Snow like goose feathers blanketed all of Luoyang.
Everywhere was a vast expanse of white; the whole world was shrouded in it.
"Father!"
"Father!"
Little Awen toddled unsteadily across the floor, calling out nonstop.
The little fellow had learned to say "Father," which delighted Cao Mao. But that was all he could say, and he even called the empress "Father," leaving Cao Mao a little dejected. When will he be able to sit beside me and chat with me?
Awen seemed to have inherited his father's height. Over the past year, his plump, fair cheeks had gradually disappeared as he shot up in height. He wobbled as he walked and wanted to pick up everything he encountered and stuff it into his mouth.
Cao Mao sat in Changqiu Hall, sipping hot tea and watching Awen wander about. He could not help saying to the empress, "You'll have to keep a close eye on him from now on. This little rascal has only just learned to walk, and he's already so mischievous, nothing like the well-behaved child he used to be. What will he be like in a few more years?"
Zheng Xian chuckled. "He's just an active child. How does that make him badly behaved?"
Cao Mao took a few more sips to warm himself before standing up.
"I'll go attend to my work first. I'll come back later."
As he spoke, Cao Mao looked at the little fellow again. "Behave yourself! Don't learn any bad habits!"
The little fellow merely smiled. "Father! Father!"
Unable to resist, Cao Mao picked him up and kissed him for a while before turning to leave.
Outside, it was bitterly cold. The biting wind seemed intent on slipping through every opening in Cao Mao's clothes. Within moments, his face had turned red and somewhat