Chapter 1 - This Prince Knows You Have A Guilty Conscience
Song Yuan's memories had been a little hazy recently. If she wasn't working for her uncle, she would have been fired a long time ago.
Her pay stub in her hand clearly marked that she was off for a week. This was the middle of summer and the air-conditioning was blasting in the office. She couldn't help but shiver.
"Amy, you once told me that the safety charm from Nanfeng Temple was particularly effective, right?" Song Yuan snuck over to the front desk and asked in a low voice.
The young woman by the name of Amy turned her head after hearing her and chuckled, "Yeah! Did you really run into something unclean? Then just the safety charm isn't going to do you much good, you are going to need someone to perform exorcism for you as well."
Song Yuan was never a superstitious person, but right at this moment, she faithfully jotted down the contact information of the so-called exorcist.
Things had truly been spooky lately. She clearly remembered going to bed in her apartment the night before, but when she woke up the next day, an entire week had gone by. Her parents had tried to call her, but got a busy signal every time. They came to her apartment to look for her, and she wasn't home! But she was in her own bed when she woke up and she could swear that she never left to go anywhere else! And the worst part was: she didn't remember anything in that one week's time!
With her reputation of calling in sick and going traveling with friends in the past, her family just assumed that she only did that to avoid having to go into work and went out to enjoy a week's time off. Nobody would believe her!
She had sufficient reasons to believe that either she was losing her mind, or that she was being haunted by some sort of evil spirits.
Song Yuan went straight to the exorcist immediately after work. She was finally able to feel better after the exorcist drew her a couple of fulu but there was no way she'd stay in the same apartment anymore. She didn't even care about her deposit but moved immediately to another new apartment under her name.
In the overall scheme of things, Song Yuan could be classified under the category of Second-Generation Rich (SGR). Her parents ran booths on the street back in their days and that had eventually turned into a clothing company that was very popular at the time. It was said that it's easier to stay together over the difficult days than the easy ones and that couldn't be more true when it came to her parents. Once they became well off, Mr. Song started to stray. He said he was just having fun and never wanted to get a divorce. Nonetheless, Mrs. Song was the type of woman who refused to be inferior to men even in the business world, let alone in her personal life. She found his transgression unacceptable and demanded a divorce immediately. The court had awarded her the guardianship of their child in light of the child's young age.
After the divorce, the company split into two and was much less competitive as it once was, but luckily, both of them were well-versed in the business world. Mr. Song switched gears right away and invested in large-scale local supermarkets with sizeable profits, and Mrs. Song stuck with the clothing industry. She had expanded into internet sales a few years ago and business was bustling.
Neither one of them had the time to pay attention to Song Yuan, so the best they could do for her was to compensate her with money.
Song Yuan was terrified and had a friend staying with her for a few months. Finally, when nothing else out of the ordinary had taken place, she slowly felt better.
"You worry too much," said her friend Xie Ya as she packed. She turned and looked at her helplessly, "I can't stay here any longer. This place is way too far from my work. I have been late 8 times this month. At this rate, I will most likely get fired."
Song Yuan looked at her wistfully and said, "I can support you."
Her words made Xie Ya chuckled involuntarily, "Why, thank you so much. If only you are a man, I will for sure marry you immediately and just waste my life away. Stop sounding like a lesbian in front of me; I have very poor self-control and my sexual preference is very hazy.
"By the way, the TV program that I had been following is about to come on," said Xie Ya as she put her clothes down, rushed to the couch, and turned the TV on. "Let me tell you, this show is sooo good."
Song Yuan was never into any TV shows. She found them lame and her TV was mostly there for decoration purposes.
But, she wanted to chat more with Xie Ya today so she went over to the couch as well.
The jade pendant that she casually placed on the dining table blinked an eerie light.
"So, what is this about?"
"It's based on this historical fiction novel where the female lead transmigrated back to the past and somehow ended up in the imperial harem ..."
Song Yuan rolled her eyes, "What? That's so cliché!"
"Song Xiao Yuan, please do not interrupt me when I am on a roll recommending something to you." It didn't matter that Song Yuan had no interest in it, Xie Ya continued raving to her about the show. "Okay, maybe it's a little cliché, but it's very addicting. The female lead has this crazy cheat. The male lead was the emperor, but he was never interested in any of his concubines..."
"Deliberate innocence. Makes no sense." Song Yuan has always been the expert in being the devil's advocate. "Don't tell me that the male lead can't perform when he was around anyone else other than the female lead."
Xie Ya, "How many unmentionable novels have you read behind my back?!"
"......"
"The male lead carried with him trauma from his childhood. You know, the usual cold and strong type. The female lead was cute. The two of them fell in love with each other and the female lead became queen. But, you know, the female lead was a transmigrator, so her values were very different from that of someone from a historic period of time and the two of them had more and more conflicts. I don't know how the TV show would alter some of the story arcs but when I read the novel, the ending was quite sad.
The female lead gave birth to a boy, and he was immediately the crowned prince. But, in the few years that followed, the male and female leads just continued to torment each other and were very unhappy. The ending was open ended. I think something about the female lead falling asleep one night and waking up back in the modern days. She wasn't sure if everything that she had experienced was real or just a dream of hers."
Xie Ya was very genuine in raving about the TV show, "Let me tell you, the premise might be a little cliché, but that dawg male lead was such a scum!"
Song Yuan threw her arms around a pillow. Even the rave was coming from her best friend, it still failed to interest her.
The show finally ended as Xie Ya was calling the male lead with her eyes reddened. Song Yuan picked up her car keys and said to her, "It's getting late. I'll take you back."
*Sniffle* "Yuanyuan are too nice to me. You are the only one who'd worry about me leaving the house at night!" Xie Ya pondered for a little bit and looked Song Yuan up and down before she asked, "Say, are you seeing someone lately? I have been meaning to ask for a while now."
Song Yuan was surprised, "You knew that I have been single since birth. Why would you ask me this now?"
Xie Ya walked in a circle around Song Yuan and tsk'd, "I just felt that you have become more feminine. Like a flower than had been nourished by someone."
Why did this analogy sounded so... suggestive?
Song Yuan was quiet for a little bit before she said, "Perhaps because I had a shot of intradermal injection recently?"
There was a period of time when Song Yuan woke up looking very gloomy, her skin missing that luster that it used to have, and even the spark that was in her eyes were gone. Song Yuan, who cared a lot about her appearance, was shocked that she looked like she had aged a few years. She quickly looked for recommendation for aesthetic doctors and procedures and finally recovered gradually after a little over a month.
"Is that so?" Xie Ya studied her for a while longer. Song Yuan was actually quite a pretty girl who inherited the best features from both of her parents. Her skin was pale, and her features elegant and bright. She had always been the school flower and attracted a lot of attention wherever she went. If it wasn't the objection from both of her parents, she just might have joined the entertainment circle so more in the world could be blessed with the sight of her good looks.
Xie Ya shook her head and said, "I don't think it's caused by intradermal injection. You just looked different; much more feminine. If you are seeing someone, you must let me know. I will have to vet him for you. There are just too many scums out there nowadays."
Song Yuan chuckled involuntarily, "I am just going to pretend that you said my bosom had gotten bigger. Don't worry, I am already equipped with perceptive eyes. All scums will appear in their true form in my eyes."
After she had dropped Xie Ya off at her place, Song Yuan returned to her own apartment building only to notice that the lights in the elevator was blinking on and off. This had greatly reminded her of something spooky. So the minute the elevator door opened, she dashed out... only to come to an abrupt stop –
A young boy wearing historic costume was standing in front of her apartment, looking at her solemnly.
Song Yuan was scared shitless and almost peed her pants. She took a few steps back, and her heart was ready to jump out of her throat.
The scene in front of her was just too eerie. The flickering of the lights in the elevator had already brought up a lot of undesirable images in her head. And she saw this little boy in historic costume as soon as she stepped out of the elevator. Not to mention that the little boy's face was pale and the voice-activated lights above his head continued to flicker on and off.
Rong Ting frowned as he looked up and down Song Yuan.
He was having a hard time associating the woman in front of him with the drawings that his imperial father hid away in his private room.
Everybody said that his imperial father's drawing skills were unrivaled in the world. They must just be fawning over him, as those drawings looked nothing like her.
Song Yuan's mouth was dried, and her pupils were dilating.
"You..." She was so courageous! Not only did she not lose consciousness, but she was still able to speak.
Of course, that one word was already the limit of her courage.
Rong Ting took a step forward.
Song Yuan took a step backward.
"This prince knows you have a guilty conscience." After all, she had left her husband and abandoned her son.
Song Yuan was stupefied, having no idea what he was talking about.
"This prince does not wish to listen to your excuses."
Song Yuan: "?????"
After this exchange, the moonlight shone through the window, and Song Yuan was able to see the little boy's shadow cast on the floor. She let out a sigh of relief and recovered some of her courage. She thought about it for a little bit and tried her hardest to look as genuine and friendly as she could and said, "Hi, little kid. Do you have the wrong person? Do you live around here?"
Author's rambling:
I really, really love this particular novel but there will be a lot of bugs and issues with the logic.
Little tadpole prince was 5 years old, but those from the ancient time seemed to be more mature. Plus, he was raised to be the next emperor so the way he thought and acted would be more mature than others of the same age. And, of course, he was also a very prideful boy.
The female lead had transmigrated into the past in her physical body and then back. The actual time past in modern day was one week, and she has suffered memory loss.
Chapter 2- Everyone in the world knows of my relationship with my imperial mother
"You don't know this prince?"
"You have forgotten about this prince?!"
Song Yuan had no idea what it was that she said that made this calm, young-adult behaving, ancient-cloth-wearing little boy suddenly jump up and down in irritation as those she had committed some sort of heinous crime.
"Um... little kid?" Now that Song Yuan was sure that the little boy wasn't a ghost, she was much calmer than before. She continued, "Do you have your daddy and mommy's contact information? Why don't I give them a call to come and pick you up?"
Rong Ting looked at her angrily.
As far back as he could remember, he had never seen his imperial mother, and his imperial father rarely talked about her in front of him. His imperial mother also seemed to be a banned subject in the palace, although that did not deter him from trying everything that he could to get whatever information he could on her.
An old palace maid told him that his imperial mother loved him very much, ever since he was still inside her belly. He was the one his imperial mother loved the most.
With uncertainty, he asked the old palace maid whether his mother would still remember him if she saw him.
The old palace maid, her eyes reddened, told him that no mother would ever forget their children.
And now, she had forgotten about him?!
Rong Ting looked at her coldly. "This prince had gone through so much and went behind his imperial father's back to come and see you. And you have already forgotten about this prince?!"
As slow as Song Yuan was, even she noticed something was obviously wrong. This little boy really acted like he knew her.
"You know me?"
"Of course this prince knows you!"
Song Yuan probed some more, "Then, are we related somehow?"
Rong Ting held back his tears. Ever since he was born, he was above everyone else but one and everybody had to flatter him. His imperial father had always been strict with him, and he had never said one word of complaint. But that was because his imperial father had told him that his imperial mother only liked smart little kids, and he didn't want to disappoint him. Ever since he was a child (like 2-3 years old), he had been studying very hard and never slacked off.
But now she didn't even remember him; she even asked such cruel questions to him!
The little boy refused to talk to her anymore no matter how Song Yuan tried. She had no choice but started to see if she could find a cellphone or any other contact information of his parents.
Rong Ting panicked. His ears turned beet red, and he was about to shout out "How dare you!" But he just stopped himself on time before the words slipped out of his mouth.
Alright, alright. Boys and girls should keep their distance from each other, but she was his birth mother, he could make an exception for her.
She wasn't able to find a cellphone, and the little boy refused to talk more. As much as Song Yuan wasn't someone who liked to barge into other people's business, she was still a normal adult who wouldn't just ignore a child that was lost. And, this boy was truly very handsome and cute. In addition to his ancient outfit, his back was pretty straight and his personality was a bit peculiar, but he was still very cute. Song Yuan picked up his hand directly and planned to take him to a nearby police station.
Rong Ting was a prince who was never close to anyone. With his hand being held all of a sudden, his first thought was to shake it off, but the warmth coming from the other hand touched him. He tightened his lips a bit and, feigning a sense of nonchalance as he said, "this prince wouldn't stoop to your level."
Song Yuan chuckled at his comment.
But this little boy was truly very obedient. He didn't even ask where she was taking him and just followed her obediently.
Such a cute little boy. He was at most 5 or 6 years ago. She didn't want him to get lost and run into some human traffickers. That would truly be tragic.
"Little kids should always be with their moms and dads. Don't you know how worried your mommy and daddy would be?" said Song Yuan. "They must be worried sick by now."
Rong Ting didn't understand the first half of what she had said, but he caught the second half, "That's none of this prince's problem."
Song Yuan thought his nickname for himself was quite peculiar and assumed that his parents had given him a nickname like "gu-gu". Thinking about that, she thought he was just being coquettish.
(T/N: "This prince" is pronounced as "gu". MC did not realize that he was referring to himself as "this prince".)
As a middle-age lady, if she was to say things like "Yuan wouldn't stoop to your level", "None of Yuan's business", or "You don't remember Yuan anymore?", that must be something too.
This kid was just so cute!
"Gu-gu, you really don't remember any method to get hold of your mom and dad? What about your name? Uncle Policeman will ask you these in a little bit as well."
Rong Ting frowned. He might be young, but he was extremely smart and was able to catch the gist immediately. "My imperial father has no brothers and this prince has no uncles."
Song Yuan, "......"
Alright! Each family has their own dynamics. Since she couldn't really understand what he was talking about, it's best that she took him to the police station as soon as possible.
This child was very clean. From the way he talked, Song Yuan gathered he was raised in a good family. Now that he was lost, his parents would surely send out all distant relatives in search for him. In fact, they were probably already waiting at the police station right about now.
When Song Yuan arrived at the police station with the little boy and explained the situation, the old cop squatted down and asked him kindly, "Hi, little boy, what is your name?"
Song Yuan smacked herself on her forehead. Oh boy, how could she forget to ask that?
She really wasn't very good with kids.
Rong Ting looked at the old cop, alarmed. He seemed to be more distant and prideful when he was talking to Song Yuan earlier.
He didn't answer any of the old cop's questions but just looked at Song Yuan.
Song Yuan didn't have a lot of options. She couldn't just stay at the police station indefinitely so she stood up and said to the old cop, "Hi, I have to go in to work tomorrow and it's getting late. I should get going."
The old cop nodded, "Okay. Would you like to leave your contact information? His parents might want to thank you in person."
Children being abducted was not uncommon. A lost child was usually a nightmare for a family. When a good Samaritan found and took a child to the police station, most parents would want to thank them in person.
Song Yuan thought about it for a second and finally left her contact information. She didn't expect Rong Ting, who was sitting properly on the chair just a second earlier, would get up and want to follow her on her way out.
Song Yuan was surprised. Quickly, she squatted down and said to him gently, "Big sister has to go to work tomorrow so she can't stay here and wait for your parents with you. The uncles and aunties at the police station are all very nice and will take good care of you. Big sister will also pay attention to any news of lost kids online, okay?"
Rong Ting was shocked beyond belief. "You wanted to leave this prince here and take off on your own? You have already abandoned your husband and your child once, and now you wanted to do it again?"
Song Yuan was completely baffled, "Abandoned my husband and my child? Who? Me?"
Even the old cop was giving her an interesting look.
"This prince is a very forgiving one and I've forgiven you. I've gone through so much to look for you, and now you just want to ditch me?!" Rong Ting looked like a little wounded animal, but there was also an undetectable shred of hurt and sadness. "I've given up everything to come see you, and this is how you treat me?"
It seemed he was truly upset and had stopped referring to himself as "this prince".
The old cop had been studying the two of them when Song Yuan was still dumbfounded. He noticed that this incident might not be as simple as it looked. There had been parents who had abandoned their children at the police stations in the past. He pulled Rong Ting over and said with the most solemn look, "Little body, tell grandpa the truth. Who is she to you?"
Rong Ting tried very hard to not declare that the old cop guilty was being disrespectful. He hrmped and said, "Everyone in the world knows of my relationship with my imperial mother."
Imp... imperial mother?
Never mind the old cop, even Song Yuan, who had started getting a little used to the way he talked, was shocked, "Hey kid, you can just make up stuff like that! I am just 22 years old this year and didn't even have a boyfriend!"
All she did was take a lost child to the police station. Was this the newest trick deployed by the scam artists this year or something?
But this setup was kind of lame, no? She was only 22 years old this year and just graduated college, and this child was at least 4 or 5 years old. There was no way he could be her child. And what was he thinking making up lies like that in the police station?
The cop was quite suspicious as well. He stroked himself on his chin. It was true, he looked at the girl's ID and she just turned 22. This kid looked to be about 5 years old. If they were truly mother and son...
Song Yuan wanted to swear to him that she has no boyfriend, never wedded and never gave birth to a child.
The cop had been in this field for dozens of years. He could more or less tell whether someone was telling the truth just from their looks.
Problem was, the child didn't look like he was lying, and neither did the girl.
"Miss, can you try to think and see if he's a relative of yours?" The old cop thought about it for a little bit and said in a deep voice, "He does look somewhat like you."
Song Yuan was stunned. "How is that possible?"
All Rong Ting saw was how much his imperial mother wanted to deny their relationship. His eyes started to lose their brightness, his thin lips shut tightly, and he said nothing else.
Finally, the police officer pulled up her record. Sure enough, Song Yuan was single, and there was no record of her giving birth. Song Yuan was starting to get frightened of the boy. The police station couldn't insist that Song Yuan was her mother just because he said so. After all, the child refused to share anything else, not his own name, not even his parents name. As much as the old cop thought that Song Yuan and Rong Ting looked alike, he still couldn't force Song Yuan to stay or have her take him home with her.
Song Yuan picked up her purse and wanted to leave. What happened today was too ridiculous!
She was more worried that she was targeted by someone.
She hadn't expected that when she was about to walk out of the room, Rong Ting suddenly jumped up from the chair. Staring at Song Yuan with the unjust feeling of being abandoned and choking back his tears, he enunciated one word at a time, "If you abandon this Prince one more time, I will never ever see you again, nor will I forgive you."
Song Yuan was shaken when she heard that.
She shouldn't be startled by words from a child that she has never met before. And yet, for some reason, when she heard the words coming out of the child, she felt as though someone had got a hold of her heart. She couldn't breath, and she was experiencing a painful sensation.
Half an hour later, Song Yuan left behind her a copy of her ID, her home address and contact information and left with Rong Ting under the old cop's deep and meaningful gaze.
Song Yuan did not say a word.
Rong Ting followed behind her. He looked up at her back and thought to himself; imperial mother must love me. Otherwise she wouldn't have taken me with her, but she had forgotten about me, so I should still be mad at her.
Chapter 3 - You're living so miserably now, why did you leave Emperor Father? Is this the life you wanted?
In fact, Song Yuan somewhat regretted bringing the child back home.
She didn't do anything shameful, and the person the child spoke of, the one who tossed away her husband and abandoned her son, definitely wasn't her, either. So why was she shaken by the child's words?
The house Song Yuan lived in right now was given to her as a gift by Father Song when she was eighteen. The 3B2R was very spacious, and it also had a large balcony. She had just moved in not too long ago, and many necessities hadn't been bought yet. On the way back, even though she was dumbfounded and doubting her life, she still didn't forget to buy a towel and toothbrush for the child.
Just when they got home, before she could say a couple words to the child, his stomach let out a gugu sound.
Rong Ting was mortified. For him, the stomach making such a sound was extremely rude.
"Have you not eaten for a long time?" Song Yuan, accepting her fate, looked down and asked him.
"Gu had a morning meal."
"Little boy, why are you talking like that?" Song Yuan opened the fridge, took out a piece of bread, then looked back at him. "It's very scholarly. Is everyone in your family like this?"
Rong Ting was now in a better mood. No longer as embarrassed, his tone when speaking to her was also a bit better. "How can Empress Mother speak so casually?"
Song Yuan: "..."
"It will take more than half an hour for takeout to be delivered, I'm afraid you'll be too hungry. There's only bread, eggs, and some ham at home, so I'll just whip up a sandwich for you."
The exchange between Rong Ting and Song Yuan wasn't exactly an incomprehensible conversation, but they couldn't quite understand what the other was saying.
But he could discern that Empress Mother was personally cooking for him.
His heart was slightly warm.
Empress Mother, as the mother of a country, had never cooked for others (including Emperor Father). He was probably the first one.
For the moment, he forgave her for temporarily forgetting him.
From time to time, when she was in the mood, Song Yuan would cook. After all, takeout could be very greasy, and making a sandwich was all too easy for her. She fried both the egg and ham in the same pan and toasted the bread in the toaster. Of course, there was also her favorite mayonnaise. Thinking that children liked ketchup, she added some of that, as well.
Rong Ting sat at the dining table. Looking at the food in front of him, he couldn't help but frown.
It was food he had never seen before.
The key point was, was it edible?
Seeing Song Yuan eagerly looking at him, Rong Ting thought to himself, he absolutely could not fail to live up to his Empress Mother's kind intent. So he picked up the sandwich and took an extremely elegant bite.
Of course, Song Yuan wouldn't ask the child how the sandwich was.
Rong Ting thought, perhaps it was because this strange thing was made by Empress Mother herself that the taste was tolerable.
Song Yuan pointed to the glass of milk on the table. "Remember to drink the milk. Drink milk to grow up."
Rong Ting was angry. "You dislike that gu is not tall enough?"
How should she say it? Song Yuan was a senior member of the good-looks club. She strongly felt that, if it weren't for the fact that this child was very cute and very charming, she would never have brought him back to her house.
The child looked to be around 1 meter tall. He was obviously a kid, but he was so scholarly and looked like a little adult.
"And you are not as tall as me," Song Yuan bickered with him. "Alright, alright, drinking milk is good for you. Drink it all, then go brush your teeth, wash your face, and take a bath. I really have to go to work tomorrow, I'm not deceiving you."
Rong Ting stared at the cup of milk for a long time. Then he held the cup with both hands and took small sips of the milk.
Sweet, not bad.
"Empress Mother, why are there no maids in the palace?" Rong Ting had eaten and drunk to his heart's content. His mood was good, so he was willing to chat with Song Yuan.
The decoration in this palace was very peculiar, but he had once overheard Emperor Father drunkenly say that the era that Empress Mother lived in was different from theirs, so it seemed to make sense.
But why was there no maid or eunuch?
Song Yuan was silent for a moment, and guessed that the child's parents were fans of the ancient era. But even if the parents liked everything about the ancient era and were genuine fans, it should not affect the child. She really wondered, could this child smoothly communicate with his fellow classmates in kindergarten?
"Do you mean the housekeeping auntie?" It seemed like the child's family's situation was not bad. "I don't need to hire a housekeeping auntie. I can do everything myself."
Rong Ting stared at Song Yuan.
"What are you looking at me like that for?" Song Yuan asked him.
"Why?"
Rong Ting was extremely puzzled. "You're living so miserably now, why did you leave Emperor Father? Is this the life you wanted?"
Song Yuan was bewildered, but still moved her chair and sat next to him. She told him very seriously: "Little boy, I really don't understand what you're talking about. I'm really not your mom, but don't worry, all the police aunties and uncles will help you find your family. You can also stay here with me until your mom and dad come pick you up."
Rong Ting was not a child who couldn't see reason. Piecing together Song Yuan's words and behavior, he asked tentatively: "Empress Mother, you don't remember Emperor Father?"
Without waiting for Song Yuan to respond, Rong Ting answered himself, "Not remembering should be right. You couldn't even remember gu, so how can you remember other people?"
Even the precious biological son was forgotten, so how could she remember the husband who was ranked far below him?
Was he stupid? Asking Empress Mother such a question.
Song Yuan thought about it, planning to use another method and go along with the child's words, "Then tell me your dad's name. Maybe I'll have an impression of it."
Rong Ting heard this and became angry again. "You don't remember even after seeing me, so how can you have an impression after hearing Emperor Father's esteemed name!"
If Empress Mother really did have an impression, then he would be angry. The old maid said, Empress Mother had held him when he was dressed in his swaddling clothes and told him she loved him the absolute most.
He stomped his foot and said: "What's more, as that person's son, how could Emperor Father's esteemed name be spoken!"
Song Yuan: "..."
Does your entire family get in the act? You may be ancient era fanatics but even so, considering yourselves to be an emperor and empress at home, it's truly extraordinary. I dare not provoke...
"Okay okay okay, then you can say your own name, right?"
Rong Ting's cheeks puffed up as he gave her a cold look. "Even forgetting the name of one's own son."
Song Yuan's temper was very good.
She had always loved children since she was very young. Of course, they were obedient children, but it was strange today. In the past, she would never have taken the initiative to approach such an awkward and tsundere child.
After saying this, Rong Ting was silent for a moment, "You must remember it, ok? Rong Ting."
The name was both strange and pleasant to hear.
Song Yuan felt that, at this rate, she could find out his parent's full names and contact information in a week, at most.
"Alright alright, go brush your teeth." Song Yuan led the still-sulking Rong Ting to the bathroom. She squeezed out toothpaste on the newly bought children's toothbrush and handed it to him.
Rong Ting used to brush his teeth during his time in the palace.
However, not many people in the palace had toothbrushes. He heard from the old maid that it took a lot of time for Empress Mother to make a toothbrush.
The toothbrush in his hand now was many times better-looking than the ones in the palace.
Rong Ting brushed his teeth, feeling that the sweet taste in his mouth was different from that in the palace. Empress Mother hid all the good stuff, and when he came to see her, she gave them to him to use.
Rong Ting looked at all the strange things in the room, but he also paid attention to his etiquette, not wanting to look ignorant in front of Empress Mother.
"Gugu , here's the thing." After Rong Ting brushed his teeth and washed his face, Song Yuan carried him to the shower and said very patiently: "You're a boy, I'm a girl. It wouldn't be convenient for me to bathe you, so can you bathe yourself?"
Regarding Song Yuan calling him in such a way, Rong Ting didn't mind.
Song Yuan taught Rong Ting the basics of how to use the water heater. She felt that, even if the family was obsessed with everything about the ancient era, the modern era was so convenient, and the basic facilities would surely be available.
After telling Rong Ting which bottle was the shower gel and which bottle was the shampoo, she then left the bathroom, shutting the door on her way out.
Rong Ting stood under the shower. He was a clever boy, and many things were clear to him. After he took off his robes, he hesitated a moment. Just like his mother taught him, he turned on the switch. When the water suddenly rushed out of the shower head and drenched him, he failed to control his inner fear and shrieked.
Song Yuan heard his shout and rushed in.
Rong Ting was still spooked. When he saw her come in, his first reaction was to hug her waist. He was very brave and didn't cry.
After he calmed down, he threw the pot with perfect form, "You left gu in here!"
Song Yuan could see that the little boy was a little embarrassed.
Nowadays many children over the age of five needed their parents to help bathe them. She had never been a mother, and she also had no experience helping relatives raise their children. She was also a little embarrassed. Children would naturally be easily frightened in an unfamiliar environment.
After bathing the child, Song Yuan's clothes were soaked.
Convenience stores didn't have children's pajamas, so Song Yuan casually put one of her long T-shirts on his body.
The child was very against it. "How can gu wear women's clothing!"
"Tomorrow, tomorrow after work I'll take you out and buy you a set of pajamas. Right now is too late." Song Yuan pointed to the blue underneath her eyes. "Be good and make do with it for now. I really want to sleep, I'm exhausted la."
Rong Ting looked at her. After a while, he said very awkwardly: "Only this once. You're not allowed to tell anyone else."
By the time Song Yuan removed her makeup and took a bath, it was already past eleven.
She lay on the bed, recalling the things that happened this evening. It really felt like a dream.
Extremely tired and sleepy, she was ready to sleep. Fortunately, the child was very well-behaved and didn't need her to say anything. He also said something she couldn't understand. In summary, he and she could not sleep in the same bed–such a thing wasn't appropriate. The child slept alone in the second bedroom. She went to take a look before returning to her room. The boy seemed to already be asleep, so she turned off the light.
Song Yuan didn't know that, after she turned off the lights and shut the door, Rong Ting, who was lying in bed, opened his eyes.
In his mind, he had imagined many times what Empress Mother looked like. What she looked like when she laughed, what she looked like when she got angry. Everyone said that his identity was honorable, that very many people were envious when he was born and then became crown prince. But only he knew that he didn't want to be crown prince. He only wanted to be Empress Mother's child.
Author's note:
Although Empress Mother hasn't shown great love for him, Rong Ting, you have to forgive Empress Mother. Empress Mother just forgot.
Chapter 4 - Enough, gu won't argue with you
Although the company was owned by her uncle, Song Yuan didn't dare to 'chute in and get out. With the exception of that week's unwarranted sick leave, she never dared to be absent from work without good reason and was seldom late. Song Yuan got up and came out of her bedroom and found that Rong Ting was sitting upright on the sofa. His eyes were fixed on the blank television screen, as though wondering what this thing was.
"The fridge doesn't have anything else, so I ordered breakfast takeout," Song Yuan said as she combed her hair. "At noon, I'll call for takeout for you–"
"Ei, forget it, forget it!" Song Yuan felt that it was too irresponsible to leave the child at home. Her brain thought up all sorts of news like "Playing Child Falls from the Building" and "Strangers Break In and Abduct Child." Then, accepting her fate, she sighed, her head hung low. "I'm still on leave today, and fortunately tomorrow is Saturday."
Song Yuan really couldn't rest assured leaving Rong Ting alone at home.
He wasn't her child, but he was in her home, so it was only natural that she temporarily assume the responsibility of being his "guardian."
To say it in way that invited envy, going to work was a waste of time for Song Yuan. Father Song wanted her to inherit the supermarket, and Mother Song wanted to have her manage the clothing company. But both of them had one thing in common, and that was a very, very high position.
It wasn't that Song Yuan didn't want to be a beautiful young lady who inherited the family business. It was just that her parents had zero intention of retiring. She could imagine that, if she really did pick a side, she would definitely bear one side's "blame" and the other side's never-ending commands.
For world peace and a good parent-child relationship, she couldn't inherit either the supermarket or the clothing company for now. After discussing with her uncle, she decided that she would work there. This way, neither her father nor mother could say anything.
She just ran errands in the company and was responsible for simple paperwork. She was like a brick–she moved wherever she was needed, and at the same time, it was easy to look dispensable within the team.
She didn't ask for time off very often, so the department head very readily approved the request for leave.
Now that she had asked for vacation, there was no need to hurry. The beauty-loving Song Yuan meticulously put on her makeup.
Rong Ting sighed and shook his head in his heart. He really didn't understand a woman's thoughts. There was no maid to wait on Empress Mother, and even makeup had to be done herself. She preferred to suffer miserably here and leave Emperor Father. For what?
The doorbell rang, and Song Yuan let out an excited cheer. She quickly opened the door to greet the handsome delivery brother.
The delivery brother was a boyish young man. Seeing Song Yuan, he showed a bright smile. "Hello, your delivery is here."
Song Yuan received the delivery and said the usual thanks.
The delivery brother added: "Please give a 5-star rating."
"En!"
Song Yuan shut the door and called Rong Ting over for breakfast.
"I don't know what you like to eat, but I ordered some congee with century egg and pork and soy milk and xiaolongbao." Song Yuan took out a disposable spoon from the delivery bag and handed it to Rong Ting. "If you don't like to eat it then you can just eat a little bit. After breakfast, I'll take you out for a stroll. We can go to the police station and check if there's any news while we're at it."
Delivery took at least 30 minutes. Rong Ting looked at the ugly-looking congee and buns, in complete shock. "You dare to give gu such humble food to eat!"
Since birth, Rong Ting was His Highness the crown prince, the heir to the throne.
There was no lack of care in his everyday food and clothing. That was to say, all sorts of dishes were available for his morning meal, for fear of mistreating him.
The strange thing last night was made by Empress Mother herself, so that was different. But what was with today's morning meal? Could it be that Empress Mother ate such humble meals every day?
Song Yuan: ...Does your entire family get into the act like this?
If the other party were an adult, she would certainly be too lazy to care if they liked to eat it or didn't eat, but the other party was a child. There was no need to be like that. "Food has no distinction between the noble and lowly, and this place's food is not bad. Don't you want to try some first?"
Rong Ting frowned, not even deigning to give a glance. "Even if gu was starving, gu wouldn't eat it."
Song Yuan: ...This little fellow has great moral integrity.
Don't eat, then, don't eat bei.
Children should not be spoiled!
When she ate at restaurants, she used to see some parents chase after their children to feed them.
If they were hungry naturally they would eat. If they didn't eat, then it wasn't a big deal.
Song Yuan made an "en" sound, "Fine ba, I'll eat it by myself."
Breakfast must be delicious, and she never ever treated herself badly. She usually liked to eat congee with century egg and pork, and this place's soy milk was said to be freshly squeezed. She very much liked the strong flavor of the beans. She was used to drinking a cup of soymilk for breakfast, but too many things happened too suddenly yesterday, and she forgot to soak the soybeans, so she could only order some soymilk to drink.
Rong Ting sat on the side, carefully gauging Song Yuan's expression.
Was Empress Mother angry?
But he really hadn't eaten this thing before, ah. The imperial kitchen would never dare to slight him like this.
Empress Mother lived so pitifully right now. As Empress Mother's son, did he really want to make her sad and give her a hard time at this critical juncture?
In other words, Empress Mother, the mother of a country, could eat this food. Why couldn't he?
"Are you angry at gu?" Rong Ting asked with a small, tense face.
Song Yuan froze, then shook her head. "I'm not ah."
"You are." Rong Ting helplessly picked up the spoon. "Enough, gu won't argue with you."
Saying this, with furrowed brows, he began to eat the congee in front of him with a look of marching stoically towards death.
Song Yuan giggled. This child was very awkward ah, but he was also quite cute.
She thought, perhaps this child's family was truly very, very rich, so rich that they really didn't eat this for breakfast?
Seeing this child's raising-a-hand-and-kicking-a foot-temperament, the more she thought about it, the more she thought that it was quite possible.
However, if Rong Ting was really the child of a rich family, how could his parents not come looking for him after being gone for so long?
Even if the ancient era had fewer seasonings than the modern era, everything that came out of the imperial kitchen was meticulously cooked and was more authentic. The bowl of congee in front of Rong Ting had who knew how much MSG added to it. For him, it really was rather inedible.
But Rong Ting was not someone who couldn't endure it. For him, sitting together with Empress Mother for a morning meal had been his wish since he was very, very young. As for what they ate, it didn't matter.
After eating breakfast, Song Yuan grabbed the car keys, wanting to take Rong Ting out.
Yesterday she'd thought that the police station was nearby, so she hadn't driven. As a result, Rong Ting, who was briefly shocked and also very curious after seeing the cars on the road yesterday, found it somewhat difficult to sit still.
"Empress Mother, what is this?" Rong Ting didn't want to show his ignorance in front of Empress Mother, but he remembered the old maid's words. She said, he was Empress Mother's favorite person.
Empress Mother wouldn't laugh at him.
Song Yuan didn't expect that he would ask this question, and once again rejected her guess that he was a rich second or third generation.
But Rong Ting's behavior from last night until now was extremely confusing.
No matter how much of a fan of the ancient era the family was, it was impossible to be completely out of touch with modern society. Even children from remote mountain areas knew that this was a car.
Rong Ting was also not like a child from a remote mountain region. On the contrary, the aura surrounding him was not one that ordinary people could develop.
His clothing, his way of speaking, and his ignorance and unfamiliarity with modern society made Song Yuan, who had been inextricably steeped in romantic transmigration novels during her university days, think of one phrase: ancient to modern transmigration!
With this most unlikely possibility, everything could be clearly explained.
Song Yuan parked on the side of the road and turned her head, staring at Rong Ting.
Rong Ting thought that Song Yuan was displeased by his lack of knowledge, so he immediately became angry. His small white face flushed red, his chest heaved, and he said coldly: "If you don't want to enlighten gu, gu will not force you."
When he wasn't angry, he called her Empress Mother.
When he was angry, then he didn't call her that.
This form of address established by him was clear and to the point.
He had several books in his resting chambers. The old maid said that they were made for him by Empress Mother. They were filled with childish and ridiculous pictures that lacked any aesthetic beauty, but they were full of warmth.
The books were said to be stories that Empress Mother made up. The old maid said they were called bedtime stories.
Before he had learned to read, he always had the old maid read them for him to listen to. After he learned to read, he looked through them himself. He memorized all the stories, and he flipped through the books until their covers were worn. One time, when a eunuch accidentally spilled water on one, he raged like thunder. When the night was deep and all was still, he would lay on the big bed, clutching those several books, thinking, if Empress Mother were here, he would not treat these books as treasures, making people laugh at him.
There were actually many things that Empress Mother left to him.
Every time he questioned whether Empress Mother loved him, he would look at these things and become firm.
If the woman didn't love her child, how could she make so many little trinkets for him ne?
Was the Empress Mother in his memories, in his imagination, who loved him like he was her life, the same person before his eyes?
If she was, why didn't she love him?
If she wasn't, why did he find the scent on her body so nostalgic?
Song Yuan didn't expect this child to be so sensitive on top of being moody, incessantly changing from sunny to cloudy. She didn't say anything, and he suddenly became angry.
But adults must not be quick to argue with children.
She had more important questions to ask him.
"Gugu, I want to ask you. What year were you born?"
Rong Ting's expression relaxed a bit. "You ask me this to do what?"
For better or worse, he didn't say "You even forgot your own son's birthdate."
Song Yuan knew this child was not easy to fool. "I'm just very curious and care about everything about you ah."
"You really care?" Rong Ting asked her.
Song Yuan nodded frantically.
Once she accepted the setting that he was from the ancient era, everything seemed less strange, including his proud maturity.
Rong Ting's small body sat in the back seat. Regardless of whether he was sitting or standing, his back was always straight.
Finally, he said his birthdate, which was very complicated and incomprehensible.
Song Yuan was almost certain he had transmigrated.
"In your place's era, you have an emperor, right?"
"Empress Mother need not be like this. That is gu's Emperor Father as well as your husband."
Song Yuan: "..."
Chapter 5 - Gu doesn't wish to answer
"Do you know what cell phones are?"
"Do you know what mobile phones are?"
"Do you know what a TV is? Do you know what air conditioning is? What about ballpoint pens? ABCDEFG?"
Song Yuan asked a number of questions one after another.
Rong Ting frowned. "Empress Mother need not ridicule gu's lack of knowledge."
Song Yuan's heart dropped. She didn't expect that the most unlikely possibility had really happened. Transmigration novels were a well-traveled road; all elementary students knew Ma'ertai Ruoxi. But everyone knew that the plot was made up by the author. Now an example of something like crossing through time and space was right before her eyes. She also wondered whether the child's spirit or mind was abnormal, but Rong Ting's eyes were bright and clear, even giving off the aura of an extraordinary person.
She felt that she was also crazy. Going so far as to consider ancient to modern transmigration, and even subconsciously thinking it was real!
So long as she had a bit of doubt, she wouldn't believe such an absurd thing.
Song Yuan very much wanted to ask about the particulars, but she also knew that Rong Ting was already very unhappy. This little boy also might not know what happened to him, and her mood could affect him. They still had to eat and go visit the mall supermarket today; they couldn't not do anything.
As a matter of fact, Song Yuan was an extremely timid person. According to logic, if she encountered such a thing, her first reaction would be to send Rong Ting to the police station. It was just too strange, after all. But for some unknown reason, she seemed to have an inexplicable connection with this child, and it made her unable to bear seeing him sad.
"I'm not ridiculing you." Song Yuan gathered her thoughts and managed to calm down. She smiled at Rong Ting. She was very good at controlling her emotions, but this time she really was relaxed.
She couldn't stop what would happen.
"I was just trying to figure it out. Except for you, I haven't come in contact with children, and I don't know what topics you'd be interested in. Just ask about something you don't understand and I'll explain it to you."
Although Rong Ting's heart didn't believe her excuse, his body was more honest. The look on his face lightened up, different from the hurt expression from before.
Children were easier to coax, so long as adults had a little more patience.
"Let me tell you about this car first ba." Song Yuan started the car again, explaining as she drove, "It's the same as the carriages you've seen before."
Rong Ting: "Empress Mother mustn't deceive gu. Carriages are nothing like this."
"It's the result of many many years of improvement. What is the farthest place you've gone to?"
"Gu has once been to Xiayang with Emperor Father."
"Wu, Xiayang ah, I don't know it. How long have you traveled by carriage?"
"Four days and four nights."
Song Yuan thought, then answered: "If you take my car, it would take half a day."
Rong Ting wanted to disagree, but he glanced at the scenery outside the car window and didn't speak.
Empress Mother didn't seem to have lied. This carriage's speed was just too fast.
The two made small talk as they traveled. Song Yuan drove into the shopping mall parking lot and after she parked, she took the initiative to open the back door. She was driving an SUV, and it wouldn't be easy for a child to get off. She lifted Rong Ting out of the car.
Rong Ting was not used to such intimate contact, but he didn't say anything. His ears slowly flushed red.
After getting out of the car, he wanted to tell Song Yuan that mothers and sons should also observe propriety, and she shouldn't treat him like a child, but the words on his lips were swallowed back.
In any case, Emperor Father wasn't here, nor was that annoying scribe, so it was fine!
Rong Ting was no stranger to the elevator. He had a vague idea of its function.
Quietly standing, his body as stiff as a board. He was not unknowing, and he also wasn't full of curiosity.
There were other people in the elevator. These days, there were many who liked ancient era clothing, and as an era of rapid development, people were becoming more and more tolerant. Most people were already accustomed to seeing hanfu and lolita dresses.
It was very interesting to see a small child wearing a period costume. Rong Ting wore a white robe embroidered with gold thread, and his hairstyle was like those in ancient era dramas. It attracted a lot of attention.
Stepping out of the elevators, some people took out their phones, wanting to take photos of Rong Ting.
Song Yuan smiled at the girls as she shook her head in a gesture of refusal.
The girls understood her meaning and felt somewhat embarrassed.
After all, it was a bit awkward to take photos of another family's child and be caught by the guardian.
Nobody thought that Song Yuan was Rong Ting's mom. It was only that they looked very similar, so they must be brother and sister.
This shopping mall had supermarkets, restaurants, movie theaters, and brand-name clothing stores. It was a weekday, so there were no people. There were very many people on the weekends.
Song Yuan hadn't bought new clothes in a long time. Knowing that Rong Ting wouldn't have the patience to accompany her as she shopped, she led Rong Ting straight to the children's section.
After Song Yuan brought Rong Ting into the children's clothing store, she was drawn to the girls' skirts.
"Girls' clothes nowadays are so beautiful ba!"
"Seeing it makes me want to have a daughter!"
Rong Ting didn't expect that the dignified, kind, and gentle Empress Mother spoken of by the old maid would be so silly.
She was different from what he imagined, but such a Empress Mother was also very good. At least she looked happy.
"Some officials had written memorials once, suggesting that Emperor Father lacked heirs, with only gu by his knees, and hoped that Emperor Father would draft more beauties and expand the rear palace. Emperor Father was furious." Rong Ting came over to Song Yuan and lowered his voice: "Since Empress Mother wants to have a princess, why leave Emperor Father?"
Song Yuan felt her scalp numb at these words, but she still reached out to pat Rong Ting's shoulder, "Little boy, don't ruin my shopping experience. The consequences are very serious."
Don't say such words that would fill her brain with phrases from dog-blood transmigration novels. Save it for when you go home!
Rong Ting secretly sighed in his heart. He didn't know what conflict there was between Emperor Father and Empress Mother for Empress Mother to have this appearance of not wanting to hear any mention of Emperor Father.
This girls' clothing in this children's clothing store were all very pretty, but the boys' were mediocre. Song Yuan only chose two sets of clothes for Rong Ting. In case of the weather turning cool, she also bought a down jacket.
Rong Ting originally wanted to say that he wouldn't wear such strange apparel, but when he looked at what Empress Mother wore, he resolutely decided to shut up.
This should be Empress Mother's native land.
Empress Mother's native land was also his native land. It was proper to follow the customs of the land. He also should not be too stubborn, lest he wound Empress Mother's heart and she mistakenly think that he disliked her hometown.
"Do you like it?" Song Yuan also bought children's underwear and socks for him. It was a rather abundant harvest, as though the person being bought clothing was her. She gleefully asked Rong Ting.
"Gu doesn't wish to answer."
If he told the truth, Empress Mother would be upset.
But gentlemen could not lie.
Song Yuan felt very familiar with Rong Ting and pinched his ear. "Such a cute child!"
She considered Rong Ting cute, mostly because of his looks.
This truly was a society that looked at faces ah.
"G-gu..." Rong Ting was taken aback by Song Yuan's actions, and his following reaction was to become even more embarrassed, saying "gu," "gu" for half the day, without any further continuation.
If it were someone else, he would have already said they were audacious.
"I know you're called Gugu." Song Yuan spotted a KFC and brought Rong Ting to the dessert stand. "I bet you've never eaten this!"
Rong Ting didn't want to act like a country bumpkin. He said in a cold voice: "Are you a prophet?"
"How did ancient era people survive without ice cream and air-conditioning ah?" Song Yuan bought two cones. The clerk was a young woman. Seeing Rong Ting dressed in a period costume and liking it very much, she took a few more glances. Not many people would be able to resist such a cute child. When Song Yuan saw the very tall cones, she couldn't help but tell Rong Ting: "It's the first time I've seen such a tall cone."
So many swirls!
As expected, it was very useful to be cute. In fact, just now at the clothing store, the employee gave her many bibs, although she couldn't use them. And just now, the dessert stand's clerk gave so much ice cream. There was no harm if there was no comparison. She didn't remember being given such treatment as a child.
Rong Ting took the cone. Seeing that Song Yuan was already beginning to eat, he suddenly remembered an important matter. "There's no poison tester?"
He had been so angry this morning that he had forgotten about it!
If someone wanted to poison them, what would happen to him and Empress Mother!
"Empress Mother, don't eat it!!" Rong Ting shouted loudly.
The little boy's voice was very loud.
The passerby shopping in the mall turned in their direction, not knowing that had happened. Even Song Yuan looked blankly at Rong Ting, not understanding why he was so agitated.
Rong Ting's face was pale. The old maid had once told him that the imperial concubines in the palace were very jealous of Empress Mother and often harmed her time and time again. Fortunately Empress Mother was blessed with great fortune and great talent and escaped calamity. While he grew up in the palace, Emperor Father had never gone half a step in the rear palace. But he occasionally saw those imperial concubines, each carrying themselves with a solemn, virtuous, and gentle attitude. In reality, they were especially vicious on the inside.
It was easy to dodge a spear in the open, but difficult to avoid arrows in the dark. If his whereabouts were known by those imperial concubines, and they followed him here to frame Empress Mother, then what could he do!
"What's wrong?" Song Yuan asked. Naturally, she didn't dare to lick the cone again.
Rong Ting grew more and more afraid. He pointed to the dessert stand's employee, saying: "Empress Mother is too careless. Are you not afraid of this person poisoning you?"
The "shady" employee with a question mark face: "???"
What did she do wrong to be suspected by this child...p, poison? How did it come to this?
"Empress Mother, quickly spit it out!" Rong Ting threw the cone in his hand and hugged Song Yuan's legs, looking up at her with red eyes. "Don't be afraid, Empress Mother, gu will take you back to the palace and have the best imperial physician detoxify you!"
He'd finally found Empress Mother after much difficulty. He absolutely would not allow others to harm Empress Mother or snatch Empress Mother away!
If someone really did poison her, he would cut them to pieces!