After bringing the child back to the manor, Feng Jin busied herself for a full hour before the little one’s breathing stabilized.
Once the wet nurse had fed him, the infant finally settled into a peaceful sleep.
Gazing at the child in the cradle, Feng Jin was momentarily reminded of Da Bao and Er Bao when they were little. They too were so small and fragile, and she had handled them with such extreme caution, afraid of hurting them with an unsteady touch.
Now, in the blink of an eye, Da Bao and Er Bao had grown up. She couldn’t help but sigh at how quickly time passed, flowing through her fingers like water, impossible to grasp.
“Mother… Mother…”
“Mother…”
As if summoned by her thoughts of her two children, they appeared before her in the next instant.
“Shush, keep your voices down. The little brother just fell asleep, don’t wake him.”
Feng Jin hurried over to her two children, reminding them to be quiet so as not to disturb the newly sleeping infant.
“Mother… let us see…”
Da Bao stood on tiptoe, craning his neck to peer inside. He had heard from Sister Chu Qing that Mother had brought back a little brother, and he couldn’t wait to see what he looked like, pulling Er Bao along with him.
“You can look, but you must be quiet, and absolutely do not wake the little brother.” Kuaishu Pavilion
Da Bao and Er Bao nodded obediently. Feng Jin then took them by the hand and walked towards the cradle.
“You can only look, and you must not touch the little brother’s face. He is very weak now and needs to rest well.”
After all, the child had a weak foundation even in the womb. Feng Ruoyan’s body was not meant for another pregnancy, and it was only through the use of potent medication that she had managed to carry this child.
However, then there was the forced labor before the child was full-term, which further weakened the infant.
Now, after all this, it was a miracle that the child’s life was even saved. As for how many more years the child had, she couldn’t be sure.
She could only care for him with such caution, and if no unforeseen circumstances arose, he might live for a few more years.
“Mother… the little brother is so small… just a tiny thing…”
Er Bao pointed at the child lying in the cradle, truly amazed at how small he was. His little face wasn’t even as big as Er Bao’s own.
How could such a small child grow big?
“You two were also this small when you were born. You’ll grow bigger gradually.”
Feng Jin couldn’t help but recall how her two children looked when they were just born; there didn’t seem to be much of a difference then.
“Alright, it’s getting late. You’ve seen the little brother, so you two go back to sleep obediently.”
Feng Jin urged her children to quickly return to their rooms and go to bed, not to linger any longer.
The two little ones were surprisingly cooperative, returning obediently and even reminding Feng Jin to take good care of their little brother.
After sending her children away, Feng Jin sat by the cradle again, her gaze fixed on the child. His complexion had improved considerably now.
With a creak, the tightly shut door opened from the outside, and Ling Mo Han strode in.
Hearing the sound, Feng Jin quickly turned her head to look back. Upon seeing Ling Mo Han, a flicker of panic crossed her eyes.
He wasn’t supposed to be back tonight; he had military matters to attend to. How could he have returned so suddenly, without any warning? At least let her be somewhat prepared.
She hadn’t even figured out how to explain this child to Ling Mo Han yet…
“Weren’t you supposed to be back tonight? Why are you back?”
Ling Mo Han didn’t answer Feng Jin’s question. Instead, he walked forward, his gaze fixing directly on the sleeping child in the cradle.
“This is Chu Yanxi and Feng Ruoyan’s child?”
Judging by Ling Mo Han’s expression, Feng Jin already knew he was aware of the situation. It was undoubtedly Lu Shi who had told him.
However, now that he knew, there was no need for her to conceal it any longer. She might as well admit it directly.
“Indeed. When I found him, he was barely breathing. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing, so I brought the child back…”
“Did I… did I cause you trouble by doing this?”
Ever since bringing the child back, she had been worried if her actions would cause Ling Mo Han trouble. If they did, she would be consumed by guilt.
“It is of no consequence…”
Ling Mo Han said calmly. After a pause, he continued, “The child cannot always be kept here. What are your plans for him?”
Hearing his words, she felt a chill run down her spine, a sense of foreboding.
“I… I haven’t thought it through yet. What would you suggest for his placement?”
She wanted to hear Ling Mo Han’s opinion first before making a decision.
“This child is, after all, of royal blood. Once he is stable, send him to the palace.”
“No! Although this child has royal blood, Chu Yanxi is now a criminal. If this child remains in the palace, that place that devours people without spitting out bones, he will surely perish!”
She knew full well how treacherous the imperial palace was. Could such a young child survive in that man-eating place? Moreover, with the Empress and Chu Yanxi both convicted, this child would surely face the scorn of the world and be bullied within the palace.
“Then what do you suggest? The child’s identity is too sensitive to remain in the Ling Manor!”
Ling Mo Han sighed helplessly. If he had been there at the time, he would never have let Feng Jin bring the child back. This child was a huge problem, and keeping him at the manor was like a ticking time bomb.
The sooner he was sent away, the more at ease he would feel.
“I don’t know for sure yet, but he cannot be sent away for now. The child is extremely weak and needs to recover his health first before we discuss his placement.”
At the very least, for now, she could ensure that if the child left this place, he would lose his life within seven days. Therefore, no matter what, she couldn’t let the child leave now.
“Then he shall remain in the manor for the time being. Once his health improves, send him back to the palace!”
Ling Mo Han’s stance was firm, his resolve to send the child back to the palace unwavering.
“Alright then!” Feng Jin hesitated for a moment but decided to agree with Ling Mo Han for now. At least she had bought some time, and she had plenty of time to persuade him.
“As for the child being at our manor, keep it a secret for now. I’m worried that if someone finds out, it will cause unnecessary trouble.”