Side Story 9: Father, Mother Escaped Again, End Part 2
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Su Wuduan, who had persisted for so many years, finally got what he wanted and brought the beauty home. He was excited to the point where he felt like he could jump to the heavens. After being subjected to various dog-like treatments from several couples for years, he finally experienced the joy of becoming the master of his own fate. Overly pleased, this scoundrel started causing mischief on a large scale, publicizing his romantic story of meeting, knowing, and falling in love with his wife. He wanted the whole world to know that he was about to achieve a breakthrough and was feeling like a star at the moment.
Naturally, Su Wuduan’s actions only earned him resentment. Thus, on the day of their wedding, a group of people were eagerly waiting to tease him. A bunch of people with wine glasses appeared and swarmed towards Su Wuduan.
“Wow, stay away, stay away! I really can’t drink anymore, I can’t!”
Su Wuduan looked terrified as he watched the people with wine glasses approaching. He resembled someone facing a group of vengeful spirits.
“Hey, Young Master Su, that’s not right. Today is a big day for you. How can you enjoy yourself without having a drink?”
“That’s right… on such a joyous occasion, how can we do without some fine wine to liven things up?”
Seeing numerous hands reaching towards him, Su Wuduan almost reflexively jumped and leaped out of the encirclement, running away.
But how could they let him go so easily? Su Wuduan could evade the wine, but he couldn’t escape the bridal chamber customs.
Su Wuduan looked panic-stricken as he clung to the door of the new room, watching the approaching crowd with eerie smiles on their faces. In an instant, tears welled up in his eyes.
“Esteemed heroes, valiant men, please understand the hardships I’ve endured all these years. It’s been so difficult for me to finally marry my wife. Please don’t make a scene at a time like this, okay?”
“How can this be considered making a scene? We are expressing our sincere blessings to Young Master Su and Miss Cui Er. It’s really heartbreaking for you to say that, Young Master Su.”
“Yes, and besides, what do you mean by ‘so difficult’? You and Miss Cui Er are in love and have mutual affections. Isn’t it just a matter of time? Where’s the difficulty?”
“…” Now, Su Wuduan finally realized where he had gone wrong. Alas, if he hadn’t done such a foolish thing, he wouldn’t be in this situation now. Could he take back the words he said back then?
A group of people descended upon Su Wuduan, tormenting him mercilessly. In the end, it was Su Linlang who couldn’t stand it and intervened to help.
“Everyone, my inept son indeed deserves some punishment, but my daughter-in-law is a good person. It’s fine to tease this boy, but you can’t let my daughter-in-law spend her wedding night alone!”
“…” Eldest senior brother, how much do you need to be disliked to the point where even the master’s wife feels you deserve punishment? The only reason I’m helping you is for the sake of our Cui Er. You’re really making it a classic case of “people rebelling and friends deserting*”! Xia Yuqing listened to Su Linlang’s words and sympathetically glanced at Su Wuduan. However, she quickly realized that she was actually the one who should be pitied!
* find oneself utterly isolated
With a cold smile, Su Linlang summoned her beloved while looking at the noisy crowd.
“…” The little silver snake coiled around her arm, its bloody red tongue sticking out, causing everyone to shudder involuntarily. They promptly changed the subject and made a swift exit.
“Oh dear, the moonlight is so beautiful tonight. How about we go enjoy the moon together?”
“Moon-viewing? That’s a good idea, but I still have my wife and children waiting for me at home. It’s not good to be out too late. The night has fallen, let’s do it another day.”
“Oh, in that case, I won’t insist. Is there anyone willing to accompany me for moon-viewing?”
“I need to go back home to be with my wife and children.”
“I have to as well…”
“Me too…”
“…” A group of people with families, truly torturing the single dogs!
Thanks to Su Linlang’s intervention, Su Wuduan finally got to enjoy his wedding night. Although the process was a bit bitter, the result was still good.
As Yun Zhongyue watched all this unfold, he felt quietly aggrieved. Thinking back to the past, he saw everyone around him forming pairs, and his heart couldn’t help but ache. But at that time, at least he had his eldest senior brother by his side, supporting each other through thick and thin. Now, even eldest senior brother had found someone, leaving him alone. In this world, there was nothing more miserable than this!
While Yun Zhongyue was in a state of melancholy, feeling disheartened by the injustices of the world, he suddenly sensed someone approaching from the side. The next moment, he felt a soft object covering his face. His eyes narrowed suddenly, and before he could fully appreciate the moment, that person had already moved away.
“Idiot!”
After that, Yun Zhongyue heard a familiar voice from the side. When he turned his head, he saw Lu Rui blushing and running away.
Yun Zhongyue’s mind went blank for a few seconds. After it started functioning again, he shot up from his chair and rushed after Lu Rui, happily shouting, “Little Lulu, wait for me!”
From a distance, people could still hear the girl’s annoyed and embarrassed voice muttering, “Don’t call me Little Lulu, it sounds terrible!”
“Ah? Does it sound terrible? I think it’s quite cute. How about Little Rui Rui? That feels kind of weird!”
“…Just go back to the way it was.”
“…?”
The single dogs who were still at the wedding banquet couldn’t help but think, oh come on, why is it another lovey-dovey couple? They were surrounded by couples flaunting their affection everywhere. How could they, the single dogs, stand this any longer? Could they still have some fun?
The moon gradually moved to the zenith of the night sky. Shyly, it was covered by a passing black cloud, hiding its white brilliance.
Unbeknownst to the people at Xu Mansion, on this night, there was someone even more miserable than their besieged young master. That someone was…
“Your Majesty, what are you doing?” To be pressed as soon as they returned to the palace, did something provoke him?
Xia Yuqing stared at Feng Tingye, who was pressing down on her, with wide eyes, and cautiously asked.
Feng Tingye smiled lightly and reached his hand to Xia Yuqing’s waist. “Ai Fei, you promised to give me another child.”
Xia Yuqing’s whole body tensed suddenly. She looked at Feng Tingye with a stiff neck and awkwardly laughed, “Well, Your Majesty, matters like this should be considered carefully, it’s about destiny… yes, destiny, hahaha…”
“Is that so? I’ve always believed that the bond between us is incomparable in this world, so in this matter, it shouldn’t be about destiny but about effort.”
“…” Effort? Did he mean what she was thinking?
Xia Yuqing realized and hurriedly tried to struggle, but Feng Tingye was quick to anticipate her move. He held her down and whispered in her ear, “Didn’t you mention it to Empress Shu before? Since you came back only for the sake of having a child, then let’s have a few more. That way, I won’t worry about when you’ll be abducted by someone.”
As he spoke, a trace of cold light flashed through Feng Tingye’s eyes. Heh heh, did she mean that with her current body that hadn’t borne a child yet, he couldn’t keep her? Then he would give her a few more children, so who would dare to recklessly take someone away from him?
Xia Yuqing was completely stunned by the words, even forgetting to struggle temporarily. She widened her eyes in disbelief and looked at Feng Tingye, whispering, “Your Majesty, you actually eavesdropped!”
Feng Tingye remained calm and composed, with no trace of embarrassment from being caught eavesdropping. Instead, he approached Xia Yuqing with a perfectly natural smile and said, “Ai Fei, you’re mistaken. To use your own words, the entire palace, even the entire Ye Kingdom, belongs to me, including you, Ai Fei. When I listen to someone in my own territory, it can’t be considered eavesdropping.”
“…” Wait a minute, why does this sound so familiar?
Before Xia Yuqing could deeply reflect on when she had said these words, Feng Tingye had swiftly removed her clothes. By the time she realized it, the momentum had already shifted, and it was too late.
“Your Majesty, you…”
Xia Yuqing wanted to protest, but she was once again forcefully subdued. As she was swept up in the tide, her last thought was…
It’s not about fearing god-like opponents, it’s about fearing teammates as dumb as pigs! If only she hadn’t been concerned about being shy and embarrassed back then, she would have directly told Aunt Yue that she came back for the Ultra Seme Lord! Aaah, Aunt Yue, you’ve really caused me a lot of trouble!
The moonlight was cool and refreshing, soothing the heart and soul, yet inside the palace, the red curtains were once again fluttering, and the waves of passion were rolling. At this moment, the only appropriate thing to say would be: the night is still young!
One month after Su Wuduan’s wedding, the imperial palace of Ye Kingdom remained as joyful and harmonious as ever.
On this day, early in the morning, two children led two pets to play happily under the shade of the trees. The innocent laughter of the children and the low calls of the Xiao Bai and Xiao Hei echoed throughout the courtyard. Unexpectedly harmonious. However, this harmony was soon shattered.
“Um, brother, what is mother doing over there?” Second Baby, with wide eyes and a round little face filled with curiosity, looked at the figure not far away. She innocently asked his question.
For over a year now, because of Xia Yuqing’s return, Second Baby didn’t look for her mother at every little thing anymore. She also didn’t neglect food and drink, or be depressed. She even got her appetite back. Discovering this, no one was happier than Lu Rui.
In the year when Xia Yuqing was absent, she saw Second Baby slowly transform from a chubby little ball into a thin and weak little sprout. She couldn’t help feeling anxious and guilty. Now that she finally saw Second Baby willing to eat, she naturally put in all her effort to feed her. Therefore, in less than a year, Second Baby gradually returned to her original chubby form, making people want to pinch her.
As Big Baby listened to the question and looked in the direction she pointed, he ended up seeing his unintentionally hilarious mother carrying a small bundle on her back and struggling to climb… over a wall?!
Xia Yuqing hadn’t realized her intentions had already been discovered. She was still angrily pushing herself forward, holding her head with two big black eye circles. Since a month ago after her Senior Brother’s wedding, every time she appeared in his line of sight, she would be pounced on within ten seconds. This was becoming predictable; it was inevitable that she would be pounced. He even claimed he was making up for the lost year!
Nonsense! At this rate, she would die for sure, absolutely! In order to avoid dying from exhaustion, she had to save herself!
After tremendous effort, Xia Yuqing finally managed to climb up the tall palace wall. Panting heavily, she wiped the sweat from her forehead. As soon as she lowered her head, she noticed four pairs of eyes below staring at her without blinking.
“…”
“…”
After a few seconds of staring between Xia Yuqing, the two children, and the two pets, the atmosphere grew tense and awkward. Finally, it was Big Baby who broke the silence.
“Mother, what are you trying to do?” Big Baby’s mouth twitched as he looked at Xia Yuqing’s obvious attempt to escape. He whispered lowly.
Xia Yuqing was stunned for a moment, scratching the back of her head as she awkwardly laughed, “My child, your mother is going to hide with your Royal Uncle for a few days. You stay at home and have a good time with your father and little brother. When your mother has time, I’ll come back to see you, okay?”
Having said that, Xia Yuqing decisively picked up her little bundle and prepared to run, but then she suddenly heard Big Baby muttering, “So you mean, Mother is planning to have the red apricot tree lean over the garden wall*?”
* have an affair
“Um…” Why does that sound a little strange? Xia Yuqing instinctively felt a chill down her spine. A bad premonition surged up within her.
Sure enough, a moment later, Xia Yuqing could only watch as Big Baby shouted, “Father, something’s not right! Mother is climbing over the wall!”
“Oh no, don’t…” Xia Yuqing’s face turned pale. She panicked, trying to stop Big Baby, but she completely forgot that she was sitting on top of a high palace wall. With this movement, she ended up falling off the wall.
“Mother!”
“Niang Niang!”
Both children below and the palace maids silently watching from the corner were startled. They wanted to rush forward and help, but skilled individuals like Cui Er and Li Yuan were no longer in the palace, and the others were too overwhelmed to assist.
In the critical moment, everyone felt a shadow pass by. The next second, the person who had fallen was already caught by that shadow.
In the split second of falling, Xia Yuqing felt her world spinning. She was about to hit her head and bleed, but unexpectedly, there was a soft thud. Instead of feeling pain, she felt something soft underneath her.
Without time for deep thought, a familiar and concerned voice reached her ears, “Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?”
Upon hearing this voice, Xia Yuqing’s body suddenly trembled. She turned her stiff little face and looked at the speaker.
In this moment of heroically saving the beauty, it should have been a romantic and sweet opportunity for affectionate words. However, all Xia Yuqing could think of were these bold words: “I’m done for, I’ve been caught red-handed.”
Seeing Xia Yuqing’s current expression, Feng Tingye knew that she probably didn’t hurt herself. He was about to settle the score with her when he noticed her face abruptly turn pale.
“Ai Fei?”
Xia Yuqing frowned and responded somewhat pitifully, “I suddenly feel… a bit uncomfortable in my stomach.”
Feng Tingye’s expression changed, and he stopped thinking about settling the score with Xia Yuqing. Instead, he turned his head and shouted loudly at the still stunned crowd, “Call for the imperial physician.”
Big Baby originally thought that Xia Yuqing was pretending to be sick to escape responsibility, but he soon realized that she seemed genuinely unwell. He became worried and hurriedly followed Feng Tingye’s footsteps, pulling Second Baby along.
The senior imperial physician was dragged all the way by the palace maids, finally arriving at Xiefang Hall in a rush. Before catching his breath, he was angrily shouted at by Feng Tingye, “Hurry up and check the Empress!”
With trembling hands, the senior imperial physician checked Xia Yuqing’s pulse. After a few seconds, his eyes widened suddenly. Under Feng Tingye’s intense gaze, he checked Xia Yuqing’s pulse again and exclaimed in astonishment, “Your… Your Majesty, the Empress is pregnant again!”
“!” As soon as the senior imperial physician spoke, everyone in the hall couldn’t help but inhale sharply.
Royal Mother is having a little sister! → Second Baby’s eyes lit up.
The Empress is going to have a little princess or prince! → The people in Xiefang Hall were extremely excited.
Ai Fei is finally pregnant. It’s not in vain that I’ve put in so much effort these days! → Feng Tingye breathed a sigh of relief, feeling somewhat smug.
She’s pregnant again?! → Xia Yuqing, who had recovered slightly, exclaimed while burying her face in the blanket, feeling a bit downcast.
“Niang Niang has been pregnant for nearly two months. The fetal movements are still unstable, and she was startled just now. Fortunately, there’s no serious problem. However…” The senior imperial physician blushed as he reached this point, “However, during the next few months, Your Majesty and the Empress should refrain from… well, you know, and focus on ensuring the safety of the pregnancy.”
“…”
Xia Yuqing and Feng Tingye were both stunned. Xia Yuqing immediately buried her face deeper into the blanket, pretending to be dead. Feng Tingye also felt somewhat embarrassed and mumbled to himself, realizing that this situation had already happened before. If he had known, he wouldn’t have needed to put in so much effort for the past month.
“I understand. Imperial Physician, make sure to take good care of my Ai Fei’s pregnancy.”
The senior imperial physician wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and nodded in agreement. It wasn’t that he had a bold heart to say such audacious words, but the esteemed Empress was indeed quite unconventional. When she gave birth to two royalties in the past, there had been accidents, and now she had caused this chaos again. He thought it was better to advise them sooner to prevent future problems with the dragon’s offspring that might jeopardize his own safety.
Over the next few months, Xia Yuqing finally managed to escape from the clutches of that beast. However, she became a mobile vase once again, attracting attention and unnecessary fuss wherever she went.
Eight months later, amidst Xia Yuqing’s heart-rending screams, the imperial family of Ye Kingdom added another chubby little boy to their ranks. A joyful occasion, indeed.
In the blink of an eye, three years passed.
Xia Yuqing’s child was already three years old, as adorable as Second Baby. By then, the imperial palace of Ye Kingdom had completely turned into a children’s playground.
Four years ago, the idiotic Second Royal Brother of Xia Yuqing’s family and Yuxue had also given birth to a boy, inheriting his mother’s domineering disposition. Half a year ago, after getting tired of playing with their child, this unreliable couple directly left their future successor, who should have been the lord of nine palaces and sixteen Strongholds, in Xia Yuqing’s care and went off to travel the world together (losing their sense of responsibility?). From then on, this boy, who, after growing up, shed his cute and innocent qualities, increasingly took after his mother’s temperament. He ended up clashing with Xia Muyun’s daughter, who had grown up and lost her adorable qualities. Currently, the two are happily engaged in a corner, pinching each other.
Later on, Tuan Tuan from the Yunxi family was also dumped into Ye Kingdom. Yunxi, who named her son “Tuan Tuan,” claimed that she was letting him spend time with his beloved grandfather, who favored his granddaughter over his grandson. Tuan Tuan was nearly driven to tears, but they decided to leave his upbringing to his little imperial uncle. Now, this child had completely adopted the character of Yun Zhongyue. He was having a great time playing with the second daughter of the Yin family, who was born a couple of years ago. He didn’t notice that Yin Hui, who had become overly attached to his younger sister, was glaring at him with icy eyes, as if he wished to dismember him.
Shortly after Xia Yuqing three years ago, Li Yuan also gave birth to a chubby boy. It is said that the housekeeper burst into tears on the spot, knocking his head against the sky outside the room for a long time, thanking the heavens that the Yan family did not end. However, in order to ensure that the Yan family’s only seed does not turn out as unruly as his father, since the birth of this child, Yan Ran at home has completely lost his say. All aspects of the child’s education are handled by Li Yuan. As a result, the Yan family’s boy, although he has a beautiful face like Yan Ran, has adopted Li Yuan’s temperament—calm and gentle, much more likable than his old man.
At the moment, the Yan boy is in the yard helping a little girl below to pick osmanthus flowers from a small tree, occasionally bowing his head to gently say a few words to the little girl. The little girl’s smile was brilliant, her face somewhat similar to Yan Tingfang, but her eyes completely inherit those of Shao Zitang.
This little girl was born half a year after the birth of the Yan family boy, obedient and adorable, very lovable. She is the pearl in the palm of Shao Zitang. Unfortunately, this girl likes to stick with the Yan family boy the most.
Madam Shao, Lord Shao, and the housekeeper are quite happy about this, but the two fathers are not so easy to talk to. So, the two individuals who were enemies since their youth became arch-enemies again because of the two children.
Of course, last but not least, one has to mention the Xia brothers who just returned for a family visit. The second brother of the Xia family, who has grown up by now, is still following Big Baby just like before. On the opposite side, Xia Yuhan is hiding behind Xia Yuze, eagerly watching second baby. Sigh… I really want to kiss big sister’s face.
Big Baby had a pair of phoenix eyes that were almost identical to Feng Tingye’s. He glanced at the person across from him, a smile hiding a sharpness. On the other side, Xia Yuze, who has also grown up, was not afraid of big baby at all now. He faces big baby with a fearless and smiling expression.
In an instant, a fierce battle of wills unfolded between the two, with invisible swords and hidden daggers clashing spectacularly!
Just as the bystanders were retreating several steps, terrified by the pressure emanating from the two, they suddenly heard a series of soft rustling noises nearby.
“Huh, big brother, it’s Royal Mother again!” Second Baby’s crisp voice successfully redirected everyone’s attention. A group of children’s eyes shifted to the palace wall not far away.
Once again, Xia Yuqing was climbing the wall, her back still carrying the small package from years ago. She was climbing while grumbling.
She couldn’t take it anymore! If a tiger doesn’t show its might, they’ll treat me as a Hello Kitty! That beast, after giving him another little bun, he still isn’t satisfied. He says they had a younger brother, and Second Baby was sad, so they need to continue trying hard and strive to have a little princess next.
Try hard… try my foot! I quit. Whoever wants to have more children can go ahead, but I don’t want to have any more! She agreed with Xiang Er; men in this regard are never satisfied. If there’s one, there’s two; if there’s two, there’s three. She couldn’t indulge them any longer. She needed to run away from home!
Xia Yuqing finally managed to climb onto the wall, panting and wiping her sweat. As she looked down, she once again met countless pairs of innocent eyes.
“……”
“……”
Facing each other, the scene was so familiar. Xia Yuqing’s face turned pale as she pointed at Second Baby and exclaimed, “Why are you all here?”
Big Baby’s face bore an uncanny resemblance to Feng Tingye’s, and he coldly smirked, saying, “If we’re not here, how would we see Royal Mother scaling the wall? Where are you planning to climb to this time, Royal Mother?”
“……To Third Senior Brother’s place.” Xia Yuqing had considered it; her Eldest Royal Brother was utterly unreliable, so it was better to seek refuge with her third senior brother. But now…
Xia Yuqing suddenly snapped to attention and pointed at Big Baby, asking, “Why are you asking this? What do you want to do?”
“What do I want to do? Seeing Royal Mother scaling the wall, as the son of the Emperor and Royal Mother, it’s only natural for me to inform Royal Father of Royal Mother’s whereabouts.” With that, Bigi Baby seemed about to shout toward the courtyard entrance. Seeing this, Xia Yuqing hurriedly interjected, “Wait, wait!”
“Royal Mother still has something to do?”
Xia Yuqing took a deep breath, putting on a smile to coax the child, “Well, Dudu, how about we not tell Royal Father about this?”
“Not tell Royal Father?” Big Baby tilted his head, “Is there any benefit to that?”
“…” This child had indeed gone wayward. He even knew to ask for benefits from his own mother!
Suppressing the urge to curse, Xia Yuqing smiled faintly, “What benefit do you want?”
A glint of cunning crossed Big Baby’s eyes. “Actually, it’s not much of a benefit. Royal Mother took something from me back then, and you still haven’t returned it. I want it back now.”
Huh? When did she ever take something from her Big Baby? Xia Yuqing pondered for a moment, and suddenly a flash of realization crossed her mind. Could it be… that item from back then? That was clearly mine. When did it become his, and why should she return it to him?
The smile on Xia Yuqing’s face froze for a moment, and she chuckled awkwardly, “Dudu, that thing is dangerous. How about I give you something else instead?”
Big Baby’s expression darkened at her words, and he turned to call out, “Royal Father…”
“Hold on, hold on. If you want it, you can have it. There’s a spare one under the third compartment of my bed in the palace. I’ll be leaving, so you can fetch it yourself.”
Having achieved his goal, Big Baby’s demeanor eased, and he smiled, “Very well, thank you, Royal Mother.”
“…” This child really wasn’t cute at all.
After negotiating, as Xia Yuqing was about to climb down from the palace wall, she saw a sly grin appear on Big Baby’s face. In the next moment, she watched him gesture to his younger brother at the side.
The little bun hopped over to his brother, calling out in a clear voice, “Brother.”
Big Baby nodded, leaned in to whisper a few words to his younger brother, and then Xia Yuqing saw her innocent and naive little bun nod in apparent understanding. He then turned toward the courtyard entrance and shouted loudly, “Father, Mother is escaping again!”
The child’s innocent voice echoed throughout the entire courtyard. Xia Yuqing froze in place, petrified atop the palace wall.
Not long after, everyone heard a familiar soft laughter coming from the courtyard entrance. He said, “Ai Fei, you still have the strength to engage in wall-climbing today? It seems I didn’t put enough effort into last night, ah!”
Behind Xia Yuqing, her hairs stood on end. Looking at the triumphant smile on Big Baby’s face, she couldn’t help but let out a miserable scream, “Dudu, you traitor! You promised not to say anything! Sob, sob, sob, I don’t want to go back, let go of me, quickly let go of me!”
Big Baby, left in place, rewarded the little bun with a pat on the head to show approval. He watched from a distance as his mother was once again carried away by his father, a hint of innocence playing on his lips. “Mother, your son only promised not to call, but didn’t promise not to let others call! Your son is not breaking his promise!”
“…,” A group of onlookers of children were collectively stunned by the shamelessness of Big Baby.
So, as they say, mischievous kids remain mischievous no matter when. The person who gave birth to such a debtor might have a lifetime of repaying debts.
The wind whispered through the tall tree in the courtyard, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Palace attendants passing by outside listened to the occasional laughter of children in the yard and the somewhat resistant loud protests from the palace, exchanging knowing smiles.
Everyone knew that this was the happiness that belonged to all of them!
Another novel completed and actually the novel that started my translation journey!!! Thank you to all the readers who joined me on this journey and supported my translations, it really does mean a lot!!! <3 If you enjoyed the translations and the novel, please make sure to give the novel a good rating and review on Novelupdates or donate on Ko-fi or Paypal <3P.S. Go check out the other amazing novels being translated on this site :))
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