Little Qianyue grew anxious, snuggling into Yun Qingluo's arms, shaking her head, and pitifully muttering, "No, it won't change, baby, be good, it won't grow..."

Yun Qingluo deliberately guided her, asking again, "So, Qianyue, tell your mother now, did you secretly eat watermelon?"

Qianyue pouted, looking aggrieved, but then her face fell quickly, and she nodded shyly, "Aww, one bite, geigei, aww."

Yun Qingluo didn't understand what Qian Yue meant at first. What was she doing, making "ah-woo ah-woo" noises? She was even making a biting motion for her.

Zeyan, who was standing nearby, explained, "My sister meant that she only secretly took a bite out of my watermelon. No wonder, I was just saying that when I went to get a mat earlier, the watermelon was gnawed on, and I thought it was a mouse, so I threw that piece away."

Xiao Qianyue seemed to understand Ze Yan's words. She quickly covered her mouth and shook her head. Luckily, she was leaning against Yun Qingluo, otherwise she probably would have been shaken to the ground.

Upon hearing this, Yun Qingluo felt that the two little ones must have been doing well during her absence.

She seemed to have missed so much: their first steps, their first meal, their first word—she wasn't there for them.

Moreover, she would miss many more such days in the future, and Yun Qingluo felt a little sad for a moment.

However, it was only sadness, because the Xuan Cang Continent was a place where no one knew the people or the land, and everything was unknown, so it was not appropriate to bring two children with her.

Master once said that if things go smoothly, he could return in a year; if things don't go smoothly, the timeframe is uncertain.

Junior Uncle said that it would take half a month to travel from Sumeru Continent to Xuancang Continent by boat, and then pass through an uninhabited island before continuing by boat. If one traveled without sleep, it would take two months.

She still has about a hundred days left, and in principle, she should set off immediately. However, she wants to spend more time with her child, so she discussed with Mo Beichen that they should set off after the Mid-Autumn Festival, which should be just the right time.

Mo Beichen initially refused, saying it was too risky. She begged for a long time, saying she had a way to shorten the journey, and only then did Mo Beichen agree.

Fortunately, my master said that he had secretly hidden a portion of the medicine there, which we could use as soon as we arrived, thus giving us an extra month to search.

Seeing that his mother was unhappy, Zeyan had a big question mark in his little head.

After thinking for a while, he concluded that Qianyue had stolen the watermelon, and he immediately admitted his mistake, saying, "Mother, please don't blame my sister. It was my fault for not watching her properly. She only stole the watermelon because it looked red and delicious. I will definitely watch her more closely in the future and not let her steal any more."

Yun Qingluo came to her senses, her heart warmed, and said with a smile, "Mother is not angry, but stealing food and things is very bad behavior."

Zeyan nodded seriously and assured Yun Qingluo, "Yes, I know, Mother. The Grand Tutor also said before that stealing is not the act of a gentleman. I will definitely keep my sister in check from now on and will not let Mother down. I will also be a good gentleman and a good Crown Prince and will not let Father down."

Yun Qingluo sighed, pulled Zeyan to her side, and hugged him. This child had always been sensible, so sensible that it broke her heart.

Sometimes she wished that Zeyan could be like Qianyue, crying and playing as he pleased.

Zeyan's eyes sparkled. Wow, his mother hugged him! His mother's arms smelled so good and were so warm. He didn't want to leave.

Let's hug for a little while, just a little while.

Yun Qingluo's voice rang out again, "Zeyan, although I really hope you can grow up freely and happily, but... sigh, when I was pregnant with you, I didn't want you to be the crown prince. I just wanted you to grow up safely, healthily, freely, and without worries."

I even considered adopting a child from a collateral branch to be the crown prince, while you all can just be ordinary, happy children..."

Upon hearing that Yun Qingluo wanted to adopt a child, Zeyan hurriedly raised his head and interrupted her, "Mother, the Grand Tutor said that if a child is adopted by the Empress, that person will call you Mother just like us. I don't agree. I can be a good Crown Prince, I can take good care of my sister, and when I grow up, I can protect Mother. I will learn very powerful martial arts to protect my family and my people."

Yun Qingluo was stunned by Zeyan's well-organized and logical words. "Zeyan, did the Grand Tutor force you to study with a stick?"

Playing is a child's nature, and few children love to study, so Yun Qingluo subconsciously felt that this was the result of the Grand Tutor's strict discipline.

Zeyan shook his head, looking puzzled. "Mother, the Grand Tutor is wonderful! He tells me so many things I've never heard of before. He took me to see flowing water and explained why water can only flow downhill and not uphill. He took me to see flowers, trees, insects, and animals, telling me that all things grow in their own way, and we shouldn't force them to grow, otherwise it will be like pulling up seedlings to help them grow..."

Yun Qingluo's eyes widened slightly, her tone filled with disbelief, "You even know about 'pulling up seedlings to help them grow'?"

Zeyan shook his little head, like a little pageboy, explaining to Yun Qingluo what "pulling up seedlings to help them grow" meant. Although his voice still sounded confused, he did speak out word by word.

He may not fully understand it now, but Yun Qingluo believes that one day in the future, he will suddenly understand the true meaning of the books he once read.

"Zeyan is amazing!" Yun Qinglu praised sincerely. From that moment on, she suddenly understood a principle.

She can no longer treat her son like a child.

Xiao Yi suddenly said gossipy, "Perhaps you could find out how smart your husband was as a child, then you won't be so shocked."

Yun Qinglu shook her head, recalling that Achen lost his mother at birth and was not favored by the late emperor. His childhood must have been a nightmare for him.

Living in misery every day, where is there time for romance, poetry, calligraphy?

Qian Yue squirmed in her arms, pulling Yun Qingluo back to reality. The little girl was staring at Yun Qingluo with dissatisfaction, leaving Yun Qingluo somewhat bewildered.

What's wrong?

Xiao Yi said speechlessly, "You only praised the son, not the daughter."

This little one is already so clever; what will he be like when he grows up?

Yun Qingluo lowered her head and kissed Qian Yue's cheek hard, praising her, "Yes, Qian Yue is great too."

Then she turned her head and kissed Zeyan on the cheek, saying, "Zeyan is so wonderful, taking such good care of his sister."

Zeyan was slightly taken aback, then her eyes lit up with joy. Her mother kissed her!

No, the Grand Tutor said that the Crown Prince must be composed and not show his emotions. He cannot laugh.

But I'm so happy! My heart feels like it's blooming with joy, and I really want to laugh.

Yun Qingluo turned around and saw Ze Yan looking conflicted, as if he wanted to smile but couldn't. Yun Qingluo asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? What are you thinking about?"

Zeyan tried to suppress the corners of his mouth, awkwardly looked away, and said, "No, it's nothing. Mother, you must be tired. You should go to sleep. I'll take care of my sister."