Chapter 266 - 264. 13 Years Later...

Third-person POV

13 years later…

A cold yet lovely looking little lady sat on a marble seat with a cup of warm tea in her hand. She was wearing a light pink that compliment her pale skin and the white jade earring that hung only on her left earlobe lightly swayed from the breeze. The maids beside her were as still as a statue even if the cold wind hit their face like needles.

"Rong Ai," A boy with a height more than a meter and half appeared from the rooftop with his head upside down.

The boy was wearing black attire to match the attire of the person that he looked up the most, his father, who had the highest authority in the Royal Palace and in this country. The white jade earring on his right earlobe dangled as he jumped down and landed soundlessly on one foot.

"Hm?" Rong Ai replied nonchalantly without even sparing a glance at Zhang Wei.

"Have you pay respect to Imperial Father and Imperial Grandmother?" Zhang Wei sat across Rong Ai and poured himself a cup of tea to warm his body.

"I have, how about you, second brother?" Rong Ai threw the question back to the boy.

"Almost forgot." Zhang Wei grunted.

Both of them fell into silence as they enjoy the tea that they drank almost every single day without getting bored of it. They couldn't deny the tea that their father treasured was very much to their liking and it didn't take them long to find out that actually it was their mother's favorite tea.

"We will depart as soon as we give our greetings to Imperial Mother. Auntie Meiyun and Ah Wen will come to pick us up. " Rong Ai said as she placed down her teacup.

Zhang Wei nodded his head and walked together with his little sister to their mother's chamber with the maids taciturnly tailed behind them. The servants that were guarding the chamber opened the door as they saw the twins were walking towards them.

They greeted the twins by bending their waists forward and lowering their heads.  The twins gave them a slight nod before they stepped into the massive room filled kinds of stuff that didn't suit their father.

As soon as one walked into the room, one could see a massive painting of a lady hung on the wall facing the front door therefore whenever the front door was opened, the light would shine upon the lady's heavenly face.

In the painting, the lady was wearing white attire with a white fluffy coat that had a golden phoenix embroidery dr.a.p.ed over her shoulder. Her entire appearance was completed with the minimalistic yet elegant hairpin and earrings that were made with pure white jade.

She was sitting at a familiar pavilion as she took shelter from the glistening snowflakes that fell from the clear sky. On the corner of the painting, there was the stamp and sign of the painter which written as 'Liu Xue Lang'.

When the twins saw the warm smile on their mother's lips, the corner of their lips unconsciously arched into a slight smile. They made their way to the painting and cupped their fist in front of their chest.

"Good morning, Imperial Mother." Both Zhang Wei and Rong Ai bent their waist and gave a 90-degree bow to Hong er's portrait.

Although it may seem weird to outsiders, they had been taught to greet at Hong er's portrait every morning from an early age despite her being not present. This was to teach the twins about manners and remind them to always remember who brought them to this world. As they were about to leave the room, a tall figure walked in with a soft smile on his pale lips.

"First brother," Zhang Wei and Rong Ai respectfully greeted their eldest brother who was also the painter of their mother's portrait.

"Zhang Wei, Rong Ai, you two came here to give Imperial Mother a morning greeting?" Xue Lang asked with a gentle voice.

"Yes, Imperial Brother. How about you?" Zhang Wei inquired back.

"Same as always. Is it time for you two to visit Grandpa and Grandma?" Xue Lang ruffled the twins' hair.

"Yes, First Brother. We are going to depart as soon as Auntie Meiyun and Ah Wen is done with the preparation." Zhang Wei explained.

"En, Imperial Father and I prepared some gifts for Grandpa and Grandma so remember to give them and pass them our messages after you arrive at Xi An. Ask them how they are doing right now and be obedient." Xue Lang reminded them like a good big brother he is.

"Yes, First Brother." The twins nodded their heads.

Then a few gentle knocks on the door were heard, "This servant deeply apologizes for disrupting your conversation, Your Highness Prince Xue. Your Highness Prince Zhang and Your Highness Princess Rong, the preparation is done and Young Madam Di is waiting for you to depart."

Xue Lang nodded his head to the guard to let him know that they heard him, "Well then, be careful on the way there. Listen to Auntie Meiyun's word and don't carelessly wander around without notifying anyone. If there is any problem, just tell Auntie Meiyun or General Di, they will definitely help you."

"Yes yes, First Brother. You worry too much." Zhang Wei sighed and smiled at the same time seeing how worrywart their brother was.

"This is for your own good. Even Imperial Father also deployed his trustworthy bodyguards to follow you two to Xi An because we are worried about you two." Xue Lang flicked Zhang Wei's forehead.

Rong Ai sniggered when she saw her twin brother being reprimanded by Xue Lang, "Worry not, I will always keep an eye on Second Brother. First Brother can relax."

Xue Lang sighed worriedly seeing the carefree expression on his two little siblings' faces, "You two really inherited Imperial Mother's stubbornness, this is why I can't stop worrying. My hair is going to fall out from stress."

"What is happening here?" A bright voice sounded out from behind.

"Auntie Meiyun, Ah Wen!" The twins exclaimed.

"Hi ya!" Meiyun waved her hand and flashed her brightest smile while holding her son's hand.

"Greetings to Your Highness Prince Xue, Prince Zhang, Princess Rong." Bing Wen who was more known as 'Ah Wen' bowed his head to the Royal siblings.

Zhang Wei and Rong Ai quickly surrounded Ah Wen and conversed with him. Meiyun chuckled at the sight of her expressionless son was so happy just from meeting his childhood friends. Bing Wen was born 5 years later after Guang Liang, her first son, died in her w.o.m.b.

Things didn't go smoothly at first. Whenever she saw Di Tian and Qatar playing with their child that they had a year after the accident happened, she would feel guilt and envy eating away her heart. But she was glad that Di Shang stayed by her side and never demand or bring up anything about having an heir.

Although it may seem egoistic for her to think so, she was happy that whenever she suggested Di Shang to take in another wife to bear his children, he would decline and said that being with her is more than enough. Little did Di Shang know, his words that he said without any further thought made Meiyun strive to fight her chronic illness.

She did whatever it takes, no matter how painful it is even if it could result in her life being taken away, she would give birth to Di Shang's child which was a huge success. Nonetheless, giving birth to Bing Wen took a toll on her health and caused her to get light-headed more often. Yet, she never regretted it.

"Auntie Meiyun, how is the baby doing?" Xue Lang asked softly.

Meiyun smiled while caressing her slightly bulging stomach, "The baby is doing fine, thank you for asking Your Highness Prince Xue."

Just as Xue Lang mentioned, Meiyun was pregnant with her third child after 8 years of recovering from Bing Wen's birth.

"Aiyo, how many times have I said to not call me that? Just call me 'Xue Lang', you are like a mother to me, the formality is very unnecessary." Xue Lang complained.

"Hahaha~ You are the same as always. I apologize to disrupt but we have to get going. Kids! We are going!" Meiyun smiled apologetically and called out to the three kids that were in their own world.

"No harm was done, please have a safe journey." Xue Lang waved his hand at Meiyun and the three kids.

They waved their hand back before they climbed into their carriages and seated themselves on the soft couch. Meiyun watched over the kids while the carriages airily shook from the impact of the wheels on the stone pavement.

A few hours later, Bing Wen, Zhang Wei, and Rong Ai sat soundlessly as they were staring at Meiyun embroidering Di family's emblem on a dark green silk while humming a song.

Zhang Wei's eyes wandered around Meiyun's dark brown eyes and her rough hands that she gained from decades of handling weapons. A question that had been bothering Zhang Wei for years and he determined that he would get the answer today.

"Auntie Meiyun…" Zhang Wei called softly as to not wake Bing Wen from his sleep.

"Hm?" Meiyun lifted her head to look at Zhang Wei.

All of the attention went to Zhang Wei as they were curious about what Zhang Wei was going to talk about. He bit his lips and braced himself to ask this particular question.

"Where is Imperial Mother?"