The little dumpling remained silent, looking pitifully at Emperor Ye Yao.
Emperor Ye Yao pondered for a moment, "If Prince Yu is concerned about my dragon body, why didn't he send someone to deliver the items to me himself?"
It wasn't because you locked them outside and wouldn't let them in.
Su Yunmo grumbled inwardly, but appeared obedient on the outside.
"Brother Yu said that such small things might be disdained by Imperial Uncle and he wouldn't accept them, or even if you accepted them, you would only pretend to eat them and they wouldn't have any effect."
Emperor Ye Yao sighed, "So he sent you into the palace to coax me into eating?"
The little dumpling nodded, "Yes, Imperial Uncle loves Mo Mo the most. Mo Mo knows you will definitely eat them."
Emperor Ye Yao stroked her hair and closed his eyes, "Empress, take them out. I am tired and wish to rest."
A cold sneer flashed in Luo Yun'e's eyes, "Yes, then this concubine shall take my leave."
Did this little girl really think a small favor could make His Majesty favor Prince Yu? How laughable!
She rose to leave, reaching out to pull the little dumpling.
Emperor Ye Yao suddenly interrupted her, "Leave this child to accompany me for a while. Also, send someone to summon Prince Yu."
Luo Yun'e was shocked, "Your Majesty!"
"Cough!" Ye Jingcheng coughed and remained silent with his head bowed.
Luo Yun'e glanced at her son, took a deep breath, and clenched her fists tightly, "Yes."
She bowed and retreated.
The little dumpling gave her a triumphant look.
Luo Yun'e was instantly enraged.
They departed.
A short while later, Ye Jingyu entered from outside and knelt outside the bed curtains to pay his respects.
Emperor Ye Yao stroked the jade pendant on the little dumpling's neck, "I remember you always liked this jade pendant. Why did you give it to this child?"
Ye Jingyu knelt on the ground, his gaze lowered for a moment, "It is precisely because it is a treasured item that I gave it to her."
Emperor Ye Yao's fingers stiffened slightly. He lowered his head and looked at the little dumpling.
The little dumpling was popping a peanut into her mouth. She blinked at Emperor Ye Yao.
Sorry, what did Ye Jingyu just say? I zoned out and didn't hear.
Emperor Ye Yao sighed inwardly and waved his hand.
Eunuch Chang then drew open the inner curtains.
Emperor Ye Yao looked at his son kneeling on the ground and waved his hand, "Rise."
Ye Jingyu stood up, still with his head bowed.
Emperor Ye Yao beckoned, "Come to the bedside."
Ye Jingyu walked to the bedside, stopping about a meter away and not moving a step closer.
A touch of desolation flickered in Emperor Ye Yao's eyes.
Their father-son relationship had become estranged after all.
He remembered when he was young, he was also very mischievous and lively. Unlike his mother, Yu'er was outgoing back then, learning to run before he could walk.
Every day after playing outside, he would come back covered in mud. If Xue'er scolded him, he would come to him to act spoiled.
Just like this little girl.
The little dumpling held a small handful of wrapped peanuts and stuffed them all into her mouth, chewing with bulging cheeks.
She had rushed over this morning and hadn't eaten yet, she was so hungry.
Emperor Ye Yao saw her eating happily, a hint of indulgence in his eyes.
Indeed, the reason he felt fond of this little girl was simply because he saw a shadow of Yu'er from back then in her.
"I heard you always visit your mother in the cold palace?"
Ye Jingyu's fingers stiffened, and he subconsciously clenched his fist. His voice was steady, "Yes."
"Since the Empress Dowager has issued an imperial decree, you may go. You are grown now and assist me in court. I, who personally conferred your title as Prince, cannot disregard certain matters concerning you. Back then..."
Emperor Ye Yao took a deep breath, his brow furrowed with difficulty, feeling a pain in his lungs. "No matter what, those matters from back then have nothing to do with you. As for the mistakes you made, you need to rectify them yourself. I cannot help you."
A quick flash of crimson appeared in Ye Jingyu's eyes.
The little dumpling suddenly stopped chewing and looked at Ye Jingyu curiously.
His mistakes back then?
Was it about sending the Soul Devouring Soup to Consort Liang? But that was at the Empress's coercion, and he was also a victim.
Emperor Ye Yao wanted to say more, but a few coughs escaped his lips.
Eunuch Chang stepped forward with concern, reminding him, "Your Majesty, you really should rest. There is no rush to give instructions after your health has recovered."
Emperor Ye Yao leaned against a bedpost and waved his hand, "I am indeed tired. You may go. Today is the Day of Disaster Aversion, so you should go to the cold palace to accompany your mother."
Ye Jingyu said, "Yes," bowed, and retreated.
The little dumpling also slipped down from the bed. As her feet touched the ground, she jumped down, "Then Imperial Uncle, Mo Mo will leave now too."
Emperor Ye Yao closed his eyes and made no sound, merely nodding.
Su Yunmo then took her short legs and ran out with a lapful of melon seed shells and peanut skins.
Eunuch Chang escorted them out and returned, "Your Majesty, you must take care of yourself."
Emperor Ye Yao opened his eyes, "Chang Hui, the Luo family should be returning to the capital soon, shouldn't they?"
Eunuch Chang calculated, "They said they would return at the beginning of the year, so at most about two more months."
"I understand. You may go," Emperor Ye Yao closed his eyes again.
Eunuch Chang sighed and retreated.
Meanwhile, the little dumpling searched for Ye Jingyu everywhere after leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The man had already walked down the corridor and was about to turn the corner.
Su Yunmo watched his retreating back and her eyelids twitched. She quickened her pace and chased after him, "Why are you walking so fast? Wait for me!"
Ye Jingyu didn't look back and continued forward.
Su Yunmo steeled herself, gathered her strength, used her special ability, and instantly moved in front of him, blocking him with her small arms, and said indignantly, "Stop!"
Ye Jingyu frowned severely and picked her up, "Little girl, you've become bold, haven't you!"
What if someone discovered her using her abilities in the palace?
The little dumpling glared at him, "It's because you didn't wait for me! Why are you angry for no reason?"
Was this person a pufferfish in his past life? So easily angered.
Ye Jingyu, with a stern face, placed her on the long benches on either side of the corridor, "The Hall of Mental Cultivation is not a place you can just barge into. Do you think the Emperor's favor is enough for you to act out multiple times?"
It is always difficult to fathom a ruler's heart. Even with the most affection and favor, it will eventually run out.
Even concubines and imperial heirs must observe propriety. Who does she think she is?
Su Yunmo put her small hands on her hips, "But I did it for you!"
"This King does not need it," Ye Jingyu flicked his sleeve and continued forward.
The little dumpling followed him forward on the bench, running and saying angrily, "You don't appreciate kindness!"
"If I had known this, I should have just let you stand outside foolishly. If you stumble badly one day, don't blame me for not warning you... Ouch!"
The little dumpling's small feet tripped on the partition between the two long benches, and she flew out.
Ye Jingyu's heart leaped. He quickly stepped forward and pulled her back, holding her tightly in his arms, "You're so careless even when walking, and you have time to worry about my affairs?"
Su Yunmo was also startled, placing her small hands on her chest and patting them in a panic.
Good heavens, on such a cold day, the ground was so frozen solid. If she had truly fallen, she would have surely hit her head and bled!