Chapter 538

Chapter 544: Standoff

Lord Xu sat on the *kang*, holding his son’s little hand and smiling as he asked, “So you went boating? You’re such a brave little guy!”

Jin Geer pressed his lips together, trying not to smile.

Lord Xu glanced around.

Eleven Niang had never liked being surrounded by too many attendants, and since they were in the inner chamber, only the on-duty Xi Fang was helping her prepare the bed for the night.

Lord Xu patted his son’s head and whispered, “Jin Geer, call me ‘Daddy’ again!” His expression was earnest, his eyes filled with unconcealable hope.

Jin Geer tilted his little head and stared at Lord Xu, as if slightly confused by what he was saying.

Lord Xu looked around once more.

Eleven Niang was giving Xi Fang quiet instructions.

Reassured, Lord Xu turned back to his son, hoping to coax him into calling out. But just as he uttered “Jin Geer,” he saw the little boy wiggle his bottom and crawl to the corner where he usually hid his things, rummaging noisily before pulling out a rattle drum and handing it to Lord Xu.

Lord Xu took the rattle drum, equal parts amused and exasperated. When Jin Geer was younger and upset, Eleven Niang would use the rattle drum to cheer him up. Now that he was older, whenever he saw someone with a stern face, he would fetch his rattle drum and offer it to them to play with.

“You little mischief-maker!” He affectionately pulled his son into his arms.

Eleven Niang approached. “It’s getting late, darling. You should rest.”

Reluctant to part with his son, Lord Xu smiled. “Let Jin Geer sleep with us tonight.”

Seeing his enthusiasm, Eleven Niang had Xi Fang inform Gu Ma, then drew the bed curtains and helped Jin Geer undress.

Once freed from his little coat, Jin Geer immediately started squirming with energy, scrambling to the corner of the bed to grab the book Lord Xu had left by the pillow.

Though the room was warmed by the underfloor heating, Eleven Niang worried he might catch a chill. She took the book from his hands and quickly tucked him under the covers.

Jin Geer lay still for all of two seconds before flipping over and sitting up again.

“This child—is he part monkey? He never sits still!”

Eleven Niang laughed and tucked him back in.

Jin Geer had only slept with Lord Xu when he was much younger. Finding the scene completely charmed by this, Lord Xu climbed into bed and lay beside Jin Geer, gently patting him.

But Jin Geer immediately squirmed out from under his hand and threw himself onto Eleven Niang, who had just settled in.

Eleven Niang swayed, nearly fell off the bed.

“Which wild monkey’s child is this?” She chuckled, hugging Jin Geer and quickly pulling the blanket over them both. “Always so reckless.”

“Definitely not like me,” Lord Xu said, half-exposed as the blanket was tugged away. He shifted closer, pressing against Eleven Niang and their son. “I was always praised for being an old soul even as a boy!”

“Oh?” Eleven Niang raised an elegant eyebrow and shot him a sidelong glance. “Then how is it I heard someone once disturbed the bird nests in Empress Wu’s palace…”

“I was merely a son of nobility—how could I have dared such a thing?” Lord Xu replied without missing a beat. “That was Prince Shun’s doing. I was just the scapegoat. How could you believe such rumors?”

“Oh~” Eleven Niang’s eyes danced with amusement. “So my lord and Prince Shun also disturbed bird nests in Empress Wu’s palace. I thought you only did such things with Zhou Shizheng.”

Lord Xu was caught completely off guard.

Seeing him at a loss, Eleven Niang couldn’t contain her amusement, her entire expression alight with mischief. Lord Xu watched her, the corners of his lips gradually curling into a helpless, fond smile.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Jin Geer wriggled in Lady Eleven's arms, cooing.

Lady Eleven smiled and kissed Jin Geer’s little face, then took off his padded jacket and settled under the covers with him.

With his father on the left and his mother on the right, Jin Geer looked happily from Lord Xu to Lady Eleven and back again.

Lady Eleven let Jin Geer rest his head on her arm and asked softly, "Jin Geer, what story shall we tell today?" Without waiting for his answer, she continued habitually, "Yesterday, we told the story of Nüwa Mending the Heavens. Today, let’s tell the story of Jingwei Reclaiming the Sea!" Then she booped his nose and asked with a smile, "How about that?"

Jin Geer nodded repeatedly and lay obediently in his mother’s arms.

"Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Jingwei..." Lady Eleven’s expression was tender, her voice light and melodious. She narrated softly under the soft glow of the lamp. Lord Xu gradually relaxed, his eyelids drooping.

Startled, he quickly opened his eyes and noticed that Jin Geer, who had been lying quietly between them listening to the story, was now fidgeting like he felt itchy.

"What’s wrong?" Lady Eleven also noticed. She paused and asked softly, "Are you uncomfortable somewhere?"

Hearing this, Jin Geer squirmed even more.

Lady Eleven had personally prepared the bed—there couldn’t possibly be anything uncomfortable on it!

Lord Xu touched his son’s forehead. "What’s the matter?" Before he could finish speaking, he felt dampness—sweat. "He usually sleeps alone," he concluded immediately. "Now he’s wedged between us, with the underfloor heating and the bed warmer, no wonder he feels hot." He then felt Jin Geer’s back—also sweaty. Hurriedly, he instructed Lady Eleven, "Quick, call Xi Fang to bring a warm towel, and have Gu Ma fetch a change of clothes."

Lady Eleven hurried off.

The maids Xi Fang and Yu Mei, nurse Gu Ma, and servant A Jin all rushed in. Some wrung out towels, others wiped Jin Geer’s back, and some changed his clothes. After a few minutes, the room finally quieted down.

They rearranged their positions—Lord Xu moved to the outer side of the bed, and Jin Geer stayed on the inner side. Immediately, Jin Geer scooted over to his mother’s arms, cooing at Lady Eleven as if urging her to continue the story.

Lady Eleven paused thoughtfully.

Instead of continuing the story, she gently patted Jin Geer and said, "Jin Geer, time for bed!"

Jin Geer squirmed restlessly in her arms.

Lady Eleven repeatedly asked, "What’s wrong?"

Lord Xu’s lips parted slightly as if he wanted to say something, but then a look of realization crossed his face, and he pressed his lips together, watching the mother and son, understanding dawning.

When he got no response, Jin Geer burst into loud sobs.

Lady Eleven patted his back soothingly. "What’s wrong? What’s the matter, Jin Geer?"

Jin Geer cried for a long time, but Lady Eleven kept asking the same question.

Seeing his son’s tear-stained cheeks, Lord Xu couldn’t bear it and turned his head away.

From outside came Gu Ma’s timid voice, "My lord, my lady, perhaps the young master isn’t used to—"

"It’s fine, go to sleep," Lady Eleven interrupted gently. "We’ll soothe him."

Gu Ma, recalling that Lord Xu had often cared for Jin Geer when he was younger, softly agreed and retreated to the adjoining room.

In the silent night, Jin Geer’s cries were piercing. A shadow of doubt passed through Lady Eleven’s eyes, but her gaze quickly turned resolute. She kept asking Jin Geer what was wrong.

This back-and-forth lasted nearly fifteen minutes. Finally, Lord Xu couldn’t take it anymore and said softly, "Maybe we should try another time. Some children don’t speak until they’re four or five, and then they speak fluently right away." But he knew this wasn’t the right approach, and his voice betrayed hesitation.

"It’s not that he can’t speak—he’s just never been made to."

Lady Eleven clenched her jaw and shook her head, "If we don't seize this opportunity to make him speak, I fear he might pass the age when children learn to speak and grow up speaking unclearly. Besides, if we give in every time he cries, he'll cry even harder whenever something displeases him in the future. My Lord Xu, you might not know this yet, but after you and Zhun'er left today, Yuge took Jin Geer to play in the garden. Despite his young age, he cried for nearly an hour. Imagine what he’d be like when he grows up!"

Lord Xu said nothing.

Lady Eleven continued to gently ask Jin Geer, "Why are you crying? Tell Mama. If you don’t tell me, how can I know why you're crying?"

Jin Geer, still sobbing, glanced toward Lord Xu.

His tear-washed eyes shone like black onyx.

Unable to bear the sight, Lord Xu rolled over, avoiding the scene to ease his mind.

Only then did Jin Geer relent. After a few more sobs, he sniffled and said, "Story, story."

Lady Eleven heaved a deep sigh, feeling more worn out than after running a marathon.

She kissed her son’s cheek, wiped his face with a handkerchief, and whispered, "Alright, let’s continue the story. Where were we? Let me think!"

Earlier, to encourage Jin Geer to speak, she had developed the habit of talking as much as possible in front of him.

But no sooner had Lady Eleven finished speaking than Jin Geer pursed his little lips and said, "Jingwei is a little bird!"

Lady Eleven gasped at her son. "Jin Geer!" She had just reached the part where Jingwei transformed into a bird. "Do you remember what Mother was telling you?"

Jin Geer looked timidly at Lady Eleven, his expression utterly woeful.

Lord Xu burst into laughter, swept Jin Geer up in his arms. "You’re so clever! You remembered!"

Jin Geer, eager for Lady Eleven’s story, was displeased with Lord Xu’s interruption. He fussed and stretched his arms toward Lady Eleven.

As Lord Xu chuckled and moved to hand Jin Geer back, Lady Eleven reminded him, "Let him speak, let him speak." Lord Xu withdrew his hand and asked Jin Geer, "What do you want?"

Jin Geer turned his gaze to Lady Eleven.

Lady Eleven smiled and asked, "What does Jin Geer want?"

"Want Mother!" he said, lunging toward her again.

This time, Lady Eleven embraced him, overjoyed.

"Finally calling for Mother, but under such circumstances!" she thought, her heart leapt with joy as she smiled at Lord Xu.

Lord Xu ruffled his son’s thick, dark hair and said with a shrug, "At least he’s finally spoken!" Then he smiled at Lady Eleven.

Lady Eleven looked up at him just then.

Their gazes locked.

She smiled radiantly while his brow smoothed.

Thinking of their earlier persistence, both Lord Xu and Lady Eleven felt the joy of having overcome a challenge together.

They laughed in unison, as if something had settled in their hearts—a quiet warmth.

The next morning, when they went to greet the elder madam, she offered Jin Geer freshly made buckwheat pancakes and asked Lord Xu with slight displeasure, "What happened yesterday? Jin Geer’s cries could be heard across the estate!"

Lady Eleven hadn’t expected the elder madam to find out so quickly.

As she pondered, Jin Geer, mouth full of pancake, announced through his chewing, "Story, Mother tell story!"

"Good heavens!" The elder madam immediately forgot her question and scooped up Jin Geer in delight. "Our Jin Geer can speak now!"