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ITVCFITB CHAPTER 125
Chapter 125 — Extra: Always By My Side
Watching Chongchong grow up brought Luo Shuyu both joy and frustration.
The joy came from the little moments of family life. The frustration came from being a first-time, all-around father, it was hard work.
Raising a child was bittersweet. Even so, raising Chongchong together with Li Mingjin was still full of happiness. Sometimes, though, they clashed over education. When arguments broke out, they quickly calmed themselves down and analyzed whether their methods were right. The parenting knowledge from the system was useful, but they knew they had to be realistic, adjusting things to suit the times.
And so, stumbling and learning along the way, the two new fathers raised their son.
When Chongchong turned eight, Luo Shuyu and Li Mingjin welcomed their second child, a little brother whom Chongchong had long been waiting for.
This time, Li Mingjin finally got the chance to name a son: Li Chengchen, meaning “precious treasure.” His arrival was eagerly awaited by all, cherished as everyone’s little jewel. His nickname was Bao’er.
On the very first day after Bao’er was born, Chongchong held his tiny, fragile brother with both anticipation and worry.
“He’s so soft,” he whispered.
Still pale from the delivery, Luo Shuyu heard his son’s words and smiled faintly, his boy really was a bit vain about his looks.
Li Mingjin, holding the baby carefully, told Chongchong: “Remember, you promised us that you’ll always protect your brother.”
Chongchong nodded firmly. “He may not be as good-looking as me, but since he’s my brother, of course I’ll protect him. Just like Xiao Mo protects Xiao Bai.”
Li Mingjin chuckled, ruffling Chongchong’s hair with one hand while supporting the newborn with the other. “Give him a few days to grow into his looks, then you can judge if he’s better looking than you.”
Listening to their soft voices, Luo Shuyu finally drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Two children, he was content. Perhaps this was heaven’s gift, a blessing after his rebirth. Through his own effort, he had built a loving family: Li Mingjin by his side, their thoughtful Chongchong, and now little Bao’er. He had no greater wish than for his family to be happy together, always.
In the palace, there were no chaotic harems, no power-hungry maternal clans. Only two precious princes. Without factions to split their loyalties, the ministers threw themselves into governance, and Dayan grew stronger with each passing day.
The Crown Prince
In the seventeenth year of Shunyong, when Li Cheng’an turned eighteen, Li Mingjin appointed his eldest son as Crown Prince.
From then on, Cheng’an could no longer roam freely with his friends, riding horses and playing cuju. He had to follow his father in learning to govern. The pile of memorials on his desk grew higher each day, and he privately suspected his father had named him Crown Prince just so he could offload work.
Watching his younger brother, eight years his junior, being doted on daily by their parents while he toiled over affairs of state, Cheng’an bitterly regretted ever wishing for a sibling.
During his years as Crown Prince, Li Mingjin didn’t idle either. He conquered Great Zhou and annexed it into Dayan’s territory, later incorporating Luo Shuyu’s homeland as well.
Through it all, he took Cheng’an to the battlefield, showing him firsthand how land was won and how much harder it was to maintain peace afterward. Only when Li Mingjin felt Cheng’an had the ability and sense of responsibility to be Crown Prince did he truly let him take charge.
Fortunately, Cheng’an never disappointed. Though playful as a child, he never neglected his studies. With his fathers’ teaching, plus the knowledge left behind by the system, he matured earlier than his peers and understood the workings of the world deeply. He even developed insights of his own, which was exactly what Li Mingjin and Luo Shuyu had hoped for.
Yet, despite all this, Cheng’an found no joy in his position. He had long known that being Crown Prince or Emperor was far from easy. He didn’t want the throne at all.
So, naturally, his eyes turned to his little brother. He often dragged Chengchen along, passing on whatever he learned. But his brother was hopelessly lazy, caring only for martial arts and boats, never for study. It gave Cheng’an endless headaches.
In history, brothers fought each other for the throne. In their family, neither wanted it.
Li Mingjin and Luo Shuyu saw through Cheng’an’s thoughts, but they didn’t mind. In fact, they found it amusing to watch the brothers together.
The Brothers
One day, Chengchen ran into the main hall to escape.
“Papa, Father, can I skip calligraphy today?”
Luo Shuyu was grinding ink for Li Mingjin, who was painting a landscape now that his burdens had lightened. Both looked up at their younger son.
“What now, Bao’er?” Luo Shuyu asked gently.
The boy pouted, his chubby cheeks still carrying traces of baby fat. “Brother made me copy extra pages, even though I already finished my tutor’s homework! Can’t you talk to him? He’s watching me all the time, I don’t even get to play.”
The two fathers exchanged an amused glance but held back their laughter.
They knew exactly what Cheng’an was up to: piling tasks on his brother in hopes of grooming him as a partner in state affairs. Really, it was just his own stress talking.
Li Mingjin set aside his brush and lifted the little one into his lap. “What’s wrong with the characters your brother gave you? Too hard or too many?”
Chengchen shook his head. “Not too many, not too hard. But if I finish, I can’t go out and play.”
Before Li Mingjin could respond, Cheng’an appeared at the door, ready to drag his brother back. “What’s so bad about playing with me?”
Chengchen immediately shrank against Li Mingjin, wailing, “Father, Papa, save me! I don’t want to play chess or write with him. Brother’s a big demon king!”
His cries faded as Cheng’an slung him over his shoulder, bowing politely to his fathers. “I’ll take him. You two can continue painting.”
As the boys disappeared, Luo Shuyu leaned against Li Mingjin’s shoulder, smiling. “Chongchong’s grown up, he knows how to take care of his brother now.”
Li Mingjin shook his head. “Still a bit childish.”
“He’ll manage. He loves Bao’er more than we do,” Luo Shuyu said softly.
It was true. Since the day his brother was born, Cheng’an had doted on him, writing study plans, protecting him fiercely, even carrying him wrapped in blankets onto carriages so he wouldn’t have to wake early. His love sometimes surpassed that of their parents.
And so, when Chengchen came running for help, they could only smile helplessly.
Li Mingjin sighed. “This way, when we’re gone one day, we’ll have no worries.”
Luo Shuyu nodded. “Yes.”
Always Together
The sun outside was warm and bright.
“Want to take a walk?” Li Mingjin asked.
“Mm.” Luo Shuyu agreed.
Hand in hand, they left the palace. They passed by Li Mingjin’s favorite roast pig’s feet stall, now run by the old owner and his son. The old man was heavier, older, but still wore the same smile.
They saw children coming home from school, vendors pushing empty carts, imperial guards on duty, and even dark-skinned traders from overseas. Dayan had become a flourishing empire, connected with the world.
This was the prosperity they had promised their people.
After wandering the city, Li Mingjin brought Luo Shuyu up onto the city walls. Together, they watched the sunset sink like golden yolk into the horizon.
He squeezed Luo Shuyu’s hand. “Yu’er, thank you… for always being with me.”
Luo Shuyu turned to him, eyes soft, and smiled. “And thank you… for always being with me.”
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