boyutpedia Chapter 241 The Care of Elders
Chapter 241 The Care of Elders
In the royal palace of the Nanzhao Kingdom, night fell, and a tranquil atmosphere, like a soft veil, enveloped the majestic palace. Inside the bedchamber of Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao, the candlelight flickered, casting dappled shadows on the walls and illuminating the two children's weary yet anxious faces. They had just endured a stern reprimand and punishment from their parents. Although their stomachs were no longer hungry thanks to the food brought by Mu Qingling, the unease and resentment in their hearts lingered, and they tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.
"Brother, I'm still so sad. Will Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma be angry too?" Xiao Nanyao's voice was tinged with tears, sounding especially clear in the quiet night. She turned to look at Xiao Nanyi beside her, her eyes filled with worry and unease, her little hands unconsciously clutching the corner of the blanket.
Xiao Nan Yi sighed softly, reached out and patted Xiao Nan Yao's head, comforting her, "Don't worry, Yao'er, Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma love us so much, they probably won't be too angry." Although he tried to make his voice sound calm, his heart was also filled with unease, wondering what kind of scene he was about to face.
Just then, a series of hurried and slightly heavy footsteps came from outside the palace, mixed with hushed conversation. Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao instantly held their breath and stared nervously at the door.
"Your Majesty and the Empress have been a bit too harsh this time. The children are still young, and it's understandable that they are curious." The Empress Dowager's voice came, though she deliberately lowered it, it was still clearly audible in the quiet corridor.
"That's true, but it was indeed too dangerous for them to leave the palace without permission. They should be taught a lesson," the Emperor Emeritus replied, his tone tinged with helplessness.
Immediately afterwards, the dormitory door was gently pushed open, and a beam of warm light instantly streamed in. Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao peeked out from under the covers, their eyes still sleepy, and were pleasantly surprised to see the familiar and dear figures of the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager.
"My sons, Yao'er, you've worried your great-grandfather and great-grandmother terribly!" The Empress Dowager hurried to the bedside, her voice filled with concern and heartache. She wore a magnificent deep purple robe embroidered with intricate golden peonies, each step exuding the unique dignity and love of an elder. Time had left faint traces on her face, but the affection in her eyes for her children remained undiminished.
The Emperor Emeritus followed behind, wearing a long black robe embroidered with silver cloud patterns at the hem. His steps were steady, yet his anxiety was palpable. He sighed softly and said, "You two little rascals, how could you be so naughty, daring to sneak out of the palace? What if something happens to you?" Though his tone carried a hint of reproach, it was mostly filled with worry.
As soon as Xiao Nanyao saw her great-grandmother, her eyes instantly reddened. She threw off the covers, rushed into the Empress Dowager's arms, and said aggrievedly, "Great-grandmother, we know we were wrong. Father and Mother are punishing us by not letting us eat." As she spoke, her little body trembled slightly, and her voice was trembling with tears.
The Empress Dowager gently stroked Xiao Nanyao's hair, comforting her, "Alright, alright, don't cry. Your father and mother are only doing this for your own good. The outside world is dangerous, and you are still young and don't understand how dangerous it is. This is a lesson you need to learn, so you can't be so willful in the future." Her voice was soft and warm, like a spring breeze, gently caressing Xiao Nanyao's heart.
Xiao Nan Yi got off the bed, walked to the Emperor Emeritus, and said with his head down, "Grandfather, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have taken Yao'er out of the palace secretly and made everyone worry." His voice was choked with emotion, and his heart was full of remorse.
The Emperor Emeritus looked at Xiao Nanyi with loving eyes: "It's good that you know you're wrong. You're the older brother, so you need to be more sensible in the future, take good care of your younger sister, and listen to your father and mother." He reached out and gently patted Xiao Nanyi's shoulder, giving him encouragement and comfort.
Little Nanyao lifted her head from the Empress Dowager's arms, looked at the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager, and said earnestly, "Great-Grandpa, Great-Grandma, we will definitely be obedient from now on and will never run away secretly again." Her eyes were firm, as if she were making a vow to her elders.
The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded: "That's right, you are all good children. Here, your great-grandmother has brought you some delicious food." As she spoke, she took an exquisite food box from the maid behind her, which was filled with various pastries and fruits, emitting an enticing aroma.
"Wow, it's my favorite osmanthus cake!" Xiao Yao exclaimed excitedly, a smile finally appearing on her face.
Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao sat on the bed, happily eating snacks. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus sat beside them, watching them with happy smiles on their faces.
Mu Qingling sat gracefully on the edge of the bed with a smile on her face, as serene as a blooming lily. Her beautiful eyes were gazing quietly at the two children before her, her gaze filled with endless love and tenderness like spring water.
"You can't be so willful like today again, okay? Remember to listen to your elders, okay?" Mu Qingling's voice was like a gentle breeze, soft and melodious, seemingly able to penetrate one's soul. Hearing their mother's instructions, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao quickly stopped chewing and nodded repeatedly like two obedient little rabbits, saying, "Mother, we know! We will definitely be good and obedient from now on, and we will never make you and Father angry again." Because their mouths were full of food, their speech was a little slurred, but their bright and determined eyes shone like stars in the night sky, as if telling Mu Qingling about their inner resolve.
Looking at the children's adorable faces, Mu Qingling's heart was filled with joy. She carefully used her slender fingers to gently clean the food crumbs from the corners of their mouths. Then, she gently pulled the soft blanket over them, her movements as careful as if she were handling a rare treasure, afraid of accidentally waking the two lovely little ones who were on the verge of a dream. As the blanket slowly covered the children's small bodies, Mu Qingling made sure to tuck the corners in carefully, ensuring that not a single cold draft could penetrate their warm little world.
After doing all this, Mu Qingling leaned down slightly and first placed a feather-light kiss on Xiao Nanyi's pink forehead, then turned to Xiao Nanyao and gave her the same loving kiss. Finally, she said in an extremely gentle voice, "Sleep well, my darlings. May you both have sweet dreams tonight, dreams filled with sweet candies, colorful balloons, and endless joy and surprises..." As Mu Qingling's voice gradually faded into the air, a warm and peaceful atmosphere filled the room, as if time had stood still at that moment.