CHAPTER 27

The morning sun spilled its light, awakening the slumbering flowers in the garden, making its way deep into the palace. The translucent window curtains couldn't stop it, only allowing the sunlight to dance on the bed, even daringly running onto the little girl's cheek.

The little girl was indeed disturbed by the light. She raised her hand and rubbed the corner of her mouth, lazily opening her eyes.

Yunmiao had a great sleep last night.

She didn't have the habit of being a bedhead, but upon waking up, she was still a bit groggy and took more than ten seconds to realize that she seemed to be in an unfamiliar place, not her familiar home.

The room's decoration had an incredible sense of luxury, vaguely giving her a familiar feeling. But as she looked around and didn't find the familiar Shu Yanyan, she pouted and started to well up with tears.

Just at that moment, someone pushed open the door.

The Empress Dowager had reminded herself to speak softly before entering, but upon seeing Yunmiao sitting on the bed, she paused for a moment.

"Oh, you're awake?"

She put on the gentlest smile of her life and approached Yunmiao, saying, "What does my little treasure usually do after waking up? Hmm, would you like some water? Or should we wash our face and brush our teeth?"

Yunmiao was stunned for a moment.

She recognized this aunt.

Last night she had a dream, and in that dream, this aunt brought her to a room and called another doctor aunt to examine her.

Was she still dreaming?

Yunmiao lowered her head, patting her little belly for a moment, and then touching the bedding beneath her, using her own unique way to confirm if she was still trapped in a dream.

The Empress Dowager smiled and gazed at her.

In fact, no matter what Yunmiao did now, the Empress Dowager saw everything as perfect. Whatever Yunmiao did, she would praise her.

"What is my little baby doing? Does Grandma need to help?"

Confirmation complete.

Yunmiao felt disheartened as she realized that this was not some strange dream but a cruel reality.

In reality, she had been taken away from Shu Yanyan's side, and now she was faced with a beautiful aunt who smiled at her foolishly and spoke words she couldn't understand.

Yunmiao pouted, and the tears she had been holding back poured out in an instant.

"Wuwu, waaah—"

The Empress Dowager was momentarily taken aback, but she quickly regained her composure as she had mentally prepared herself for this.

She approached and carefully cradled Yunmiao in her arms, coaxing her with a gentle voice. "Oh dear, why are you crying? Be a good baby, don't cry. Tell Grandma what's wrong, Grandma will get it for you, alright?"

After several minutes of soothing, Yunmiao gradually stopped crying.

She looked at the aunt in front of her and tentatively made a request, "I... I want my mommy..."

The Empress Dowager felt a headache coming on.

She truthfully replied, "Your mommy... she hasn't woken up yet."

"Let's wash our faces and have some food first, and then we can go find mommy, okay?"

Yunmiao stared blankly at her, pouting.

"Waaah—I...I want my mommy, wuwuwu—Mommy—"

The Empress Dowager was truly at a loss this time.

She didn't have time to think and immediately nodded. "Okay, okay, we'll do as you say! Let's go find Mommy now!"

Yunmiao stopped crying, but due to abruptly stopping, she let out a hiccup.

"Hic, re-really?"

"Really!" The Empress Dowager nodded firmly.

She adjusted her posture, making sure Yunmiao could be more comfortable in her arms, and then started walking. "We're going now, we're going to find mommy right away!"

Yunmiao sniffled and nodded her little head, finally calming down a bit.

During the journey to Chu Yu's chamber, the Empress Dowager attempted to engage in conversation with Yunmiao.

"What's your name, little one?"

Yunmiao replied, "Shu Yunmiao."

"Oh, oh, that's a nice name." The Empress Dowager pondered to herself, "Chu Yunmiao, sounds good!"

Yunmiao doubted if she had said it wrong and straightened her tongue, repeating, "Shu! Shu Yunmiao!"

"Haha, Grandma heard you the first time, no need to say it so many times," the Empress Dowager chuckled. "Chu Yunmiao, it has a nice meaning too."

Yunmiao remained silent.

Yunmiao was a little angry.

The Empress Dowager hadn't realized the problem yet, and only noticed that the little girl in her arms suddenly fell into silence for no apparent reason.

She asked, "What's wrong, baby? Why aren't you talking to Grandma anymore?"

Yunmiao wrinkled her little nose and threw a tantrum. "I... I'm not talking to you anymore."

The Empress Dowager was puzzled. "Why?"

Yunmiao complained, "You always tease me. You treat me like a little child!"

The Empress Dowager paused, not knowing how to respond.

Looking at the little one in her arms sulking, she explained, "You are indeed a little child, but Grandma isn't teasing you."

She lovingly nuzzled against Yunmiao, saying, "Grandma loves you so much!"

Yunmiao turned her little face away, deliberately avoiding looking at her.

The Empress Dowager realized her mistake and quickly corrected herself. "Then tell Grandma what exactly upset you. Grandma will change, okay?"

Yunmiao grasped onto the strange term the Empress Dowager kept using. "You tease Yunmiao in many ways."

She gave an example, "You're not even my grandma, so why do you want me to call you grandma?"

The Empress Dowager was momentarily speechless.

On one hand, she knew she was a little impatient, but on the other hand, she wanted to wait until she had met Chu Yu before discussing how to explain her identity to the child. So she hadn't taken it upon herself to reveal anything about Yunmiao's origins.

Now faced with the little girl's question, she was unsure how to handle it.

So she asked, "Then what does the baby think I should be called?"

Yunmiao widened her eyes at the question and lifted her little hands to cup the Empress Dowager's face.

"You're so beautiful and young, at most you're an 'auntie'."

"Auntie, I want to see mommy. Let's hurry!"

The Empress Dowager never expected to hear such an answer.

Yunmiao's explanation was clearly the most sincere praise, and the Empress Dowager felt so delighted that she almost lost her bearings.

After coming back to her senses, she exclaimed and hugged Yunmiao tightly. "Ah, baby, you're too cute! Your words are so sweet. Grandma loves you so much, wuwuwu. Grandma wants to be with you forever."

Yunmiao looked somewhat resigned and placed her hand against the Empress Dowager's face, silently enduring.

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager's chamber wasn't too far from the Emperor's chamber, and they quickly arrived at the door of Chu Yu's bedroom.

The Empress Dowager used the built-in communication system to contact Chu Yu. When the call connected, Chu Yu's deliberately husky voice came through.

"Mother? What's the matter?"

The Empress Dowager asked, "How late were you up last night? Are you still not awake?"

These words reminded Chu Yu of the scene before she went to sleep, and she couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

She remembered clearly that it was around dawn when Shu Yanyan fell into a half-drowsy state and lost consciousness.

"... Yanyan is still sleeping. Wait a moment, I'll bring her to see you this afternoon."

The Empress Dowager replied, "No, I can't wait."

She hugged Yunmiao tightly. "The baby woke up and cried, wanting to find her mommy. Can't you come out and explain it to her?"

Chu Yu was taken aback.

She was so immersed in her own work that she almost forgot about Yunmiao.

Shu Yanyan was still in a deep sleep from her exhaustion, but little Yunmiao's biological clock was still functioning normally.

Chu Yu responded with a "Hmm" and said into the communicator, "I'll come out right away."

After speaking, she disconnected the call.

Five minutes later, Chu Yu, who had quickly tidied up, opened the door and walked out. At first glance, she saw her mother and her daughter sitting on the sofa in the hall.

Seeing Yunmiao again, her state of mind was completely different now—

Before, although she loved little Yunmiao, she always had to consider making room for Yunmiao's Alpha mother. She was afraid that no matter how hard she tried, she could never completely replace the place that person held in Yunmiao's heart.

But now...

Knowing that this little one was the complete embodiment of her and Yanyan's love, and realizing the debt she owed them both over the years as the "villainess," Chu Yu felt like giving herself up wouldn't be enough.

She approached Yunmiao, crouching down halfway and gently touched her cheek, expressing concern. "Why is Yunmiao crying? What happened?"

Yunmiao, upon seeing the familiar big sister, was on the verge of tears with her grievances.

With watery eyes, she said, "Big sister, I... I woke up and couldn't find our home, and I couldn't find mommy either."

The child's expression may not be very coherent, but Chu Yu completely understood what she meant.

"It was me who brought you and mommy over here. The palace is a bit big, but let's try to get familiar with it as soon as possible, alright, Yunmiao? From now on, Yunmiao will live with mommy by my side."

Yunmiao tilted her head, trying hard to understand what Chu Yu was saying.

She felt a mix of joy and uncertainty. "Really? But... what did mommy say?"

"Mommy definitely said yes,'" Chu Yu smiled, narrowing her eyes with a hint of cunning, an almost imperceptible slyness in her expression. "She 'agreed' to it last night."

Indeed, Shu Yanyan did "agree" last night.

In fact, almost everything Chu Yu proposed, big or small, she "agreed" to all of it.

Yunmiao was unaware of the truth and thought she could live with her beloved big sister. She couldn't help but cheer softly, "Yay!"

But after the excitement, she didn't forget the purpose of her visit. "Can I see mommy now?"

Chu Yu touched her hair. "Mommy is still sleeping."

She didn't want to see Yunmiao's disappointed expression, so she came up with a compromise. "How about this: I'll carry you in to take a look. After Yunmiao see Mommy, you'll be a good girl and have breakfast with grandma here. When mommy wakes up, I'll bring you back, alright?"

Yunmiao obediently nodded. "Okay."

Chu Yu smiled and held Yunmiao in her arms as she walked into the bedroom.

She stayed by the bedside for about half a minute, making sure that Yunmiao could clearly see Shu Yanyan. Then she gently brought Yunmiao back outside.

"Alright, you've seen mommy. Let Grandma take Yunmiao to have breakfast."

Yunmiao seemed a bit reluctant but obediently returned to the Empress Dowager's embrace.

She asked with concern, "Why is mommy sleeping in? Mommy doesn't sleep in anymore. Mommy wakes up earlier than Yunmiao!"

Chu Yu: "..."

How could she explain to the child that it was her fault that her mommy was tired?

After thinking for a moment, Chu Yu chose a very tactful explanation. "Because mommy was busy until very late last night, she needs to catch up on sleep now."

Yunmiao couldn't be easily fooled. "Why was she busy until late?"

Chu Yu: "..."

Now she couldn't utter a single word.

The Empress Dowager, seeing her expression, glared at her fiercely.

After giving her glare, the Empress Dowager's gaze fell on the distressed expression of little Yunmiao in her arms. Suddenly, she felt that her previous actions were not enough. She reached out and gave Chu Yu a hard slap.

While slapping her, she said to Yunmiao, "It's all because of this bad person that your mommy is being b*llied and can't get out of bed. Grandma will help baby hit her. Don't be sad, baby!"

Chu Yu, helpless, said, "Mother..."

But even Yunmiao didn't come to her defense.

She watched as the Empress Dowager slapped Chu Yu's hand, and she even seemed a little happy. She looked up at Chu Yu and said, "Big sister, you can't b*lly mommy, okay?"

Chu Yu defended herself, "I didn't...I haven't even had the chance to show her how much I care for her, how could I possibly b*lly her?"

As soon as these words came out, both the Empress Dowager and Yunmiao narrowed their eyes and cast disdainful glances at her.

Having run of patience, the Empress Dowager withdrew her hand and haughtily instructed, "You better take good care of Yanyan. If Yanyan complains about you when she wakes up later, I won't easily let you off again."

Yunmiao nodded in agreement.

Her fondness for the "strange aunt" holding her skyrocketed!

"Big sister, if mommy wakes up, you have to tell me quickly. Yunmiao wants mommy to hug her!"

Chu Yu smiled wryly.

These two ancestors—one being her mother and the other being her beloved little daughter—she really couldn't afford to offend either one. Dealing with one of them was manageable, but now that they were both teaming up against her, she truly felt overwhelmed.

"I understand, you can rest assured."

After agreeing, she turned to her own mother and asked, "By the way, mother, didn't you tell me last night that you were going to the Ziran planet for your skincare treatment with Aunt Xiaoyi today? Where is Xiao Yun? Maybe you can leave Yunmiao with her?"

Chu Yu's intention were clear—

She absolutely couldn't let this duo form a unified front. Otherwise, her plans to tease, ahem, love and care for Yanyan might face external resistance.

Little did Chu Yu expect that the Empress Dowager would not buy into her words at all.

"Skincare? What skincare?" The Empress Dowager raised her head. "Do I need skincare?"

Chu Yu: "Ah?"

The Empress Dowager happily hugged her precious baby in her arms. "Baby says I don't look like a grandmother at all, at most just an 'auntie.' I take such good care of myself, why would I go to some Ziran planet? I'm not going anymore!"

She declared loudly, "I'm not going anywhere during this period! The most important thing is to be with my baby!"

Yunmiao didn't fully understand her words, but she could feel that this "strange aunt" really liked her.

So, she curved her mouth and gave the "strange aunt" a sweet smile.

Chu Yu felt as if everything around her had darkened.

She hadn't expected that this alliance between the two would form so quickly. Logically speaking, Yunmiao should have been closer to her!

However, she didn't have the energy to deal with Yunmiao at the moment because her most cherished baby was lying in the bedroom, fast asleep.

Chu Yu sighed and temporarily compromised, saying, "I understand..."

"Mother, please take Yunmiao and settle her down. If there's anything, come find me. After Yanyan wakes up, I'll bring her over to you."

The two ancestors were finally satisfied.

The still elegant Empress Dowager nodded arrogantly, without looking back, and left with Yunmiao. Chu Yu stood in place, watching until she couldn't see their figures anymore, before turning back to the bedroom.

She took off her coat, quietly lay back beside Shu Yanyan, and pulled her into her arms.

Feeling the soft and fragrant beauty in her embrace, Chu Yu's good mood returned.

Mischievously, she pinched Shu Yanyan's cheek and murmured in a low voice, "Yanyan, what should we do? It seems like Mother and Yunmiao have strong opinions about me mistreating you."

Shu Yanyan was sound asleep and couldn't possibly answer her. Of course, Chu Yu didn't need her to answer in the first place.

Pausing for a moment, Chu Yu chuckled lightly and answered her own question, saying, "Hmm, but it doesn't matter. Anyway, our Yanyan will definitely stand on my side, right?"

Shu Yanyan, perhaps dreaming about something, curled up slightly in Chu Yu's embrace.

"Hmm? Yanyan nodded, so that means you agree, right?"

A triumphant smile played on Chu Yu's lips as she leaned down gently.

"Yanyan is such a good girl. I'll reward you with a kiss."

She lowered her head, and a tender kiss landed on the corner of Shu Yanyan's lips.

"Kiss~"

Poor Shu Yanyan, lost in her slumber, had no idea what the shameless person beside her was plotting. Her eyelashes trembled, and subconsciously seeking warmth, she snuggled closer to Chu Yu.

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