Chapter 115 Extra The Canoe

Chapter 115 Extra: The Black-Canopied Boat

Life in the palace was truly dull, and I grew rather impatient staying there, so I begged Xie Yan to take me and the children out for a stroll. After handling some official duties in bulk, he took us out of the palace.

This time, we went to Guānxīn Lake for fun, but as soon as we arrived by the lake, we faced a difficult choice. I was inclined to take a black-canopied boat, swaying along until dawn, and even plucking fresh lotus flowers and seeds along the way. I had long asked Huai Xin to prepare a slightly larger black-canopied boat for me. However, Xie Yan, concerned about safety, preferred a painted pleasure boat.

“How about this: I’ll take the black-canopied boat, and Huan Huan and Xiao Yu can go with Father on the painted boat, alright? It’s a big boat with lots of beautiful totems—don’t you like that?” I said, about to head toward the black-canopied boat.

But the two little ones followed me closely, one on each side. Huan Huan looked at me pleadingly and said, “Huan Huan wants to go with Daddy, and also ride the black-canopied boat~”

And Xiao Yu, who never had his own opinions, chimed in stiffly, “Xiao Yu also wants to ride the small boat, ah!”

“Alright then,” I said, unable to hide a hint of smugness. I arched a brow at Xie Yan, who stood rooted to the spot, and smiled as I took each child by the hand and walked forward, not forgetting to taunt, “Huan Huan and Xiao Yu made this decision themselves—I didn’t force them. Someone will have to take the big boat alone.”

“Father, come with Huan Huan~ Let’s ride the small boat together, come play with us~” Huan Huan called out as we walked, turning back to wave. Under the sunlight, his skin looked delicate and translucent, his pretty face as clear and sweet as a ripe peach.

Layer upon layer of lotus leaves stretched lush and green toward the distant azure sky. Pale pink lotus blossoms bloomed among the broad green leaves, shrouded in the rising mist. The air was moist with water vapor and carried the fresh, subtle fragrance of lotus flowers. The lake water was so clear you could see to the bottom, where little red fish swam freely.

The boatman slowly rowed the black-canopied boat over. I'd owned this canoe for quite some time but rarely used it, so it looked new and clean, capable of holding five or six people.

I was about to carry Xiao Yu onto the boat when a pair of cool, pale hands took the child from me. I looked up and saw Xie Yan’s strikingly handsome face. Thinking he was trying to take the children from me, I couldn’t help feeling annoyed. Crossing my arms, I glared at him indignantly. But Xie Yan showed no sign of hesitation; he steadily placed both Xiao Yu and Huan Huan on the boat, making sure they were settled properly, before extending his hand to me.

Today, he was wearing an ivory-white yunshan, his dark, thick hair fluttering in the breeze. His noble bearing was like that of an ethereal, otherworldly immortal. His outstretched fingers were pale and jade-like, resembling a flute carved from cold jade. Completely captivated by his handsome appearance, I placed my hand in his. Xie Yan lifted me effortlessly, and in the blink of an eye, I was aboard the black-canopied boat.

The boat drifted slowly through the sea of green leaves. I rested my head on Xie Yan’s lap and casually plucked a lotus leaf to cover my face. It was still summer, and the sun was fierce, but the mist over the water was refreshingly cool. The two little ones were crouched beside me, intently watching the little red fish swimming beneath the water.

“Xiao Yu, brother, is this you?”

“You’re a little fish too!”

Huan Huan giggled with delight after saying this, while Xiao Yu simply blinked his big eyes, watching the free-spirited fish below. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, his expression both envious and innocent. His handsome face finally showed the childishness befitting his age.

Seeing their fair skin turning red under the sun, I felt a pang of pity and plucked two large lotus leaves. Sitting up, I held the leaves over their heads to shield them. Huan Huan was the first to respond, his eyes crinkling into smiles as he reached for the leaf. “Such a big leaf! Xiao Yu, brother, come quickly~ Share with Huan Huan~”

Hearing his call, Xiao Yu unhesitatingly tossed aside the leaf on his own head and squeezed under the same leaf as Huan Huan.

I sighed in resignation and reached out to pick several lotus seed pods. After shelling two lotus seeds, I presented them as if they were treasures to the two children, enticing them, “These are really tasty, sweet and delicious~”

Huan Huan frowned as he put the seed in his mouth, but after chewing a few times, his delicate little face lit up. His eyes fixed eagerly on the seeds in my hand, and he cooed, “My very, very handsome Daddy~ Huan Huan wants to eat the seeds~ So yummy~ Huan Huan loves them~”

“Haha, you’re such a little glutton,” I couldn’t help but tap his small, fair nose. I diligently shelled a good number of seeds, dividing them into two portions—one for Xiao Yu and one for Huan Huan.

Huan Huan was overjoyed, popping the seeds into his mouth as soon as they were in his palm. But Xiao Yu shook his head and said to me, “Daddy can give Xiao Yu’s share to Huan Huan. Daddy, teach Xiao Yu how to shell these seeds.”

“Alright.” I carefully explained how to shell lotus seeds. Huan Huan rested his chin on his brother’s shoulder, his long lashes fluttering as he popped one seed after another into his mouth.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yu lowered his gaze, focusing intently on the task. He learned quickly and was diligent, soon shelling a handful of seeds. He then turned and fed them to the little glutton resting on his shoulder.

“Doesn’t Daddy get any?” I felt somewhat left out. Why were they only giving seeds to Huan Huan? Was there none for me? I was unhappy, but my gloom lasted only a moment before a cool, pale hand appeared before me. I turned my head and looked at Xie Yan in confusion, but he gestured for me to open my hand. I complied, and a handful of plump, white lotus seeds spilled into my palm—and into my heart.

Hmph, I have my husband to dote on me, and that’s enough.

By nightfall, the wind over the lake had grown stronger. Xie Yan had the chief eunuch take Huan Huan and Xiao Yu back. The black-canopied boat swayed gently as I rested my head on Xie Yan’s lap, gazing at the dark, distant mountains. The hazy silhouettes of the peaks seemed almost demonic, but with Xie Yan by my side, I felt no fear. Clouds drifted across the sky, pushed by the wind, which brushed against my skin with a slight chill.

Xie Yan wrapped me tightly in a fox fur cloak. I held him close, kissing his reddened ear tips. Looking into his clear, gentle eyes, my heart raced. The starry sky seemed reflected in his light gray pupils. The lake waves rose and fell, a lone wild goose flew south, and the world stretched vast and boundless. In my youth, I often wandered alone on a boat at night, feeling that life was but a fleeting moment in the vastness of existence—possessing nothing, with a lingering sense of loneliness that never left my chest.

But tonight, amid the desolate lake scenery, I suddenly felt a fierce joy in being alive.

Xie Yan once told me that he was grateful for my presence, as it made his life complete. How could I not feel the same? I am timid, foolish, and quite ordinary—the only precious gift I’ve ever received is the love Xie Yan has given me.

This powerful, overwhelming love has completely healed my timid and insecure self.