Chapter 696: Chapter 499: Little Crybaby, Beautiful and Charming, The Rugged Man Spoils His Wife with Seduction 49
Time flies.
Three years have quickly passed.
During these three years, the little emperor has grown up a lot, shedding his original childishness, and, under the careful guidance of plenty, has become more and more steady, sometimes looking almost like a small adult.
However, that’s only in front of outsiders; when facing Su Zhiruan’s family, he drops his disguise and is still the rambunctious child.
Su Zhiruan has been handling state affairs for many years, and when the little emperor was five, she personally taught him by her side. The little emperor also liked Ming Yi and Ming Xi very much; the three children, without much age difference, loved playing with peers, and apart from them, there were no other children of similar age in the imperial harem, so the three of them played very well together.
These past years, Ji Xiaoyuan remained as clingy as ever. However, without children before, he could cling to Su Zhiruan openly, but now, he clings to her along with the children, claiming it as true family life.
Sometimes, Su Zhiruan finds herself reflecting that Ji Xiaoyuan is a qualified good father, while she, as the mother, spends most of her time reviewing petitions and handling various official duties, and can’t often accompany her children.
But Ming Yi and Ming Xi are well-raised, healthy, fair and chubby, with delightful personalities; they understand that their mother has work to do.
As soon as Su Zhiruan stepped through the door, two soft and sticky little ones rushed over, like swallows returning to the woods, crying, "Mother——"
"Mother, you’re finally back!"
"Ruanruan, are you tired?" Ji Xiaoyuan refused to be outdone, offering a cup of tea to Su Zhiruan’s lips.
The scene was so warm that Su Zhiruan’s heart felt cozy; every time she came home to see the handsome Ji Xiaoyuan and her adorable, lively children waiting with a lamp on, and be greeted with a warm cup of tea upon her arrival; such a life is truly blissful.
"Tomorrow, mother will be off duty, why don’t we go out as a family for an outing?"
Su Zhiruan embraced a milky little babe in each arm.
As she had guessed back then, you could tell their outstanding looks within days of their birth. Now, at three years old, they look like little jade-carved dolls, loved by everyone who sees them.
Ming Yi resembles her, and Ming Xi resembles Ji Xiaoyuan, both white, tender-skinned, with delicate porcelain-doll features.
"Mother finally has a day off, and can take us out to play!" Ming Yi gave Su Zhiruan a kiss on the cheek, and Ming Xi followed suit, planting a kiss on her other cheek.
"Mother, I want to take my little wings!"
"Alright, alright, tomorrow mother will play with you to your heart’s content."
Su Zhiruan was deeply satisfied, holding her little daughter while Ji Xiaoyuan held their son, and they respectively took them back to the bedroom to coax them to sleep. When night fell, they returned to their own bedroom.
"Was today tiring?" Ji Xiaoyuan helped her off with her outer garments.
Su Zhiruan loosened her sash with a long sigh, "So tiring, luckily I didn’t become the Emperor back then."
Shedding the luxurious outerwear, Su Zhiruan leaned against the strong shoulder of the man, gently touching his abs. "When Your Majesty and the children are grown, how about we retire to the mountains?"
"Just like before," Ji Xiaoyuan embraced her, his tone filled with emotion.
They were destined for each other, in every aspect. Back then, Ji Xiaoyuan also supported the young emperor’s ascension, led troops into battle, and put in much effort to lay a solid foundation for today’s Dynasty Emperor, having thought of giving up at times, but persevered due to his sense of duty and mission.
Now, Su Zhiruan is exactly like he was back then; hence, Ji Xiaoyuan understands that Wan Dynasty cannot do without Su Zhiruan now.
Such a life is also good; after all, the guidance received in the imperial palace is also better. It’s a good thing for Ming Yi and Ming Xi. As parents, they must plan for the long term. When the little ones have established their own paths and made their own choices, it won’t be too late for them to retire to the mountains then.