Si Fengming could not say he was not disappointed, but his love for his son outweighed his desire for the child to call him Father King.
He patted the little bun's head and said to Lu Qingwan, "It's alright. The child is meeting us for the first time. It's understandable that he can't bring himself to call us. Let's take it slow, he'll get used to it."
With that, he bent down and placed the little bun on the ground.
The little bun looked back at Si Fengming. Seeing the other man staring at him, he shyly turned and ran off.
Like a cannonball, he shot towards Feng Xiwu, hugging his leg and trying to climb up.
As he climbed, he complained pitifully, "Father King is bad, you just watched Mother Consort bully Yuan'er and didn't save me~"
Though young, the little bun was very perceptive.
When he realized Lu Qingwan intended to hand him over to Si Fengming and his wife, he quickly ran to Feng Xiwu.
Unexpectedly, Feng Xiwu scooped him up and walked towards Si Fengming and his wife, his tone stern, "Do you remember the two portraits I told you to memorize?
These are your birth father and mother. Open your eyes and look carefully. Do I need to remind you what to call them?"
Unlike Lu Qingwan's playful, subtle methods, Feng Xiwu's approach was direct.
The little bun, who had been smiling happily since entering the room, suddenly held back tears and looked at Feng Xiwu with a wronged expression, then at Lu Qingwan, "Do Father King and Mother Consort not want Yuan'er anymore?"
His wronged look suggested he would cry if Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu nodded.
Seeing Feng Xiwu's expression, it was clear he was about to agree, albeit with a gritted teeth.
Lu Qingwan quickly rushed over and coaxed, "What nonsense are you talking about? You are Father King and Mother Consort's treasure. How could we not want you?"
The little guy blinked his eyes innocently, "Then why are you finding a new Father King and Mother Consort for Yuan'er?"
"It's not that Father King and Mother Consort are finding you new parents, it's that they are already your birth parents!
It was through their hard work that Father King and Mother Consort were able to have a cute little treasure like Yuan'er!"
Standing in front of the little bun, Lu Qingwan's inner child also switched on, and she spoke in a similarly sweet, childish tone.
"Moreover, your birth father and mother are the people we love the most. Isn't it good to have two fathers and two mothers dote on you?"
The little bun's eyes darted towards Feng Xiwu. Lu Qingwan pampered and played with him, but he knew who was truly in charge in the palace.
Therefore, he still wanted to hear Feng Xiwu's opinion. He tilted his head and looked at him slyly, "You really don't want me anymore?"
Feng Xiwu walked directly to Si Fengming and stood beside him, "Look at my face, then look at your father. We are brothers by blood. Where could I possibly send you?"
The little guy chuckled, "Alright then."
He nodded as if reluctantly, then trotted to the side, grabbed Yan Ruozhao's hand, and pulled her over to stand with Si Fengming.
He then pulled Feng Xiwu to Lu Qingwan's side. Amidst the adults' suspicious gazes, he walked between Si Fengming and Yan Ruozhao, took a few steps back, and knelt with a *plop*.
A child who could barely stand steadily almost fell to the ground when he knelt.
Si Fengming and Yan Ruozhao were about to step forward to help him up, but the little bun genuinely bowed to them, saying in a milky voice, "Yuan'er pays respects to Father and Mother."
Yan Ruozhao was stunned for a moment, then tears welled up in her eyes.
Si Fengming's eyes also felt a little sore. He said "Good" several times before stepping forward and helping the little bun up.
The little bun stood up, but instead of immediately responding to his birth father, Si Fengming, he walked to Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu.
He tilted his head slightly, and said earnestly, "Father King, Mother Consort said that Yuan'er recognizing Father and Mother means gaining two more people to dote on Yuan'er.
You will never abandon Yuan'er, is that true?"
"Of course, it's true."
Feng Xiwu bent down and picked up the little bun. "You are the treasure of your Father King and Mother Consort, and also the treasure of your birth parents.
Our collective wish is for you to grow up healthy and happy. What is there to doubt about that?"
"Really?"
The little bun continued with his pitiful expression. Feng Xiwu's face darkened, and he said impatiently, "Of course, it's true. Do you think I would lie to you?"
"Then Yuan'er doesn't want to return to the Crown Prince's mansion. Can Yuan'er stay with you and Mother Consort?"
...
The adults exchanged glances, all speechless.
Feng Xiwu spanked the little bun's bottom, "Good boy, you were waiting for me here, weren't you?"
The little guy covered his bottom and giggled. Feng Xiwu said sternly, "Don't even think about it. You won't go to the Crown Prince's mansion, and you can't go to the Prince of Qin's mansion either."
Since the matter had come to this, he then explained the plan he and Lu Qingwan had discussed yesterday.
"Both you and I are thorns in the eyes of others right now. This小子 has already fallen victim once. If it happens again, his life might be in danger.
A'wan and I are planning to find him a master, have him apprentice, and bring him back when Zhongzhou is settled. Can my Imperial Brother and Sister-in-law bear to part with him?"
Having just reunited with their son, sending him away was naturally difficult for Si Fengming and Yan Ruozhao.
However, after the terrifying experience of being targeted more than a dozen times in two months five years ago, the couple had long realized that their own strength was insufficient to protect their child.
Therefore, Si Fengming hesitated for only a moment before steeling his heart.
"It's good to have a safe haven, but where do you plan to send him?"
Yan Ruozhao said uneasily, "Under heaven, there are very few places that can compete with Daqin. Where can it be absolutely safe?"
Feng Xiwu did not answer immediately, but turned to the little bun and said, "Stinky boy, aren't you envious of my martial arts and your mother's medical skills?
Do you want to learn both our martial arts and medical skills, and become even more formidable than us?"
People naturally admire strength. The little bun had witnessed firsthand how talented and powerful Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu were, so how could he settle for mediocrity?
He resolutely raised his fist and said in a milky voice, "Yes!"
At this point, the little bun's departure was certain.
Even though she knew it was for the little bun's own good, Yan Ruozhao couldn't help but cry uncontrollably.
Seeing this, the little bun leaned out from Feng Xiwu's embrace and asked Yan Ruozhao for a hug.
Yan Ruozhao, seeing that her child still wanted to be close to her, hugged him without wiping away her tears.
As a result, the little bun took out a handkerchief from his embrace and thoughtfully wiped her tears.
"Mother, don't cry. Mother Consort's maternal grandfather is very powerful. I'll go learn from him.
When I come back, Yuan'er and Father King will protect you, Mother Consort, and Father. No one will dare bully you again..."
The milky little voice made Yan Ruozhao want to cry even more.