Once the two little dumplings started to teethe, they had developed the habit of biting various things. The little ones enjoyed putting everything in their mouths once they took interest in it. Even the ears of their favorite tiger doll were covered with shining drool.
In addition to dolls, there were also blankets, cloth balls, and crib rails. Even the siblings bit on each other.
At this point, it was best to have teething sticks already.
Since ragdolls easily got dirty, they were worried that chewing on them might upset their stomachs. Therefore, they had the imperial kitchen prepare edible teething sticks that were firm and rich with milk flavor. When the kitchen presented it, even Wen Mingyu couldn’t help but take one and eat it with relish.
Little Rice Cake and Little Chilli both held onto their milk sticks with both hands, chewing and sucking on them for a long time. Although they only managed to shave off a small portion at a time, they nibbled contentedly. They concentrated all of their efforts on the milk sticks, sparing the toys from their attacks. Drool trickled down their chins, making the stick shiny and glossy-looking.
It was so cute that Wen Mingyu couldn’t stop staring.
With every chew, their lips pouted and their chubby cheeks puffed in and out. They would roll over while clutching their milk sticks, kicking their stubby legs twice in the air, as if that would help them a bit harder. Unknowingly, they had rolled all around the crib and occasionally bumped against each other. Either their heads would knock together or someone’s pudgy foot would kick the other’s shoulders. Little Chilli nearly nibbled on Little Rice Cake’s toes. Stifling a laugh, Wen Mingyu went forward to separate them.
In more than half a year, the two little dumplings could already identify their Father Emperor and Daddy and had a different kind of close dependence on them. Familiarizing themselves with the scent they carried and, at the same time, becoming clingier.
Before, they would just eat and sleep, cry when uncomfortable, and be easily soothed by palace servants with milk, nappy changes, or toys. But now, the twins had grown smarter and were able to tell Father to Daddy. If they woke up and didn’t see them, they would throw a fit.
The palace servants were at a loss with the two little masters.
The two little dumplings looked very much alike, both of them delicate and fair. Super cute. Their chubby small hands clutched the crib rails while they sobbed with flushed cheeks, like abandoned little strays. Their pitiful appearance could soften anyone’s heart into a puddle.
The servants wanted to pick them up to soothe them, but as soon as the little ones saw they weren’t Father Emperor or Daddy, they clung tightly to the railing, sobbing and refusing to be touched, only wanting their dads.
Afraid they might cry themselves hoarse or have trouble breathing, the servants had no choice but to bring the emperor’s and empress’ clothing and put it in the crib.
Smelling the familiar scent, the two little ones were immediately drawn in. Their sobs became less intense as they reached out to grasp the clothing. Tired of crying, they fell asleep with tear-stained cheeks, softly hiccuping.
Thus, when Wen Mingyu and Mu Zhan came back from dealing with work, they saw this scene in the crib, and their hearts couldn’t help but soften.
Perhaps sensing something, Little Rice Cake’s eyelashes fluttered. He slowly opened his eyes and realized that outside their bed stood his father and daddy.
He blinked a couple of times as he came to his senses, braced his small hands on the pile of clothing beneath him, and shakily pushed himself up. Then, he hurriedly extended his hand towards Wen Mingyu for a hug.
Wen Mingyu naturally bent down and scooped his baby into his arms. Little Rice Cake was immediately happy and satisfied, nuzzling his daddy’s face affectionately.
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The two little ones had been born in winter, and by the time they were eight months old, it was already the height of summer. The weather was hot and stifling, making people irritable.
It wasn’t just the adults who couldn’t stand the heat, babies couldn’t either. They were even prone to sweating.
When the little ones got too hot lying down, they would roll around in their crib like tumbling dumplings, soft and round, occasionally knocking into the bars and groaning.
Wen Mingyu swapped out their soft bedding for a mattress that was gentle and smooth to the touch, not as chilly as bamboo, and wouldn’t be too rough and aggravate their sensitive skin.
During the hottest part of the summer, he had Little Rice Cake and Little Chilli relocate to the Hanliang Hall to nap and play. Because the temple was cool and pleasant like a modern air-conditioned room, and since the children were more sensitive, they even dressed them in long-sleeved shirts to keep them from catching a cold.
After the hottest hours of the day were over, they would go back to the Taiji Hall’s side hall.
Wen Mingyu came back and saw the two soft dumplings sitting in the crib playing around. They grabbed their dolls, shaking and slapping them, and even biting them. They were sometimes so focused on chewing that they didn’t notice their daddy had come.
Wen Mingyu reached out and took the dolls away from their hands.
Little Chilli’s mouth deflated. Her round eyes widened, and she puffed up her chubby cheeks, looking like she was about to explode. But then she looked up and saw it was her favorite daddy, and in an instant, her mouth curled into a sweet smile.
At such a young age, she had already mastered the art of changing faces.
When it came to taking toys away, the treatment palace servants received was very different from that of Wen Mingyu and Mu Zhan. If it were the palace servant who tried to take the toys away, Little Chilli would undoubtedly wow-ed and cry, grabbing the toy back tightly. She would then hug it in her arms and turn around and round until her butt was facing the other person, her entire body radiating: I’m not happy. I don’t like you. You’re a bad person.
Yes, Little Chilli and Little Rice Cake had already learnt the double standard.
On a scorching summer day, the two dumplings wore short-sleeved tops and small knee-length pants, basically older versions of T-shirts and shorts, loose and very comfortable. Adults, of course, were not allowed to wear these because it would be seen as improper, but children were innocent and carefree enough to not be subject to such restrictions.
Wearing these garments, their fair, tender arms and short, chubby legs were exposed, resembling fat lotus roots with a pink tinge. Very cute.
Wen Mingyu picked them up and couldn’t resist holding the little feet in his hands and gently wiggling them twice. Little Chilli and Little Rice Cake giggled.
Giggling, Little Chilli suddenly turned into a fluffy, happy little fur ball. She rolled around twice in Wen Mingyu’s palm.
After her first transformation due to tasting sourness, Little Chilli later transformed again a few times, though not that often. It seemed to be because she was still too young to control it, just like how she hadn’t learned to stand or walk yet. Slowly they’d figure it out with time.
And perhaps because of her dependence on her daddy and father emperor, every time she transformed, it all happened to be the time when they were there. So far, those palace servants still haven’t discovered anything.
With an affectionate expression on his face, Little Rice Cake hugged the rabbit-dragon fur ball with tiny horns, rubbed her ears, poked her horns, and gently tugged on the stubby white tail. It was obvious that he liked her very much and couldn’t let go.
Wen Mingyu was more and more convinced that Little Rice Cake might have mistaken his sister for a toy.
Mu Zhan walked over and picked up both dumplings, wrapped his arm around Wen Mingyu’s waist, and asked, “Would you like some soft mountain?”
Wen Mingyu had to think about what the name was after hearing it. After eating it a few times, he remembered that it was basically the older version of ice cream. His eyes lit up, and he nodded his head firmly. “Yes!”
Since Little Chilli had transformed into her rabbit-dragon form, it wasn’t convenient to let the palace servants in. Mu Zhan placed Little Rice Cake, hugging the fur ball, on the cushion and warned, “Be good. Don’t move around.”
He went back to the ice chest and took out the crispy, soft mountain. Cool mist surrounded the frozen treat, topped with soft, delicate cream. The fragrance was mouthwatering.
This time, Wen Mingyu didn’t run up to snatch one for himself as he usually would have. Because Little Rice Cake didn’t even listen to the father emperor’s words. Instead of obediently staying still, he was excitedly squeezing the fur ball. He placed the rabbit on the cushion, put his small hands on top of her body, and kneaded her like dough. He rolled the rabbit from side to side and was having a blast.
Wen Mingyu, “…”
Do you even remember that she’s your sister?
Wen Mingyu tried saving Little Chilli from her brother’s grasp. But Little Chilli was obviously not someone who would submit to being squished and pinched flat without a fight. She opened her mouth and bit on her brother’s hands. Little Rice Cake yelped in pain and attempted to pull his hand back, but when he lifted his fat arm, he found that the fur ball was still clinging to his fingers, biting it and refusing to let go.
Little Chilli: holding a grudge.jpg
Little Rice Cake froze for a moment, then cried.
Wen Mingyu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as he reached out to hold the little rabbit-dragon’s buttocks and, with his other hand, coaxed her to let go and crack her lips open. Little Rice Cake was still somewhat shaken when they separated and huffed twice at his aching fingers. After being picked up by Mu Zhan, he struggled to stretch his hand over to him again. Even if he can’t speak, with tears in his eyes, he was obviously aggrieved.
Mu Zhan calmly said, “It’s okay.”
But Little Rice Cake was exceptionally persistent, stubbornly holding out his hand and refusing to give up until he was comforted.
Mu Zhan’s face was expressionless. In the end, he could only lower his head and blow on the bite mark on his chubby hand. Even though the action was slightly perfunctory, it already caused Little Rice Cake to smile, as though it had truly stopped hurting after a little blow of breath.
Wen Mingyu watched this scene and secretly smiled, thinking Mu Zhan was indeed a gentle and proud father, but he didn’t say it out loud. Otherwise he would feel awkward and refuse to show this side next time.
Mu Zhan reached out and scooped a ball of ghee and sent the spoon to Wen Mingyu’s mouth. Without a second thought, he opened his mouth and ate it. The treat was creamy and rich with a dense texture, cool and delicious.
The little dumplings in their arms tilted their heads back, looking greedy, unable to resist licking their lips and swallowing saliva. They stared longingly and tugged at their sleeves, with a look on their face that said: “Daddy, Father Emperor, I want some too.”
Mu Zhan coldly shook his head, “No.”
Wen Mingyu added, “This is too cold. You will get an upset stomach if you eat it. Wait until you are older.”
The two dumplings couldn’t understand, but the chubby hands and paw fiddled at the edge of the table for a while, but they didn’t get to have a bite of that delicious thing. They knew they wouldn’t get to eat.
Their small faces were filled with sadness, and their hearts were broken.
Little Chilli was stubborn and started to climb onto the table without delicacy. Her chubby buttocks wiggled back and forth as she stomped her short legs, showing great persistence and determination. But just as she tried to reach out with her paws, Wen Mingyu pushed the porcelain plate away, putting it out of reach.
Little Chilli sadly whimpered. Wen Mingyu patted her back to comfort her, but it didn’t work. She became even more agitated and started rolling around on the table.
Her small brain was still developing and not very clever, and at that moment, she had lost all sense of reason. She kicked her legs and rolled around, completely unaware of her surroundings, and rolled toward Little Rice Cake.
Little Rice Cake was clinging to the table, eagerly wanting to eat, unaware of the danger. He watched helplessly as the fur ball collided with his face. There was no pain, but the soft fur tickled his nose, causing him to squint his eyes and sneeze.
“Achoo!”
Little Rice Cake had also changed his appearance, with tiny dragon horns on his head, a short, plump body, and a golden-yellow coat, resembling a miniature version of Mu Zhan—a small Yinglong.
The Author has something to say:
Excited Sister: Revenge time has come! Excited (≧▽≦)/
Horrified Brother: ???? ∑(°Д°;≡;°д°)
ChiFu: Harrow everyone! I apologize, I caught a cold after announcing I would update next week TT. I couldn’t handle the atmosphere of summer classes. They were just minor ones, but compared to my major professors, they were more strict. TT
I didn’t realize I was inactive for more than a month. I will try to release more chapters, albeit they will be unedited. But I will try my best to polish it. Since I’m nearing my last year (hopefully) in uni, I have to quickly finish this project to focus more on it. Thank you everyone again!