Chapter 113: Baby

We were so close, yet I was in someone else’s embrace. I dared not turn my head, afraid of seeing that face filled with both love and hatred. My entire back stiffened, as if countless tiny, sharp swords suddenly pierced my body—not with excruciating pain, but with a relentless, concentrated force that pinned me down completely.

Heh, I never imagined we would meet again like this. As long as Li Yexuan is unharmed, that is enough. We were never destined to be together in life, nor fated in death. This place is truly unsuitable for us to meet—I was careless to come here on my own accord. My head bowed even lower, and then Dongfang Qingyu’s tall figure enveloped me.

He buried my face, my heart, my entire being.

Dongfang Qingyu tightened his grip around my waist, while his other hand gently rested on the back of my head. His wide sleeve covered most of the blanket over me.

“Don’t be afraid,” Dongfang Qingyu whispered softly into my ear. To outsiders, it sounded unmistakably intimate. When did Dongfang Qingyu become so wicked? Was he trying to create some kind of illusion?

“It turns out to be the heir of the Northern An Kingdom. How dare you bring your concubine to roam freely in my residence?” Li Yexuan’s voice sounded casually from behind me.

He hadn’t recognized me. He still thought I was Dongfang Qingyu’s concubine. Li Yexuan, are you truly so heartless? If it were five years ago, I would have turned around, slapped him, or shouted at him as a heartless man.

But alas, times have changed. I am no longer the passionate, fearless woman I once was.

“I do have special tastes. Regent Prince, don’t go too far, lest you scare the little one in my arms,” Dongfang Qingyu said, glancing at me.

“That goes without saying,” came the voice behind us again. I knew Li Yexuan’s men had stepped back.

I grasped Dongfang Qingyu’s clothes tightly. “Let’s go.”

Dongfang Qingyu frowned briefly and uttered, “Alright.”

“I, the heir of Northern An, unknowingly ended up in the Regent Prince’s mansion like a bird in a cage. I beg the Regent Prince not to take offense. The night is deep and the dew heavy; I shall not disturb you further.”

Turning, Dongfang Qingyu tried to lead me away but was stopped.

“Is the heir of Northern An too free-spirited? This is the Moonlight Kingdom, not your Northern An. You cannot come and go as you please.”

“What does the Regent Prince intend?”

Our words clashed sharply, and my anxiety grew. Yet my body was betraying me. I knew my constitution was weak, but I hadn’t expected it to fail me so utterly. Perhaps the relentless travel had worn me down. Sweat poured from my brow as my body trembled, barely able to stand. All my strength relied on Dongfang Qingyu’s support.

He thought I was merely nervous, glanced at me, and said nothing more. My hand clung to his clothes desperately. I couldn’t express how deeply painful this moment was.

“What’s wrong?” Dongfang Qingyu’s voice was not deliberately lowered. As he spoke, my body began to slide down.

“Don’t meet,” I mouthed silently to him.

He lifted me at the waist, my long gown cascading down. My head rested against his chest, the masked side of my face slightly exposed.

“I shall visit the Regent Prince again another day. I’ll take my leave now,” Dongfang Qingyu said.

He activated his lightness skill and carried me away. The moment we left the Xuan King’s mansion, I finally lost consciousness, my hands loosening their grip on his garment.

Li Yexuan, it seems we still could not truly meet. So be it.

I don’t know how long I slept. When I awoke again, I thought I was back on Lingyun Island, but the surroundings were different. This must be Fantian Pavilion, where we had moved only a few days ago. I was not yet familiar with it. Outside the pearl curtain, I heard Dongfang Qingyu’s voice shouting, “Get out!”

What could have provoked such anger? Could it be...?

I rubbed my temples and lifted the quilt, preparing to get up. But the moment my feet touched the floor and I tried to stand, dizziness overtook me, and I fell back onto the bed.

Dongfang Qingyu’s shouts grew louder outside. I forced myself up again, grabbed a coat, and wrapped it around my body before stepping toward the pearl curtain.

My movement caused the curtain to flutter softly. Dongfang Qingyu stood there, several doctors kneeling before him, trembling with their medicine boxes.

“All of you, leave,” he commanded.

The doctors scrambled away as if granted a great pardon.

“Sorry to wake you. Are you feeling unwell?” Dongfang Qingyu strode over and steadied me. His eyes were bloodshot, and there was stubble on his chin—this side of him was unfamiliar to me.

“It’s nothing serious; just a little acclimatization issue. No need to make such a fuss. It’s not easy tending to them here at Fantian Pavilion,” I murmured, still dizzy. Dongfang Qingyu lifted me again, placing me gently on the bed.

“Rest assured, no one else knows. I sent Afu away.”

“You understand me well.” I rarely allowed anyone to examine me, fearing those around me would discover my condition.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken you on such a long journey without considering your health.” He held my hand firmly, but I resisted.

“Qingyu, this has nothing to do with you. It’s my failing body. Life and death are beyond my control. I am not upset about it. My life should have ended five years ago.”

“Don’t say that. I will find a way to save you.”

“I don’t ask to live. I only wish that while I can still see this world, Zijun can receive what is rightfully his. As for Fantian Pavilion, I selfishly want to leave it to Mufeng. With Fantian Pavilion, his life will be fulfilled. Poor Mufeng, he will have to walk the road ahead alone...”

“Don’t say that...” Tears welled in Dongfang Qingyu’s eyes.

“Why are you crying? Qingyu, can I ask a favor?”

“Speak.”

“As long as it’s within your ability, please look after Zijun and Mufeng for me in the years to come. It would be a way to honor the bond between us.”

“Alright. But you must promise me one thing.”

“Tell me.”

“You must never give up on yourself, no matter what.”

I nodded.

“Mother, mother...” Mufeng burst in through the door, quickly slipping off his shoes and climbing into my arms, tears streaming as he clung tightly to me.

“What’s wrong, my dear?”

“Does mother not want me anymore?”

His sobs pierced my heart. I didn’t know how long I had been unconscious. I must have frightened him terribly.

“How could that be? How could mother not want Mufeng?” I patted his back, hoping to comfort him.

“Then why don’t you come to see me? Godfather always stops me.”

“Because mother isn’t here. Look at how big Fantian Pavilion is. Mother went to check on the estate, not staying in the rooms. So Godfather won’t let you in.”

Indeed, Mufeng’s crying slowly subsided.

“Then why don’t you call me ‘baby’ anymore? You used to call me that all the time.” He pouted, as if scolding me.

I chuckled softly. What was going on in that little head of his? I thought, now that he was growing into a fine young boy, he might find the babyish nickname embarrassing. After weaned, I stopped calling him that, but he remembered so clearly. I sighed deeply—growing up with memories from age five, I never understood what a child that age truly thinks. If I were to live a second life, I hope I wouldn’t carry these memories—it would be better to start anew.

“You’re all grown up now. Mother thought you didn’t like being called ‘baby.’”

“Baby likes it.”

“Alright then, mother will call you ‘baby.’ If you ever want me to stop, just say so, okay?”

“Okay~~”

“Enough, don’t bother your mother anymore. She’s very tired. Baby, why don’t you go play with Godfather?”

Dongfang Qingyu reached out to pick him up.

“But baby wants to be with mother.”

“Alright, then you can stay with mother.”

“Ziyun!” Dongfang Qingyu tried to stop me, but I shook my head.

“It’s alright. You’re tired too—go rest for a while.”

He nodded and left.

“Mother, does Godfather not like baby anymore?”

I rubbed his head. “Godfather likes baby just as much as mother does. He’s just as busy and tired. Don’t think too much, baby.”

“Baby understands.”

“Tired? Want to sleep a bit?”

“Mm-hmm. Mother, sing.”

Since Mufeng was very young, I have sung lullabies to him, which he loves dearly.

“Sleep now, sleep, my dear baby...”

Soon, the child fell asleep beside me, his long lashes still wet with tears. I kissed gently away the traces of tears on his face.

A mother always wants to give her child the best. I am no different. I wish to give him the finest things in this world, yet I cannot even give him a complete family.

The door opened again.

By now, Dongfang Qingyu had changed into fresh clothes, groomed himself, and looked much more spirited.

“Asleep?”

“Yes.”

“Let me hold him and take him out.”

“No, I want to look at him a little longer.” Tears welled up uncontrollably.

“Don’t cry. Your body isn’t healed yet. The doctor said you must relax.” Dongfang Qingyu clumsily wiped my tears.

“I’m fine.” I soon stopped crying.

The room fell silent for a while, but in the end, I could not resist Dongfang Qingyu and let him carry the child out.

The sleeping child didn’t even notice being taken away; he didn’t protest at all.

I lay back down but couldn’t sleep. My mind was filled with the image of my baby asleep—so adorable. Li Yexuan, do you know you have such a lovely son? You probably don’t...