Yun Shu gently patted Xiao Li's back.
Her voice, soft and soothing, calmed Xiao Li's fear. "Nightmares are not real, Xiao Li. Don't be afraid. With Mother here, no nightmare is scary."
Seeing Xiao Li's frightened expression, Yun Shu's tone became even gentler.
Zhan Xiao Li quickly calmed down. He had woken up from the terror of the nightmare, realizing he was in his mother's arms, crying tears and snot. His once fair face was now flushed red.
"Mother, I... I only had this nightmare tonight. I've never cried like this before." He didn't want his mother to think he was timid.
Yun Shu smiled. "Mm, Xiao Li is always very brave. Can you tell Mother what you dreamt about?"
For a child this young, nightmares were often caused by unfair treatment during the day, or by hidden worries manifesting in dreams. Knowing the cause would help her resolve it.
Xiao Li's nose was red from crying. He sniffled, disliking his own lack of strength and courage. But as soon as his mother asked about the nightmare, his nose felt sore again, and his eyes filled with fear. "Mother, the nightmare felt so real. I saw... I saw Great-Grandfather spitting blood, so much blood, and he was covered in it. My brothers and I wanted to help him, but we couldn't no matter what. Great-Grandfather tried to speak to us, but we couldn't understand a single word."
After speaking, he hugged Yun Shu tightly again.
It was too terrifying!
Yun Shu froze.
Jing Heng, standing nearby, said in a cold voice, "Nightmares are never real."
Yun Shu snapped back to attention. She frowned. Why such a nightmare?
"Uncle Jing Heng is right. Nightmares are never real. Haven't you seen your Great-Grandfather much these past two days? Do you miss him? We can go see him tomorrow, alright?" Yun Shu asked softly.
Zhan Xiao Li knew nightmares weren't real. It was just the image of his injured Great-Grandfather in the dream that was so frightening. He didn't want his Great-Grandfather to be hurt.
"Yes! Mother and Uncle Jing Heng are right. Nightmares are all fake. Great-Grandfather wouldn't be so badly injured." Zhan Xiao Li's small face regained its cool composure.
He looked up at the sky, his brow furrowed. "It's not dawn yet. I'm going back to sleep. Thank you, Mother."
Then, Zhan Xiao Li, with his short legs, headed back to his room.
He yawned as he walked, his eyes nearly closing.
Yun Shu stepped forward and picked up Zhan Xiao Li. "Mother will sleep with you tonight."
Hearing this, Zhan Xiao Li's nearly closed eyes lit up. "Wow! That's great!"
He really wanted to sleep with his mother, but he knew he was growing up and shouldn't cling to her.
Now that Mother said she would sleep with them, he was truly happy!
That night, with Yun Shu's company, Zhan Xiao Li had no more nightmares.
...
The Imperial Palace.
Kunning Palace.
A pigeon landed on the windowsill.
It fluttered its wings a few times.
The faint sound caused the person in the room to open their eyes.
Jiang Luoxi got out of bed, pushed open the window, caught the pigeon, and then closed the window.
She retrieved the letter from the pigeon.
Her eyes scanned the few words on it: All is well. Rest assured.
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Her sleepiness vanished.
After burning the letter, she opened the window again and released the pigeon.
Following the direction outside the window, she seemed to see the Night King's Mansion.
And even more, she seemed to see the Night King within the mansion.
He had successfully ignited her desire for conquest.
With this thought, she withdrew her gaze, closed the window, put on her clothes, and then pushed open the door to walk out. She stepped onto the bluestone path in the palace, heading towards Zhan Tianhong's palace.
Soon, she arrived.
Palace guards stood at the entrance.
Upon seeing someone approach, they immediately stepped forward. "Who goes there?"
Jiang Luoxi replied softly, "Please inform His Majesty that I am Jiang Luoxi."
The guards then realized it was Jiang Luoxi.
Everyone in the palace had seen Jiang Luoxi and knew she was highly valued by the Empress Dowager.
She was here to see the Emperor at this hour?
A moment later, the guards were even more puzzled. When the Emperor heard it was Jiang Luoxi, he immediately invited her in!
At this moment, the door was tightly shut.
No one knew what they were discussing inside the room.
A large dark cloud covered the bright moon.
The night grew even darker.
...
Early in the morning, as they were having breakfast.
Yun Shu was about to take the three children to Qin Mansion to see Old Master Qin.
Unexpectedly, as if by telepathy, Old Master Qin arrived.
"Oh my, I don't know what happened last night. This old man couldn't sleep at all, my mind kept thinking about you three. Oh my, you three are truly the apple of my eye!"
Old Master Qin embraced them one by one upon seeing Xiao Li and the others.
Hearing Old Master Qin's words, Yun Shu smiled. "They were just thinking of you. We were planning to go to Qin Mansion after breakfast, but I didn't expect Old Master Qin to arrive first."
Indeed, blood is thicker than water.
"Oh, you are indeed the old man's treasures. I miss you, and you miss me. Isn't this telepathy!" Old Master Qin smiled gleefully. Now, he felt like he was flying when he walked.
Three darlings!
More valuable to boast about than all his wealth.
"Great-Grandfather is right. It's telepathy. We were just thinking of Great-Grandfather!" Yun Xiao Jing, with his sweet mouth, was the first to express his feelings.
Zhan Xiao Feng followed closely. "Me too, I missed Great-Grandfather too!"
"Me too," Zhan Xiao Li said coolly. His star-like eyes fixed on his Great-Grandfather, still recalling the image from his dream.
He couldn't help but think of it.
He didn't want to recall it.
Great-Grandfather was clearly fine, smiling happily, and had just hugged them.
Mother and Uncle Jing Heng were right. Great-Grandfather wouldn't be in trouble!
He, Xiao Jing, and Xiao Feng would protect Great-Grandfather!
And they would protect Father, Mother, and Grandfather!
"Oh my, oh my! You miss Great-Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather misses you too! Look what I brought in this food box!" Old Master Qin lifted the food box and shook it at them.
Yun Shu caught a faint aroma wafting from the food box.
It stirred her own little craving.
"They are steamed dumplings! Freshly made steamed dumplings. I rushed here immediately after buying them, and they're still piping hot! Come, let's eat! There's also hot lamb soup inside, it's incredibly delicious!"
Old Master Qin immediately opened the food box.
Steaming hot dumplings and lamb soup.
Yun Shu loved eating steamed dumplings, and the three children did too. Although the chef at the General's Mansion made delicious dumplings, they weren't as good as those from Xiang Ji.
The group began to eat immediately.
The atmosphere was lively and warm.
A strong sense of familial warmth permeated the air.
"Miss, Ning Wang and the Ning Wang heir have arrived. They say the Ning Wang heir is here to apologize. Miss, do you wish to see them?" a query came from outside the door, from the gatekeeper.