Free Web NovelChapter 1067: Chapter 1057: Step Two (1)
"Your Majesty." Chief Su entered from outside the door: "The First Prince has arrived."
The Emperor paused, holding the brush, and nodded slightly: "Let him in." He put down the brush and leaned back in the chair, looking toward the door.
Chief Su responded and thought about the Emperor’s previous intentions. It was clear he planned to issue an edict, so why summon the First Prince now, unless?
He couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased, suppressing the excitement in his heart. He opened the door and went out, looking at Min, who was wearing mourning clothes and appeared gentle and elegant. A smile crept from his eyes, and he made a gesture of invitation: "Your Highness, please."
Min nodded slightly toward him and was the first to step into Jiaotai Palace.
"This son pays respect to Father Emperor." Min clasped his fists in salute, lowering his eyes without looking around. Chief Su quietly withdrew and closed the palace doors, standing guard outside.
The Emperor’s gaze also fell on this son. Among several children, only Min resembled him the most, both in appearance and conduct, which was prudent and politically astute. It was precisely because of their similarity that he often felt an inexplicable sense of apprehension toward this clever and keenly perceptive son.
Sometimes, knowing too much isn’t always a good thing. Being aware of all the strengths and weaknesses of the other makes decision-making more cautious.
He pointed to a chair beside him: "Sit down." Min obeyed and sat on a chair to the side, waiting for the Emperor to speak without saying a word.
After a moment, the Emperor spoke, but he started a casual conversation, reminiscing about some events from his childhood, how brothers got along, and how the late Emperor handled things. He even mentioned the time they sneaked out of the Imperial Palace and were caught, punished by the late Emperor.
His punishment was the heaviest; he kneeled outside the Imperial Study Room all night, while the other Princes kneeled for less than half an hour before being taken back by their respective mothers’ pleas for mercy. The then Crown Prince didn’t even need to kneel! He was the only one who kneeled outside the Imperial Study Room alone, surrounded by passing eunuchs and female officials, without anyone caring if he was hungry, cold, or thirsty to this day. He still clearly remembers that night; without a moon, he also remembers there were twelve tiles across and six tiles down in front of the Imperial Censor’s Room v.
Min didn’t know why the Emperor brought this up with him but continued to listen earnestly, without extra words or expressions.
The Emperor spoke while watching him, only to see that Min’s face was devoid of any expression, no pity, no sympathy, or resonance from being neglected, making him stop speaking more satisfied!
Min understood that all the Emperor wanted was someone who could listen. He didn’t need his pity or sympathy. He needed him to sit quietly, listen until he finished speaking, and then express the final meaning he wanted to convey.
"Sometimes, I often envy those with protective mother consorts, secretly wishing to trade ten years of life for three years of maternal favor, just three years..." In the palace, having a mother without status sometimes equates to having no mother at all.
Grief showed on Min’s face as he lowered his gaze.
The Emperor raised his eyebrows, sighed, and said: "Do all children have such thoughts?" as if chatting with an ordinary friend.
"Hmm." Min displayed a reminiscent expression, looking longingly at the Emperor: "This son also secretly wished..." appearing a bit embarrassed: "Often wishing, if I could see my mother once, this son is willing to do anything." Finishing with a warm smile: "But that was before; now this son has Father Emperor. This son is willing to trade all my remaining years for Father Emperor’s hundred years of safety and health."
The Emperor laughed, and the conversation between father and son became more harmonious and relaxed. Suddenly, the topic shifted as he asked: "...Do you not wish to return to the Xiao Mansion for a visit? I know Fourth Madam Xiao cares deeply for you."
Finally, the topic arose, and Min felt tension in his heart, raising his guard. On the surface, he casually replied: "No. Though the Xiao Mansion holds all my childhood memories, this son knows that I am ultimately a guest there and do not belong there..."
The Emperor felt guilty towards Min, for not fulfilling his fatherly duties for many years and letting him wander outside. Yet, his apprehension also stemmed from this; a sovereign doesn’t wish for his son, though sharing his surname, to hold allegiance elsewhere. If the kingdom were entrusted to him, wouldn’t Great Zhou eventually be renamed Xiao!
Discussing under minor principles, presumably, no parents in the world would wish to see their child love others more than themselves.
Min, Fourth Master Xiao, and Xiqiu all understood this principle, so they carefully avoided being excessively close or in contact unless necessary.
This matter had revolved in Min’s heart for a long time. He’d been waiting, waiting for the Emperor to ask him about it, waiting for the Emperor to offer him the chance to dispel his concerns.
His eyes reddened as he gazed at the Emperor: "When at the Xiao Mansion, this son was unaware of his real heritage, only feeling that Grand Commander Xiao was strict and distant; hence, Fourth Madam’s care made this son feel warm, but this son always knew she was not my biological mother. In the past, the teacher said, ’Blood is thicker than water,’ and I didn’t understand it then. It wasn’t until returning to the palace with Father Emperor that I truly understood this truth."
Saying this, he subconsciously touched the Jade Pendant left by his birth mother at his waist.
The Emperor had been observing him, and upon seeing this unconscious gesture, he finally believed Min’s words completely, softening his heart a bit, nodding slightly: "Fourth Master Xiao hasn’t read much, yet he has taken on the responsibility of educating and caring for you on my behalf!"
Min did not speak, keeping his head lowered.
"Alright, alright." The Emperor said with a smile: "Let’s not talk about this anymore." He glanced at Min, and smiling toward Chief Chang outside: "Go and invite Fourth Master Xiao, just say I invite him for a meal." Chief Chang responded from outside, and the Emperor turned to Min: "You should stay too, and take this opportunity to thank him properly."
Thank for what? Is it to conclude and thank the past, then completely sever it?
Despite feeling a chill in his heart, Min stood up, responding respectfully: "This son obeys the decree." He replied properly.
Soon, Fourth Master Xiao, dressed in court attire, was called into the Jiaotai Palace. The Emperor smiled and beckoned him over: "Today, there is no need for the etiquette of monarch and subject." He stood up: "Let’s go dine; I am already starving."
"Yes." Fourth Master Xiao’s eyes met Min’s briefly and then parted as the father and son followed the Emperor out of Jiaotai Palace and into the side hall. Chief Su had already led people to set the table with bright yellow silk cloth. The female officials successively brought in dishes, setting the table, while the eunuch appointed to taste the food used silver chopsticks to taste test each dish before serving them to the three.
In front of each person was a wine cup, and the Emperor, in a good mood, raised his cup towards Fourth Master Xiao: "I dare not compare with your drinking capacity. If you find the cup too small, have them bring a bowl for you."
