Feeling familiar warmth envelop him, Shen Tingwen’s tears finally streamed down.
He held Li Yue Shu tightly, as if clinging to the most precious thing in his life.
His voice was muffled, still laced with sobs, "Can you please not abandon us..."
Li Yue Shu felt a piercing pain in her heart, as if pierced by a thousand arrows.
She embraced the person in her arms even tighter, "Silly Ah Wen, how could your mother abandon you? Mother promises, she will always, always love you."
Hearing her words, Shen Tingwen seemed to shed all restraint and sobbed uncontrollably.
Li Yue Shu said nothing, simply holding him and gently patting his shoulder.
After crying for a while, he cautiously looked up at Li Yue Shu, "Mother, I shouldn't have lied to you before, I'm sorry..."
Li Yue Shu had long forgiven them, but hearing such a sincere apology still warmed her heart.
She gently stroked Shen Tingwen's head, "Mother accepts your apology, but don't lie to Mother like this again."
Shen Tingwen nodded with unwavering conviction, "I will never lie to Mother again!"
Seeing Li Yue Shu's lips curve into a slight smile, Shen Tingwen sniffled and cautiously asked, "Then... can Mother forgive Father?"
Looking at the little one's expectant eyes, Li Yue Shu fell silent.
How could she tell the children that their father seemed to be preparing to find them a new stepmother, and that they might even have male concubines in the future?
Seeing her conflicted expression, Shen Tingyi assumed she was resolute in her refusal to forgive their father, and silently lamented his incompetence.
Then, he raised his tear-streaked face and looked at Li Yue Shu, "Mother, can we go to Chongzhou with Father? Tong Mu County is very far from Chongzhou, and we'll definitely encounter many dangers on the road. With Father there, he will protect us!"
This way, Father and Mother would have more opportunities to interact, and perhaps Father could win Mother back.
He wanted to tell everyone that he was a child with a mother!
He also wanted to tell that woman that it wasn't that they didn't want them, but that he and his sister didn't want her anymore!
Li Yue Shu tenderly wiped away his tears, "Alright, Mother was already planning to open a new apothecary in Chongzhou. I've already asked people about the situation there. We'll leave after Shen Tan and the others' birthdays."
This was Shen Tan and the others' first birthday since coming to this home, and she had promised to bake them a cake, so she couldn't go back on her word.
Shen Tingwen nodded and held her tightly, "Mother, you must keep your word. Don't abandon us when we go to Chongzhou."
He still felt insecure, fearing she would eventually change her mind.
Li Yue Shu smiled helplessly and affirmed her promise, "I'll keep my word."
She held Shen Tingwen and comforted him for a long while. Only when the little one had finally calmed down did she emerge from the room.
Mother Mo, who had been waiting outside, entered the room after seeing the mother and son had finished their conversation.
Shen Tingwen's eyelashes were still wet with tears. Upon seeing Mother Mo, his cheeks flushed, and he hurriedly ran back to his room.
In his room, Qin Mo Yuan had been waiting for him for some time.
Seeing Shen Tingwen’s red eyes, Qin Mo Yuan paused, "Why are you crying?"
He walked over and wiped away Shen Tingwen’s tears. His movements were not particularly gentle, but somehow they made Shen Tingwen feel safe.
Shen Tingwen somewhat bashfully turned his head aside, "Mother has agreed to go to Chongzhou with us."
Then, as if recalling something, he glared at Qin Mo Yuan with an air of disappointment, "Father, this is a good opportunity, don't miss it again!"
Last time they went to Yunsu, they thought Father and Mother's relationship might improve. But upon their return, they heard that Mother had divorced Father.
He really didn't know what Father had done!
Clearly sensing his disdain, Qin Mo Yuan: "..."
He looked at Shen Tingwen with a deep gaze, then ruffled his hair, his voice surprisingly gentle, "When we get to Chongzhou, remember to persuade your mother to stay at the Prince's mansion."
Shen Tingwen's eyelashes still held tear drops, and he blinked in surprise at this, "Mother won't stay at the Prince's mansion?"
Qin Mo Yuan sighed, "With your mother's personality, she'll probably buy a house outside to draw a clear line between us."
Shen Tingwen thought for a moment and realized it was indeed likely. His gaze towards Qin Mo Yuan became strange again.
His small face was filled with conflict, and finally, as if making a resolute decision, he said, "If you don't win Mother back, I'll move out and live with Mother!"
Qin Mo Yuan's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but flick Shen Tingwen's forehead.
You little brat, shouldn't you be helping him!
Shen Tingwen clutched his forehead in pain and glared at Qin Mo Yuan, "Not just me, but Third Sister and Fourth Brother too. We'll all move in with Mother, and you'll be left to guard an empty Prince's mansion!"
Qin Mo Yuan looked down at him, "Then what about your eldest brother?"
"Eldest Brother is a prince, so he lives in the palace. He won't be with you!" Shen Tingwen said indignantly.
After speaking, he directly took off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, and turned his back to Qin Mo Yuan.
Seeing his childish behavior, a hint of a smile appeared in Qin Mo Yuan's eyes.
Even Ah Wen’s temperament was becoming more childlike. He wondered when Ah Min would be able to be so carefree.
Qin Mo Yuan came out of the room, only to find Xing He waiting for him outside.
"Master, Chai Yang is injured," Xing He said with a grave expression. "Those people from Chongzhou have already infiltrated Tong Mu County, but I've concealed the news from this side, so they haven't located us for now."
They haven't located them for now, but it would likely be soon.
Qin Mo Yuan knew this well and also knew that if they continued to stay here, the peace of the villagers might be disturbed.
"How is Chai Yang's injury?"
Xing He frowned, his brow etched with worry, "He said it's just a minor injury, but if it were truly minor, he wouldn't have sent a message and not returned himself."
After all, they were brothers for many years. Even if Xing He wasn't very clever, he understood Chai Yang's character.
Qin Mo Yuan looked at him for a moment, then suddenly said, "Go help Chai Yang. Before we depart for Chongzhou, you must eliminate all the assassins. If you fail, you will receive your punishment upon returning to Chongzhou."
His last sentence was spoken softly, but Xing He felt a chill run down his spine.
So many assassins, he couldn't eliminate them even if he had three heads and six arms!
Had he offended Master in some way?
Xing He wanted to ask, but Qin Mo Yuan had already turned and returned to his room, giving him no opportunity to speak.
It was all because of his terrible advice that Ah Shu hadn't spoken to him for so many days!
...
The next day, Xing He, with dark circles under his eyes, went to find Chai Yang.
He had thought about it all night, unable to figure out how he had offended Master. Before, Master had even praised him for finally becoming smarter when he offered advice to test Madam.
How could he have fallen out of favor in just a few days?
Li Yue Shu noticed his dejected look as he left, but didn't think much of it. She turned back to her drawings on the table.
Although Shen Tan and the other seven were inseparable and their birthdays were on the same day, their gifts couldn't be identical.
Just as Li Yue Shu had finalized the gift plans for them, Mother Mo entered with a strange expression, "Madam, your sister has come to see you."