Chapter 880: Even if thorns cover the path, he would still pave the way for her
Off to the side, Hongdou saw her brother acting so foolishly and promptly shut her eyes, sucking even faster.
It was as if she was afraid she’d be the next one to lose her food supply, hurrying to eat her fill.
The soft smacking sounds of suckling continued nonstop.
Liu Yusheng’s face twitched.
In the end, she slapped away Feng Qingbai’s mischief-making hand and rescued their son, glaring at the man as she did. “Why are you teasing him? He’s still just a baby. You can’t tug him around like that.”
Feng Qingbai gave a light snort. “Sure, he’s young.” But that mind of his was like a little devil already. In one word: monstrous.
The twins both shut their eyes tightly, clinging to their treasure and ignoring everything around them.
The whole room echoed with rhythmic sucking sounds. The two adults said nothing, only smiled quietly as they watched their little treasures, immersed in the warmth of the moment.
It was Liu Yusheng’s first time being a mother, the first time nursing her own children. At first, she had been deeply embarrassed that Feng Qingbai wouldn’t leave the room. But now at this moment she didn’t feel that way at all.
Because although the man sat beside her, his gaze carried no trace of lust — only clarity, affection, tenderness, and quiet happiness as he looked at her and their children.
What he saw was not just the act of breastfeeding. He saw his whole world.
And hers, too.
She was nursing their children, children who were the continuation of her and the man she loved most.
Feeding a child was the most sacred duty of a mother.
The smacking sounds of suckling gradually faded. The vigorous sucking took a lot of energy, and the babies were still very small. They fell asleep while feeding.
Liu Yusheng smiled gently. They must’ve tired themselves out.
As soon as Feng Qingbai saw the babies had fallen asleep, he carefully took them from her arms and gently laid them into the cradle beside the bed so they could sleep soundly.
Since she was still in confinement, the windows remained shut. The April sunlight filtered through the window paper, casting a soft golden hue that warmed the room in a gentle, tranquil light.
“You should lie down and rest too,” Feng Qingbai said. “Grandmother and Mother both said that during the confinement period, sitting too long can strain your back.”
“Okay.” Liu Yusheng obediently lay down. “The Empress Dowager stayed pretty late last night, didn’t she? It’s about that time now. I wonder if she’ll come by later.”
“She won’t come during the day. Early this morning, she went to the royal temple to request names for Badou and Hongdou,” Feng Qingbai said calmly.
The corner of Liu Yusheng’s mouth twitched. She still couldn’t naturally accept the name Badou just yet. “Did she really go to ask for names? Is the royal temple far? Did she bring attendants with her?”
Feng Qingbai curled his lips. “With General Qin by her side, she has the best escort she could ask for.”
“……”
At that moment, at the foot of Mount Bodhi, thirty miles outside the capital, a horse-drawn carriage came to a gentle stop. A silver-haired elderly woman in fine clothing stepped down, followed by her faithful old maidservant.
Atop Mount Bodhi stood the Royal Temple of Nanling, where esteemed monks known for their spiritual wisdom and uncanny accuracy in fortune-telling and name readings resided.
As a royal temple, it was revered throughout the kingdom, and incense burned year-round, with devotees visiting in every season to offer prayers.
However, reaching the temple required climbing 999 stone steps from the base of the mountain, a formidable challenge for many pilgrims.
It was said that those who could walk up all the steps on foot were sincere of heart and would earn the Buddha’s blessing.
Many devout followers believed this wholeheartedly and insisted on climbing themselves when offering incense.
Naturally, along with the faithful, there were always some who came just for appearances. For them, the sedan-chair bearers at the foot of the mountain offered their services, earning a hefty income year-round.
The old maid looked up at the seemingly endless winding staircase and was about to turn to the side. “Elder Madam, allow me to hire a sedan chair.”
“No need. I can walk,” said the Empress Dowager, taking a deep breath. She had to climb it herself. Only then could she truly and sincerely pray for blessings for the two children.
She wasn’t someone ignorant of such things. As a long-time worshipper of the Buddha, she was even more receptive to spiritual matters than most.
As for the behavior of the two newborns, she hadn’t spoken of it, but in her heart, she was more shocked than anyone.
They were so intelligent it bordered on the uncanny.
Newborns should not be able to understand speech, much less retain memories from within the womb.
But the way Badou and Hongdou clung to her made it clear they were different from ordinary children.
Those born with uncanny gifts often face a turbulent fate.
She only wished for them to live long and peaceful lives.
Having lived in the deep palace for years, eating vegetarian and chanting sutras, and bearing the pain and grief of her past, the Empress Dowager’s body had long been frail. After climbing just a small portion of the stairs, she was already gasping for breath, her face pale.
And yet, the royal temple still loomed far above, shrouded in the clouds.
The old maid followed closely behind, her brows tightly knit with worry as she watched the Empress Dowager’s increasingly unsteady steps. But she knew her mistress’s nature. Beneath her dignified bearing was a stubbornness that refused to yield. Once the Empress Dowager set her mind to something, she would see it through.
All she could do was accompany her silently and reach out to support her whenever she was about to collapse.
Neither of them noticed that behind them, a figure followed in silence. Each time the Empress Dowager staggered, barely able to walk, the worry in his eyes deepened.
By the time they reached halfway up the mountain, the Empress Dowager’s face was so pale it was nearly transparent. Sweat had soaked through her robes, and she could only continue by gripping the handrail tightly, dragging herself upward, her steps as heavy as if weighed down by lead.
The old maid wasn’t faring much better. Though she was a servant, years in the palace had spared her physical toil. Never had she experienced such exertion.
So when the Empress Dowager stumbled again and the maid couldn’t react fast enough, she could only watch in horror as her mistress began to fall backward. “Elder Madam!”
The old maid’s eyes widened in panic.
Behind them were hundreds of stone steps!
But just then, a large hand reached out from behind and firmly caught the Empress Dowager before she could fall.
Once the elderly woman was safely steadied, both she and the maid turned around and saw the calm face of Qin Xiao.
“General!” the old maid exclaimed in relief, her heart finally easing.
Fortunately, the Grand General was there. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
With a nod to the old maid, Qin Xiao casually broke a branch from a nearby tree and handed one end to the Empress Dowager. “There are three hundred steps left. I will walk with Your Majesty.”
The Empress Dowager, having caught her breath, slowly took hold of one end of the branch. “Thank you, General.”
Qin Xiao gave her a long, quiet look, then walked ahead, firmly holding the other end of the branch.
As long as she held on, as long as she was willing, even if the road ahead was filled with thorns, he would clear the path for her.
When they finally reached the summit, the view opened up. The royal temple stood just ahead. As it wasn’t one of the designated pilgrimage days, there weren’t many worshippers present.
Most of the people scattered about were visitors who had come to enjoy a short retreat.
Though it was a temple, the royal temple atop Mount Bodhi was surrounded by beautiful scenery.
It was shrouded in mist year-round, with the back of the temple boasting a large peach orchard. Now in full bloom, it drew many who admired nature and serenity.
The Empress Dowager stepped onto the final step, ignored the dizziness clouding her vision and walked directly toward the meditation rooms in the rear courtyard.
The most revered monk in the royal temple, Master Juehui, resided there.
She showed a royal pass at the door. As a member of the imperial family, she was granted unrestricted access to the inner grounds.
Soon, someone led the Empress Dowager into the meditation chamber.
A wave of sandalwood incense greeted her; the soft rhythm of the wooden fish echoed gently. Within the tranquil room, one couldn’t help but feel calm and grounded.
TL Note: The General X Empress Dowager ship is sailing…
Peek-Aboo 
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