On a scorching summer day, the intense heat filled the air.
The entire Bianjing was engulfed in heat.
Inside the Zhenguo Duke Manor, there was the Changfeng Pavilion.
Tall pine trees and bamboo stood, casting dense shades and a cold waterfall soared through the air. The courtyard bloomed with vibrant flowers, and two mahogany wind drums resonated, filling the entire compound with a fragrant scent.
"Lady, it's hot weather. Are you still sleeping?"
A young girl in pink stood outside the door, listening to the sounds inside the room. She glanced at the blazing sunlight and muttered, "It's getting late, why hasn't the lady awakened from her nap? The Little Crown Prince will be coming back from school soon."
Gu Ying suddenly drew in a breath of cool air, her eyes fluttered open, and she heard Hai Tang's clear voice. Looking at the sky-blue embroidered orchids above her head, she felt momentarily dazed.
She had just had a strange dream, where Du's head was chopped off by Jiang Yin.
That bloody head rolled in front of her, sending chills down her spine.
She sat up in bed, gazing at the thin gauze curtains by the window. A large bronze ice mirror, enveloped in mist, stood on the windowsill, emanating a refreshing coolness throughout the room.
The room was quiet, with only the sound of birds chirping coming from the distant corridor.
She gently touched her slender neck, recalling the brutal and bloody scene in her dream. Especially during the winter, amidst the falling snow, the cold and loneliness, Du's head covered in blood... being trampled upon in the snow, devoid of any dignity. It caused a sharp pain in her heart.
"Du... Du, please don't..."
Her eyes welled up with tears, and her small face buried itself in the soft pillow. The discomfort weighed heavily on her throat. She didn't know if that terrifying scene was a dream or reality, but she felt an overwhelming pain enveloping her.
"Lady?"
The voice outside the door persisted.
Gu Ying remained in a daze for a moment, wiped away the tear stains from her face, and lifted her head. She looked at Hai Tang, who was still lying on the familiar carved bed in the Zhenguo Duke Manor, and finally felt somewhat relieved.
"Lady, the Little Crown Prince will be back soon. If you don't get up now, he might come and bother you again." Hai Tang smiled with her hand covering her mouth, gathering courage to knock on the door.
Gu Ying soothed her aching heart, thinking that it was just a nightmare. How could she have taken it seriously and felt so heartbroken? If Du were to see her like this, he would worry again.
She brushed away her worries, helplessly curved her lips, and lightly pressed her temple with her hand. "Come in."
Hai Tang pushed open the door and entered. It was the peak of summer, and the heat outside was even more intense than inside the room.
A thin layer of sweat covered her body, but upon entering the room, she felt a refreshing coolness.
Seeing the various tools for cooling off in the room, and the delicate pastries placed in an ice mirror, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart. The Little Crown Prince truly doted on the lady!
Perhaps even the palace concubines wouldn't receive such treatment!
In the vast city of Bianjing, only the Zhenguo Duke Manor could make use of the Rain Pavilion, right?
Hai Tang had been a servant in the Zhenguo Duke Manor since she was young. If she hadn't been transferred to the Changfeng Pavilion to serve, she would have never seen such extravagance.
Looking at the delicate face of his own wife, just waking up, her eyes were hazy and misty like autumn water, with long and thick eyelashes. Her cheeks were rosy and she didn't need any makeup to be incredibly beautiful. Her bright eyes and white teeth were exquisite and lovely. She was wearing only a thin green chiffon dress, revealing a embroidered lotus bellyband, which complemented her ice-cold and jade-like figure, exuding a lively and fragrant charm. It made her eyes sparkle with excitement.
Moreover, the Crown Prince was incredibly handsome, and the Little Crown Prince was adorable. This family of three was truly a delight to behold.
Hai Tang felt fortunate to be serving at Changfeng Pavilion. As she looked at the exquisite beauty of her own mistress, she swallowed her saliva in silence and brightened her eyes, saying, "Madam, would you like to have a sip of water to moisten your lips?"
Those two tender and crimson lips were so beautiful!
Gu Ying got up from the bed and lazily walked to the reclining chair, picking up a bowl of precious red fruit and satisfyingly took a small bite.
Hai Tang hurriedly said, "Oh dear, the Little Crown Prince doesn't want you to have anything cold."
Gu Ying licked the corner of her mouth and mischievously blinked, "If you don't tell, I won't tell, and he won't know."
Hai Tang helplessly took away the cold fruit and said, "Be careful not to eat anything cold. When your monthly period comes, your stomach will ache."
Gu Ying didn't mind. In this life, she didn't have many stomachaches, and besides, she had the Little Crown Prince. He would use his internal energy to warm her lower abdomen and even warm her bed. When she was in pain, he would hold her and rub her stomach, and the pain would only last for a little while.
"By the way, Hai Tang, where is Yan Er?" Gu Ying asked.
"Yin Lan took her. Judging by the time, she'll be back in about fifteen minutes. Last night, the Little Crown Prince said he wanted to bring a gift for you. I wonder what delicious food he brought today. The greedy bug in my belly has been aroused by the Little Crown Prince," Hai Tang replied.
Gu Ying nodded and a smile appeared in her eyes.
Zhao Yan was now five years old, the age of mischief, but this little darling was exceptionally clever and sensible. She had grown up very well since she was young, making her mother worry-free.
Who knows where the little guy learned his skills, he was especially good at making people happy.
When he was still too young to walk, he clung to her like a clingy little kitten in her arms, calling her "Mother" with every breath. When he could speak clearly, he would hold her with a milky voice and express his affection.
"Mother, Yan Er loves you so much."
"Mother, won't you sleep with Father and keep Yan Er company?"
"Mother, Yan Er is still young, can't leave Mother."
"Mother, hold Yan Er's hand!"
Later on, this gifted little fellow quickly learned to walk and read. Every time he went to the book school, he would bring back all sorts of delicious and fun little things as treats for her after school.
This happened every day, without interruption.
Not to mention Hai Tang's curiosity, even Gu Ying herself looked forward to what little treasure he would bring back each day to make her happy. Of course, the things the Crown Prince brought were even more to her liking.
Only these father and son, each one of them knows how to pamper her.
It makes her, as a wife and a mother, feel somewhat ashamed that she hasn't done well enough.
In the midst of their conversation, a small figure quickly ran in from outside.
"Mother!"
Gu Ying felt a soft little thing dive into her arms, and she quickly embraced his small body.
She looked at the little bundle with a sunburnt face and said with concern, "Why did you come back from school so early today?"
Usually, he would only return after the sun had set.
Yin Lan came in with something in his hand and walked in with a smile.
"Lady, the master had some matters to attend to today, so school ended early."
"When this servant went to pick him up, the master had already left. Please don't blame our little crown prince, madam."
The little crown prince was highly favored in the mansion, from the Duke to the maidservants and servants, everyone liked him.
Gu Ying lovingly pinched the little crown prince's straight nose. He was born with a cute and lively appearance, especially his beautiful delicate eyes and eyebrows, his chubby porcelain-white skin. The more she looked at him, the more he resembled a little celestial being from the heavens.
On a scorching summer day, the intense heat filled the air.
The entire Bianjing was engulfed in heat.
Inside the Zhenguo Duke Manor, there was the Changfeng Pavilion.
Tall pine trees and bamboo stood, casting dense shades and a cold waterfall soared through the air. The courtyard bloomed with vibrant flowers, and two mahogany wind drums resonated, filling the entire compound with a fragrant scent.
"Lady, it's hot weather. Are you still sleeping?"
A young girl in pink stood outside the door, listening to the sounds inside the room. She glanced at the blazing sunlight and muttered, "It's getting late, why hasn't the lady awakened from her nap? The Little Crown Prince will be coming back from school soon."
Gu Ying suddenly drew in a breath of cool air, her eyes fluttered open, and she heard Hai Tang's clear voice. Looking at the sky-blue embroidered orchids above her head, she felt momentarily dazed.
She had just had a strange dream, where Du's head was chopped off by Jiang Yin.
That bloody head rolled in front of her, sending chills down her spine.
She sat up in bed, gazing at the thin gauze curtains by the window. A large bronze ice mirror, enveloped in mist, stood on the windowsill, emanating a refreshing coolness throughout the room.
The room was quiet, with only the sound of birds chirping coming from the distant corridor.
She gently touched her slender neck, recalling the brutal and bloody scene in her dream. Especially during the winter, amidst the falling snow, the cold and loneliness, Du's head covered in blood... being trampled upon in the snow, devoid of any dignity. It caused a sharp pain in her heart.
"Du... Du, please don't..."
Her eyes welled up with tears, and her small face buried itself in the soft pillow. The discomfort weighed heavily on her throat. She didn't know if that terrifying scene was a dream or reality, but she felt an overwhelming pain enveloping her.
"Lady?"
The voice outside the door persisted.
Gu Ying remained in a daze for a moment, wiped away the tear stains from her face, and lifted her head. She looked at Hai Tang, who was still lying on the familiar carved bed in the Zhenguo Duke Manor, and finally felt somewhat relieved.
"Lady, the Little Crown Prince will be back soon. If you don't get up now, he might come and bother you again." Hai Tang smiled with her hand covering her mouth, gathering courage to knock on the door.
Gu Ying soothed her aching heart, thinking that it was just a nightmare. How could she have taken it seriously and felt so heartbroken? If Du were to see her like this, he would worry again.
She brushed away her worries, helplessly curved her lips, and lightly pressed her temple with her hand. "Come in."
Hai Tang pushed open the door and entered. It was the peak of summer, and the heat outside was even more intense than inside the room.
A thin layer of sweat covered her body, but upon entering the room, she felt a refreshing coolness.
Seeing the various tools for cooling off in the room, and the delicate pastries placed in an ice mirror, she couldn't help but sigh in her heart. The Little Crown Prince truly doted on the lady!
Perhaps even the palace concubines wouldn't receive such treatment!
In the vast city of Bianjing, only the Zhenguo Duke Manor could make use of the Rain Pavilion, right?
Hai Tang had been a servant in the Zhenguo Duke Manor since she was young. If she hadn't been transferred to the Changfeng Pavilion to serve, she would have never seen such extravagance.
Looking at the delicate face of his own wife, just waking up, her eyes were hazy and misty like autumn water, with long and thick eyelashes. Her cheeks were rosy and she didn't need any makeup to be incredibly beautiful. Her bright eyes and white teeth were exquisite and lovely. She was wearing only a thin green chiffon dress, revealing a embroidered lotus bellyband, which complemented her ice-cold and jade-like figure, exuding a lively and fragrant charm. It made her eyes sparkle with excitement.
Moreover, the Crown Prince was incredibly handsome, and the Little Crown Prince was adorable. This family of three was truly a delight to behold.
Hai Tang felt fortunate to be serving at Changfeng Pavilion. As she looked at the exquisite beauty of her own mistress, she swallowed her saliva in silence and brightened her eyes, saying, "Madam, would you like to have a sip of water to moisten your lips?"
Those two tender and crimson lips were so beautiful!
Gu Ying got up from the bed and lazily walked to the reclining chair, picking up a bowl of precious red fruit and satisfyingly took a small bite.
Hai Tang hurriedly said, "Oh dear, the Little Crown Prince doesn't want you to have anything cold."
Gu Ying licked the corner of her mouth and mischievously blinked, "If you don't tell, I won't tell, and he won't know."
Hai Tang helplessly took away the cold fruit and said, "Be careful not to eat anything cold. When your monthly period comes, your stomach will ache."
Gu Ying didn't mind. In this life, she didn't have many stomachaches, and besides, she had the Little Crown Prince. He would use his internal energy to warm her lower abdomen and even warm her bed. When she was in pain, he would hold her and rub her stomach, and the pain would only last for a little while.
"By the way, Hai Tang, where is Yan Er?" Gu Ying asked.
"Yin Lan took her. Judging by the time, she'll be back in about fifteen minutes. Last night, the Little Crown Prince said he wanted to bring a gift for you. I wonder what delicious food he brought today. The greedy bug in my belly has been aroused by the Little Crown Prince," Hai Tang replied.
Gu Ying nodded and a smile appeared in her eyes.
Zhao Yan was now five years old, the age of mischief, but this little darling was exceptionally clever and sensible. She had grown up very well since she was young, making her mother worry-free.
Who knows where the little guy learned his skills, he was especially good at making people happy.
When he was still too young to walk, he clung to her like a clingy little kitten in her arms, calling her "Mother" with every breath. When he could speak clearly, he would hold her with a milky voice and express his affection.
"Mother, Yan Er loves you so much."
"Mother, won't you sleep with Father and keep Yan Er company?"
"Mother, Yan Er is still young, can't leave Mother."
"Mother, hold Yan Er's hand!"
Later on, this gifted little fellow quickly learned to walk and read. Every time he went to the book school, he would bring back all sorts of delicious and fun little things as treats for her after school.
This happened every day, without interruption.
Not to mention Hai Tang's curiosity, even Gu Ying herself looked forward to what little treasure he would bring back each day to make her happy. Of course, the things the Crown Prince brought were even more to her liking.
Only these father and son, each one of them knows how to pamper her.
It makes her, as a wife and a mother, feel somewhat ashamed that she hasn't done well enough.
In the midst of their conversation, a small figure quickly ran in from outside.
"Mother!"
Gu Ying felt a soft little thing dive into her arms, and she quickly embraced his small body.
She looked at the little bundle with a sunburnt face and said with concern, "Why did you come back from school so early today?"
Usually, he would only return after the sun had set.
Yin Lan came in with something in his hand and walked in with a smile.
"Lady, the master had some matters to attend to today, so school ended early."
"When this servant went to pick him up, the master had already left. Please don't blame our little crown prince, madam."
The little crown prince was highly favored in the mansion, from the Duke to the maidservants and servants, everyone liked him.
Gu Ying lovingly pinched the little crown prince's straight nose. He was born with a cute and lively appearance, especially his beautiful delicate eyes and eyebrows, his chubby porcelain-white skin. The more she looked at him, the more he resembled a little celestial being from the heavens.
