Chapter 31: Empress Dowager? Mother!

  "...Greetings, Mother."

  Su Qing's face showed a hint of embarrassment. After a moment of silence, he relented and changed his form of address.

  This was precisely why he didn't visit too frequently—this title was something he still found difficult to accept.

  "Now that's more like it!"

  Hearing this, the Empress Dowager's face instantly blossomed into a radiant smile.

  A moment ago, she had looked indifferent, but in the blink of an eye, she was now beaming with joy. The contrast was almost comically stark.

  She immediately stood up and walked toward the young man, spreading her arms wide.

  Her ample chest swayed slightly with each step, carrying an undeniable allure.

  "Come, let Mama give you a hug!"

  The Empress Dowager spoke with warmth.

  Su Qing's mouth twitched slightly, barely suppressing his impulse to step back.

  The next moment, his vision went dark as he was enveloped in her embrace, completely deprived of breath.

  A soft and fragrant sensation pressed against his face, making it difficult to breathe.

  This foster mother of his was far too affectionate—it was overwhelming.

  The only fortunate thing was that she was someone he could trust.

  After what felt like an eternity, the Empress Dowager finally released him.

  Well, "released" in the sense that she no longer held him quite as tightly—her grip merely loosened slightly.

  "It's been such a long time since we last saw each other, hasn’t it? Mama thinks you've grown even more handsome."

  "But it's such a pity—you’re not as adorable as before."

  Su Mengxi gazed down at the young man in her arms, her eyes filled with affection and a subtle hint of regret.

  "Mother, everyone grows up. Besides, it hasn't been that long since we last met."

  Su Qing, accustomed to her displays of affection, responded helplessly.

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  If there was anyone who could make him feel truly exasperated, it was undoubtedly the Empress Dowager.

  After the Empress had taken him in, she naturally had little time to care for a child.

  Thus, he was temporarily left in the palace, cared for by the maids.

  It was during this time that he had an unexpected encounter with the secluded Empress Dowager.

  For a lonely woman who had long been confined within the palace walls, yearning for the warmth of family, this meeting had been a revelation.

  Her eyes had lit up instantly, and she had made an important decision—

  She would personally raise him with love and care!

  After all, who wouldn't want to nurture such an adorable young boy?

  And thus, their relationship had begun.

  From then on, Su Mengxi regarded herself as his foster mother, treating him with motherly affection.

  "That’s true, at least you didn’t grow up crooked. You’re still quite charming."

  "I imagine there must be plenty of young ladies vying for your attention, no?"

  Su Mengxi’s voice held a hint of pride.

  "Who knows?"

  Su Qing felt the warmth of her embrace, the soft fragrance lingering, and murmured in response.

  His embarrassment stemmed only from the title itself, not from any dislike for the Empress Dowager.

  Unlike his rebellious thoughts toward the Empress, his feelings toward his foster mother were filled with respect and gratitude.

  Living in a palace might mean a life of luxury, but loneliness was an ever-present shadow.

  He couldn't even imagine how dull and empty her days must have been.

  Confined within the walls of the inner palace, unable to leave, deprived of the simple joys of life.

  A sense of sympathy welled up within him as he gazed at Su Mengxi.

  Her beauty was unmatched, her alluring peach blossom eyes filled with warmth.

  But deep within those eyes, there remained an inescapable loneliness.

  He suddenly recalled her status as a political hostage.

  For the sake of stabilizing the empire, she had been bound within the palace, sacrificed for the greater good.

  He… truly wished to erase that sorrow from her eyes.

  He wanted to give her… to give 'Mother' happiness.

  The thought flashed through his mind, but he quickly suppressed it.

  One should not, 'must not' entertain such thoughts.

  At least, not now.

  Not until he had the power to change everything.

  Su Mengxi’s face showed a trace of surprise.

  Today, her child seemed… different from before.

  Normally, he would always resist her affection, stepping away as soon as she embraced him.

  Yet now, he remained nestled against her, obedient and calm.

  He showed no signs of wanting to leave.

  It felt… rather nice.

  As the two remained in their warm embrace, the peaceful moment was suddenly shattered—

  "'Ahem! Ahem!'"

  A series of deliberate coughs echoed through the chamber.

  The Empress’s golden eyes flickered with irritation, her blood pressure threatening to rise.

  Ever since these two had met, they had completely ignored her existence!

  Did they not see 'her' standing here?!

  Yet, as a daughter, she couldn’t 'truly' express her anger—so coughing was her only means of interruption.

  After all, Su Qing was no longer a child.

  The closeness between him and his foster mother… wasn’t it a bit 'much'?

  There was an old saying—when sons grow up, they must maintain propriety with their mothers.

  And they weren’t even related by blood!

  They should show a little restraint!

  "Qinglan, come here. There’s plenty of space—you can rely on me too."

  Su Mengxi, utterly unfazed, simply patted the seat beside her and extended an invitation.

  Su Qing: "…"

  He maintained an innocent expression and said nothing.

  "Hmph! No way! I would 'never' do something so improper!"

  The Empress rejected the offer instantly, huffing in annoyance.

  "Ah~ is it because we haven’t embraced in so long that you feel awkward? That’s so sad."

  Su Mengxi let out a soft sigh, her face tinged with melancholy.

  Her gentle, alluring features showed a hint of grievance, exuding an irresistible charm.

  Though she carried the grace of an Empress Dowager, her coquettish demeanor was more befitting of a young maiden.

  The stark contrast between her regal status and girlish pout was almost surreal.

  The Empress: "…"

  A rare look of helplessness crossed her face as she pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly exasperated.

  'She always pulls this move… what am I supposed to do?!'

  Su Qing watched this unfold without much surprise.

  After all, this wasn’t the first time it had happened.

  He understood well the bond between the Empress and the Empress Dowager.

  They weren’t bound by blood, but their relationship was one of true family.

  It was often said that royalty had no place for familial love—but exceptions always existed.

  This mother and daughter pair were the perfect example of such an exception.

  Su Mengxi was not the Empress’s birth mother—she was her stepmother.

  Yet the two shared an unbreakable bond.

  The Empress owed Su Mengxi much, and she had always carried that debt in her heart.

  But what could she do?

  Su Mengxi’s greatest enemy was loneliness.

  And the Empress, always burdened with her imperial duties, simply didn’t have the time to stay by her side.

  That was why, when she saw Su Qing easing that loneliness, she had never once intervened.

  It was a good thing.

  She welcomed it.