The Rise of Xueyue

"Mama, Mama, this way!" an excited voice called out in the distance, followed by the energetic run of a small boy. His cheeks were full of life, red as a poppy, with a large grin decorating his soft features.

"Hurry, hurry!" he whined whilst dashing back towards his waddling mother. He could not tear his eyes away from her, even for a minute. She reminded him of the protagonists in lovely stories read at bedtime.

Her long hair was woven into a bun, beautiful hairpins dangling from it. The sunlight shone upon her shoulders, radiating her in ways he could not imagine. She was practically glowing from the pregnancy, it was too difficult to ignore.

"Now, now, Chenjiang, your mother can only walk so fast," Yu Zhen chided. He could not fathom his young son, no more than the age of six, was this energetic. He could not imagine a child could smile so brightly in his presence.

No matter how many times Yu Zhen glanced at his eldest son, Yu Chenjiang, he couldn't believe this was his child. Yu Zhen never thought he would make a great parent. He didn't have an affectionate mother or father, but somehow, he became what he lacked in his childhood.

"Royal Father, it's not fair, you're hogging all of my mama's attention!" Yu Chenjiang complained whilst stopping directly in front of his mother.

Li Xueyue let out a small and gentle laugh. She reached a hand out for her child, ready to embrace him, when Yu Zhen quickly grabbed her hip.

"You shouldn't bend down, it'll hurt you and our child, Sunshine," he nagged whilst bringing her closer towards him. She was already glued to his side.

"And you," Yu Zhen sharply said. "How can you call me Royal Father when you call your mother by an affectionate title?"

Yu Chenjiang ignored his father. He pouted to himself and gingerly hugged his mother. But when his face grew closer to her large belly, he made sure to be careful.

"Papa, don't neglect me," a tiny muffled voice sounded. A little girl squirmed in You Zhen's arms. She had fallen asleep in his embrace a while ago, after being carried by her father the entire time. Unfortunately, her irritating older brother's voice was too loud and had shaken her awake.

Yu Minqi snuggled her face on her father's dependable shoulders. She was carefully nestled in his arm the entire time, with her arms wrapped around his neck.

Though, she preferred her mother's hugs much more, for her body was a lot softer. For some reason, she was not allowed in her mother's embrace, since three months ago, when her flat stomach began to resemble a golden ball.

Something about a new sibling would be hurt…but she didn't see one anywhere.

"Xiao Qi, you're awake," Li Xueyue happily said. She placed a hand on her son's shoulders and leaned towards her daughter for an affectionate kiss on the cheek.

Yu Minqi giggled in excitement, as her mother peppered kisses on her face. "Mama, that tickles!"

Li Xueyue warmly smiled. She was enjoying a walk in the renovated gardens of the Emperor's estate. It had been six years since Yu Zhen took complete control over Hanjian. No less than a couple of months after the coronation, she was announced to be pregnant, and two years after the birth of her son came another welcomed surprise.

When both of her children were born, the celebratory bells did not stop ringing for weeks. Celebrations were thrown in the palace and in the Capital, where everyone welcomed the birth of a healthy Prince and Princess.

"Mama, me too, me too!" Yu Chenjiang whined, as he pulled at her dress in aggravation. It was not fair that his younger sister was being carried AND receiving kisses!

Yu Zhen snorted at his son's reaction. "You're six. You shouldn't be so clingy."

Yu Chenjiang pouted, his cheeks growing wide with irritation. He glared towards the ground, just as something landed beside him. Then, without warning, the air was swept from underneath him and he was lifted. His eyes grew wide in surprise but an ecstatic grin instantly surfaced.

"Higher, Papa!" Yu Chenjiang happily said, as his father playfully twirled him in the air. A second later, he was brought down, nestled in the arms of Yu Zhen.

Yu Chenjiang happily smiled up at his father, expecting to fly in the air again. "More, more!"

Yu Zhen let out a small laugh. He grinned at his son. "You've grown too fat for me to lift you high in the air."

Yu Chenjiang stuck out his tongue in response. "More like you've grown too old, Royal Father!"

Not a second later, he earned a pinch on the cheek. "Ow!" he cried out in pain, instantly turning toward his mother.

"Mama, did you see that?!" he cried out in aggravation, demanding justice for his punishment.

But his mother was distracted by Yu Minqi who was narrating some nonsensical sweet dream she had earlier.

"You see, Mama, in my dreams I saw Uncle Chenyang and Uncle Wenmin!" Yu Minqi excitedly said with a bounce in her steps, as she held onto her mother's hand.

Li Xueyue's smile widened. Her daughter resembled Yu Zhen in every way imaginable, except her behavior. Yu Minqi had her father's eyes and features, except it was softened and feminine. The same went for Yu Chenjiang who heavily resembled his father, except for his eyes.

"You don't have to dream very long, Xiao Qi," Li Xueyue informed her daughter. She gently swayed their intertwined hands whilst continuing down the path in the garden.

It was a miracle Yu Zhen was even letting her outside and about. Now that she was around six months pregnant with their third child, he never let her out of sight.

Yu Zhen had made sure she was on bed or chair rest, in fear that something might happen to her. And whenever she had finally convinced him for a walk, he was always beside her.

Throughout the six years, she had expected his affections to slowly dwindle. But he was as passionate as he was in his youth, loving her to no avail. It seemed with time, their love only grew, and they were as childish as before, bantering again and again. Even their children picked up on their consistent bantering.

"Really, Mama?" Yu Minqi excitedly said with widened eyes. Her voice was soft as if she was uttering a secret.

"Yes, Xiao Qi," Li Xueyue said. "Didn't I tell you last time? Uncle Chenyang and Uncle Wenmin have official business in Hanjian, so they will be able to see you soon."

Pure joy flourished on Yu Minqi's face. "When will they come, Mama? When, when?!"

"Hmm, they've been traveling for a few days now. Perhaps they will arrive by nightfall, and you shall see them tomorrow," Li Xueyue responded. She had just received word from her messenger falcon that the twins were very close to Hanjian.

Their visit was disguised as an official business, but she knew they just missed their first nephew and niece. Although Wen Jinkai and Li Minghua had been married for three years now, Li Minghua had just finally gotten pregnant recently.

"Really?!" Yu Chenjiang shouted whilst reaching over his father's arm to grab his mother's shoulders for attention.

Li Xueyue let him grab hold of her other hand so that he did not fall over—not that Yu Zhen would ever let it happen.

"Yes, really, Xiao Jiang," Li Xueyue chuckled.

Both of her children were filled with energy. They were often loud and unruly, but she did not mind. As long as her children were happy, she would not complain. Seeing the light in their eyes and the glow of their cheeks, she was glad.

History would not repeat itself.

Neither of her children would grow up in the same, unhappy environment as their parents. Both Yu Zhen and Li Xueyue had made certain of that. There was not a day where they didn't enjoy a meal together, and at least one of them would always tuck the children into bed.

This was the life she dreamed of. Eventually, her dreams became a reality.