Seeing the face in front of him—whose brows and eyes bore a faint resemblance to his own, even the way she frowned was similar—Qi You’s usually cold and hardened heart suddenly softened.
Perhaps it was the bond of blood. His heart, which had been rigid for many years, began to waver at once.
Thinking of what she had just said, his heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.
Was she truly planning to take him in and raise him by her side?
Qi You’s eyes grew moist again. He had once believed that after so many years, he no longer needed something like maternal affection. Yet when it was placed right before him—so close he could almost touch it—his heart was far less calm than he had imagined. He realized, then, that he longed for it.
He stared blankly at the sleeping Qiao Rongjin. He did not understand why she had not died—because in his previous life, she had already been executed at this time, accused of adultery.
That accusation had followed him all his life, an indelible stain. Whenever people mentioned the fifth son of the Prince of Rui, they would always add: “the son of a sinful woman.” It was never honorable.
But he had long since come to terms with it. What others said could no longer affect him.
Several times he tried to withdraw his hand, but afraid that any movement might wake her, he ultimately gave up. He let her hold his hand, and remained like that, eyes open, until dawn.
Dawn broke.
Jinxiu Hall.
The Prince of Rui arrived just after first light. Seeing a maid about to speak, he stopped her with a gesture and strode directly toward the room where Qi You was resting without hesitation.
As soon as he entered, he saw Qiao Rongjin asleep beside the bed.
The woman’s water-blue dress spilled across the floor. Her long black hair cascaded down her waist, partly covering her slender figure. Only her small, pale earlobes were visible. Her head, wrapped in white cloth, rested on her left hand, while her right still held onto the child’s hand on the bed.
Up close, her eyes were closed. Her thick lashes looked like small fans. Her sleeping face was peaceful and well-behaved.
For a moment, the Prince of Rui froze, and his heart softened as well.
If Qiao had always been this obedient, he would not have detested her so much.
In the future, as long as she stopped being hostile toward A Yun, he would be willing to give her some dignity and let her have a place in the manor. After all, she was the birth mother of Xiao Wu.
The night air was still somewhat cold. Subconsciously, the Prince of Rui reached out to pull a blanket over her—but just as his hand extended, movement came from the bed.
He quickly withdrew his hand.
His gaze turned to Qi You, who had just shifted.
A flash of joy crossed his usually cold face. “Xiao Wu!”
Qiao Rongjin was also startled awake. Seeing the Prince of Rui so close, her confused expression instantly vanished. She hurriedly tried to get up to salute, but her body was stiff from the long posture; her legs were weak and her hands numb. The moment she pushed herself up, she lost balance.
Just as she was about to fall, a large hand steadied her arm.
She quickly stepped back and bowed. “This servant greets Your Highness.”
Everything happened in an instant. The Prince of Rui only just reacted.
He said, “Xiao Wu just moved.”
Hearing this, Qiao Rongjin no longer paid attention to him. She turned immediately toward the bed, joy filling her face.
“He’s awake! He’s awake! Doctor Zhao! Doctor Zhao!”
Qi You had just woken up and still needed to be examined.
At that moment, he slowly opened his eyes. The light in the room was a bit harsh, so he instinctively closed them again before opening them once more.
Then he saw the two people standing before him.
He did not look at his father.
Instead, he looked at Qiao Rongjin and said nothing.
In truth, he had known the Prince of Rui had entered earlier. His senses had always been sharp, and he was familiar with his father’s presence. He had deliberately kept his eyes closed. Every movement of the man had been within his awareness, and it was only when the Prince moved closer that he subtly reacted.
“Qi You, you’re really awake! That’s wonderful!”
Qiao Rongjin rarely showed such excitement. Perhaps it was the child’s innocent, slightly dazed gaze that moved her.
Without thinking, she leaned down and hugged him tightly, even kissing his cheek hard in delight.
Qi You froze completely.
He stared blankly ahead, feeling the warmth of the embrace. Suddenly, his eyes turned wet.
At that moment, his world seemed to turn into color.
The Prince of Rui, standing aside, froze as well. When he reacted, his face darkened slightly.
This was entirely improper—how could she behave like this…
Yet, seeing the warm atmosphere between mother and son, he could not bring himself to interrupt, only watching coldly.
Even Steward Wang Fuyang beside him widened his eyes, clearly shocked at such a mother–son interaction.
Doctor Zhao and another physician were also stunned.
Qiao Rongjin did not forget the important matter. She reminded him gently, “Be good, let Doctor Zhao take your pulse.”
Qi You still did not speak. He simply stared at her without blinking.
Was she comforting him just now?
Yes… she was.
Realizing this, warmth surged through him. He obediently extended his hand for the doctor to examine him.
To Qiao Rongjin, this only looked like a child relying on her. She smiled gently in reassurance.
Qi You forced a smile in return—an awkward one. He still could not bring himself to call her “mother.”
The Prince of Rui watched the “affectionate” pair with a sour feeling in his chest. That brat hadn’t even looked at him once since waking up!
Just then, the Princess Consort arrived late.
“Your Highness.”
The Prince gave a faint “mm,” showing little interest.
“Greetings, Princess Consort,” Qiao Rongjin said respectfully.
“Get up. You’ve worked hard,” the Princess Consort replied indifferently.
At the sound of his mother being addressed as “servant,” Qi You’s brows slightly furrowed.