Consort Xuan led Jiang Zhuolan in a graceful bow, every movement exuding extraordinary nobility, without a trace of her earlier panic.
Jiang Yingcheng still had both hands stretched out in that silly pose. At the sound of the voice, she leaned out from beside her beautiful imperial father to look, nearly losing her balance and tumbling to the ground.
Jiang Yanchuan steadied the little one with one hand and turned around. Only after a long pause did he say in a low voice, "Rise."
This was the only route from Chongyun Hall to Wuyang Hall. Though he had never explicitly forbidden his consorts from coming here to interrupt affairs of state, this was still the first time anyone had dared seek him out here.
Jiang Yanchuan's expression darkened. He was just about to demand an explanation coldly when Jiang Yingcheng dashed over with a delighted look, her little feet pattering.
"Third Brother?" Jiang Yingcheng looked Jiang Zhuolan over from every angle. "Your injuries are all healed!"
Jiang Zhuolan cautiously glanced at Jiang Yanchuan's expression, then pressed his lips together and pulled two candies from his sleeve as though presenting a treasure. Smiling, he tucked them into Jiang Yingcheng's palm. "These are for you."
Jiang Yingcheng's eyes sparkled. Those two candies had clearly made her utterly happy.
Considerately, she unwrapped one and held it to Jiang Zhuolan's lips. Only after watching him eat it did she pop the remaining candy into her own mouth, and both children's eyes curved into smiling crescents.
Jiang Yanchuan watched them silently for a while, then let out a deep sigh.
The two children had shattered the solemn atmosphere until not a scrap remained. He could hardly bring himself to spoil this rare, heartwarming scene.
Jiang Yanchuan looked at Consort Xuan. "What is it?"
Consort Xuan