Yuan Heng didn’t speak, but he tilted his little head up even higher.
His fair little face was glistening with sweat, and his dark eyes were fixed on her, unblinking.
Ji Qingwu held back a laugh and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead and the tip of his nose.
In the sunlight, her profile was lovely, and her fine hair fluttered, as if wreathed in rosy clouds.
As she gently wiped his face, Yuan Heng’s eyes grew brighter and brighter. He couldn’t bear to look away. He wanted to get closer, but his feet seed rooted to the spot.
When Ji Qingwu finished, she found it strange. The skin she had touched on Yuan Heng’s face was beginning to flush, but her handkerchief was made of soft, absorbent silk floss. It shouldn’t have chafed his skin.
Yuan Heng’s entire little face was flushed pink, a few shades redder than it was after his sword practice. This blended with his forced indifference and the faint, defiant look in his eyes.
Ji Qingwu smiled sweetly and asked softly, "May I hold you, Young Master?"
Before the words were even out, and without waiting for his permission, she had already swept Yuan Heng into her arms. The warmth and closeness made the little one montarily forget his reserve, and he didn’t push her away.
Little Shunzi, ever the loyal protector, panicked and cried out, "Let go of our prince—MMPH... MMPH MMPH..."
Then, Little Dongzi moved swiftly. This ti, he simply tied Little Shunzi up and dragged him away, simultaneously signaling the other attendants with a look to leave at once.
The palace attendants of Qianyuan Hall imdiately retreated to the covered walkway to wait quietly.
An opportunity to be alone with Yuan Heng was hard to co by, and Ji Qingwu wasn’t about to let it go so easily.
Once they were alone, she looked down at the little one in her arms. He gave only a few token struggles before quickly giving up his resistance.
He even discreetly rested his little face on her shoulder.
Ji Qingwu praised him with genuine sincerity. "Young Master, it must be so hard to wake up early every day to practice your martial arts. You’re so impressive."
The little one replied with great seriousness, his voice still boyish. "It is what I must do. My father said that only by becoming stronger can you protect the people you want to protect."
As he spoke, his hair brushed against the crook of Ji Qingwu’s neck. It tickled a little, and she felt as if the empty space in her heart was being filled by the warm little body in her arms.
The feeling was novel for both of them.
Yuan Heng had been cared for by wet nurses since he was an infant, but he had never felt any urge to get close to them.
But her embrace was soft and slled so good. ’I want to bury my face in her shoulder,’ he thought. After a mont’s consideration, he carefully tilted his head to rest it there. The pressure made his chubby cheek puff out, making him look unbearably cute.
For Ji Qingwu, the way he felt in her arms was very different.
The last ti she’d held him, the situation had been critical, and she hadn’t even known he was her precious boy. She hadn’t had a chance to truly register the feeling of holding him.
She found it strange. ’They’re twins, but my little girl’s body is just so soft. She lts in your arms. This little boy is completely different. Though Yuan Heng is still small, his fra feels sturdy and his muscles are firm.’
’Maybe this is the result of his morning martial arts practice?’ she wondered.
Ji Qingwu supported his bottom and bounced him lightly in her arms.
’Mhm, just as I expected.’
’He’s a solid little atball.’
Yuan Heng hadn’t expected her to be so bold. His almond-shaped eyes widened into perfect circles.
Ji Qingwu teased, "You’ve gotten much heavier since the last ti I held you."
Hearing this, Yuan Heng looked at her slender arms, which were much thinner than his wet nurses’. He placed a hand on her shoulder and said with a frown, "Put down."
Ji Qingwu studied his expression carefully. Though his little brows were furrowed, a bright spark danced in his eyes. She knew then that he wasn’t actually displeased. He just had the sa difficult, contrary personality as his father.
’The little one is just embarrassed,’ she realized. ’He’s worried he’ll tire out.’
Ji Qingwu certainly had enough strength to hold him.
Yuan Heng was about to speak when his vision suddenly started to spin. His mouth fell open in surprise, and he instinctively threw his arms around her neck.
Ji Qingwu, holding him, had spun around with light, graceful steps.
"Are you dizzy?" she asked with a laugh.
"I... I’m not dizzy."
Yuan Heng’s voice was laced with irrepressible laughter. The excitent was almost too much for him to contain.
Ji Qingwu spun three more tis in place. The layers of her skirt swirled around them like blossoming flowers, and both of their faces, one large and one small, were alight with joy.
She slowly ca to a stop and looked at the little prince in his sapphire-blue brocade robe. He was clinging to her like an adorable, delectable little dumpling.
Without blinking, she asked, "Can I steal a kiss?"
"Th-that’s... that’s not... not allowed," Yuan Heng stamred, aghast.
But his refusal was imdiately followed by a distinct SMOOCH.
Ji Qingwu had planted a kiss right on his right cheek.
Yuan Heng’s pupils dilated slightly. His eyes were like two crystal-clear pools, reflecting Ji Qingwu’s smiling face.
"Since the Young Master said no—" she said, drawing out the words, before landing another soft kiss on his left cheek.
"—I’ll just have to give you two."
If one kiss wasn’t allowed, she’d just take two.
Yuan Heng quickly buried his face against her neck, as if hiding would save him from more kisses.
Ji Qingwu suddenly had a thought. ’This child isn’t entirely like his father, after all. He seems to get shy easily.’
’They say a lon plucked too soon isn’t sweet,’ she mused, ’but it sure makes your hands itch to pluck it anyway. It’s just too tempting to tease.’
But it wasn’t long before the little dumpling peeked his head out again, a hint of restrained anticipation in his dark eyes.
Just then, however, Ji Qingwu set him down, not noticing the change in his expression.
In the end, Ji Qingwu left with Little Dongzi, humming a tune with a wide, beaming smile.
Once the two had left the Diligent Governance Hall, Little Shunzi imdiately ran forward, his face a mask of misery as he looked guiltily at the little prince.
’It’s all Little Dongzi’s fault,’ he thought miserably. ’He’s so strong, and he serves the Emperor, so I didn’t dare to stop him. I failed to protect my pure and innocent young master, and now he’s been taken advantage of by that Miss Ji again!’ He hung his head, dejectedly awaiting the prince’s reprimand.
Yuan Heng lifted his sleeve and sniffed himself, then beckoned for Little Shunzi to co closer.
He frowned and asked, "Sll this."
Little Shunzi sniffed a few tis. He caught a faint, unique floral and fruity fragrance that must have co from Ji Qingwu. He didn’t dare say so, however, and played dumb. "Your Highness, I don’t sll anything."
Hearing this, Yuan Heng’s brow relaxed slightly. He muttered in discontent, "If I don’t sll of sweat, then why did she leave so quickly?"
Then he muttered to himself, "And why did she only kiss my cheeks? She missed my forehead."
Little Shunzi’s mind reeled. ’...’
*
After returning ho, Ji Qingwu went first to Anju Garden.
Mrs. Qiao was seated in the main hall, her attention focused on an account book in her hands. A dozen or so maidservants stood in the hall, respectfully answering questions.
Chunhua announced, "Madam, Fifth Missy has returned."
Mrs. Qiao glanced up, her expression softening. "Xiao Wu, co and sit."
Ji Qingwu glanced at the faces of the maidservants. A few looked nervous, but none of them seed to be in any real trouble. It was likely just a routine questioning.
Still, she had a faint feeling that sothing more complicated was afoot.
Mrs. Qiao closed the account book in her hands, her expression growing serious once more.
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