On the way back to the Princess's Mansion from the Imperial Physician's Office, Qi Yuning held little Lingling tightly all the way. Halfway through, Qi Yuning's arms were already tired, but he still didn't dare to let go of Lingling.
Seeing Qi Yuning panting slightly, Lu Ze stretched out his hand and said, "Let me hold Lingling."
Qi Yuning hugged Lingling tightly and said, "I can hold you..."
Lu Ze took Lingling from Qi Yuning's arms and looked at the red circle on Lingling's neck, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "I shouldn't have spared his life in the first place."
Qi Yuning said, "It's all my fault. I actually forgot how much Lingling was afraid of him."
Lu Ze said, "I shouldn't blame you. Qin Chong must have been heartbroken to attack a three-year-old child. I should have ended Qin Chong's life with a cup of poisoned wine after Grandma passed away."
Lingling was tired from crying and slowly fell asleep on Lu Ze's shoulder.
…
It was late at night, and today, Lu Ze rarely disliked Lingling living in their room.
Qi Yuning was awakened several times during the night. Every time she woke up, she saw Lu Ze staring at Lingling and not falling asleep.
Qi Yuning whispered to Lu Ze, "Aren't you going to sleep yet?"
Lu Ze said in a deep voice, "I see Lingling is frowning as if she's having a nightmare. I'm worried she'll get scared if she wakes up alone. Since we don't have to attend court tomorrow, I'll stay up tonight and stay with her."
Qi Yuning touched Lingling's little head with his hand and looked up at Lu Ze's eyes. In fact, Lu Ze also loved Lingling very deeply.
Lingling was probably tired from crying during the day, so she slept very late. When she woke up, she cried about neck pain and kept talking about bad people.
Lu Ze hugged Lingling and comforted her, "The bad guys will be brought to justice. Lingling will never see them again."
Lingling pursed her lips and said, "Lingling wants little uncle."
Lu Ze said, "Okay, let's go to the palace to see my uncle."
Qi Yuning and Lu Ze brought Lingling into the palace to meet Zhao Jie.
Zhao Jie felt distressed when he saw Xiao Lingling crying so hard. He was even more angry when he saw the red marks on Lingling's neck. "Who did this?"
Lingling complained: "Bad guy!"
Zhao Jie said, "I will definitely not forgive him."
Lingling played with Zhao Jie for a whole day before she gradually forgot about the bad guy.
Lingling has been getting happier these days because her father didn't drive her away at night. Although sometimes she woke up early in the morning to find herself on the small wooden bed, for Lingling, being able to fall asleep smelling the scent of her mother was enough to make her feel satisfied.
The Lantern Festival in the year of Xinwei.
As soon as the palace banquet ended, Qi Yuning, Lu Ze and Lingling went to the street. There were a dazzling array of lanterns, which were too numerous to take in.
This year is the Year of the Sheep, and many of the lanterns on the streets are in the shape of sheep.
"Mom, there are so many bleating sheep. Lingling wants the walking bleating sheep lantern."
Lu Ze hugged Lingling and said, "To win the walking Baa-Mea Sheep Lantern, Lingling needs to answer the questions correctly."
Qi Yuning took Lingling over to answer the questions. This sheep lantern was cleverly made. When people held the lantern in their hands, they would move around like a lamb. No wonder Lingling liked it. All the children who saw this sheep lantern liked it.
Lu Ze helped Lingling answer the questions, and Lingling was very happy holding the lamb lantern.
"Mom, why are there so many bleating lambs today?"
Qi Yuning smiled and said, "Because this year is the Year of the Sheep, look at the two characters on this lantern. They are Xinwei, which means the Year of the Sheep. All children born this year are born in the Year of the Sheep!"
Lingling raised her eyes and asked, "What's Lingling's zodiac sign?"
Lu Ze whispered, "Lingling is a little bunny that jumps around."
Qi Yuning's distant memories resurfaced. He squatted down and touched the jade pendant hanging around Lingling's neck. "It's written here what year Lingling was born. Lingling, you have to remember, this jade pendant can only be shown to your parents, not to anyone else."
Lingling nodded and said, "Yes, mother dear."
Lingling had a good harvest today, winning quite a few sheep lanterns. After returning to the Princess's Mansion, Lingling separated the lanterns into individual pieces and said, "I'll give this to my uncle in a few days."
Seeing Lingling pointing at her favorite sheep lantern, Qi Yuning smiled and said, "Lingling is so nice to her uncle."
"Lingling loves little uncle the most!"
Lu Ze asked, "Who do you like more, Daddy or Uncle Lingling?"
"Uncle!" Lingling's peach blossom eyes curved into crescents.
Lu Ze picked Lingling up and said, "You should go back to the small courtyard to sleep today. Your nanny is back after the New Year."
Lingling hugged Qi Yuning's waist and said, "No, no, I want to sleep with my mother."
Qi Yuning hugged Lingling and said, "Okay."
Lu Ze said, "Not good."
Lingling looked at Lu Ze and said, "Daddy is not obedient and doesn't listen to Mommy."
Lu Ze smiled faintly. Qi Yuning said to Lu Ze, "You're such a fool. It would be better to let Lingling sleep in the small bed, right?"
Lingling was afraid of being kicked out of the room by her father, so she lay down on the small bed and said, "Mommy, Daddy, go to bed early."
Qi Yuning looked at the mischievous Lingling and smiled faintly. Three-year-old Lingling was as adorable as she could be.
By the 20th day of the first lunar month, the whole New Year was considered over, and the court resumed its sessions. Lu Ze began to get busy again. Because of the New Year celebrations, many things had been delayed. When Lu Ze came back these days, Qi Yuning had already fallen asleep with Lingling in her arms.
Lu Ze walked over to Qi Yuning and asked calmly, "Are you asleep?"
Qi Yuning opened her eyes slightly and said, "Just fell asleep."
Lu Ze put his arm around Qi Yuning's waist, held her in his arms and said, "Come with me to take a bath."
Qi Yuning looked at Lu Ze's deep peach blossom eyes and said, "I won't take a bath with you in this cold winter."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
