Chapter 622: Chapter 622: Red Blushing Cheeks

Jiang Ning was carefully tearing lamb off the bone with chopsticks and a small silver spoon for Wenzan and Lingzi. Upon hearing Li Hongyuan’s words, she set down her chopsticks.

The two exchanged glances.

Caught off guard and anxious, Li Tingqian immediately put down his chopsticks and stood up.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning immediately regretted it.

In front of the children, she shouldn’t have bickered and quarreled with Li Hongyuan.

Children are extremely sensitive, especially ones of Xiaoqian’s age. He lost both of his parents at a young age and had experienced terror and other situations.

So, when he sensed the tension between the Fifth Imperial Uncle and Fifth Aunt, the shadows of his childhood emerged again, filling him with insecurity.

Jiang Ning immediately put on a smile and pulled Li Tingqian back into his seat, handing Li Hongyuan a pair of chopsticks, laughing, “Your Highness, please sit down and eat slowly. It’s been a long time since our family has eaten together, so let’s chat.”

Li Hongyuan looked at Li Tingqian, took the chopsticks, and raised his chin, “I want lamb.”

Jiang Ning’s smile was as warm as a spring breeze: “I’ll serve Your Highness some lamb; be careful, it’s hot. Eat slowly.”

With that, the atmosphere became warm and harmonious.

Li Tingqian’s tense little face gradually relaxed, and he held his bowl, eating with his brother and sister, occasionally answering Jiang Ning or Li Hongyuan’s questions.

He had already begun studying and traveled between the East Palace and Elegance Palace daily.

Although Li Hongyuan was busy, he never relaxed on Li Tingqian’s studies and martial arts, inquiring in detail every few days and even checking his homework.

If Li Tingqian didn’t understand something and his tutor wasn’t around, he would go directly to Li Hongyuan. No matter how busy Li Hongyuan was, he would guide him.

Jiang Ning, on the other hand, didn’t care about his studies at all, focusing only on his food and fun.

She often played with him, read to him, and made various snacks according to his taste.

Under the care and attention of his Fifth Uncle and Fifth Aunt, Li Tingqian grew up happily.

In his heart, the Fifth Imperial Uncle and Fifth Aunt had perfectly replaced the role of his parents.

So, this meal also ended amidst the warm and fragrant aromas.

Li Tingqian went for a walk to digest his food, and the two children were each led away by the nannies and maids.

Only Li Hongyuan and Jiang Ning remained in the room.

There was no need to pretend any longer.

Jiang Ning’s smile vanished the moment the children left the room. She picked up a handful of spinach and cooked it in the pot. Once it was cooked, she put it in her bowl and ate seriously.

Li Hongyuan watched her.

She just kept eating.

After finishing the spinach, she ate lamb. After the lamb, she drank soup, mixed half a bowl of rice into the soup, and ate it all with a spoon, clean and tidy.

“What are you looking at?” Jiang Ning glanced at him.

“Your appetite is really good.”

“It’s cold weather, so you need to eat more to have energy for work.” Jiang Ning drank the last mouthful of soup, put down her bowl contentedly.

Her cheeks were flushed, revealing a healthy glow.

Li Hongyuan reached out and wiped away a bit of debris from the corner of her mouth.

Jiang Ning felt a bit uncomfortable and dodged.

The atmosphere inexplicably became ambiguous.

Jiang Ning hurriedly stood up and said with a smile, “I have some good news for Your Highness.”

“What?” Li Hongyuan seemed to be immersed in the earlier atmosphere and didn’t come back to his senses.

“My father said that someone will bring Mu Jian back tomorrow.”

“What?”

“Are you stupid?” Jiang Ning’s face enlarged before his eyes, “I said Mu Jian! My father is releasing him!”

Li Hongyuan regained his senses, cleared his throat, “Oh, I know about that.”