The Emperor Wants To Marry The Doctor Chapter 2579 Side Story 83: Emperor, Please Work Hard

"No way!" Rong Xiaoxun flung the blanket aside and scrambled out of bed. Brother and I struggled so much to outdo Father. We poured in tons of effort, yet why has the result turned out unlike our plans?!

Rong Xiu arched his brows, peering down at the tiny figure from his height. "Weren't you asleep?"

Rong Xiaoxun froze in stunned silence. Ah, I messed up...

He stared blankly for a moment, eyes wandering, before gradually sinking back into bed. Clutching the little blanket tight, he mumbled in a sleepy, childlike tone as if half-dreaming, "...Mother said she'd stay with Brother and me. Am I dreaming?"

He slapped his forehead lightly, still seeming dazed. Then he patted himself softly, like soothing a child to sleep. "Rong Xiaoxun, be good and go to sleep."

Next, he shut his eyes with utmost care and focus, desperately acting as if nothing occurred.

Chu Liuyue: "..."

Rong Xiu's eyelids jumped slightly.

His eyes shifted faintly toward Rong Xiaoyan, who lay perfectly still, deep in what seemed like sound slumber with zero intention to stir. In a frosty tone, he remarked, "Is this the way you've been instructing your little brother?"

Rong Xiaoyan, brimming with pride, refused to accept such a slight.

He gritted his teeth and ultimately yielded to the situation. Sitting upright, he locked eyes with Rong Xiu.

Thanks to Rong Xiaoxun's antics, the covers lay in total disarray, and Rong Xiaoyan's hair stuck out messily. Several short strands poked up wildly, somehow lending him an extra touch of mischief.

This clashed sharply with his tiny face, which mimicked an adult's stern composure.

He pursed his lips tightly and earnestly justified himself. "He's your son."

In essence, whose smarts did he inherit?

Rong Xiu's eyes narrowed dangerously.

Rong Xiaoyan met his stare without flinching.

The air around them thickened, turning icy cold.

From the sidelines, Chu Liuyue observed, her brow furrowing deeply.

Rong Xiaoyan mirrored Rong Xiu strikingly—in looks and temperament alike. With the man and boy side by side, they appeared molded from the identical block.

My head throbs.

Rong Xiu lifted his hand, and the silver-red glow at his fingertips shattered effortlessly into nothing.

Rong Xiaoxun had cracked his eyes open just a sliver, but witnessing that made his heart pound wildly.

In a casual tone, Rong Xiu inquired, "Do you believe seven God Realms plus 11 King Xuan Master-level Xuan formations suffice?"

From the instant Rong Xiu arrived, Rong Xiaoyan realized their feeble efforts paled before their father. Yet admitting defeat willingly proved tough, particularly with Mother present.

Silence gripped him.

Still, Rong Xiaoxun sensed the peril. After prolonged hesitation, he clambered up anyway. "Father! Those seven God Realms weren't my doing!"

At this juncture, so be it! A wise man adapts to the times!

He blinked eagerly in Rong Xiu's direction. "Xiaoxun adores Father most. How could I deliberately trouble you?"

The room plunged into abrupt hush.

Rong Xiu halted briefly.

Chu Liuyue began questioning herself. "...I wasn't anything like that as a kid..."

Rong Xiaoyan shot his brother a blank, surprised look.

Rong Xiaoxun showed no fear.

Having sized up the scene, he outright dismissed Rong Xiaoyan nearby. Rubbing his eyes, he toddled over on stubby legs to cling to Rong Xiu, cooing sweetly, "Father! Truth is, Brother and I figured you wouldn't show tonight and we'd feel scared sleeping solo, so we snuck here! Now you're with us, we feel totally safe!"

He tilted his head up, batting his bright, sparkling black eyes. "Father, didn't you tell Brother and me to guard Mother?"

These words finally eased the Emperor's mood considerably.

He lifted a brow toward Rong Xiaoxun. Impressive. Not dim-witted; he's teachable.

His gaze softened notably, and Rong Xiaoxun let out a breath of relief. Looks like I'll dodge punishment today!

Yet just as a grin threatened to break, his father drawled leisurely, "True enough, but across the whole Fantasy Divine Palace, just your God Realm and Mother's share that hue."

Rong Xiaoxun went rigid.

Amusement laced Rong Xiu's voice as he continued slowly, "Rong Xiaoxun, do you suppose your father could confuse your aura with your mother's?"

Rong Xiaoxun's lips formed a pout, and he bolted off.

Lightning-quick, he dashed to the doorway in a flash!

Chu Liuyue startled briefly, but spotting the blatant pink glow on Rong Xiaoxun's feet plunged her into deeper quiet.

Rong Xiu noticed it too, naturally, yet paid it no mind. Since learning of his two sons, he'd long foreseen this moment.

The shock from back then dwarfed today's.

No use dwelling on it.

Soon enough, though, Rong Xiaoxun dashed back, huffing as he tugged at Rong Xiaoyan. "Brother! Run!"

Rong Xiaoyan dipped his chin slightly, eyeing him with disdain, radiating utter disdain.

He sidestepped with ease.

Rong Xiaoxun gaped. "Brother?"

Wasn't he scared of Father's wrath?

But Rong Xiaoyan had it all figured out.

Straightening up, he shared a look with Rong Xiu. Then he smoothed his tousled hair, brushed off his clothes, and turned to Chu Liuyue. "Mother, I want a little sister."

Rong Xiu's icy presence thawed markedly as he regarded his firstborn with unusual approval.

Suddenly addressed, Chu Liuyue fell speechless.

Rong Xiaoyan pressed on oblivious. "Lately, I've overheard the High Priest and Ancestor Grandpa discussing it often, but they spared you the talk out of concern for Mother's hardship. However... Brother and I are big now and can handle ourselves. Mother, no need to fret overly."

Chu Liuyue parted her lips, at a loss for words.

Rong Xiu spoke first. "Fine, your mother and I are aware. We'll handle it our way. It's late—head back to bed."

Rong Xiaoyan dipped his head modestly before strolling calmly to the exit.

A far cry from Rong Xiaoxun's frantic flight.

Rong Xiaoxun trailed after, gasping in awe upon realizing Father truly wouldn't chase them.

He stuck close to Rong Xiaoyan deferentially. "Brother, you're incredible!"

Rong Xiaoyan paused, casting him a complex glance.

Whirling back, he inquired gravely, "Father, could you make this sister smarter than him?"

"Please."

...

The two kids got shooed off ruthlessly by the Emperor anyway.

Chu Liuyue eyed the grim-faced man nearby and couldn't suppress a chuckle. "They're just kids. Why take it so seriously?"

Rong Xiu drew her close into his embrace. "Wonder who they got it from."

Chu Liuyue cupped his cheeks and pecked his lips. She soothed, "Still mad?"

Rong Xiu's hold tightened. Moments later, a smile curved his lips. "Not anymore, though it jogged a memory."

He pulled her nearer, his hand caressing her waist tenderly before nestling into her shoulder.

His deep, chilly voice carried a subtle rasp. "...Time to get to work."