Liu Rushuang's lips twitched just then—this brat was still crying deafeningly a moment ago, but now he stopped and spoke with such barbs.
With that thought, she could not help reprimanding him, "Yuan'er, you can't talk about your father like that. He's not bullying you but correcting you as an educator. Also, you have to speak kindly to your sister or you'll make her sad, understand?"
"I'm sleepy, Mother. I'm taking a nap, don't bother me."
Longyuan closed his eyes and dozed off. He had tired himself out from crying, not to mention that his father did give him a major beating. Right now, he just wanted to sleep and recharge, before going off to climb boulders, catch fish, and dig holes…
A smile appeared on his face once he thought about that.
Liu Rushuang smiled as she watched him—he was just being punished just a moment ago, and the child already forgot about it.
At the same time, Fengwu also closed her eyes and dozed off after seeing Longyuan fall asleep.
With that, Liu Rushuang carefully tended to Longyuan's swells and pulled a blanket over them so that they could nap peacefully.
She then headed to the front of the palace, where Han Moze was taking in the scenery outside through a window.
"Are you still angry at Yuan'er, Ze?"
Liu Rushuang asked, standing beside him.
Han Moze sighed. "Do you think he would straighten out?"
"He definitely can, don't worry! We have to trust our own son, don't worry?'
Han Moze sighed again but said nothing, and gathered her in his arms, resting his head on her thin shoulder and said mildly, "Yes, I hope so. You'll have to work harder from now on."
"What's hard about this? He's my son, and educating him is my duty!"
Han Moze spun her towards him then, and laid his lips on hers, catching her by surprise.
Warmth overflowed within the room, as much as the scenery outside was stunning.
Though surprised, Liu Rushuang soon responded and quietly wrapped her hands around him, leaning harder into the kiss.
Han Moze's frustration with Longyuan slowly dissipated then, with everything melted away thanks to Liu Rushuang's tenderness.
***
Longyuan woke up from his nap soon—he knew his father was only trying to intimidate him anyway.
He leaped off the bed and dashed to the front of the palace, where he was stopped by a furious bellow.
"Stop right there, Longyuan!"
Longyuan could not help then, and turned to find his parents playing chess at a table.
"Why are you running outside instead of staying in the palace to recover? Huh?"
Han Moze snapped at the boy. How naughty could this child be to run off instead of staying still to recover?
Moreover, he was not reflecting on his mistakes at all—how were they supposed to straighten him out?
Longyuan pursed his lips. With a twitch of his gaze, he lied as if it was only natural, "Little White Flower invited me to play after my nap this morning. I was just about to go…"
"Go on, then. But watch yourself!" Liu Rushuang said mildly in return.
"Yes, Mother." Longyuan beamed cheerfully, and turned to run out of the palace.
Han Moze shook his head and flatly said, "You're indulging that brat too much, Shuang'rr."
Liu Rushuang put down a chess piece and replied nonchalantly, "He's a child, Ze.. Being playful is normal, and he would grow out of that phase."