Chapter 104: Disappointment

Chapter 104

Disappointment

Mu Rongying’s eyes widened as she looked up at Kang Wang. Went back with him? She glanced at his handsome, jade-like face and sighed inwardly. But in what capacity would she return? Even though she knew that Kang Wang would treat her well, she did not want to live her life as a mere sheltered wife, content with just comfort and sustenance. Mu Rongying found the option that Nie Shuang had offered her far more appealing. Love was a privilege for men, who could distribute it as much as they pleased, while women had to settle for fleeting favor that could vanish at any moment. She admired Kang Wang but didn’t want to risk her heart and future.

"Uh...I cannot make that decision on my own. It depends on Sister Nie Shuang, Your Highness,"

Mu Rongying replied, bowing her head, revealing only her long lashes and the tip of her small nose.

Kang Wang was not angered by her response. He understood that the security and warmth Nie Shuang had provided, by taking her in and giving her the family name when she was expelled from her own family, could not easily be compared. Even though he had stood up for her against the Mu family and was willing to shelter her forever, there were certain conditions that prevented him from officially making her his Wang Fei. For a young woman her age, having given herself to him without the promise of marriage was already beyond what traditional women could bear. It was no wonder she hesitated.

With his tall and broad frame, Kang Wang nearly overshadowed her completely. Glancing around to see if anyone was watching, he discreetly took Bao Bao into one arm and, with the other, pulled her slender waist toward him. Bao Bao, now caught between them, protested loudly. Kang Wang looked down with a smile and spoke in a loud, teasing voice.

"Bao Bao, don’t squirm, or you might fall,"

To onlookers, they would think that Bao Bao was struggling, not letting Kang Wang carry him.

"Bao Bao!"

Nie Shuang’s voice called out from afar, without her even turning to look. The boy, obedient to his mother more than anyone, could only grit his teeth and glared up at Kang Wang. Meanwhile, the women—Xu Shi, Xiao Yi Niang, and Nie Shuang—had begun setting up a game of mahjong, leaving the task of watching the children to the Hou and Song Qilin. However, Xiao Hua Hua still refused to leave her mother’s lap, attempting to grab the game pieces on the table. Nie Shuang busied herself with arranging the tiles while distracting her daughter with other objects to play with.

Kang Wang still didn’t release Mu Rongying from his embrace. Nervous that someone might notice, Mu Rongying whispered softly,

"Your Highness..."

Kang Wang was about to reassure her, to tell her not to worry. Even though he couldn’t make her Wang Fei yet, her status would be secure, and no one would dare mistreat her. But then, he felt something warm and damp seep through the fine fabric of his robe.

"Bao Bao!"

Kang Wang exclaimed loudly, as a large wet stain spread across the clean, light blue fabric of his robe. Bao Bao was still in his arms, but the other arm, which had been wrapped around Mu Rongying’s slender waist, had to be released for fear of getting her clothes wet too. Mu Rongying, realizing what had happened, gasped in shock.

Nie Shuang, hearing the commotion, immediately knew Bao Bao had caused some trouble again. She quickly handed Xiao Hua Hua to her grandmother and rushed over. Grabbing Bao Bao from Kang Wang’s arms, she hurriedly gave instructions to the two maids nearby.

"Xiao Shan, take His Highness to the private room and prepare a bath for him. Xiao Tong, inform His Highness’s attendants to fetch a change of clothes immediately."

Normally, Kang Wang would have spare clothes in his carriage, so this situation wasn’t too much of a hassle. Meanwhile, Da Ge, now cradled in his mother’s arms, looked down in embarrassment. His little split pants were soaked, with moisture trailing down his chubby legs. Nie Shuang felt a tug of sympathy for her son but knew she couldn’t let it slide without reprimanding him. She didn’t want him to grow up with bad habits. It was clear that these two—one big and one small—were at odds over a certain beautiful woman. Nie Shuang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"Bao Bao, you’ve learned to tell your wet nurse when you need to go, haven’t you? So why did you urinate on His Highness?"

The little boy lowered his head and stared at the ground, then looked up at his mother with tearful eyes, biting his tiny fingers. His expression, more pitiful than if he had thrown a loud tantrum, tugged at everyone’s heartstrings.

Finally, both grandmothers could no longer stand it. They called for the wet nurse to take Da Ge away to change his clothes. Mu Rongying, feeling sorry for the little boy, tried to intervene.

"Perhaps Bao Bao was trying to tell us, but His Highness and I didn’t understand him."

Nie Shuang nodded, accepting the reasoning. Bao Bao couldn’t speak yet, but he desperately wanted to tell his mother that Kang Wang had tricked him. It wasn’t just him who got teased—pretty sister Yingying had been tricked too. Kang Wang had hugged them both so tightly they could hardly breathe. He knew the pretty sister was trying to defend him, so he made some baby noises and gestured in agreement as the wet nurse took him away.

After changing into a fresh set of clothes, Kang Wang returned. Nie Shuang quickly brought the little boy over to apologize. Kang Wang bore no grudge—after all, Bao Bao was just a small child and it was normal for him to have little control over such things. Besides, he had been the one who wanted to hold Bao Bao in the first place. It was only natural that the boy might need to relieve himself unexpectedly.

Seeing Kang Wang still smiling, Nie Shuang was relieved. Realizing he had stayed long enough as a guest, Kang Wang announced it was time to leave, but before doing so, he turned to call Mu Rongying.

"Yingying, come back with me. Once you’ve packed your things, you can move in later."

Mu Rongying obediently complied, standing up and preparing to follow him back to the palace. Her thoughts were simple—if Kang Wang asked her to return and pack, she would naturally follow. A faint smile played on Kang Wang’s lips as he watched her approach, like a hunter seeing the little deer walk willingly into his trap. Nie Shuang, noticing her newfound sister seemed oblivious to Kang Wang’s scheming, quickly intervened.

"Your Highness need not worry. It’s just a minor matter. I will send Xiao Tong to help Chunmei pack her belongings. Yingying seems quite tired. Perhaps it would be better for her to come rest with me at the mansion instead."

Who knew if, once she returned to the palace with Kang Wang, she would ever get the chance to leave again... Mu Rongying still had dreams she had not yet fulfilled. As tempting as the life in Kang Wang’s inner palace might seem, it would be better to wait a little longer. After all, at this moment, he couldn’t officially give her any title or position yet, could he...?

Kang Wang paused briefly, then gave a gentle, signature smile. His voice, when speaking to Nie Shuang, was as soft and warm as ever.

"Very well, as you suggest."But who would know that, as he turned to walk away, the corners of his mouth tightened, and the hands hidden within his sleeves clenched into fists? The frustration he felt—who could ever understand how much weighed on his heart?