In the side hall’s tea room, the crisp fragrance of Longyan Tea overflowed, with billowing steam blurring the carved window frames.
Xiamier personally poured tea for Bai Ye, her fingertips betraying a faint, almost unnoticeable nervousness as she continued to chatter on, endlessly praising her two daughters: “Mother, you must try this tea—it’s made from hundred-year-old Longyan Grass, the most nourishing and gentle. Last time Yaoyao saw me drinking it, she clamored to try some. I had to coax her, saying that if little children drank it, they’d turn into tiny old men, and only then did she pout and give up.”
“You can stop pouring tea for me for now, Little Xiazi. When are my dear granddaughters arriving?”
Bai Ye twirled the teacup lightly between her fingers, the swirling steam blurring the laughter in her eyes, but not concealing that mix of reproach and anticipation.
“How would I know? Maybe they’re… eating something? Hehe…” Xiamier laughed dryly, scratching her head, her nervousness nearly spilling out from her fingertips.
Bai Ye shot her a glance but didn’t press further.
She just picked up the teacup and took a gentle sip; the crispness of Longyan Tea melted on her tongue, yet failed to suppress the anticipation in her eyes.
For a moment, only the quiet sound of steam filled the tea room.
Xiamier sat anxiously, silently praying for the two little ones to return soon and save her from the predicament.
“Little Xiazi, come over here and give my back a massage.”
Xiamier froze for a moment at the words, then, as if receiving amnesty, hurried to Bai Ye’s side, carefully raising her hands to knead her mother’s back.
She used just the right amount of strength—not too light to seem perfunctory, not too heavy to upset her mother.
Still, she kept muttering:“Mother, you must be exhausted after sleeping for so long. I’ll loosen up your muscles for you. Don’t worry, when Yiyi and Yaoyao come back, I’ll have them massage you too. Yaoyao’s little fists are so soft, it feels wonderful…”
Bai Ye closed her eyes, a hint of an indistinct smile on her lips, letting Xiamier work on her shoulders as she spoke in a calm voice: “Little Xiazi, you really know how to say sweet things. Back then, when you sneaked off to the mortal world behind my back and I dragged you home, you weren’t half so obedient.”
“Aiya, Mother, that’s ancient history now! Why bring it up again?”
Xiamier’s cheeks grew warm, and her hands paused for a moment.
“I was just a child then, didn’t know any better. Now I’ve turned over a new leaf and devoted myself to Dragon Clan affairs, raising two lovely daughters. You should praise me, really.”
“Praise you?” Bai Ye opened her eyes, giving her a sidelong glance.
“Praise you for your audacity, for hiding your daughters from me?”
Xiamier gave a sheepish laugh and hurriedly changed the topic: “Mother, please try this pastry. The imperial kitchens just made this lotus seed pastry with tribute lotus seeds from the Western Regions. It’s sweet but not cloying. Yaoyao loves them, she can eat several at once.”
As she spoke, she picked up a lotus seed pastry and offered it to Bai Ye.
Bai Ye didn’t take it, only said lightly, “When my dear granddaughters arrive, let them feed me.”
“Yes, yes.”
Xiamier quickly put the pastry back on the plate, increasing the force of her massage slightly, still chattering away: “When they get here, I’ll have Yaoyao feed you. That little one is best at currying favor, I promise she’ll have you beaming with joy. Yiyi may not say much, but she’s attentive—her massages are probably even better than mine…”
“So, can you let me go now?”
“No!”
Before Xiamier could finish, Bai Ye cut her off, voice brooking no argument, though a trace of amusement flickered in her eyes.
“What’s wrong? Is giving me a massage too much for you?”
Bai Ye slowly opened her eyes, her gaze landing on Xiamier.
“Back when you got into trouble, I punished you to face the wall at Longji Mountain for three years. That was far worse than this.”
“Aiya, Mother!”
Xiamier pulled a long face, but didn’t dare stop her hands.
“That was different! I really messed up back then. Now I’m the responsible, well-behaved Dragon Sovereign, raising two adorable daughters—can’t you feel sorry for me and let me rest for a bit?”
“Feel sorry for you?”
Bai Ye raised her brows, picked up her teacup, and took another sip.
“When my two precious granddaughters arrive and take over, I’ll let you off.”
Xiamier groaned inwardly, but could only resign herself to keep massaging, still muttering under her breath.
Yibao, Yaoyao, hurry back, Mother can’t take much more of this…
At that moment, at the other end of the palace corridor, Yiyi was walking slowly while carrying Yaoyao.
The little one finished the last bite of her ice cream, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, and looked up at Yiyi, her voice soft and sticky: “Big Sister, where’s Mother? Shall we go find her?”
Yiyi nodded gently, her eyes sweeping over the familiar corridor, her voice tender: “Mm, Xiamier is probably waiting for us in the side hall. Let’s go.”
Yaoyao responded obediently, resting her little head on Yiyi’s shoulder, arms wrapped tight around her neck.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she pointed towards the tea room ahead: “Big Sister, I smell something good! Is Mother eating something delicious?”
“I don’t know, let’s go take a look.”
Yiyi, holding Yaoyao, walked to the side hall’s tea room door and gently pushed it open.
Xia Mier was hunched over, sweating as she massaged, when she noticed the figures at the door.
Her eyes instantly lit up like starfire.
Just as she was about to call out, she saw Yiyi hugging Yaoyao, retreating a half-step, a faint blush rising on her cheeks as she whispered: “Sorry to bother you. Goodbye…” She turned to leave.
“Don’t go!”
Xiamier nearly leapt up in a panic, escaping Bai Ye’s “grip” and dashing to the door to block their way.
“Yibao, Yaoyao, you’re finally here! Come in quick, Mother’s being tormented by your grandmother!”
Yiyi paused, frowning slightly, her clear eyes full of confusion: “Grandmother? What grandmother? I’ve never heard of her.”
“My precious granddaughters are here?!”
Bai Ye jumped up, her former dignity vanishing in an instant, her eyes glowing with fervor.
In a few steps, she rushed to the door and shoved aside the still-babbling Xiamier.
“Little Xiazi, get out of my way!”
She bent down to look at Yaoyao in Yiyi’s arms, her face covered with an unprecedented gentle smile.
She reached out to touch Yaoyao’s head, but hesitated, afraid to scare her, and softened her voice: “So this is Yaoyao? How adorable, just like a little dumpling. Come, let Grandmother hold you.”
Yaoyao was a little overwhelmed by the sudden enthusiasm, shrinking her head into Yiyi’s embrace.
Yet she couldn’t help peeking curiously at Bai Ye, her tiny hand tugging at Yiyi’s sleeve.
Yiyi stepped back half a pace, watching Bai Ye warily, the blush on her face fading to be replaced by caution: “Don’t come any closer. We don’t know you.”
“Silly children, I’m your grandmother!”
Bai Ye’s smile didn’t waver, but there was a trace of grievance in her voice.
She fished two crystal-clear dragon pearls from her sleeve and held them out to Yiyi.
“These are Dragon Crystals. Wear them for safety—they’re Grandmother’s meeting gifts to you.”