Feng Jin spent a full hour after bringing the child back to the manor before the little one's breathing finally stabilized.
After the wet nurse fed him, the little one fell asleep soundly.
Looking at the child in the cradle, Feng Jin was reminded of her own elder sons, Da Bao and Er Bao, when they were this small. They were so fragile, and she had been so careful when touching them, afraid of misjudging her strength and hurting the child.
In the blink of an eye, Da Bao and Er Bao had grown up. She couldn't help but sigh at how quickly time passed, flowing through her fingers like water, impossible to grasp.
"Mother... Mother..."
"Mother..."
As if summoned, the two little ones appeared before her in the blink of an eye.
"Shh, keep your voices down. Little brother just fell asleep. Don't wake him."
Feng Jin hurried forward to meet her children, reminding them to be quiet so as not to disturb the baby.
"Mother... look..."
Da Bao stood on tiptoe, craning his neck to see inside. He had heard from Sister Chu Qing that Mother had brought back a little brother and couldn't wait to see what he looked like, dragging Er Bao along with him.
"You can look, but you must be quiet. Don't wake little brother."
Da Bao and Er Bao nodded obediently. Feng Jin then took their hands and led them towards the cradle.
"You can only look, but do not touch little brother's face. He is very weak now and needs to rest well."
The child had a weak foundation even in the womb. Feng Ruoyan's body was not meant for another pregnancy; she had only managed to conceive with the help of potent medications.
Then, to make matters worse, labor was induced prematurely, further weakening the child.
After all this, it was already a miracle that the child's life was saved. As for how much longer he would live, she couldn't even be sure.
They could only care for him with the utmost caution. If no accidents occurred, he might live for a few more years.
"Mother... Little brother is so small... just a little bit..."
Er Bao pointed at the child lying in the cradle, remarking how small he was. His face was smaller than his own.
How could such a tiny child possibly grow up strong?
"You two were this small when you were born, too. You'll grow bigger slowly."
Feng Jin's mind drifted to when her own two sons were born, recalling that they hadn't seemed much different then.
"Alright, it's getting late. You've seen little brother. You two be good and go back to sleep."
Feng Jin urged the two children to return to their rooms and sleep, not to linger any longer.
The two little ones were unusually cooperative, going back obediently and not forgetting to remind Feng Jin to take good care of their little brother.
After sending the children away, Feng Jin returned to sit by the cradle, her gaze fixed on the child. His complexion had improved considerably now.
With a creak, the tightly shut door opened from the outside, and Ling Mohan walked in.
Hearing the sound, Feng Jin quickly turned her head. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes when she saw Ling Mohan.
He wasn't supposed to be back tonight; he had matters at the military camp. Why had he returned so suddenly, without any warning? She wished he had given her some preparation.
She hadn't figured out how to explain this child to Ling Mohan yet...
"Weren't you not coming back tonight? Why are you back?"
Ling Mohan didn't answer Feng Jin's question. Instead, he walked forward, his gaze fixed on the sleeping child in the cradle.
"This is Chu Yanxi and Feng Ruoyan's child?"
From Ling Mohan's expression alone, Feng Jin knew he was already aware of the situation. Without a doubt, Lu Shi must have told him.
However, since he knew now, there was no point in hiding it any longer. She might as well admit it directly.
"Indeed, it is. When I found him, he was barely breathing. Saving a life is like building a seven-story pagoda. I couldn't just stand by and do nothing, so I brought the child back..."
"Did I... did I cause you trouble by doing this?"
Ever since she brought the child back, she had been wondering if her actions would cause trouble for Ling Mohan. If she had indeed caused trouble, she would feel terribly guilty.
"It's nothing..."
Ling Mohan said softly. After a pause, he continued, "The child cannot be raised here forever. What do you plan to do with him?"
Hearing Ling Mohan's words, Feng Jin felt a chill run down her spine, a vague sense of foreboding.
"I... I haven't thought about it yet. What do you think should be done with the child?"
She wanted to hear Ling Mohan's opinion first before making a decision.
"This child is, after all, of royal blood. Once his health stabilizes, send him to the palace."
"No! Although this child is of royal blood, Chu Yanxi is now a criminal. If this child stays in the palace, a place that devours people without spitting out bones, he won't survive!"
She knew firsthand how dangerous the palace was. Could such a young child survive in such a treacherous place? Moreover, with the Empress and Chu Yanxi both found guilty, this child would surely face disdain and bullying in the palace.
"Then what do you want? This child has a special identity; it's difficult to keep him in the Ling Manor!"
Ling Mohan sighed helplessly. If he had been there at the time, he would never have allowed Feng Jin to bring the child back. This child was a huge trouble, and keeping him at the manor was like a ticking time bomb.
The sooner he was sent away, the more at ease he would feel.
"I don't know for now, but he can't be sent away right now. This child is very weak. We need to let him recover his health before discussing arrangements."
At the very least, for now, she could ensure that if the child left this place, he would lose his life within seven days. Therefore, under no circumstances could she let the child leave now.
"Then, let him stay in the manor temporarily. Once he's a bit better, send him back to the palace!"
Ling Mohan's stance was firm; he was determined to send the child back to the palace.
"Alright then!" Feng Jin hesitated for a moment but decided to go along with Ling Mohan for now. At least she had gained some time, and she had plenty of time to persuade Ling Mohan.
"As for the child staying in our manor, please keep it a secret for now. I worry that if word gets out, it might cause unnecessary trouble."