She Holds the World After Being Reborn-Chapter 582 - 581: Just Escaped the Tiger’s Mouth, Only to Enter the Wolf’s Den
Feeding Yan Congze was a problem of the century.
Not only was he picky, but he also liked to bounce around, requiring someone to follow him incessantly with a bowl and spoon. And with his innocently cute face, it felt almost sinful to raise one’s voice at him. So one resigned to the task, holding a bowl in one hand and a spoon in the other, trailing behind him and pleading earnestly.
"Eat a bit, just eat a bit."
Yan Wanqing was so tired that she was sweating profusely, almost unable to stand straight anymore.
"Are you going to eat or not?" she slammed the bowl and spoon down on the table.
The lively dining table instantly fell silent.
Yan Congze climbed down from the stool, his eyes blinking rapidly at Yan Wanqing, soon becoming red around the edges. His mouth trembled, and he looked as if he was about to burst into tears.
Yan Wanqing took a deep breath, "Mommy will count to three." She pointed at the bowl and spoon on the table, "Get up to the table and eat by yourself."
"One," Yan Congze swallowed nervously, motionless.
Yan Wanqing squinted her peachy eyes, which gleamed sharply.
"Two!" Her voice raised.
Fear flickered in Yan Congze’s eyes, and he made a preemptive move.
Yan Li’an shook his head helplessly, thinking that if this tactic were indeed effective, Yan Wanqing would have already counted down.
"Three—"
Before she could finish, a small figure darted onto the table, obediently picking up the bowl and spoon, shoveling a big mouthful into his mouth, then looking up at Yan Wanqing ingratiatingly, his words slurred, "Mother, don’t be angry~"
Yan Li’an felt his jaw drop.
Astonishment spread on everyone’s faces.
"That’s my good boy," Yan Wanqing came forward, cupping his chubby cheeks in her hands and planting a kiss on his forehead, lavishing praise without stint, "A man should eat his meals by himself."
Complimented, Yan Congze gobbled up what was in his mouth and dug another big spoonful, "I am a man!"
Well done, indeed.
Watching the harmonious scene of mother and child before them, everyone was completely dumbfounded.
Was this the oppression of bloodlines?
Was this the fear-inducing "Daddy will count to three" they’d heard about?!
"Good son, drink some soup so you don’t choke," Yan Wanqing scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it carefully, and brought it to Yan Congze’s little mouth. It was as if the tigress from moments earlier wasn’t her at all. Her eyes were now full of the light of maternal love, and Xiaocong reciprocated by drinking spoonful after spoonful, soon filling his little belly.
"Mother! I can’t eat anymore!" Yan Congze burped, climbing down from the chair with his hands on his little stomach.
"Oh, my son is so wonderful!" Yan Wanqing clapped her hands and finished with a thumbs up.
Having eaten his fill, the child began to feel sleepy, and was therefore carried away by the nanny.
It was only then that Yan Wanqing relaxed and began to eat her meal.
"I thought you would be somewhat estranged from the child, but being mother and son, my worries were needless," Sun Qinglian sighed with relief, picking up a piece of braised pork and placing it on Yan Wanqing’s plate, "Look how thin you’ve become. Eat more meat."
Yan Wanqing put the meat into her mouth, followed by a big mouthful of rice. The meat was tender and flavorful, harmonizing with the fragrance of the rice; the juices exploded with taste in her mouth, making it an incredibly satisfying meal.
"It seems I’ve come at just the right time, you were just eating," a female voice came from the door, and there was Qin Wu, one foot already stepping into the hall in casual attire.
Everyone immediately rose to bow.
Qin Wu quickly raised her hand to stop them.
"It’s an uninvited visit by me, please dispense with the formalities," said Qin Wu with a chuckle, her beautiful face radiating kindness.
Her gaze swept around the room, finally landing softly on Yan Wanqing, her eyebrows lifting slightly, "This lady is...?"
Yan Wanqing knew the Yan Family’s men hadn’t been informed and surmised that Qin Wu had instructed them as such. She and her sisters had only just returned home, and Qin Wu had followed soon after, surely alerted by the news. If she were to continue hiding now, it would be petty.
Thus, Yan Wanqing slowly raised her head, her gaze steady upon Qin Wu, "The commoner Yan Wanqing pays her respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
Seeing Yan Wanqing address herself as a commoner, a flash of restraint crossed Qin Wu’s eyes. She quickly smiled and approached, "I heard you were captured by that scoundrel Chu Qi, and I’ve been quite worried. Now that you’re back in Qin State, I can rest easy."
"Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern," Yan Wanqing replied evenly.
She had met Qin Wu before when the latter had just become Empress and still retained the naivety of a young girl. But now, three years later, Qin Wu had stunningly matured, embodying the air of a sovereign.
"Please, take a seat, everyone. I haven’t dined yet either. We are all acquaintances, no need for such formality. Sit down, sit down, I’m starving," Qin Wu said with a smile as Aman hurriedly added a place and tableware for her.
Qin Wu didn’t take the main seat but instead pulled Yan Wanqing to sit beside her.
Seeing Yan Wanqing was like seeing an old friend she hadn’t seen in years, "Have you seen the child? Xiaocong is simply your spitting image, Yan Wanqing. You can’t imagine how adorable he is. I have long wanted to make him my godson. Now that you are back, we can finally schedule this."
Qin Wu wanted to take Yan Congze as her godson.
This matter...
A glint of darkness flashed in Yan Wanqing’s eyes, but she curled her lips into a very gentle smile, "To become Your Majesty’s godson is lucky for the little one." She did not refuse.
When the Yan Family was in dire straits, they relied on Qin Wu’s care, and now even if she knew that Qin Wu intentionally wanted Yan Congze as a godson, Yan Wanqing felt she couldn’t refuse.
She knew she ought to repay Qin Wu.
Qin Wu also wanted to take this opportunity to pull herself closer to her.
The kitchen prepared a new set of dishes, replacing all those on the table that had been eaten.
Because of Qin Wu’s arrival, the meal was eaten in utter silence, as everyone restrained themselves a great deal.
After the meal, Yan Wanqing invited Qin Wu to walk in the garden, and only then did everyone disperse.
Many osmanthus trees were in the garden.
The osmanthus flowers were just beginning to bloom, filling the air with a refined fragrance.
Yan Wanqing couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
Qin Wu also took a deep breath beside her.
Both women were of similar age and had behaved recklessly in their youth. Now, after a multitude of experiences, seeing each other again, they couldn’t help but exchange smiles.
"Your Majesty isn’t still fixated on my elder brother, are you?" Yan Wanqing didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly.
During the meal, Qin Wu’s gaze lingered on her elder brother so much it was almost palpable.
Qin Wu, hitting the nail on the head, wasn’t the least bit embarrassed, "Throughout the Qin State, only your elder brother is fit to be my Empress."
If her elder brother heard this, he would surely run away overnight.
Yan Wanqing pursed her lips, "Three years have passed, and you still haven’t won him over?"
Qin Wu touched a sore spot, "Don’t you know your own brother? My feelings for him are written all over my face. Everyone knows I fancy him, yet he is as stubborn as rock. Always finding excuses to dodge, leaving me in limbo."
"But you shouldn’t be coveting my son," said Yan Wanqing somewhat dissatisfied. She couldn’t speak plainly in front of her mother just then, but seeing Qin Wu as she used to be, she had no worries about speaking her mind without the concern of rank.
"You’re mistaken. I’m not coveting your son; I am openly coveting you," said Qin Wu, taking it as a given, "Besides, having Xiaocong as my godson is no loss to him at all."
That was also true.
Yan Wanqing helplessly shook her head and sat down on the steps, heaving a long sigh, "Your Majesty is indeed straightforward. I’ve barely escaped the tiger’s den to enter the wolf’s lair."
Qin Wu knew the hardships Yan Wanqing had endured these past three years. She sat down beside her on the steps, placing her hand on the back of Yan Wanqing’s, "If you feel tired, you can rest for a while, but not for too long, because your husband will not give me that much time..."
Yan Wanqing: "..."
"Or should I send you and your godson to Xiao Pingfeng right now as a peace offering?"
Yan Wanqing gritted her teeth, "You wouldn’t dare!"
"Do you know why the Qin State has never had a Prime Minister?" Qin Wu said with deep significance, her hands tightly wrapping around Yan Wanqing’s, "Because I have always believed that this is your position, Yan Wanqing! Only you are fit to be my Prime Minister!"
Yan Wanqing barely suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and pulled her hand away.
"Tomorrow."
Qin Wu was puzzled, "Hmm?"
"Starting tomorrow, your subject will attend court."
Qin Wu barely contained her elation and coughed, "I hope it won’t be too burdensome for my loyal minister."
The corner of Yan Wanqing’s lip twitched, "It’s not burdensome. Your subject is wholly devoted to Your Majesty. What is this little bit of suffering?"
"Indeed, you are the Prime Minister that I’ve been awaiting with all my heart, with the wellbeing of the realm in mind. I am deeply moved!"
"But your subject has a condition," Yan Wanqing said seriously.
"What condition?"
She looked at Qin Wu, "I want to change my appearance."
