After the court officials performed the grand ceremony and withdrew, Hua Zhi lowered her gaze and stepped forward to kneel before the Emperor's bed.
The Emperor's complexion was ashen, his entire body leaning on Lai Fu. Though Lai Fu was still unwell, at this moment he stood firm as a rock, bearing the Emperor's weight without the slightest movement.
"I never liked you, and even now I still don't. It was you who drove my prized steed away from me. Yet, in just over a year, you've made Xiao Liu'er so courageous and responsible. I admit you have not tarnished the Hua family's prestige."
Hua Zhi chose not to argue with a dying man, merely bowing her head and silently refuting in her heart: love and familial affection were never mutually exclusive choices—they could coexist. Forcing someone to choose between them only revealed a lack of genuine love.
The Empress Dowager and Little Six, who had been holding their breath, finally relaxed upon hearing these words. Despite past grievances, reconciliation at the end was the best outcome.
But before they could fully exhale in relief, the Emperor continued, "I know everything you've done was to bring the Hua family back, and Xiao Liu'er will surely fulfill this wish for you. But if I leave an edict forbidding the Hua family from returning for life, you may enjoy wealth in the capital while they suffer in the borderlands."
The Empress Dowager opened her mouth to speak, and Little Six stepped forward, but the Emperor slightly raised his hand, his gaze fixed on Hua Zhi.
Hua Zhi sighed inwardly. She wasn't the least bit surprised. Since he disliked her, why would he grant her a happy ending at the last moment? The Emperor's displeasure could haunt you even after he was gone.
Lifting her head, Hua Zhi asked, "What does Your Majesty wish of me?"
A faint smile touched the Emperor's lips. Speaking with clever people was effortless, saving him even a bit of strength. "Xiao Liu'er is only twelve. I demand that you refrain from marrying until after he weds and firmly secures the throne."
"Your Majesty knows my intended is Yan Xi, your twenty-six-year-old nephew."
"I am aware."
"Daring to ask, beyond treating him as the head of the Seven Constellation Bureau and your useful official, have you ever shown him any familial affection?"
The Emperor slightly closed his eyes. "Do you agree or not?"
"I agree," Hua Zhi replied without hesitation or delay. "Xiao Liu'er came to me with nothing, wounded and bleeding. I taught him principles, let him understand the people's hardships, and showed him the vast world beyond the palace. To speak out of turn, he is little different from my own younger brother. I will naturally protect him and assist him to the best of my ability. These things I would do without your demand."
The Emperor said no more, his hand making an almost imperceptible slight wave.
Hua Zhi kowtowed, glanced at Little Six, and silently withdrew.
The hall was left with only the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, Little Six, and the utterly loyal servants Lai Fu and Yu Xiang.
With great effort, the Emperor half-opened his eyes to look at Little Six—this child to whom he had given little care or guidance. Hua Zhi was right; Little Six's growth had little to do with him, his father, and everything to do with Hua Zhi's teaching.
"Do you resent your father?"
Little Six shook his head. "My mother said that whom you favor, whom you dote on, and to whom you show more kindness are your prerogatives. If we demanded your affection, that would be our transgression. I merely lacked your favor; how could there be resentment?"
The Emperor's expression grew distant, as if in a daze he could see Consort Zhen speaking these words to Little Six. Yes, Consort Zhen was truly without ambition, free from desire and greed, unlike that Haoyue...Disgustedly frowning, the emperor looked at his son. "After I depart, the matter regarding Hua Zhi must not be altered. No matter how capable she is, she is still a woman. If she marries early and has her own children, she will not be able to assist you wholeheartedly. Therefore, she must devote all her efforts to helping you secure the throne before she can gain her freedom. Promise me this."
"...Yes, your son obeys the decree."
The emperor, who had slightly raised himself, lay back down. Gazing into the void, he said leisurely, "The first wrong move I made in this life was exiling the Hua family. The second was becoming estranged from Yan Xi. Little Six, I have never taught you much, but let me leave you with this final reminder: remember the bonds of your youth. Even when you reach my age, do not become suspicious of Hua Zhi and Yan Xi. Yan Xi scarred his own face to prove his loyalty to me. If you review the records of what he has done over the years, you will understand. As for Hua Zhi, her family is her weakness. As long as even one member of the Hua family remains in Daqing, she can be of use to you. If you wield these two well, your reign will be more than half secure."
His voice noticeably weakened. Little Six responded with a choked sob. This was his father—even if their bond was thin and they met only a few times a year, he was still his father. Once this man was gone, he would have no parents left.
With this thought, Little Six suddenly felt extremely sorrowful. He did not want to scheme against those around him like his father had. He wished he could still interact with his teacher as before, hoped that Brother Yan Xi would remain the quiet but steadfast supporter, and that Berlin would still be willing to share a bed with him, the two of them pushing each other forward in their studies, neither wanting to fall behind.
He wished none of this would change, yet he knew it all would.
Because he was no longer Little Six. From today onward, he would no longer be.
Kneeling on the ground, Little Six realized with sadness that what he feared losing far outweighed what he had gained. The warmth and affection he cherished were things he never wanted to lose in his lifetime.
"Mother."
The Empress Dowager stepped forward and sat at the edge of the couch, grasping her son's hand as she said hoarsely, "Do not worry. I am here."
"Mother, your son is unfilial, causing you distress and sorrow even at the end."
"You..." The Empress Dowager turned away, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes.
The emperor's vision blurred, and he knew his time was near. With regret, he said, "It is a pity I could not see Yan Xi one last time. I have failed him. Mother, please relay a message to him on my behalf: ask him to endure three more years of hardship. After three years, Little Six will be old enough to marry. By then, the world will be vast—he may go wherever he wishes. Half the contents of my private treasury shall be given to him. Little Six, promise me this."
"Yes, your son will remember."
"Good, good..." The emperor strained to open his eyes, as if seeing once more that bold, bright-eyed child who had clung to his leg and called out "Father" so clearly. Such intimacy was something he had never experienced before. Only that boy, even after realizing he had mistaken his identity, had dared to reach out and ask to be held. It was the first time he had held a child, yet it was his own nephew.
How could there have been no affection? From the time he was small enough to climb onto his knees, their uncle-nephew bond had spanned over twenty years. It was he who had hurt Yan Xi. If he had granted Yan Xi's wish regarding Hua Zhi back then, would Yan Xi still have trusted him? If he had not listened to Haoyue's instigation, if he had not summoned Hua Zhi to the palace on New Year's Eve, would everything have been different?
Alas, he had taken one wrong step, and then every step after had been wrong.Before losing all consciousness, the emperor thought: I can no longer do anything more for you. Let these three years of mine be exchanged for your lifetime of freedom—far from these endless disputes. Go live the life you’ve always wanted with the one you love. Your uncle only wishes you safety, happiness, and a family blessed with children and grandchildren…
P.S.: Dear readers, lend me your imagination.
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