HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 851:  Extra Chapter Four - Parental Love

Chapter 851:  Extra Chapter Four – Parental Love

At night, Xiao Huayong was dining with Shen Xihe when Xiao Junzu stormed in angrily. Upon seeing Shen Xihe, he forcibly suppressed the rage on his face.

Shen Xihe’s gaze casually swept over Xiao Huayong, appearing not to notice Xiao Junzu’s agitation. She asked warmly, “Jinyu’er, would you like to join us for dinner?”

Xiao Junzu bowed to Shen Xihe, hesitated for a moment, then perfunctorily bowed to Xiao Huayong before saying, “Mother, I’ve already eaten. I have matters to discuss with Father and will wait in the main hall.”

Xiao Huayong replied, “Return to Qinzheng Hall. I’ll come find you after the meal.”

Thinking of the memorials he had yet to review, Xiao Junzu responded with dignified restraint and left.

“Is this your idea of acceptance?” Shen Xihe asked leisurely.

“It still needs some time,” Xiao Huayong said, using his chopsticks to pick up food. It had been a long time since he’d tasted Shen Xihe’s cooking.

Shen Xihe nodded with a smile. 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 Duanming, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Duanming looked considerably aged. Its lifespan wasn’t long, to begin with, and after eight years apart, it had lost its former agility.

Shen Xihe held it in her arms and turned back into the room.

Standing at the entrance to Xiao Junzu’s sleeping quarters, Xiao Huayong took the palace lantern from Tianyuan and gestured for everyone to remain outside before stepping in.

The lamps in the sleeping quarters had just been extinguished – likely Xiao Junzu knew he was coming and deliberately put them out.

Still so childish indeed.

Shaking his head with a smile, Xiao Huayong held the ruyi-patterned lantern handle and found Xiao Junzu sitting on the threshold between the inner and outer chambers.

Seeing him, Xiao Junzu turned his face away.

Xiao Huayong stood before him, watching him for a while. Neither father nor son spoke immediately. Finally, Xiao Huayong placed the lantern on the long-necked zitan wood stand in front of Xiao Junzu and sat down beside him.

Xiao Junzu deliberately shifted position, leaning to one side, his whole body radiating an aura of “keep away.”

“You said you had matters to discuss with me. I’m here, yet you remain silent,” Xiao Huayong said softly.

“By what right do you assign my officials? I am the Emperor!” Xiao Junzu demanded angrily.

To this, Xiao Huayong calmly replied, “I am your father.”

“You—” Xiao Junzu grew angrier, but the hurtful words that reached his lips were forcibly swallowed back.

“To restrain oneself in great anger – that is admirable,” Xiao Huayong was very pleased. Xiao Junzu was even more exceptional than he had imagined.

It was worth noting how many grown men and women couldn’t control their words and actions when enraged.

“Hmph!” Xiao Junzu snorted heavily.

“I punished them for your sake,” Xiao Huayong turned his head, his gentle gaze falling on Xiao Junzu’s face. “Your body and skin were given by your parents – how could you harm yourself? Know that when children are hurt, parents feel the pain.”

“Do you even feel pain?!” Xiao Junzu retorted loudly.

“I do,” Xiao Huayong answered decisively.

Xiao Junzu’s breath caught. His father’s eyes, deep with hidden radiance, seemed to possess a particularly magnetic force that held his gaze.

“You are the only child of your mother and me, the continuation of our bloodline, proof of our mutual love,” Xiao Huayong spoke each word, sincerely, and seriously. “Your joys and sorrows, your every move, can stir both your mother’s heart and mine.”

Xiao Junzu was stunned, not catching the latter part of the words. He repeated in a daze: “I am your only child?”

His father and mother had reunited, and they were so deeply in love – he had thought…

Seeing through Xiao Junzu’s thoughts at a glance, Xiao Huayong reached out his long arm and embraced him. Ignoring his struggles, he forcefully pressed the boy’s head against his shoulder: “You’re right, you are the Emperor. The Emperor cannot have any blemishes. Even the misconceptions in unofficial histories cannot start with your mother and me.”

Xiao Junzu understood these words. His father had no intention of claiming his rightful status – he planned to let others continue their speculations while remaining nameless and untitled beside his mother.

Years ago, Xiao Huayong had faked his death under the pretext of saving the emperor, thereby paving half the path for Xiao Junzu.

It could be said that if Xiao Huayong hadn’t done this, the previous emperor would never have allowed Xiao Junzu to be born.

Now, if Xiao Huayong were to claim his status, it would overturn the merit of that rescue. Even though they held great power now, how could they silence all the gossip?

Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe didn’t care about others’ discussions, but they cared about their son the Emperor being criticized.

Perhaps for three generations, no one would dare to make wild speculations, but what about after that? With dynastic changes, those who held great power, if they wanted to do something unsavory, would often use ancestors as a fig leaf to legitimize themselves. The more accomplished the monarch, the more convincing the precedent.

Xiao Junzu’s eyes grew moist. He blinked: “I… I don’t care about others’ baseless talk either!”

That would all be matters for a hundred years later when he would be nothing but white bones!

“But your mother and I care,” Xiao Huayong said in a soft voice.

Xiao Junzu’s small frame trembled. He clenched his fingers and took a deep breath: “You and Mother… you could flee far away.”

Leave this imperial city, let Emperor Mingzong and his wife remain buried forever, change your names, and live freely in the world.

“Do you want to be Emperor?” Instead of answering, Xiao Huayong gazed at him intently.

“Of course I want to be Emperor!” Xiao Junzu answered without hesitation.

Since he could remember, he had known he was the Son of Heaven, learning the way of kings. His throne hadn’t come easily – it was schemed and obtained through many sacrifices by his mother and father.

How could he not be Emperor? He must be Emperor!

“Your mother and I may leave you one day, but not now,” Xiao Huayong stroked his son’s head.

“I can, I can be a good ruler. I have Uncle, Duke Xie, Fifth Uncle, Minister Cui, Twelfth Uncle, Fourteenth Uncle…” Xiao Junzu held his breath as he listed his important ministers one by one.

“I neither doubt your ability nor worry that without your mother and me, your throne would be unstable,” Xiao Huayong said with a soft laugh. “Rather, no one else can give you the protection of a father and mother. And you, right now, need our companionship.”

Because you need it, we will give you everything.

This is how parents love their children.

To travel the world hand in hand with one’s beloved, traverse beautiful landscapes, and see all the world’s wonders – wasn’t this what Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong yearned for? Indeed they did, but compared to these things, Xiao Junzu was more important in their hearts.

“Father!”

The young emperor finally threw himself into his father’s warm, broad embrace, clutching his robes tightly as held-back tears fell silently one by one.

Xiao Huayong’s face bloomed with a gentle smile like spring rain as he held his son, letting him cry to his heart’s content.

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