At night, Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe were dining when Xiao Junshu stormed in furiously. His anger visibly subsided as his gaze fell upon Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe’s eyes briefly swept over Xiao Huayong, as if she hadn’t noticed Xiao Junshu’s agitation, and she said gently, “Jinyuer, would you like to join us for the meal?”
Xiao Junshu bowed to Shen Xihe, hesitated for a moment, then offered a perfunctory bow to Xiao Huayong before saying, “Mother, I have already eaten. I have something to discuss with Father and will wait in the main hall.”
Xiao Huayong replied, “Return to the Diligence Hall. After I finish eating, I will come find you.”
Thinking that he still had some memorials left to review, Xiao Junshu gave a reserved acknowledgment and left.
“Is this what you call acceptance?” Shen Xihe asked leisurely.
“It still needs a bit more refinement,” Xiao Huayong said as he picked up food with his chopsticks. It had been a long time since he had tasted Shen Xihe’s cooking.
Shen Xihe smiled and nodded. After the meal, she watched Xiao Huayong’s figure disappear into the distance.
The maple leaves rustled as a figure rushed into Shen Xihe’s arms—it was Short Life, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.
Short Life looked much older. His lifespan had never been long, and after eight years apart, he had lost his former agility.
Shen Xihe held him in her arms and turned back into the house.
Standing at the entrance to Xiao Junshu’s bedchamber, Xiao Huayong took a palace lantern from Tian Yuan, signaling for everyone to remain outside before stepping in.
The lights in the bedchamber had just been extinguished, likely because Xiao Junshu knew he was coming and had deliberately put them out.
Still so childish, he thought.
Shaking his head with a smile, Xiao Huayong gripped the long handle of the ruyi-patterned lantern and found Xiao Junshu sitting on the threshold between the inner and outer chambers.
Seeing him, Xiao Junshu turned his face away.
Xiao Huayong stood before him, watching him silently for a while. Neither spoke immediately. Finally, Xiao Huayong placed the lantern on a tall rosewood stand in front of Xiao Junshu and sat down beside him.
Xiao Junshu deliberately shifted away, leaning to one side, exuding an aura of “stay away from me.”
“You said you had something to discuss with me. I’m here, yet you remain silent,” Xiao Huayong said softly.
“How dare you assign my officials? I am the emperor!” Xiao Junshu retorted angrily.
To this, Xiao Huayong replied calmly, “I am your father.”
“You—” Xiao Junshu grew even angrier, the hurtful words already on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back.
“To restrain oneself and curb impatience in the heat of anger,” Xiao Huayong said, pleased. Xiao Junshu was even more exceptional than he had imagined.
After all, how many adults, whether men or women, could control their words and actions when enraged?
“Hmph!” Xiao Junshu snorted loudly.
“I punished them because of you,” Xiao Huayong said, turning his head slightly, his gentle gaze resting on Xiao Junshu’s face. “Our bodies, hair, and skin are received from our parents—how can we harm ourselves? You must understand that when a child is hurt, the pain is felt in the parents’ hearts.”
“Would you even care?” Xiao Junshu retorted loudly.
“Yes,” Xiao Huayong stated firmly.
Xiao Junshu’s breath hitched. His father’s eyes, which held a profound brilliance, seemed to possess a captivating power that locked onto his gaze.
“You are the only child of your mother and me, the continuation of our bloodline, and the proof of our mutual affection,” Xiao Huayong said, word by word, clearly, sincerely, and earnestly. “Your joys and sorrows, your every action, can move the hearts of your mother and me.”Xiao Junshu was momentarily stunned, the words that followed becoming a blur. He repeated in a daze, "I am your only child?"
His father and mother had reunited, their love as deep and tender as ever. He had thought...
Seeing through Xiao Junshu’s thoughts at a glance, Xiao Huayong reached out a long arm, pulling him close. Ignoring his struggles, he firmly pressed the boy’s head against his shoulder. "You are right. You are the emperor, and an emperor must not have any blemishes—not even the falsehoods of unofficial histories can begin with your mother and me."
Xiao Junshu understood this. His father had no intention of reclaiming his name or status. He intended to remain by his mother’s side, letting others speculate, without any official recognition.
Back then, Xiao Huayong had faked his death under the guise of saving the emperor, paving half the way for Xiao Junshu’s rise.
Had Xiao Huayong not done so, the previous emperor would never have allowed Xiao Junshu to be born.
Now, if Xiao Huayong were to reclaim his name, he would have to refute the merit of having saved the emperor. Even with their current power and influence, how could they possibly silence every murmuring voice?
Xiao Huayong and Shen Yihe cared little for others’ gossip, but they cared deeply about Xiao Junshu, the emperor, being slandered.
Perhaps for three generations, no one would dare to spread rumors recklessly, but what about after that?
When dynasties changed, those in power, seeking to justify their dishonorable deeds, often resorted to dragging the reputations of their predecessors through the mud to legitimize themselves. The more illustrious a ruler’s achievements, the more potent the evidence against them.
Xiao Junshu’s eyes stung. He blinked and said, "I... I don’t care what others say either!"
That would be a hundred years from now, by which time he would be nothing but bones!
"But your mother and I care," Xiao Huayong said softly.
Xiao Junshu’s small frame trembled. Clenching his fists, he took a deep breath. "You and Mother... you could leave. Go far away."
Leave the imperial city, let the Emperor Mingzong and his consort remain buried in history, change your names, and roam the world freely.
"Do you want to be emperor?" Xiao Huayong did not answer the question but instead fixed his gaze intently on his son.
"Of course I want to be emperor!" Xiao Junshu replied without hesitation.
From the moment he could remember, he had known he was the Son of Heaven. He had studied the ways of a ruler, and his throne had not come easily—it was the result of immense sacrifices and careful planning by his mother and father.
How could he not be emperor?
He had to be emperor!
"Your mother and I may one day leave you, but not now," Xiao Huayong said, gently stroking his son’s head.
"I can do it. I can be a good ruler. I have my uncles, Duke Xie, Fifth Uncle, Minister Cui, Twelfth Uncle, Fourteenth Uncle..." Xiao Junshu listed his most trusted ministers, his voice filled with determination.
"I do not doubt your abilities, nor do I worry that your throne will be unstable without your mother and me," Xiao Huayong said with a light laugh. "It is about the love of a father and mother—no one else can give that to you. And right now, you need your mother and me by your side."
Because you need it, we will give it to you, no matter the cost.
Such is the love of parents for their child.
To wander the world hand in hand with the one you love, traversing magnificent landscapes and witnessing the wonders of life—was this not what Shen Yihe and Xiao Huayong had once dreamed of?
Of course it was. But compared to these dreams, Xiao Junshu held a far more important place in their hearts.
"Father!"The young emperor could no longer hold back and threw himself into his father's warm, broad embrace, clutching tightly at his robes as suppressed tears silently fell one by one.
A gentle, spring-like smile blossomed on Xiao Huayong's face as he held his son in his arms, allowing him to weep freely.
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