! Mommy! Empress, Little Treasure is sorry.”

She took a tentative step forward, and upon receiving encouraging looks from her father and brother, she darted over and burrowed into Yun Wan’s embrace:

“Little Treasure won’t ever run off alone again leaving the attendants behind. I know I was wrong. Will you forgive me, Mother?”

Seeing that her mother didn’t push her away, she wrapped her arms around Yun Wan’s neck, pouted, and began peppering her with kisses, her little voice soft and sweet: “Or maybe you should punish me, Mother? I really, really like you!”

Yun Wan nearly broke into a smile but forced her lips into a straight line. “Hmph, I wouldn’t dare punish you, lest your father and brother start feeling sorry for you.”

At those words, the two of them exchanged looks.

“We won’t feel sorry! We won’t! Little Treasure listens to Mother! Whatever Mother says goes!”

Little Mingyang shook her head, pressing her soft, chubby face against Yun Wan’s and nuzzling, the sweet nothings flowing nonstop.

With her daughter’s relentless charm, all the anger in Yun Wan had already flown out the window.

She didn’t know who the little one took after—as long as she opened her mouth, she could charm anyone into a daze, making them willing to give her their all.

Just as Yun Wan was about to cave, Emperor Jingxuan interjected at the perfect moment: “My lady, Mingyang is still young. How about sparing the spanking on her palm? Punish her in some other way?”

Sui shot him a look.

Emperor Jingxuan raised his chin, looking perfectly composed.

How could a rough-and-tumble boy and a delicate, soft-skinned girl be the same? The moment his daughter pouted, he couldn’t bear it.

Sui was speechless. He smoothed his sister’s tangled hair and said gently, “Mother, why not punish Little Treasure by letting her go three days without snacks to teach her a lesson?”

Her addiction to treats made this punishment steep, in his book.

But Little Mingyang held up her five chubby fingers: “Five days! Mother, punish me for five days without pastries, okay?”

Knowing she had done wrong today, she decided to impose two extra days on herself, mostly to show her mother her genuine repentance.

Little Mingyang pressed her chin to Yun Wan’s chest, lifted her pink, plump face, and feigned innocence.

Yun Wan raised an eyebrow, pretending to be stern. “Did you say that yourself?”

“Mm!” Little Mingyang nodded solemnly. “I won’t sneak any snacks!”

At most, she’d sneak a peek at the candied fruits and sweets she had stashed away.

Little did she know that Yun Wan had already seen through her little scheme. Without a backward glance, she had someone empty the box where her daughter hoarded her snacks.

Now the little one was still giggling, "Mommy! Mommy! Little Treasure loves Mommy the most!"

Yun Wan supported her waist to keep her from falling, but her palm touched something icy cold. She pulled it out and found it was a ring-shaped jade pendant.

She examined it carefully and couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Where did this jade come from?"

Yun Wan was certain this wasn't her daughter's possession.

Xiao Mingyang: "From Grand Tutor Lu. It's pretty, so he gave it to me."

After a day full of too many events, she was now drowsy. She glanced at the jade pendant, pushed it toward Yun Wan, waved her little hand grandly, and said, "Mommy, do you like it? I'm giving it to Mommy!"

But another, much larger hand snatched it away first: "I think this jade is quite fine. Little Treasure, why not give it to your Imperial Father instead?"

Emperor Jingxuan never put on a stern face with his daughter, his brows and eyes full of smiles.

Xiao Mingyang barely opened her eyes, "Alright then, it's for Imperial Father. You must take good care of it, okay?"

Emperor Jingxuan nodded, but his smile didn't reach his eyes: "Mm, Imperial Father will."

Sui: He could hear the sound of gritted teeth.

A few days later, Emperor Jingxuan ordered Yongzhang Palace to be completely sealed off, with no one allowed to enter or leave freely. Palace attendants delivering meals only needed to place the food at designated spots and were not to enter.

In the side room of Yeting Palace, when Fuling arrived, Xiao Cui was sitting in front of the bed, gritting her teeth and massaging the bruises on her shoulders.

She had no money to buy medicinal wine, so she could only rub it raw, trying to work the bruises away.

Hearing that Auntie Fuling, the empress's attendant, was looking for her, she didn't dare to be negligent. She quickly straightened her clothes and went out.

At this moment, quite a few people were gathered around out of curiosity, the one in front, nodding and scraping obsequiously, being the supervising old matron.

Fuling's gaze fell on the thin girl in front of her: "You are Xiao Cui?"

Xiao Cui nervously nodded.

Fuling directly stated her purpose: "The Qiyun Palace is short a little maid for sweeping and cleaning. Are you willing to go?"

Hearing this, Xiao Cui was stunned, then immediately nodded: "Yes! This servant is willing!"

Fuling slightly nodded and handed her a bottle of medicinal wine: "Use this. After your injuries heal, pack your bundle and report for duty at Qiyun Palace."

As she drew closer, she said in a low voice, "It's all thanks to the little princess mentioning you specifically in front of Her Majesty. You did very well that day too, by not actually taking the little princess to that place."

Xiao Cui's heart shook, and she understood instantly: "This servant will swear lifelong loyalty to Her Highness the Princess!"

Fuling was satisfied. This one was clever.

The others watched with envious eyes. Xiao Cui had turned misfortune into a blessing; she was about to climb the social ladder.

........

Time flew like a white horse passing a crack, and the sun and moon flowed like a shuttle.

In the twenty-fifth year of Jingxuan, after the northern tribal people were defeated in battle, their largest tribe voluntarily submitted to the Great Qi. Trade between the two ethnic groups flourished, the nation was peaceful and its people secure, ushering in an unprecedented era of prosperity.

It happened to be the year Sui turned sixteen. Emperor Jingxuan intended to temper his son, so in the third month of spring, after Sui's birthday had passed, he issued an edict announcing an imperial inspection tour south. He specially ordered the Crown Prince to oversee state affairs.

And on the very day the imperial decree was proclaimed, he took Yun Wan and boarded the official boat heading down to Yangzhou, leaving Sui clutching the edict, nearly grinding his teeth to pieces.

Xiao Dezi, now Eunuch De by the Crown Prince's side, said with a smile, "Your Highness, before His Majesty departed, the unapproved memorials have all been placed on His Majesty's desk. You only need to reach out your hand to approve them."

Sui didn't even glance at the pile of memorials. "And Little Treasure? I haven't seen her in the last couple of days. Is she out playing beyond the palace again?"

Now ten years old, Xiao Mingyang was no longer content to stay within the palace and often ran outside the palace to play with people.

Eunuch De lowered his head and said quietly, "The little princess is probably already on the boat Their Majesties are traveling on."

"This is the note the princess left for Your Highness."

He quickly pulled out the note Xiao Mingyang had left from his sleeve.

Sui unfolded it and saw the paper boldly scrawled with—

Elder Brother, rest assured as you oversee state affairs. When your little sister returns, she will recount the customs and scenery of Jiangnan for you!

Little Treasure leaves this. Heehee.

Thinking of his clever and mischievous little sister, Sui could only smile helplessly.

He carefully folded the note and placed it into a bamboo tube on his desk, not forgetting to order:

"Pass word to Mother and Imperial Father saying that Little Treasure has gone missing."

If he didn't remind them, counting on His Majesty, who only wanted to enjoy a world of two with Mother, to discover that Little Treasure had secretly followed them, would probably take until Little Treasure herself couldn't hold back and appeared before them.

In that case, who knew how many days would be wasted? Not only would Little Treasure suffer hardship, but Mother would also be worried and frightened afterward.

He had seen through it all: the older Imperial Father got, the more possessive he became of Mother.

…….

On the Grand Canal heading south, a vast and magnificent official boat sailed majestically along the river. The boat had three levels in total, like a behemoth, and both inside and out were guarded by imperial guards in plain clothes.

The official boat did not prohibit cargo or merchants, but the third level was off-limits to everyone. Sharp-eyed observers guessed that there must be a very important figure on this boat.

How important a figure it was, they had no way of knowing, but what they could be sure of was that the boat was very safe.

In the central cabin on the third floor, Yun Wan leaned against the man's broad, strong chest, gazing at the sparkling surface of the river outside the window. Her face, as lovely as peach and plum blossoms, wore a calm and placid expression.

Emperor Jingxuan caressed her cheek and asked softly, "Still sleepy?"

Yun Wan shook her head: "Not sleepy anymore."

During the first two days on board, Yun Wan hadn't adapted well to the river surface and had slept dizzily for two days. Only today had she recovered her spirits.

"After so many years away, I wonder what Yangzhou looks like now?" she sighed.

For various reasons, even as Empress, Yun Wan had not found the right opportunity to return to Yangzhou all these years. Unexpected events would often arise just as a trip was in the works.

At first, Yun Wan would feel disappointed, but later she came to terms with it.

If other matters kept interfering time and again, it meant that the present was simply not the best time for the journey.

Emperor Jingxuan gently stroked her hair, his voice lazy: "With my wife here, that is the best view of all."

Yun Wan playfully scolded him. This man was getting better and better at sweet talk.

"I wonder if leaving those two children alone in the capital will cause any trouble?"

She rested her chin on her hand, gazing at the river scenery. Without her children around, it was much quieter, but she felt a bit unaccustomed to it.

Emperor Jingxuan: "Wife, rest assured. Sui will not cause trouble. And if Little Treasure makes a fuss, Sui will soothe her."

Thinking of their two children, Yun Wan was dissatisfied: "Husband, you are too hard on them. Sui is only sixteen. To abruptly take on such a heavy burden, he will surely have lost a lot of weight by the time we return to the capital."

But Emperor Jingxuan said, "Wife, back then, I was already fighting on the battlefront at sixteen. And I was only eighteen when I took over the mess left by the late Emperor. Our son is quite fortunate."

What he didn't say was that if not for the matter with the tribal people taking up the previous two years, he would have wanted Sui to govern in his stead at fourteen.

"He is the Crown Prince; he must undergo trials and tempering."

"Now, I am in the prime of my life and still full of energy. For any problems he can't solve, I still have the strength to clean up after him."

Yun Wan could tell he was praising himself, so she went along: "Yes, yes, yes, it's still my husband who thinks far ahead. Sui will surely understand your good intentions."

No matter how old a man gets, he always loves to hear praise from his beloved wife.

Flap, flap, flap—

A white pigeon fluttered its wings, approaching from afar, and finally circled once before perching on a round wooden rod by the window.

Emperor Jingxuan reached out to untie the note fastened to the pigeon's leg, laughing casually as he did so: "Our son's letter. Hasn't it only been a few days? Could it be that the boy already misses us?"

He unrolled the paper, and the moment he clearly read the contents, his expression changed dramatically.