Xiao Changyi didn’t hesitate at all and said, "Alright."
An Jing, "..." My dear, at least give it some thought! This will make it seem like you can’t wait for the child to be looked after by his adoptive father!
The Emperor of Xiyun didn’t expect Xiao Changyi to agree so easily. First, he was stunned, then he became especially delighted and repeatedly said, "Good, good, good, tonight Jing’er and the others will sleep with Us. It’s been half a year since We have seen them; We must have a good chat with them tonight."
Since her husband had agreed, An Jing naturally wouldn’t undermine her husband’s stance.
Moreover, she knew that the Emperor of Xiyun truly liked her four children.
However, she was somewhat worried, "Imperial Father, you haven’t had good rest these past nights, and Jing’er and the others are still young—they might be noisy at night, which could cause you more sleepless nights."
The Emperor of Xiyun laughed and said, "At My age, My sleep is light anyway, and if I can get two to three ’hours’ a day, that’s enough. Surely Jing’er and the others won’t be noisy the whole night preventing Us from sleeping peacefully, right?"
Without waiting for An Jing to reply, the Emperor of Xiyun added, "Alright, You need not worry. Even if I alone can’t handle Jing’er and the others, aren’t there still plenty of palace maids and eunuchs? There’ll be no problems with Jing’er and the others staying with Us tonight."
Only then did An Jing smile and say, "Then We will trouble Imperial Father."
The Emperor of Xiyun said, "It’s no trouble, no trouble at all. It is Our pleasure to look after your children for you. You always refuse to let Us take care of them; now that We can spend a night with them, We are too happy for words. How could We feel it is a burden?"
An Jing was very moved.
It was at this moment someone hurriedly came in to report, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and the Imperial Grandson have arrived."
The Emperor of Xiyun didn’t even look at the person before saying, "Let them in."
As soon as that person left, Su Chengyu and Su Muchen entered. Su Muchen, although only nine years old, acted like a little adult, following very cultivatedly beside Su Chengyu, his every move befitting his status as the Imperial Grandson.
"Your son pays respects to Imperial Father."
"Your grandson pays respects to Grandfather Emperor."
"Rise," said the Emperor of Xiyun as he was helping them up, then asked Su Chengyu, "Why have you come so late?"
Su Chengyu immediately replied with respect, "Just now the Grand Tutor was examining Chen’s lessons; I took the liberty of not interrupting. Once the Grand Tutor finished examining Chen’s lessons, I then brought Chen over, which unfortunately caused some delay. I hope Imperial Father will forgive me."
The Emperor of Xiyun nodded, indicating that he understood. It was clear he wouldn’t blame Su Chengyu.
After nodding, the Emperor of Xiyun turned his head, his gaze falling on Su Muchen’s still maturing face, and asked with a smile, "Chen, did you do well on your lessons this time?"
The nine-year-old Su Muchen respectfully replied, "In response to Grandfather Emperor, the Grand Tutor said that Chen’s remarks were substantial, unbiased, and remarkably clear."
"That’s good," the Emperor of Xiyun said with satisfaction, nodding his head and not asking further, "Now quickly pay your respects to your Imperial Uncle and Imperial Aunt."
Su Muchen immediately bowed and paid his respects to Xiao Changyi and An Jing, "Chen greets Imperial Uncle and Imperial Aunt."
Xiao Changyi still had an expressionless face as he sipped his tea.
An Jing, however, hurried to assist him, and while sizing up Su Muchen, the nine-year-old little adult, she said with a smile, "Chen has grown so tall now, in a few more years he may be taller than your aunt."
Su Muchen simply smiled slightly, and even though he didn’t speak, his smile made him seem extremely polite.
Su Chengyu laughed and said, "Chen’s started to shoot up as soon as he turned nine; perhaps he could eventually be as tall as Imperial Brother."