Transmigration; Married to My Ex-Fiancé's Uncle-Chapter 294; Lu Yuze & Shuyin 6

"Just a little longer," he murmured against her hair, his own exhaustion from the sleepless night catching up with him.

"Mmm," Shuyin agreed sleepily, already half-asleep in his embrace.

Downstairs, Long Chen could wait. The celestial prince had already been patient for two hours, what was another hour or two?

Their eyes drifted closed together, two people who’d nearly lost each other just hours ago, now holding on tight and stealing a few more moments of peace before facing whatever came next.

— — — — —

"Geez! It’s been two hours already. When are they waking up?" Yuyan mumbled as she fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her patience wearing dangerously thin.

She and Chen Xiao had exhausted every distraction available, they’d drawn pictures for her mother, read three storybooks, even taken their showers and changed into fresh clothes. But still, no sign of their parents emerging from the master bedroom.

She couldn’t wait any longer.

"Come on," she said decisively, grabbing Chen Xiao’s hand and pulling him toward the door. "Let’s go check on them."

"Won’t he reprimand us?" Chen Xiao was nervous; he had never done something like this!

" Don’t worry! He can’t do anything about it!" She knew her father particularly very well. He adored her, so, reprimanding was out of question.

They slipped out of her bedroom and headed down the corridor, their footsteps quiet on the polished floors.

"Young Miss... Young Master... where are you two going?" A servant who’d been dusting along the corridor straightened up, concern flickering across her face as she moved to intercept them. The master had given very strict orders about not disturbing...

Yuyan shot her a look that could have melted steel, her twelve-year-old authority brooking no argument. "I’m not patient at all," she declared, marching past the flustered servant without breaking stride.

Before anyone could stop her, she’d reached the master bedroom door. She pressed her small finger against the biometric scanner, her father had added her fingerprint years ago for emergencies, and the lock clicked open.

She pushed the door open and barged right in, Chen Xiao trailing nervously behind her. She didn’t care what state she might find them in. Her mother was sick, and she needed to see for herself that she was okay.

Fortunately, the master bedroom was designed with privacy in mind, a spacious sitting area near the entrance, and the actual sleeping quarters tucked behind an archway with heavy curtains that could be drawn for complete seclusion. The bedroom area was currently hidden behind those drawn curtains.

Yuyan stopped respectfully in the sitting area, not daring to venture further without permission despite her impatience.

"Pa... Ma..." she called out, her voice carrying a mixture of concern and determination. "Are you both okay? It’s already 10:30. Has your fever gone down? Do you need anything?"

There was a moment of silence, then Lu Yuze’s voice emerged from behind the curtains, hoarse from sleep but warm and gentle.

"She’s fine."

"Can I see her?" Yuyan asked immediately, taking a step closer but still maintaining her distance.

There was a pause, then: "Okay."

That was all the permission Yuyan needed. She grabbed Chen Xiao’s hand again and rushed over to the curtained sleeping area, carefully pulling back the heavy fabric just enough to peek inside.

The sight that greeted her made her heart clench with relief and worry in equal measure. Her new mother lay in the massive bed, looking pale and exhausted, her dark hair spread across the pillow. Her father was beside her, one arm wrapped protectively around her waist, his own face showing the weariness of a sleepless night.

"Mama..." Yuyan whispered softly, leaning over carefully to press a gentle kiss to Shuyin’s forehead, the way her mother always did for her when she was sick.

She also pressed her fingertips to test her temperature and seemed to be okay.

Shuyin’s eyes fluttered open at the touch, and despite her obvious exhaustion, a small smile touched her lips as she gazed at Yuyan.

"I’m fine, sweetheart," she whispered, her voice soft and reassuring despite its weakness. "I just want to sleep for a little while longer, then I’ll wake up properly. But don’t get too close, you might end up catching the fever too. Let your dad accompany you for now, okay?"

"Okay, Mama... get some more rest." Yuyan leaned in to kiss her cheek gently, her eyes glistening with unshed tears of relief. "Let Daddy take care of you first. You need him more than we do..."

She straightened up, tugging Chen Xiao’s sleeve to indicate they should leave. The boy had been standing quietly behind her, his eyes wide as he took in the scene, this family that had welcomed him in, showing care and love so openly.

They turned to go, already heading back toward the sitting area.

"Hey!" Lu Yuze’s voice stopped them, a note of mock indignation in his tone. "You forgot my good morning greetings and kisses!"

Yuyan turned back, guilt flashing across her face. In her worry about her mother, she’d completely overlooked her father.

"Sorry, Papa," she said, rushing back to his side of the bed. She leaned over and kissed his cheek quickly, then his forehead. "Good morning. Are you feeling okay too? You look tired."

"I’m fine, little one," Lu Yuze assured her, catching her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Just keeping your mother company. We’ll be up soon, I promise."

"Okay." Yuyan nodded, satisfied now that she’d properly greeted both parents. "We’ll be in my room if you need us. Come on, Chen Xiao."

The boy gave a small, respectful bow toward the bed, unsure of what else to do, before following Yuyan back through the curtains and out of the bedroom.

As the door clicked shut behind them, Lu Yuze glanced down at Shuyin with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

"That daughter of mine has absolutely no concept of boundaries when she’s worried," he said, though there was fondness in his voice. He dearly loved her and nothing could make him reprimand or hurt her.