Bai Nanxi actually wanted to see Queen Luo Manya as a way to slight the Empress.

Or possibly, to relish seeing the other not doing well.

That way, she could feel a bit more balanced psychologically.

But who knew she would suffer one setback after another!

Su Wan looked at that Bai Nanxi’s face, flushed then pale, then pale then flushed.

In the end, she finally couldn’t sit still any longer, finding an excuse to take her leave.

She didn’t even mention to Luo Manya whatever it was about someone she liked.

Of course, Luo Manya didn’t care about that either.

She said to her daughter Ruanruan, "Ruanruan, take your little uncle over there to play."

Gu Ruanruan, the little girl, was very fond of her chubby little uncle.

She nodded, then looked at Su Wan expectantly.

"Grandmother, can I take little uncle with me to play?"

Su Wan was very fond of this little niece, smiling, she nodded, then put her son into the mechanical stroller, instructing the Vermilion Bird to follow them.

"Xiaochen, go play with Ruanruan."

Little Gu Chen didn’t want to leave his mommy since she rarely took him out to play.

But he knew mommy had to talk to someone.

Little Gu Chen actually liked Gu Ruanruan very much too, possibly because of the blood connection.

And since mommy wasn’t far away.

So the little guy nodded and followed Gu Ruanruan to play nearby.

When they passed by the very clean and beautiful swimming pool, Little Gu Chen clapped his hands and said: "Ruanruan, swim swim!"

Vermilion Bird translated on the side: "Little princess, the young master is saying he wants you to swim with him."

Gu Ruanruan reluctantly glanced at the clear water.

Cat ears popped out on top of her head, she shook her head, "Xiaochen, let’s play something else."

Little Gu Chen originally didn’t like swimming either, but he had gotten used to it because of the many times he accompanied his mommy swimming.

Aside from the dog paddle, he had learned many kinds of strokes too.

Then, he fell in love with swimming! Playing in the water!

Aside from mommy and daddy, Ruanruan was now Little Chen’s favorite person.

So he was determined to drag Ruanruan, whom he liked, to swim with him!

Seeing Gu Ruanruan’s refusal, the wolf-eared baby pouted, looking at Gu Ruanruan with a pitiful expression, "Ruanruan, swim swim!"

Gu Ruanruan’s beast transformation form was a Pallas’s cat, and she naturally hated water.

As the Crown Prince, of course, she could swim.

But if she could avoid the water, she’d resolutely do so!

However, seeing Little Gu Chen’s expectant eyes, the little girl bit her lip, and eventually with a resigned attitude said, "Fine, I’ll swim with you!"

Over here, Su Wan was chatting with Empress Luo Manya.

Luo Manya spoke calmly, "Bai Nanxi is actually a distant cousin of His Majesty. It’s true that there were elders who suggested she be betrothed to Zilan."

This sure is a juicy piece of gossip from within the Imperial Family! 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Su Wan was very interested and took a sip of her juice before saying, "His Majesty doesn’t seem like the kind who would obey his elders in matters of marriage."

Luo Manya smiled, "Yes, he refused at the time, but later I asked him why he didn’t get together with Bai Nanxi."

Su Wan’s eyes widened; this was a loaded question!

But seeing that Gu Zilan is still hopping around lively and has even ascended to the throne, he must have navigated his way safely through it.

Su Wan was curious, "And how did His Majesty respond?"

"Zilan said he didn’t like Bai Nanxi. As for why he didn’t like her, does one need a reason not to like someone?"

Su Wan smiled wryly.

That indeed sounded like something the adolescent Gu Zilan would say.

Then, it was Luo Manya’s turn to look at Su Wan curiously, "Little Auntie, why do you also dislike Bai Nanxi? Did she offend you?"

Su Wan: "It’s not really an offense, but anyway, I don’t like her either."

Disliking someone doesn’t really need a reason.

Luo Manya intelligently refrained from asking further, smiling as she said, "I’m growing to like you more and more, Little Auntie."

Su Wan smiled back, "I like you a lot too, both gentle and assertive."

It was Su Wan’s first encounter with Queen Luo Manya who managed to meld the seemingly contradictory qualities of gentleness and assertiveness with crystal clarity.

The two exchanged smiles, each appreciating the other.

At that moment, the sound of splashing water came from nearby, prompting both mothers to lift their heads and look over.

They then noticed the two little ones swimming to and fro in the pool.

Su Wan was not too worried, after all, her son’s swimming was under her own influence.

But Luo Manya was extremely shocked, "Ruanruan has never liked swimming. After she reluctantly learned how to swim, she never went into the water again, the type that refused to swim at all costs!"

Su Wan was startled, recalling Ruanruan’s beast transformation form, and then she looked at the two children who were having a great time in the pool.

She smiled lightly, "It seems the children get along very well. Kinship is indeed a marvelous thing."

"Indeed," concurred Luo Manya.

The two women had someone move the chairs and table to the poolside, where they could chat and keep an eye on the kids.

After a while, Gu Zilan and Gu Jue came over discussing work.

Gu Zilan: "Uncle, has William extracted any information about Lucifer’s whereabouts?"

Gu Jue: "No, he doesn’t know where Lucifer is."

Gu Zilan: "After such tight security, the Star Thief still managed to infiltrate the Interstellar Federation; I wonder if Lucifer could do the same."

After all, sometimes the most dangerous place is the safest one.

Gu Jue: "I’ve already had a reexamination done, and moreover, I’ve informed the security heads on several other planets."

One could say that a dangerous individual like Lucifer would be the greatest security risk wherever he was on any planet.

Gu Zilan nodded, "Also, Uncle, today Duke Bai..."

Before he could finish, the uncle beside him had already quickened his pace and walked away.

Su Wan noticed him as well.

The tall, handsome man, dressed in a smart military uniform, was striding towards her.

In his eyes, there was only her.

For Su Wan, that feeling was incredibly sweet.

It was as if she was his whole world.

Gu Jue had already come over and took his son from Su Wan’s hands, "Isn’t there a vehicle nearby? Why are you still holding him? Are your arms sore?"

"Not sore. Besides, I was just holding Xiaochen to help him get dressed."

"Get dressed?"

"Yes, Xiaochen and Ruanruan went swimming just now."

At that moment, Gu Zilan approached, looking in surprise at his daughter whose hair was still a bit damp, "Ruanruan, don’t you dislike swimming?"

The little girl, toweling off her hair and speaking earnestly in a childlike voice, said, "That depends on who I’m swimming with."

Gu Zilan suddenly didn’t want to ask if he was part of that ’who’.

Gu Jue scooped up his son with one arm and took Su Wan’s hand with the other, "Let’s go home."

Su Wan: "Okay."

After saying goodbye to Gu Zilan’s family, Su Wan’s family of three boarded the aircraft.

On the aircraft, Su Wan brought up Bai Nanxi again.