Chapter 9: Mother and Son's First Meeting - It Will Take Your Life!

Ji Qingwu paused for a moment.

If you listen carefully, you can also hear the splashing and struggling of water.

"Mother, someone has fallen into the water."

Mrs. Qiao listened carefully, but she couldn't hear clearly. Seeing that Xiao Wu's expression was off, she took her daughter's hand and tried to calm her down.

"Xiao Wu, this is the palace. It's better to avoid trouble." Qiao's voice was full of warning.

Ji Qingwu knew that one had to be careful in the palace, and that saving people might only bring trouble upon himself.

But for some reason, she felt uneasy.

As the cry for help grew weaker and weaker...

Without a moment's hesitation, Ji Qingwu shook off Qiao's hand and turned to run towards the direction of the cries for help.

She ran breathlessly to the edge of Taiye Pond.

In the middle of the azure lake, a small figure struggles in the water.

He is a little boy about the same age as Chuchu.

Ji Qingwu felt a tightness in her chest. She glanced around and found that there wasn't a single palace servant in sight.

As the sun set, the outdoor light began to dim.

His little fists were sticking out of the water and waving, but his movements were getting slower and slower. He was about to run out of strength and drown.

Ji Qingwu calmly found the easiest angle to get into the water.

Her expression changed as she noticed that the steps had been covered with fresh moss.

But the situation was urgent, and she didn't have time to think it through. She jumped in and swam into the lake.

She was nimble and flexible, and with a few light swaying movements, she swam to the child's side quickly.

Unable to speak in the water, she lifted the child with one hand, letting him rest on her shoulder, and with the child in her arms, she struggled to paddle to the shore.

Even though she redeemed self-defense techniques from the system and her strength increased significantly, her stamina was still limited.

After getting ashore, Ji Qingwu sat on the steps, panting.

The little boy was soaking wet, and somehow, his short arms had wrapped around her smooth, delicate neck, and he was snuggling close to her.

In this position, Ji Qingwu could not see the child's face clearly, but he could see the robes he was wearing.

The fine ice-blue silk, even when soaked in water, still revealed its luxurious texture. The garment was embroidered with elegant bamboo leaf patterns and trimmed with snow-white edging, while the small mutton-fat jade crown on his head further highlighted his extraordinary status.

He must be the young master of a wealthy family.

Ji Qingwu held his soft little body in her arms, gently patted the back of his head with her right hand, and comforted him softly.

"Touch the back of your head. Don't be scared, don't be scared, it's all over now."

The little guy didn't respond; he was unusually quiet.

Her reaction was even calmer than hers.

Did she faint?

Ji Qingwu quickly pulled him out of her arms, and they met a pair of clear, obsidian-like eyes.

Those eyes, though so young, already possessed a great sense of authority, and the panic of calling for help in the water was gone.

Their eyes met, and a sudden pang of pain shot through her heart.

What followed was a deep-seated fear.

This child...

It immediately reminded her of a handsome man exuding a murderous aura.

The renowned "Jade-Faced Yama"—the General Dingbei—was the very person the child-rearing system had designated as her target.

The little boy looked exactly like the general, especially his dark eyes, which exuded an imposing aura without anger, with subtle upturns at the corners, revealing a fierce spirit.

A cold glance from you makes me feel like I'm in an ice cellar.

Ji Qingwu still vividly remembers that night five years ago.

Ji Qingwu still remembers clearly the image of General Dingbei leaning against the camp couch, his cold, murderous gaze filled with icy intent.

In the end, she blindfolded him with a piece of silk and tied his hands and feet with ropes she had prepared beforehand before daring to approach him.

Over the years, she has occasionally dreamt of this scene in the middle of the night, and each time she is terrified and breaks out in a cold sweat.

But the child in front of him was just a young child, only similar in appearance, and had not yet acquired a domineering aura.

Although Ji Qingwu was frightened at first sight, he has calmed down.

There's no need to panic over the fact that it's just a young child.

When Zhao Yuanheng saw the strange woman who had saved him, he frowned, as if she saw him as if she had seen something terrifying.

His eyes also showed displeasure, and his little face was full of arrogance.

"Since you saved me, I will thank you."

This child looks so much like him.

Ji Qingwu's throat tightened, and his mind went blank. He wanted to say something but couldn't get the words out.

Could it be that the child in front of us...

Could it be!

The lake surface in front of me shimmered, the lotus leaves nearby swayed gently, and two koi carp swam leisurely beneath the leaves.

She suddenly remembered something.

So, Ji Qingwu quickly reached out and grabbed Zhao Yuanheng, about to pull open his collar.

The little boy hadn't expected her to dare lay a hand on him, a prince, in the palace. He said coldly, "What are you doing! Don't be rude to me! Do you have a death wish?"

These threats were completely ignored by Ji Qingwu.

She was determined to prove her point.

An adult's strength is far beyond that of a four-year-old child. Ji Qingwu quickly took off his robe, revealing the boy's fair and tender shoulders.

"How could there not be..."

Ji Qingwu did not find what he was looking for.

Her hand moved downwards and began to grope around the little guy's waist.

Throughout Zhao Yuanheng's life, no one has ever dared to disregard his wishes and "take advantage of him."

His handsome face flushed red, and his dark eyes almost blazed with fire as he roared, "How dare you! If you don't let go of me, I'll kill you!"

The little one was already furious with her actions.

Ji Qingwu, greatly disappointed, released his grip after confirming that he did not have the jade pendant.

Zhao Yuanheng was taken aback by her expression.

After the woman stripped off his clothes, she still had a dissatisfied expression, which made his fair skin turn pink with anger.

Ji Qingwu took a deep breath. Perhaps it's just a matter of resemblance.

She's being too sensitive.

Look at the little figure in front of me, its clothes have been peeled off, it looks like a white, round dumpling.

She was still quite angry.

For some reason, Ji Qingwu felt a sense of relief and suddenly wanted to laugh, so she did just that.

Joyful laughter echoed along the shore.

The tension and fear that Ji Qingwu had felt earlier vanished instantly.

His puffed-up cheeks were incredibly cute.

She resisted the urge to pinch his cheek and asked with a smile, "You just said you wanted to kill me?"

Zhao Yuanheng had already put on his robes and replied arrogantly, "So what if it is?"

Seeing that his collar was askew, Ji Qingwu wanted to reach out and straighten it for him, but the little guy took a step back, as if afraid that she would do something "inappropriate" to him again.

She lowered her hand and said with a smile, "But I just saved your life. How about this, we exchange lives, one for the other, how about it?"

The little guy turned his head away haughtily, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, his little face still cold.

The next moment, his eyes widened considerably.

Because his right hand was being held by the woman, whose palm was warm and soft.

Ji Qingwu hooked her slender little finger around the little guy's short, stubby little finger, put them together, and shook them in a flattering way.

Although Zhao Yuanheng acted mature beyond his years, he was still a child after all.

His body stubbornly remained still, but his eyes unconsciously followed Ji Qingwu's movements.

A pair of beautiful eyes shone brightly.

But he remained defiant.

Even if you beg me—

"Please, young master, you are very magnanimous."

Ji Qingwu twirled their intertwined fingers, her eyes sparkling, her tone exceptionally soft and sweet.