Chapter 173 Two Years Later

The fact that Mu Mu was made Crown Princess still shocked Xu Chumian.

Many things have happened in just a few years.

A path completely opposite to that of the previous life.

Even if Xu Chumian were reborn a hundred times, she would never have imagined Mu Mu's true background, let alone that she would become the Crown Princess.

Seeing Xu Chuming's stunned expression, Zhao Yu couldn't help but laugh, "Snap out of it."

Xu Chumian blinked.

Zhao Yu found Chu Mian increasingly adorable, and he cupped her face and kissed her several times.

Xu Chumian pushed him away, her brows furrowed. "Let me calm down."

Outside the courtyard, Ali heard Xiaoge'er crying.

Xu Chumian quickly asked the wet nurse to bring her son in.

The little one wanted to see his mother as soon as he woke up today.

As soon as Xiaoge'er was in his mother's arms, he calmed down. His big, dark eyes darted around, but he kept his eyes fixed on his father who was facing him.

Suddenly, Xiao Ge'er grinned at Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu patted his son's head.

"What are you grinning about, kid?"

Xu Chumian glared at him, "How dare you talk about your son like that?"

Zhao Yu coughed lightly, took his son from her arms, and walked around the bedside.

The father and son looked alike, and when they both looked at Xu Chumian, a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

Two more years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Xiao was able to speak very early on.

Unlike Zhao Yu's deep and taciturn nature, Xiao Ge'er, despite his young age, had already charmed the Zhao family, young and old, to the delight of everyone. Even the dignified Duke of Zhao was amused by his grandson on several occasions.

Zhao Yu said his son is a carbon copy of Xu Chumian.

Xu Chumian glared at him lightly, "I wasn't as cunning as Xiao Ge'er when I was a kid."

Zhao Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. "How can you talk about your son like that?"

Zhao Yu took a walk with Xu Chumian in the courtyard.

Now the Crown Prince's illness is getting worse and worse. Rongchang has begun to handle state affairs with Emperor Mingde. More than two years have passed. Some court officials still have opinions in secret, but under His Majesty's strict orders, those dissenting voices have gradually disappeared.

Zhao Yu also frequently visited the palace to talk with Rongchang.

Rongchang also had his own unique insights into handling memorials.

Compared to her elder brother, the Crown Prince, or even her father, Rongchang did exceptionally well for her age.

Xu Chumian was always extremely worried about her younger sister.

Rongchang was busy that year, but he still visited Xu Chumian at the Duke's Mansion several times.

Rongchang liked to tease Xiaoge'er, and only when he did this could Xu Chumian feel a little relieved. While politics were important, her sister's own state of mind was even more important.

Zhao Yu told Xu Chumian not to worry.

Rongchang is no longer the little girl who first arrived in the capital and always hid behind her older sister.

Just then, Xiao Tao came over looking anxious.

"Princess Consort, the young master fell into the water, but he's back now, and the maids are giving him a bath."

Xu Chumian frowned. "Fell into the water? What happened?"

As she spoke, Xu Chumian quickened her pace and headed back.

Zhao Xiao is a mischievous man. Recently, the house next to the Duke's mansion was up for sale, and Imperial Censor Li moved in with his entire family.

Imperial Censor Li has a granddaughter who is two or three months younger than Zhao Xiao.

Miss Li is quiet and gentle, with a soft and gentle personality. I wonder how Zhao Xiao got to know her.

This morning, without anyone noticing, Zhao Xiao slipped out of the mansion and went to the Li family to find Miss Li.

On the way back, Xiao Tao briefly recounted what had happened that day.

It turned out that it was the mistress that the son of Imperial Censor Li had been keeping outside the family who came to the door. The mistress also brought a girl who was half a year younger than Miss Li.

The young mistress of the Li family was immediately furious.

The mistress was still stirring things up.

The mistress secretly went outside and, taking advantage of Miss Li's inattention, pushed her into the water.

Zhao Xiao immediately jumped down to save the person.

With Zhao Xiao's chubby appearance, how could he possibly go and save someone?

Xu Chumian frowned, about to go back and teach Zhao Xiao a lesson, when she didn't expect that the Miss Li had already been brought back by Zhao Xiao.

Miss Li had also taken a bath and was still wearing Zhao Xiao's clothes. She stood in Heyun Courtyard and wailed loudly.

Zhao Xiao was annoyed by the noise.

"Shut up! Stop arguing! What's there to cry about?"

Li Yan, shivering, said, "My mother was bullied. If you were in my shoes, you would definitely kick that wicked woman out of the manor!"

Xu Chumian saw Li Yan's red and swollen eyes from afar. She had met Yan Yan before. She had never had a daughter, so she always felt sorry for Yan Yan. Yan Yan's father did not come back to the mansion often. Xu Chumian had heard gossip from Xiao Tao before. She did not expect that the mistress and her daughter would come to her door so quickly.

When Yan Yan saw Xu Chumian, she burst into tears.

Xu Chumian hugged Yan Yan and patted her back. "Yan Yan, don't cry. How about you stay with Auntie for a few days?"

Yan Yan sniffed, "But I need to go back and see my mother. What if she's been bullied by a bad woman and I don't even know?"

Zhao Xiao came to his mother's side and glared at Yan Yan, "This is my mother."

Yan Yan continued to cry, "Auntie."

Xu Chumian glared at her son.

Zhao Xiao looked aggrieved and squeezed into his mother's arms as well.

The two little devils were both incredibly noisy, driving Xu Chumian to her wits' end.

Whenever Xu Chumian wasn't paying attention to Zhao Xiao, Zhao Xiao would shake his mother's arm and say, "Mother, look at me."

Yan Yan lowered her head in disappointment.

Xu Chumian ignored her son, deciding to discipline him when Zhao Yu returned later that evening.

The concepts of maternal love and filial piety had long been worn away by Zhao Xiao's repeated mischievous antics.

Xu Chumian said softly, "Yan Yan, your mother is definitely trying to find a solution to this. Auntie will have someone ask her later. If she agrees, you can stay here with Auntie for a few days and play with Brother Zhao Xiao, okay?"

The Li family must be in complete chaos right now.

It's safer for Li Yan to stay in the Duke's mansion than in the Li family mansion.

As for whether it's shameful or not.

If the sons of the Li family are capable of doing such a thing, they shouldn't be afraid of what others say!

Yan Yan nodded.

Zhao Yu returned in the evening, having heard about Zhao Xiao's heroic deeds that day on his way back.

When Zhao Xiao saw his father return, the little guy swallowed hard and very observantly served his father tea and massaged his back.

Zhao Yu glanced at him indifferently.

Zhao Xiao looked miserable and could only turn to his mother.

Mother was feeding Yan Yan pastries.

Zhao Xiao felt that he had lost love.

"Waaah, Mommy doesn't want me anymore."

Xu Chumian: "..."

It's definitely not her fault; she wasn't this dramatic when she was a child.

Zhao Yu's expression remained indifferent throughout.

During the meal, Li Yan met Zhao Yu for the first time and obediently called him Uncle Zhao.

Zhao Yu and Xu Chumian have no daughter, and the couple can't help but soften when they see Yan Yan.

Zhao Yu patted Yan Yan's head. "Let's eat first."

Yan Yan was chubby and round. She obediently ate a mouthful of rice. When she saw her brother Zhao Xiao looking at her with red eyes, the little girl picked up a chicken leg for Zhao Xiao.

"Brother, let's eat."

Zhao Xiao gave a soft hum and also picked up a dish for Yan Yan.

"Yan Yan, eat this. Granny Liang makes the best food."

With her two little ones by her side, Yan Yan ate more than usual at home.