Liu Wan went still for a moment. After a long hesitation, she said, "Come with me."
After settling Xia Wanwan in, the two of them went to Zi Mu's courtyard.
"Mother." Seeing Liu Wan return, Liu Zimu quickly put down his book and came forward to greet her.
He was already over ten, old enough that he needed to keep some distance from his mother.
So it was always Liu Wan who reached out to rest a hand on his shoulder, offering encouragement and comfort.
"Mother, are you all right?"
Liu Zimu's usually composed gaze swept over her, checking that she had not suffered even the slightest injury. Only then did he relax.
Earlier, a Hidden Guard had returned and summoned Yuanbao, saying an assassin had attacked at the sacrificial altar. For the safety of the Ninth Prince's Residence, Yuanbao had left Qing Da and Gu Ming behind to guard the courtyard.
During that time, Liu Zimu had been unable to take in a single word of his books. His mind had been filled with worries about his mother, sister, and father.
Now that he saw her standing before him, safe and sound, the heavy weight in his heart finally settled.
"I'm fine." Liu Wan smiled and drew the two of them down to sit.
Seeing Shen Chuanlian following behind his mother, Liu Zimu knew he had not succeeded, nor had he harmed them. Much of his wariness finally fell away, and he looked at him with a gentle expression.
"Zi Mu, when did I first begin teaching you to read?" Liu Wan asked.
"From the moment I became your son, you began planning a future for Zi Xing and me. The very next day, you taught us to read yourself. I practiced my writing day and night, never slacking