Rain awoke. As he sat up, this time less difficulty, he reconfirmed the fact that he was not dreaming. He'd never had a dream this vivid anyways.
Looking around at the room once again, his mother who was sleeping on the bed, also woke up. Rain assumed this was not a coincidence and rather because she could sense him. He knew the basics of what he assumed was similar cultivation from novels, so he wouldn't be surprised if she had some control over her sleep.
Something he hadn't noticed, was what she looked like. He had been a bit consumed in making sure she thought he was asleep or just an existential crisis at the time when they had been together. She stood as tall for a woman, with large breasts and long legs. She was clad in robes and blankets currently, but he could see her vibrant blonde hair that stretched out behind her.
All in all, she was quite beautiful. He assumed she was a concubine to someone powerful. He reached this conclusion due to a few factors. First, his bullshit novel knowledge that told him beauties were often concubines to kings or powerful people. Second, if she was the wife, the king would probably have stopped in. Though it's possible that he is just busy and conveniently gone for the time Rain has been conscious, he figured concubine was more likely. He'd confirm everything later.
As Rain was immersed in his thoughts, his mother smiled at him. She had sensed him wake up and thought it would be good to have a chat with him. She would have woke up with him anyways, as she wanted to spend time with him, but she felt an explanation was in order to a few things that she had not been planning to tell him until a bit later. However, after being informed by the maid of his little escape, it was clear he was interested in the outside world, and she would rather he have an idea of what he would be facing now that he was interested then be clueless and risk offending the wrong person.
"Rain" she called.
Looking up, Rain responded.
"Yes?"
She paused, a bit startled. Something had changed. He seemed a lot more mature. Before, he would speak in a rather adorable fashion, taking his time as he was still learning. To be honest, she had taught him to read somewhat, but she didn't expect that he would be able to read books at this point. However, she could neither see nor sense anything abnormal and though his way of speaking was a bit odd for a child of his age, it wasn't a bad thing. It was just that the change was drastic. Nevertheless, she decided to ignore it, as long as he was her son, she would support him.
Beckoning him closer, she patted her lap.
Rain was neither a pervert nor a beta. He didn't take a particular comfort in sitting on a woman's lap other than body warmth. She was rather soft and warm so he just viewed her as a pillow. He also really didn't understand what was embarrassing about it. Especially in his new body.
Rain sat on her lap, laying his head against her chest.
"Honey, I heard you went outside the room to the library yesterday. Can you tell me what that was about?"
"Yes mother, I was trying to learn."
Rain's mother stiffened at his words. Not about trying to learn, but something else.
'Mother'
In the past, she had him call her mommy. This further confirmed to her that he had changed. She didn't know what had influenced him, but she didn't really like this particular change.
"Mother? When did that change? Call me mommy."
"But mother."
"Mommy."
"Mother."
"Mommy."
"No."
"Mo- wait what?"
"I refuse. Their is nothing you can do. I deem you mother, not mo-*Gag*... that word."
She was shocked. She had never been explicitly been told no by her son. He had always been willing to please her, but as she looked in his eyes, she could tell their was no changing his mind.
*Sigh*"When did you grow up? You're only 2 years old yet you're already telling your mother no."
Disheartened by his change in attitude and her new change in title, she continued:
"And here I thought I would sate your curiosity..."
She looked down, hoping to get a reaction.
And react Rain did. His eyes snapped up as he looked at her questioningly.
"I just had some questions. I was thinking about how I never see dad and thought the library might help."
Rain made sure to say this in a sweet voice, making him gag internally, but he felt it was necessary. He had already acted too out of character. He also decided it was worth it to take the risk of acting on the assumption of his mother being a concubine.
Thankfully, it seems the risk paid off. A slightly regretful and sad, then hopeful expression, passed across her face.
"Oh honey no. Thank you so much for thinking of your father, but you have to understand he's a very busy man. He's the king of one of the nations that rule the First Heaven and part of the five great families. He's also one of the strongest people on the continent. It's not that he doesn't love you... or me."
She muttered the last part, but the message, both hidden and not, was apparent. She was still holding out hope that king cared for her, though it seems that hope was futile. Him being a king wasn't surprising, I had assumed as much, but his status of being in the top five was a welcome surprise.
Putting on a mask of innocence containing genuine curiosity, Rain looked up towards his mother's distracted face.
"Five kingdoms? Five families?"
Smiling at his innocence, she answered,
"Their are five ruling kingdoms in the First Heaven. Each is headed by a member of one of the five families. The five kingdoms extend their influence solely in the First Heaven while the families extend throughout the Nine Heavens, normally at the head of each due to their power and innate talent. The other people who rule at the top are powerful spirit beasts, dragons, and demons. They also occupy all Nine Heavens, but they hide away in the early Heavens mostly and only show up in public later on."
"Five families are surnamed Mo, Chen, Yang, Wu, and Liu. Your father, and you to an extent, are part of the Mo family. That is why your name is Mo Rain. The Mo family rules over the Northern kingdom. Each family runs each kingdom with the Chen ruling the East, Yang ruling the South, and the Wu ruling the West. The strongest family and kingdom, the Liu family, rules the middle and are known as mediators throughout the Heavens due to their power."
"So the Liu are like the king of kings?" Rain responded in a purposefully childish voice, though he already understood the basic concepts, he was trying to dismiss suspicion. Besides, clarification was always a good thing. He didn't want to misunderstand.
Seeing his questioning look, Rain's mother smiled.
"That's right, they are generally considered to be the true rulers. They are the most powerful after all. However, don't think that the Mo family or the other kingdoms aren't powerful. The rule over an entire 5th of the 1st Heaven. Their members are among the strongest cultivators in the land."
"Cultivators?"
"Cultivators are really strong. In the Upper Heavens, there are people who are basically gods. But you don't have to worry about that for now. We are a part of the Mo family. You are Mo Rain and I am Mo Jing. We have his name so their is no need to worry. When you reach 13, you'll be able to cultivate and grow strong too. So there is no need to think about that for now."
Saying this Jing's expression saddened a bit.
"That's enough of that talk. It doesn't concern us now."