Chapter 9: The First Meeting of Mother and Son—I'll Take Your Life!

Ji Qingwu's expression froze.

Listening closely, there were also sounds of splashing and struggling in the water.

"Mother, someone fell in."

Qiao Shi listened carefully, but she couldn't hear clearly. Seeing Xiao Wu's expression was off, she held her daughter's hand, trying to calm her down.

"Xiao Wu, this is the imperial palace. Better to do less than more." Qiao Shi's voice carried a heavy warning.

Ji Qingwu knew one had to be cautious in the palace; saving someone might instead bring trouble upon oneself.

But for some reason, she felt a panic rising in her heart.

As the cries for help grew weaker and weaker.

Ji Qingwu hesitated no longer, shook off Qiao Shi's hand, turned, and sprinted toward the direction of the cries.

She ran, gasping for breath, to the edge of Taiye Pool.

In the middle of the emerald lake, a small figure was struggling in the water.

It was a little boy about the same age as Jiujiu.

Ji Qingwu's heart tightened. She glanced around—there wasn't a single palace servant in sight.

The sun was setting westward, the outdoor light already dimming.

A small fist emerged from the water, waving feebly. His movements grew slower and slower; he would soon exhaust his strength and drown.

Ji Qingwu calmly found the easiest angle to enter the water.

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

But the situation was urgent; she had no time to think further. She leaped in and swam toward the child.

Her limbs were agile, her waist flexible. With a few light strokes, she moved like a fish, her posture graceful. She quickly reached the child.

Unable to speak in the water, she lifted the child with one hand, letting him rest against her shoulder, and swam powerfully back to shore.

Even though she had redeemed self-defense skills from the system, greatly increasing her strength, her stamina was still limited.

Once ashore, Ji Qingwu sat on the steps, panting.

The little boy was soaked through. At some point, his short arms had wrapped around her fair, smooth neck, clinging to her.

In this position, Ji Qingwu hadn't yet seen the child's face clearly, but she could see his robes.

The fine ice-blue silk, though soaked, still revealed its luxurious quality. The robe was embroidered with elegant bamboo leaf patterns and white piping. The small mutton-fat jade crown atop his head further proclaimed his extraordinary status.

Definitely a young master from a wealthy, noble family.

Ji Qingwu held his soft little body, her right hand gently patting the back of his head, soothing him softly.

"Pat pat the back of the head, no more fear, no more fear, it's all over now."

The little guy didn't respond, strangely quiet.

Even calmer than she was.

Could he have fainted?

Ji Qingwu hurriedly pulled him from her embrace—and met a pair of clear eyes, like black obsidian.

Those eyes, at such a young age, already held immense authority. The panic from drowning was completely gone.

Their eyes met, and a sudden sting pierced the tip of her heart.

Accompanying it was a fear that seeped into her bones.

This child...

Instantly reminded her of a handsome man radiating killing intent.

The famous "Jade-Faced Yama" of the Northern Border Army—the Grand General Dingbei—who was also the target assigned to her by the Child-Bearing System.

The little boy's appearance was carved from the same mold as the Grand General, especially those dark eyes—imposing without anger, the corners slightly upturned, exuding a fierce, cold aura.

One cold glance from him made you feel as if thrown into an ice cellar.

That night five years ago remained vivid in Ji Qingwu's memory.

The Grand General Dingbei leaning on the army cot, his cold, killing-intent-filled gaze—she remembered it clearly to this day.

In the end, she had to blindfold him with silk cloth and bind his hands and feet with ropes she'd prepared beforehand before she dared approach him.

Over these years, she would occasionally dream of that scene in the dead of night, each time waking in a cold sweat.

But the child before her was merely a tender toddler. Though his features were similar, that domineering, awe-inspiring presence had not yet grown into him.

Though initially shocked and fearful, Ji Qingwu had already calmed down.

He was just a child; there was no need for excessive panic.

Zhao Yuanheng frowned at the strange woman who had saved him, as if seeing her look at him like he was something terrifying.

His eyes also held displeasure; his little face was full of defiance.

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

This child resembled him so much.

Ji Qingwu's throat tightened, her mind in chaos. She wanted to say something but couldn't get the words out.

This child before her... could it be... could it be!

The lake surface shimmered with rippling light. Nearby lotus leaves swayed gently. Two koi swam leisurely beneath the leaves.

She suddenly remembered something.

So Ji Qingwu moved swiftly, reaching out to press down on Zhao Yuanheng, intending to pull open his collar.

The little guy hadn't expected her to dare lay hands on him, a prince, inside the palace. Frostily, he said: "What are you doing! Don't be rude to me! Do you not want to live!"

Such threats didn't even register in Ji Qingwu's ears.

She was determined to verify her suspicion.

How could a four-year-old child compare to an adult's strength? Ji Qingwu quickly stripped off his robe, revealing the boy's fair, tender little shoulders.

"How could there not be..."

Ji Qingwu didn't find what she was looking for.

Her hand moved downward, groping around the little one's waist.

Zhao Yuanheng had grown this big, yet no one had ever dared touch him "all over" against his will.

His handsome little face flushed red, his dark eyes nearly spitting fire. He shouted angrily: "Insolent! If you don't let go, I'll take your life!"

The tiny person was already frantic with rage at her actions.

Ji Qingwu confirmed he didn't have that carp-and-jade pendant on him. Greatly disappointed, she released her grip.

Zhao Yuanheng was struck by her expression.

This woman stripped his clothes, then wore a dissatisfied look. It made him so angry his fair skin flushed pink.

Ji Qingwu took a deep breath. Maybe they just looked alike.

She was being too sensitive.

Looking at the little one before her, stripped naked like a plump white tangyuan.

A tangyuan that was still very angry.

Ji Qingwu didn't know why, but her heart lightened, and she suddenly wanted to laugh. So she did.

Joyful laughter echoed by the shore.

The tension and fear in Ji Qingwu's heart vanished completely.

Looking at his puffed-up cheeks, he was adorably lethal.

She resisted the urge to pinch his face and asked with a smile: "You just said you wanted my life?"

Zhao Yuanheng had already put his robe back on. He replied haughtily: "So what if I did?"

Seeing his collar was crooked, Ji Qingwu wanted to reach out and straighten it. The little guy took a step back, as if afraid she'd commit another "improper" act.

She lowered her hand and proposed with a smile: "But I just saved your life. How about this—one life for one life. What do you say?"

The little guy turned his head away arrogantly, neither agreeing nor refusing, his little face still icy cold.

The next moment, his eyes widened considerably.

Because his right hand was taken by the woman. Her palm was warm and soft.

Ji Qingwu hooked her slender pinky around the little guy's short, chubby pinky, linking them together, and shook them coaxingly.

Despite Zhao Yuanheng acting mature beyond his years, he was still a child.

His body stubbornly didn't move, but his gaze unconsciously followed Ji Qingwu's movements.

A pair of beautiful eyes overflowed with light.

But his mouth remained stubborn.

"Even if you beg me—"

"Please, please, Little Lord, a great man doesn't hold grudges."

Ji Qingwu shook their linked pinkies, her eyes bright and sparkling, her voice exceptionally soft and coquettish.

The angry little milk bun Yuanheng, forced to bare his shoulder: Outrageous!!!

Ji Qingwu (hands on hips): I even dared strip your Emperor Father's clothes, let alone you!

Emperor Wusu (pulling her by the waist): You stripped my clothes, why didn't you coax me like you coaxed Yuanheng?

(End of Chapter)