Chapter 110 (2/2): Extra– The Family of Four

A wu gently patted one little bottom, then stroked a small head, sometimes bending down to kiss a little forehead.  

Emperor Jingxi’s amber eyes glimmered with tenderness.  

He stopped and silently watched the scene.  

He felt that after more than thirty years of life, this moment was the happiest.  

Suddenly, one toddler scratched the other, and one burst into a loud cry, the other joining in with a wail.  

A wu chided softly, “Oh, stop fighting!”  

She tried to soothe them, but with palace ladies, wet nurses, and attendants all present, the little ones’ stubbornness made the bedchamber erupt into chaos.  

Emperor Jingxi smiled and stepped forward, bending down to scoop up one child.  

He picked up the Little Princess, who was still upset, crying bitterly, her small red nose and sweaty forehead testament to her distress.  

Even in her father’s arms, she kicked her chubby legs with all her might.  

Emperor Jingxi looked at his wronged little daughter, who seemed to have suffered a great injustice.  

He smiled gently, “There, there, don’t cry anymore.”  

Rocking her softly, he calmed her.  

The wet nurse then lifted the Little Prince, whose eyes flickered between Emperor Jingxi and A wu.  

He stretched out his little arms toward A wu, clearly asking to be held.  

A wu noticed tears still clinging to his long lashes and couldn’t help but laugh.  

She complained playfully to Emperor Jingxi, “Look at him, so petty! He can’t bear even the smallest grievance!”  

Emperor Jingxi smiled, “Fairness is key—no favoritism allowed.”  

He raised the Little Princess higher and asked her, “My little princess, don’t you agree?”  

The Little Princess cared little for the words but thought her father was playing with her.  

She was fascinated by the shining jade crown on his head and reached out, clapping her little hands against it.  

Emperor Jingxi didn’t pull away but smiled and lowered his head slightly, indulging her.  

The palace ladies, though accustomed to such sights, couldn’t help but feel touched.  

This emperor, usually so imposing, was utterly doting before his children, as if they were the most precious treasures in the world.  

In truth, Emperor Jingxi had other children before—an Imperial Son and Princess Dening—but he rarely showed such affection toward them.  

He no longer saw Princess Dening and no one knew why.  

Now, watching the Little Princess’s slightly delicate mannerisms, he thought she resembled A wu so much, and his love for her almost overflowed.  

This was the child A wu had borne him—a little copy of herself.  

He smiled and raised his eyes, catching A wu awkwardly rocking the Little Prince, half-heartedly soothing him, occasionally tapping his little bottom.  

The poor Little Prince rested comfortably in his mother’s arms, humming softly.  

Emperor Jingxi raised an eyebrow.  

“Look at how you mother him—not even good at coaxing.”  

A wu glanced at him, “I don’t need coaxing myself. How could I coax him?”  

She made a face like she wanted to give up, “You do it. You coax both of them!”  

Emperor Jingxi looked resigned.  

“He wants you to do it—no excuses.”  

A wu let out a long “Hmph,” with a twist.  

Just then, the Little Princess in Emperor Jingxi’s arms let out a big yawn, her head slowly drooping.  

Her yawning seemed contagious, as the Little Prince’s eyes grew heavy.  

Emperor Jingxi and A wu exchanged a glance and said nothing, gently patting the little ones.  

Soon, the Little Princess lay asleep in Emperor Jingxi’s arms, the Little Prince snuggled on A wu’s shoulder, both fast asleep.  

The palace ladies withdrew quietly, the wet nurse silently waiting nearby.  

The attendants all held their breath, the room falling into a tranquil stillness, so much so that even the faint sound of the winter breeze brushing past the windowpane could be heard.  

This was the delicate, dry rustling of winter.  

A wu looked up at Emperor Jingxi, who was gently soothing the Little Princess.  

The tiny bundle was soft and small.  

His fingers were long and strong, yet as he patted his little daughter, his touch was careful and gentle.  

As A wu watched, Emperor Jingxi met her gaze.  

In that shared glance, she felt an unspoken tenderness and lingering affection.  

Her cheeks flushed softly, and she looked away.  

Emperor Jingxi raised his hand as a signal, and soon the wet nurse quietly carried the sleeping children away.  

Only the two of them remained in the chamber.  

The bedroom door closed softly, and the curtains were drawn.  

Perhaps the palace’s heated floors were too warm, or the incense made hearts flutter, but when the man looked at A wu with such warmth and love, she felt as if her heart were being gently tickled by feathers, soft and tingling.  

He stretched out his hand and commanded, “Come here.”  

A wu gave a light hum of defiance.  

“I won’t come!”  

Emperor Jingxi smiled, “Don’t make me catch you. If I do, I’ll have to spank your bottom.”  

Such words were normally reserved for coaxing children.  

Originally, A wu would never say such things, and Emperor Jingxi even less so.  

But after spending so much time with the little ones, their manner of speech had become habitual.  

A wu laughed, “If you dare spank me, I’ll just cry.”  

Emperor Jingxi stepped forward, grasped her wrist, and pulled her into his arms.  

A wu half resisted, half yielded, and they fell onto the soft mat together.  

The mat was so soft and warm, clean and fragrant.  

Who would have thought that just a moment ago, this man was clad in the elaborate imperial robes, discussing state affairs with ministers, his gaze alone commanding awe and obedience, his word altering countless fates?  

Now, dressed simply in plain white inner robes, he lay on the floor, holding his little Empress as if she were a child.  

A wu bit her lip, smiling, “Get up quickly, it’s so embarrassing for others to see the Emperor lying on the floor!”  

Emperor Jingxi looked down at her.  

In the bedroom, and with the children around, her clothes were casual: a loose white silk jacket and a sheer green skirt adorned with gold.  

Her face was rosy and delicate, fresh and lovely like a wild daisy.  

He felt his heart soften and moved closer, lowering his head to kiss her eyes.  

“I like lying like this, holding you, just like this, without moving.”  

A wu laughed and pushed him, but he was immovable.  

In this playful tussle, she found herself pinned atop him.  

She thought this was improper and tried to get down, but his strong hands held her waist firmly.  

She placed her hands gently on his chest and asked, “What are you doing?”  

His amber eyes darkened, “What do you think I’m doing?”  

A wu blushed, murmuring, “I can’t stand you!”  

His fingers spread to cup the back of her head as he coaxed, “This is good too. Want to try?”  

She met his gaze and saw the fierce warmth burning inside, making her heart glow.  

She whispered, “How do I try?”  

Emperor Jingxi held her waist with one hand, her fingers with the other, indulgently replying, “A wu, try however you want.”  

He smiled at her and slowly closed his eyes.  

A wu felt at a loss.  

She had always been the one to endure and didn’t know how to take the lead.  

She looked down at Emperor Jingxi, so handsome with perfect features—a living work of art.  

But now, with his eyes closed and his usual sternness gone, he seemed vulnerable, almost helpless, inspiring in her a playful urge to tease him.  

Yet she didn’t know how to begin.  

Frowning, she studied him once more, her gaze falling on his Adam’s apple.  

His sharp jawline and graceful neck were perfect, and she noticed the subtle movement of his throat as he breathed.  

Curious, she reached out and touched it.  

The man stiffened slightly, clearly surprised.  

She decided then and there to start there.  

She bent down and lightly kissed his Adam’s apple.  

Watching his reaction, she saw his breath deepen.  

Encouraged, she cupped his face and began to kiss, even lightly sucking with her tongue.  

Emperor Jingxi’s eyes remained half-closed, but his hand on her waist gripped a little tighter.  

A wu pressed on, kissing his lips and slowly loosening his robe, exploring with her hands.  

Finally, she tried to take a bite.  

It was difficult—she couldn’t manage it and grew anxious.  

With a tearful voice, she urged, “Help me quickly, be obedient yourself.”  

Her “obedient” was, of course, a command to the object of her attention.  

Emperor Jingxi slowly opened his eyes, looking at the blushing young woman above him.  

Her cheeks were flushed like red jade, tears shimmering in her eyes, the corners faintly misty.  

She tilted her neck, a look of helplessness on her face.  

She resembled a tiny ambitious puppy, yapping to gnaw a thick bone but not knowing how to bite, fumbling and frustrated to tears.  

Emperor Jingxi’s Adam’s apple slid again involuntarily.  

In a hoarse, calm voice he chided, “How many times have I taught you? If you don’t know how to eat, how can you be an Empress?”  

Then he raised his hand and playfully tapped her.  

A wu whimpered, nearly crying, “You’re so mean!”  

She retaliated with a light slap, then cried, “Giddy up, giddy up, hurry!”  

Afterward, she found it all fun and felt like she had learned something.  

After a long while, A wu collapsed exhausted, lying sprawled on the mat.  

Her whole body felt like soft mud, utterly weak, with only faint whimpers escaping her lips.  

She thought, ‘I must be the only woman in the world who has ridden an emperor.’

Who really serves whom?