Little Dumpling, Your Father Is Reliable

Serena was absolutely right—her baby wasn’t indifferent to its mother. On the contrary, it cared for her too much.

On the ship, Serena was so sick that she could barely keep food down or sleep, getting thinner by the day. But the moment she set foot on shore, all her symptoms vanished.

As soon as her feet touched solid ground, Serena felt completely at ease—no more dizziness, no more blurry vision, and no urge to vomit. Most importantly, after days of not being able to eat anything on the ship, she was suddenly starving. She wanted noodles.

Back on land, in Eastlyn territory, as long as Serena could name a dish, Prince Nolan could have it brought to her. Forget a bowl of noodles—even if she wanted dragon liver and phoenix marrow, Nolan would order someone to find it.

Serena asked for noodles, and soon a steaming, fragrant, and perfectly seasoned bowl was placed in front of her. The aroma made her mouth water, and she quickly finished every bite.

"I want more."

Another bowl was brought out...

Under Prince Nolan’s stunned gaze, Serena ate three big bowls in a row, then contentedly patted her round belly. “I’m so full!”

“Do you want to go for a walk to help digest? Or should I rub your belly?” Prince Nolan looked at Serena’s bulging stomach, a little worried.

Is it really okay to binge like this?

"No, I'm a bit sleepy. I want to rest now." Serena yawned, and a wave of drowsiness washed over her...

She slept for a full day. Serena slept soundly, while Prince Nolan was on edge the whole time—was it really safe to eat like that and then sleep so much?

Afraid something might happen to Serena, Prince Nolan made a big show of sending a letter to the Valley Master, urging him to come to the Capital and stand by for orders.

The Valley Master was shocked when he received news that Serena was pregnant. Staring blankly at the letter, he blurted out, "Serena's pregnant? Is the child the emperor's?"

"You're doomed, Valley Master. I heard you." Adrian Dongling happened to come looking for the Valley Master and overheard his words, grinning mischievously.

After spending so long in Mystic Healer Valley and seeing Prince Nolan’s grip on the throne grow ever steadier, Adrian Dongling’s ambitions had faded—almost disappeared.

When it came to handling state affairs and governing the realm, maybe he could do better than Prince Nolan. But when it came to conquering the world, he simply didn’t have Nolan’s ability.

If Eastlyn were in his hands, he could only defend the city. But in Prince Nolan’s hands, it was different—Nolan could use Eastlyn to unify the world.

With such an obvious gap, what lingering hopes could he possibly have?

The Valley Master realized he'd misspoken only when Adrian teased him. He quickly glanced outside, relieved to see no third person had overheard. "That scared me to death. Good thing not many people heard, or I'd really be in trouble."

"I heard you, and you'll be in just as much trouble." Adrian Dongling gestured for the Valley Master to keep quiet. "If the reward's not big enough, I don't forget things easily."

"What do you want?" The Valley Master gritted his teeth. Did this uncle and nephew really have to be so alike?

Seeing the Valley Master give in, Adrian Dongling didn’t miss his chance. Dropping his playful act, he spoke seriously: "Cure my sister’s body."

"Pick something else. Your sister has no hope." The Valley Master had seen Serenity and her brother’s struggles. If he could have cured Serenity, he would have done it long ago.

"Really, not even a sliver of hope? If the emperor can have another child, why can't Serenity? She's still young..." Adrian’s eyes filled with pain and guilt.

There were two women Adrian would regret for life—one was Serena, the other was Serenity. As for his mother? She probably didn’t want to hear his apology.

"That girl’s injury was too severe—she’ll never have children in this life. The emperor struggles to have heirs; his chances are slim, but not impossible." The Valley Master sighed, feeling sorry for Serenity.

Serenity and one of the Valley Master's disciples had mutual affection. Though he was more than ten years older, he was gentle and didn’t mind that Serenity was divorced—he asked for her hand in marriage.

Serenity liked him too, but thinking of her past marriage and her inability to have children, she felt unworthy and never dared show her feelings.

The world was always unfair to women. Even a princess—once married, was always considered married. And if she couldn’t bear children, she’d never have a child of her own in this lifetime.

The disciple had long known about Serenity’s situation. If he cared, he wouldn’t have proposed to her. Serenity’s refusal didn’t deter him—instead, he persisted until she was moved by his sincerity. Still, her inability to bear children was something he didn’t mind, but Serenity did.

She wanted a child with the man she loved, but that was destined to be an impossible dream...

Adrian Dongling had asked the Valley Master for help several times, but the Valley Master always refused. Adrian thought he was unwilling to treat Serenity, but now, hearing the truth, Adrian's last hope was crushed.

"It’s my fault Serenity suffered." As a man, unable to protect his own sister, he felt like a failure.

The Valley Master sympathized with Serenity, but if he couldn’t do anything, he had no choice. He sighed and began packing for his journey to the Capital...

"I haven’t seen Little Dumpling in ages—I really miss him." At the thought of seeing his chubby, pink-cheeked grandson, the Valley Master’s mood instantly brightened.

Meanwhile, in the Capital, Little Dumpling was also in high spirits—his father and mother had returned to the palace...

"Mama, Mama, is there really a little sister in there? Why is she hiding in your tummy and not coming out to play with me?" From the moment Serena entered, Little Dumpling clung to her, asking this question over and over.

"Mama, Mama, if Little Dumpling talks to his sister, can she hear him?" Little Dumpling pressed his ear to Serena’s belly, his eyes squinting with joy like a child in a New Year’s painting.

Today, Little Dumpling was simply overjoyed!

Not only had his father and mother returned, but his mother really was bringing his little sister home. Earlier, Lord Fu had said his father was lying and there wouldn’t be a little sister, which made Little Dumpling sad for a long time.

Serena patiently answered Little Dumpling’s questions again and again. When he got tired from running around, she pulled him close and wiped his sweat with a handkerchief.

Little Dumpling’s cheeks were rosy as he enjoyed Serena’s care, but soon he grew restless and squirmed. He complained, "Mama... Dad said you have a little sister in your tummy, so I can’t let you carry me anymore. If you get tired, he’ll spank me."

As he spoke, Little Dumpling’s big eyes sparkled mischievously...

"You little rascal, are you tattling on your dad?" Serena tapped Little Dumpling’s nose. "Clever boy, always full of tricks. Be careful, or your dad will spank you. And he hasn’t even dealt with you for smashing the Imperial Jade Seal yet."

"Ah..." Little Dumpling’s eyes widened in alarm. He stopped his mischief, clung pitifully to Serena’s sleeve, and anxiously asked, "Mama, is Dad really going to spank me? Mama, I was wrong, I’ll never break the Jade Seal again. Please ask Dad not to spank me, okay? I’m scared of pain."

"You’re afraid of pain, but isn’t the Jade Seal afraid of pain too? Did you ever think about that when you smashed it?" Serena pinched Little Dumpling’s chubby cheeks. "You’d better apologize properly to your dad. Whatever punishment he gives, you must obey."

"Mama..." Little Dumpling was on the verge of tears, looking fearfully at Serena, hoping she would plead for him. But this time, Serena was determined to let Prince Nolan discipline Little Dumpling—she wouldn’t indulge him...