Gan Tang lifted his little hand, grasped the spoon, and declared, "I can eat by myself."
"This..." the maid was a bit troubled.
"Just let him eat on his own," Gan Yuan said with a smile, watching her son, "A man must learn to take care of himself."
The maid placed the bowl on the small bed table, and the little guy gripped the spoon with his left hand, immediately starting to eat heartily.
After a night’s rest, his stomach had recovered quite a bit, and coupled with his cheerful mood, he had quite an appetite. It didn’t take long for him to finish the small bowl of porridge.
Stretching out his hand to pat his refilled belly, the little guy leaned back against the pillow lazily and yawned hugely.
"So sleepy, I need a nap. Can you all leave for a while?"
Gan Yuan laughed, reaching out to touch his little face.
"If you don’t feel well, call the nurse or call Mommy over. I’ll be downstairs."
The little guy nodded immediately.
"Take good care of him."
After giving instructions to everyone, Huangfu Jue brought Gan Yuan to the upstairs dining room, where the servants had already prepared everything. As soon as the two settled down, the meal was served.
Raising his hand to dismiss the servants, Huangfu Jue picked up the utensils, his gaze still fixed on Gan Yuan’s face.
"In a while, I need to make a trip to the Imperial Palace."
Such a major event wouldn’t have gone unnoticed at the palace; he had to see his parents and offer them an explanation.
Gan Yuan naturally knew why he was going and immediately nodded lightly, taking a few bites of her dish before looking up again.
"Do you want... me to go with you?"
"No!" exclaimed Huangfu Jue, smiling and shaking his head, "Now is not the right time."
His woman should enter the Royal Palace with dignity, not accompany him now amidst uncertainty.
After all, he was not entirely sure what reaction—particularly from his strong-willed father—awaited him.
"I’ll be fine," Gan Yuan said earnestly, "What I mean... I have a strong resilience, and ordinary people can’t hurt me."
Because of her, Huangfu Jue had caused such a stir that by now, his parents must be in a state of fury.
Setting aside his utensils, Huangfu Jue reached out, covering her hand resting on the dining table with his palm.
"I won’t let anyone hurt you. My parents are not that difficult to handle; just rest well at home. I’ll be back soon."
She took a deep breath and nodded.
She understood his father; since he had made such a decision, he must have had his reasons, and she trusted his choices were for the best.
Huangfu Jue visited Gan Tang one more time before bidding farewell to the mother and son.
Gan Yuan personally went downstairs to see him off. Will opened the car door for him, and she reached out to grasp the sleeve of his garment.
"Don’t argue with them, I mean... if you can avoid it," she shrugged lightly, "I don’t expect their blessing, but I don’t want you to lose them either."
No matter what, they were his parents, and she did not wish for him to lose what he inherently had because of her, whether that was the throne or his family.
Huangfu Jue smiled and nodded, his hand reaching out to straighten her hair.
Gan Yuan let go of the sleeve she had been clutching.
"Be careful on the road."
With a short reply, Huangfu Jue quickly walked down the steps and got into the back seat of the car.
Soon, the car left the Duke Residence.
"Sir..." Will, in the passenger seat, turned his face and said, "There’s something I’m not sure if I should tell you."
Huangfu Jue gestured with a tilt of his chin, signaling him to continue.