Yan Beimo took the yellow paper that was thrown at him and glanced at it casually.

He casually put it down and glanced behind him.

The Night Hawk behind him immediately understood and ordered someone to bring in the "White Fallen" that had been prepared beforehand.

Old Liang was naturally unrestrained and fond of wine. He loved the smell of wine as much as a dog loves a bone.

This "Bai Du" comes from Goryeo in the West, and is made with a slightly intoxicating green wine, making it very precious.

The old man had a nose like a dog; he immediately smelled it.

He picked up the golden wine cup, tilted his head back without any hesitation, smacked his lips, and drank it all in one gulp.

Yan Beimo looked at him, narrowed his eyes slightly, and chuckled softly.

"Mr. Liang, is it good?"

"Delicious, fine wine, truly fine wine—" The old man darted to his side in a flash, grinning, "Is there any more?"

Yan Beimo didn't speak, but his slender fingers pinched the yellow paper and tapped it lightly on the table.

Old Liang immediately understood his meaning and clicked his tongue.

"I've given you the prescription. You have so many imperial physicians in the palace, so why don't you make it yourself?"

"The imperial physician is dull-witted and may make even the slightest mistake; he is not as good as Elder Liang."

Old Liang rolled his eyes. "I'm in a hurry to get back to the Northern Frontier. It will take you more than a month to find and refine the medicine."

Yan Beimo glanced sideways and said, "How much wine does Elder Liang want to drink? Li Bei will send you that much."

These words really hit a nerve; he was tired of all the liquor from the northern frontier.

"Okay, you said it, you have to send it to this old man every year."

Yan Beimo smiled and said, "Of course."

Lately, Chu Changning has been spending every day with Ayu.

She ignored Yan Beimo's underhanded tactics. When she couldn't buy anything, she would eat at Shuangyue's house, or she would have her guards grow vegetables and catch fish to support themselves. She lived a happy life.

Poor Frosty Moon lived in constant fear, terrified of revealing her true colors.

When Ayu was only a few months old, Chu Changning could only hold him while he sat up. He made him toys such as bamboo horses, wooden carvings, and boat-shaped bamboo birdcages, which were scattered haphazardly on a small table for him to play with.

The house is always bustling with activity.

As the New Year's Eve banquet approached, the powerful figures of the Yan family all came to Jiankang. Naturally, the members of the Yan family clan wanted to see Ayu, so a carriage came to pick them up.

Chu Changning had been spending every day with her son lately, and the thought of being taken away suddenly made her very reluctant, so she kept putting it off.

To everyone's surprise, Yan Beimo came in person.

He arrived during the day, and the entire West Alley was sealed off, with no one able to enter or leave.

Upon hearing the commotion, Chu Changning discovered that his courtyard was surrounded by heavily armored soldiers. As soon as he came out, he saw a man bending over and entering through the gate.

Perhaps he had just finished court; he was wearing a black dragon robe with leather trim, exuding an imposing aura and carrying the arrogance of a superior. His gaze swept over a place like a cool winter breeze.

However, his appearance was exceptionally handsome, with a touch of imperial elegance.

The two looked at each other, their eyes cold and indifferent.

The others knelt respectfully on the ground, not daring to utter a word.

Chu Changning glanced at him, then looked away and went inside.

Yan Beimo remained expressionless and stepped into the house.

People from the palace had come to take Ayu away before, but Chu Changning was reluctant to part with her and kept delaying. Now that he had come, she knew she couldn't keep her any longer, so she simply took her son out.

As soon as Ayu saw her, she waved her little hands and hugged her, then kissed her face with her little mouth.

Chu Changning felt a pang of sadness and hugged him tightly, kissing him twice.

With a bang, the door to the inner room was kicked open, and the person walked in against the light, looking at the mother and son with a calm expression.

Chu Changning glanced at the door that he had kicked so hard it was swaying, and felt a surge of anger.

She held back, picked up a handkerchief to wipe the drool from her face, walked over, and put her son in his arms.

When will I be able to see him again?

Yan Beimo hugged his son and walked out, completely ignoring her.

The arrogant demeanor of aristocratic young masters has always been so detestable.

Chu Changning became even angrier, turned around, and walked into the house.

Suddenly, a baby's cry rang out.

She was startled and turned around, only to see her son staring at his father with teary eyes, looking confused and pouting as he cried.

"What's wrong?"

Yan Beimo ignored her and instead berated A Yu, making veiled insults, saying she cried like a spoiled little girl.

"---"

Chu Changning was angered just looking at him, and then he was met with such sarcasm and coldness.

"Ayu rarely cries, what did Your Majesty do?"

Yan Beimo ignored her and coldly looked at his son, whose eyes were red.

Ayu was so frightened by him that she dared not cry anymore, and large tears slid down her cheeks, which made Chu Changning feel heartbroken.

She wanted to go and hug him, but hesitated and didn't move.

But then she saw her son kicking his little legs, stretching his neck, and reaching out to her, his tender little face looking pitiful.

She didn't care about anything else, went over and took her son into her arms.

Ayu immediately hugged her tightly, rested her head in the crook of her neck, and looked at her father with a pout and a particularly aggrieved expression.

Yan Beimo's expression was indifferent. "Give it to me."

Chu Changning's hand tightened, and he hesitated, "He's still so young, he doesn't necessarily have to attend the palace banquet."

What do you think?

His tone was unfriendly, and his eyes were sharp.

Chu Changning was so angry at his attitude that she almost cried. She slammed the door shut and pushed him out.

"I'm not going."

"Chu Changning, do you think this door can withstand one kick from me?"

A sinister voice came from outside the door. Chu Changning stiffened, glanced at her aggrieved son, and did not move.

But then she thought, what if this madwoman smashes the door? No one would dare to come and fix it for her, and she would freeze to death at night.

She still went over and opened the door.

Their eyes met; his gaze was indifferent as he reached out his hand to her.

Chu Changning wanted to give her son to him, but as soon as Ayu was released, he looked at her longingly, which made her heart ache.

She hesitated for a moment, then suggested, "Could we send him back to the palace in a couple of days?"

Yan Beimo looked down at her, "Didn't you want him to be the crown prince? A prince who doesn't even attend palace banquets, do you think he's favored?"

Indeed, if Yan Beimo were to have another prince, Ayu would face a tragic end without a real position or a favored mother.

She would never place her hopes on someone like Yan Beimo.

The heart of an emperor is inherently cold and indifferent, especially one who rose to power from a noble family in Yandu.

"Besides, do you expect my son, Yan Beimo, to live in a place like this every day?"

Chu Changning, "---"

What's wrong with this place?

Annoying.

She was annoyed but handed her son to him without any expression. However, before she had taken a few steps, Ayu suddenly started crying again, staring at her father.

Chu Changning was suspicious, but before she could say anything, Yan Beimo turned around and looked at her indifferently.

"You should accompany him to the palace."

"---"

How could that be? He should have already announced to the world that she was dead. If she were to attend, wouldn't all his efforts be wasted?

He can't bear to leave you.

"---"

If Ayu can't bear to part with him for a lifetime, does she want to be entangled with him for the rest of her life?

Chu Changning shook his head, "No need."

Yan Beimo's face suddenly darkened. "Chu Changning, your son is crying like this, don't you feel any heartache?"

The way she says that makes it sound like she's a stepmother.

Chu Changning retorted, "I'm in much more pain than you are."