Almost at the same instant, a tall figure flashed in from outside the door.
He stepped forward, scooped up the small, swaddled child from under the table, and quickly held him close.
"Little rascal, didn't we agree that you're not allowed to disturb your mother during alchemy practice?"
"Come on, let's go play, Uncle-Grandpa will take you."
As he spoke, the man's long legs had already moved, completely disregarding the protests of the little one in his arms. In a few strides, he had left the alchemy room.
Silence returned to the room. The slender figure in front of the medicine table continued to prepare the drugs, not uttering a single word from beginning to end.
The door to the alchemy room opened again, an hour later.
The moment Feng Yinwan stepped out, a small figure flew towards her.
Her legs immediately felt heavy, as a force and a milky, childish plea descended together.
"Mother~"
The child before her was like a carved jade doll, his chubby arms encircling her thighs, his eyes showing not only affection but also a careful observation.
Feng Yinwan recognized this as a sign of her son's guilty conscience.
Seeing that she remained silent, Feng Jinche's round eyes rolled a few times before he buried his little face in her lap.
"Mother, hug me~"
His cheeks were soft and plump, surprisingly pleasant to the touch.
The seriousness that Feng Yinwan had managed to maintain on her face immediately showed cracks.
But, thinking of her purpose today, she held firm.
Normally, with Luo Qingyi, her uncle-grandpa, doting on him, this boy had been spoiled beyond measure.
There wasn't a single medicinal pill in the sect that he didn't dare to consume.
Ordinary medicines were one thing, but yesterday, he had been fiddling with poison!
If she hadn't stopped him in time, he would have swallowed the poison, and the consequences would have been unimaginable!
As a mother who worried incessantly, she had tossed and turned sleeplessly, finally making a difficult decision—
Today, no matter what, she had to break him of this habit of indiscriminately eating medicinal pills!
Thinking this, Feng Yinwan pursed her lips and ruthlessly pulled her leg away.
The embrace in her arms suddenly went empty. A trace of confusion flashed across Feng Jinche's small, round face.
But soon, it was replaced by hurt.
"Mother..."
His dark eyes stared at her, his small mouth pouting, looking utterly wronged.
Feng Yinwan, unable to resist, turned her eyes away.
She had expected the boy to continue with his coaxing and cute antics. She had even prepared her defenses, but to her surprise, he frowned slightly and shifted to a more tender approach.
"Mother, why were you inside for so long today?"
As soon as he spoke, his voice was soft and sweet, laced with concern and anxiety.
Feng Yinwan's temple twitched subtly. Just as she was about to stop him, her hand was gently taken.
As if afraid of upsetting her, the small, fleshy hand merely held two of her fingers and then stopped.
The little one looked at her, his expression earnest.
"Chenchen originally wanted to come in and see, but Uncle-Grandpa said that when Mother refines pills, she needs to concentrate and shouldn't be disturbed."
"But there was no sound from inside for such a long time. Chenchen was really worried that Mother would have another episode like last time..."
As he spoke, his eyes became red, befitting the occasion, and the hand holding Feng Yinwan's finger trembled slightly.
"Mother promised to take good care of herself. Uncle-Grandpa said that people should keep their promises, and even adults shouldn't casually lie to children."
The little mouth continued to murmur something. Feng Yinwan was taken aback, momentarily stunned.
What the little one was referring to was likely the time she had fainted in the alchemy room before.
Over the past three years, in her pursuit of the rapid alchemy cultivation method, while her power had increased, her body had inevitably suffered some backlash.
Her last fainting spell was an accidental occurrence, and she hadn't paid much attention to it. She hadn't expected the little one to remember it.
Her fingertips were slightly damp with tears.
Feng Yinwan sighed, reached out, and gently stroked his head. She had no choice but to abandon her plan to correct him for now.
Never mind, he was still young, and she couldn't be too strict with his education.
"Alright, don't cry. Mother didn't lie to you. Mother is feeling very well now."
Feng Jinche looked at her pale complexion, some doubt lingering in his eyes.
"Really?"
"Of course. Mother also prepared some candies for Chenchen."
A medicinal box appeared in her palm as if by magic.
The moment the familiar scent wafted over, Feng Jinche's nose twitched, a bubble forming, and he immediately broke into a tearful smile.
"Mother is the best!"
Saying that, he was about to rub his face against Feng Yinwan's leg again. However, a displeased voice suddenly rang out from behind.
"If Mother is the best, then Uncle-Grandpa isn't?"
Feng Jinche turned to look at the approaching figure and blinked.
"Uncle-Grandpa is also good, but Mother is the best in the world. Uncle-Grandpa, you only rank second in Chenchen's heart."
His tone was so serious it was almost excessive.
"You little scamp."
The man clicked his tongue, reached out, and scooped him into his arms. His gaze swept over the medicinal box in the boy's hand, then landed on Feng Yinwan.
This glance, upon noticing her pallor, turned grave.
Feng Yinwan met his gaze and silently shook her head.
The man's expression darkened, and just as he was about to say something more, a young attendant ran in from outside.
"Holy Master, Miss Wan'er, Young General Song has returned."