Before the Crown Prince’s gaze fell upon her, she bowed her head with the others to greet him, thus missing the slightly hurried steps the richly dressed youth took towards her upon seeing her.

“Welcome, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

The servants spoke in unison. Liang Ying, unable to speak, only bowed.  Her waist was barely bent when she heard Wei Wenqi’s voice close by.

“Rise.”

His voice was steady yet retained a touch of childishness.

Liang Ying was surprised he had arrived so quickly. As she rose, she saw the youth retract his hand.

“My studies delayed me. I kept Madam waiting, I’m afraid.”

Liang Ying shook her head.

His status was such that she couldn’t afford to keep him waiting.

“Your health is delicate, and the weather is cold. You needn’t have come out to greet me.”

Wei Wenqi continued, his words expressing concern, yet he spoke with deliberate formality.

Liang Ying shook her head, indicating it was unnecessary, and gestured for him to enter.

Her expression was colder than polite. The Crown Prince’s hand clenched in his sleeve, but he said nothing and walked inside.

They were not mother and son, but the Crown Prince and a commoner. She made her position clear.

Therefore, the polite interactions between them lacked the warmth typically seen between mother and son.

For the first three years after leaving the capital, Liang Ying had no intention of returning.  She didn’t lack hatred for this child who shared Wei Yan’s blood; even before leaving, she refused to see him.

Looking back, the change in her attitude was largely due to Zhou Huailin. He brought her a happiness she thought she would never experience again. This happiness gradually smoothed away the resentment and bitterness in her heart, allowing her to re-evaluate the child she had once loved and cherished.

Liang Ying finally let go of her resentment towards him.

Since then, they maintained a distant, once-a-year relationship.

As they entered the house, Liang Ying sensed the Crown Prince’s slightly tilted head and his gaze on her leg.

He was still a child, far more understanding than the inscrutable Wei Yan and Xue Ning. Perhaps he had heard about her recurring leg ailment; his concern was evident.

When the incident happened, the Crown Prince was young, and Liang Ying wasn’t sure how much he remembered.  Out of self-interest, she tried to make her gait appear normal.

The young Crown Prince quickly looked away.

“How long will Madam be staying in the capital this time?” he asked in a formal tone.

Liang Ying hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to ask this. Unable to speak or write, she was considering how to answer when the Crown Prince’s voice came again.

“I understand sign language.”

Surprise flashed in Liang Ying’s eyes, but she slowly raised her hands, hesitantly.  The Crown Prince slowed his pace, leveling with her, and tilted his head to watch her gestures.

“About half a month,” Liang Ying could only give an approximate time. The exact duration depended on Huailin’s work.  Fearing the Crown Prince wouldn’t understand, she gestured slowly.  “I might return before New Year’s Eve.”

The Crown Prince seemed to understand; Liang Ying saw him pause, seemingly muttering, “Before then?”

But that momentary disappointment vanished by the time they sat down.

Servants brought tea and snacks.  As they placed them beside the Crown Prince, Liang Ying noticed his smile. “Madam still remembers my favorite?”

Liang Ying realized that the plate contained sweets from Ruyi Pavilion, the Crown Prince’s favorite. She did remember, but hadn’t specifically prepared them. Now she understood; Huailin must have done so.

She was about to raise her hand to explain but stopped when she saw the joy in the Crown Prince’s eyes.

Liang Ying didn’t intend to build a deep mother-son relationship with the Crown Prince, even though she still cared for him.  But this wasn’t good for the Crown Prince.

No matter the circumstances, she could leave, but the Crown Prince couldn’t. Liang Ying reminded herself of this.

“Your Highness can have more if you like,” she gestured. “I’ll have a servant pack some for you later.  Her Majesty the Empress also likes sweets.”

She intended to suggest that the Crown Prince take some back for the Empress to show filial piety, but the Crown Prince’s expression soured when she mentioned the Empress.

Liang Ying paused, omitting the rest and quickly changing the subject.  The Crown Prince cooperated, avoiding any mention of his nominal mother.

Even without knowing the details, one could see that the relationship between this nominal mother and son wasn’t good.  No wonder the Empress hadn’t mentioned the Crown Prince during their conversation yesterday. Liang Ying felt a strange mix of emotions.

It was an indescribable feeling.

At this moment, she had to admit that she was still selfish. No matter how much she told herself otherwise, a good relationship between the Crown Prince and the Empress would benefit him.

But he was her child, and seeing him happy with someone else didn’t bring her joy.

She knew Wei Yan was still good to him. Although the Crown Prince was under Xue Ning’s name, Wei Yan raised and taught him personally.

Oh well, overthinking wouldn’t help.

They continued their conversation. The Crown Prince understood most of the sign language. Occasionally, Liang Ying saw a confused expression, so she used pen and paper to write.

“Sorry,” Wei Wenqi apologized. “I’m not fluent yet.”

Liang Ying quickly shook her head. She could imagine how much the Crown Prince had to learn.  Learning sign language for her already touched her heart.

They didn’t have many topics to discuss. Liang Ying didn’t pry into the Crown Prince’s daily life, and her answers to his questions were simple.

Yet, in this casual conversation, they unknowingly sat until midday. Liang Ying naturally invited the Crown Prince to dine with them.