Chapter 1327: [Beiyue] Benefits

Qin Min took out a small medicine bottle with a smile. Esteemed Empress, this is coconut oil. Its more effective than tea oil and has a better flavor, apply this instead.

Naturally Han Yunxi had heard of coconut oil but was very surprised. Where did you get this from?

The south, while I was living in Jiangnan. Childrens skin is delicate and p.r.o.ne to red rashes or eczema. Little Shadow is afraid of heat too, so I always carry it on me. As Qin Min explained, she began applying the oil to Yaner with hands like ma.s.sage. The girl was so comfortable that she quieted down completely. Meanwhile, Qin Min inadvertently spotted the phoenix feather birthmark at the base of her spine.

What a pretty birthmark? Qin Min couldnt help remarking. She had never seen one so beautiful before.

All of the daughters in the imperial clan have this, Han Yunxi said, though she meant West Qin imperial clan. The phoenix feather birthmark had already been publicized by Bai Yanqing to the public, but Qin Min wasnt interested in such matters and didnt know.

After applying the cool coconut oil, Yaner was so comfortable that she sprawled in her mothers lap and didnt want to move anymore.

Yaner, did Zhao mama teach you to say those things just then? Han Yunxi asked.

Yaner looked up and beamed. Imperial mother, can you pretend not to know?

Han Yunxi was bemused. What benefits does imperial mother get out of it?

Yaner thought it over before declaring, I wont cling to father at night anymore, so you and father can have another little brother.

Qin Min flushed, while Han Yunxi turned even redder as she fumed. Did Zhao mama tell you that too?

Before Yaner could nod subconsciously, she stopped and shook her head. No!

Then who was it? Han Yunxi asked.

Beneath her mothers scrutiny, Yaner only felt wronged. She couldnt understand the ambiguity of her statement or why her mother had suddenly turned fierce. After some thought, she said pathetically, Imperial mother, can you pretend not to know? Ill give you other benefits.

What kind of benefits? Han Yunxi pressed.

I wont cling to father in the daytime. Zhao mama said, father and mother can make a little brother in the daytime too.

Now Han Yunxi had flushed to her neck, wis.h.i.+ng she could find a crack in the ground. Qin Min kept her head bowed, shying away while trying to hold back her laughter. Seeing her mother silent, Yaner almost wanted to cry. She was afraid that imperial mother would do something to Zhao mama in the future.

Anxiously she asked, Imperial mother, can you pretend to not know anything. I really wont cling to father anymore. You and him can have lots and lots of little brothers and sisters, okay? Or, I can also not

Han Yunxi immediately m.u.f.fled Yaners mouth to stop her from babbling any further. If this girl kept talking, Heaven knows how many secrets shed expose!

Yaner, imperial mother will pretend not to know anything. You never said anything today, and imperial mother didnt hear anything today. Will you remember? Han Yunxi asked.

Yaner nodded but her eyes swept towards Qin Min. Han Yunxi did as well, and Qin Min looked up to see both mother and daughter staring her way.

I, I Qin Min was very embarra.s.sed and couldnt utter a sentence until she stammered, I dont know a thing! Esteemed Empress, Your Highness Crown Princess, please dont worry!

When the trio returned to the pavilion, the two adults were still silent and embarra.s.sed but Yaner was back to her happy self.

Alls well? Long Feiye asked.

Yaner was about to scurry into her fathers lap when she suddenly stopped. Does my promise to imperial mother still count? If imperial mother says shell pretend not to hear a thing, then I have to fulfill my promise not to cling to father too.

Thus, she nestled back in her mothers arms. Long Feiye was puzzled and moved to pick Yaner up, but she evaded him and wound her arms around her mother tightly, refusing to let go. Long Feiye was even more confused. Yaner had never refused his hugs before. What was wrong?

Yaner be good, come here. Long Feiye grabbed Yaner and wanted to pry her out of Han Yunxis hands.

Yaner immediately burst into tears. No! I dont want imperial father! I want imperial motherwahhimperial mother, hold onto me!

Long Feiye gave a start and stared at Han Yunxi, who had been worried that Yaner would spill the beans but was now pleased by her actions. She held her tight and put on an act. Yaner be good, imperial mother will hold you!

Mhm! Yaner nodded vigorously. You have to hold on tight.

Yaner was too afraid that imperial mother would find trouble for Zhao mama if imperial father took her away.

Fine, fine, fine! Ill hold you tight! Han Yunxi saw Long Feiyes puzzled, disappointed expression and wanted to laugh out loud. It must be terrible to be dumped by someone you loved. Fortunately Ruier had already grown up and wasnt so foolish and easy to trick. Long Feiye couldnt reclaim his little lover no matter how he tried.

Whats wrong with her? Long Feiye asked.

Heheh, shes acting spoiled with her mother. It cant be helped, you should sit back down, Han Yunxi declared.

Long Feiye still felt something amiss, but with Gu Beiyue and Qin Min present, he didnt press and sat down. Han Yunxi was still the mother in the end. How could he eat her vinegar?

Han Yunxi held her daughter firmly and subconsciously softened her tone. Yaner, good girl, sleep with imperial mother tonight, all right?

After Yaner was born, Long Feiye made the imperial bed much wider and longer so husband and wife could sleep with their two children. But the bed in Leisurely Cloud Palace didnt need to be expanded as it already filled an entire room.

Yaner differed from Ruier. While Ruier was very quiet during the day and slept wildly at night, Yaner was active during the day and a quiet sleeper at night. She would lie in Long Feiyes embrace and stop moving altogether. Thus, Han Yunxi hadnt held her to sleep in a long, long time.

Hearing her mothers request to sleep, Yaner was shocked! How was mother supposed to have a little brother with father like that? She thought about it and released imperial mother with a shout. I want Zhao mama! Wahhhh.I want Zhao mama! I want to sleep with Zhao mama tonight!

Han Yunxi realized her mistake as soon as she spoke. Long Feiye was only bewildered. Just what had happened in that room?

Yaner, whats wrong? he asked.

I want Zhao mama! Yaners face was stiff. I want Zhao mama!

Zhao mama had no idea that the little princess had sold her out. If Esteemed Empress was the only one here, she wouldve come to take the little princess long ago, but she didnt dare with the emperor present. Long Feiye stood up, a sight that triggered Yaner even more. Her eyes turned red with tears.

I want Zhao mama! Imperial father, no moving!

Seeing this, Long Feiye didnt dare to budge. He could only go along with her for now and question her after she calmed down. He was certain something monumental had happened in that room! Yaner got what she wanted and nestled in Zhao mamas arms. Han Yunxi had Zhao mama sit on the side and gave her an additional bowl and chopsticks, scaring the old woman so much that she simply sat there without moving.

But Han Yunxi was relaxed instead. Faced with Long Feiyes dubious look, she smiled and said, Ruier, Shadow, if you two dont get down and eat, Ill punish you both with ten months of mooncakes instead!

Hearing this, Ruier jumped down immediately. Imperial mother and Zhao mama said he liked to eat sweets when he was young, but he refused to believe it. That was because he hated sweets such as mooncakes now. With her son here, Han Yunxis smile grew more radiant. She beckoned to him and said, Ruier, quick. Come to imperial mother.

It was rare for Yaner to not cling to her father. She had to show off her love for her in son! As Ruier drew close, Han Yunxi gave him a firm hug and pulled him into her lap. Ruier was both embarra.s.sed yet helpless. He was already five and grown up! Couldnt imperial mother spare him some face? She could hug and kiss him in private, but not in public! Despite this, he didnt resist and let her hold him.

He couldnt bear to make his mother unhappy.

Long Feiye glanced over with a complicated look.

Shadow, still not coming? Gu Beiyue spoke.

Qin Min chortled and muttered, Shadow loves sweets the most. Esteemed Empresss threat will make sure he stays put.

Gu Beiyue gave a start after discovering he knew nothing of Shadows likes or dislikes. He rose and flickered soundlessly to appear on the roof, just happening to land behind his son. Shadow was sitting cross-legged on the roof and staring at the moon.

Gu Beiyue coughed softly and Shadow turned back. Father!

Come, eat mooncakes down there with father, Gu Beiyue said gently.

Shadow immediately stoof up. Father, the moon is so pretty!

Gu Beiyue looked up. Today was the fifteenth, his birthday. But he hadnt taken a proper look at the moon once. Shadow went only to stretch out his hands. Father, hold me!

Gu Beiyue picked him up and the child said, Father, when Shadow grows up, Ill protect you too, okay?

Gu Beiyues heart seized before it melted and warmed. He said, All right! Fatherwill wait.

Gu Beiyue didnt release Shadow after coming down, but kept him in his lap. Ruier stared at them a while and saw that Shadow had no intentions of coming down before he relaxed. He was afraid that Shadow would laugh at him.

Yaner had been sleeping all day and never saw Shadow. She nestled in Zhao mamas arms and looked at the boy curiously before murmuring, Zhao mama, is he the Grand Tutors son?

Mhm, hes little Shadow. His full name is Gu Nanchen, Zhao mama replied.

Zhao mama, hes really good-looking, Yaner said next.