He sighed and asked Min, "Do you know about your origins?" Straight to the point.

Min was startled, his hands resting on his legs clenched into fists. He quickly glanced at the Emperor and then lowered his gaze, recalling what his mother told him before leaving: "If the Emperor asks, you don’t need to hide anything. Just be honest..." She had said so much, even teaching him how to react, how to answer, how to interact with the Emperor.

At the time, he thought such a scene would surely occur, but not necessarily now.

Mother must have anticipated this kind of situation for this journey, which is why she carefully instructed him before leaving.

He kept his composure and nodded in response, "In response to the Emperor’s question, yes!"

The Emperor saw him calm and composed, nodded secretly, "You don’t need to be nervous. Since you know, let’s speak freely in private." After a pause, he continued, "Do you blame me for sending you away to someone else back then, for not recognizing you all these years?"

Of course, he did. Although in the Marquis Mansion everyone outwardly respected him, he often faced cold stares in private. He knew they mocked him for his unclear background, laughing at his mother, a despised actress... All this was caused by the person before him. How could he not blame him?

He understood his helplessness, he also understood his necessity, but so many years passed without ever visiting him, he even doubted that during these years, he had forgotten about having a son living outside. How could he not resent him?

Min forcefully unclenched his fist, his face displaying sincerity as he shook his head and said, "No, quite the opposite. In my heart, I am full of gratitude. Without you, I wouldn’t exist. The grace of giving life is greater than heaven. I have never harbored resentment, only gratitude."

The Emperor was taken aback, scrutinizing Min, yet he saw his face calm, his lowered eyelids slightly trembling, without any sign of insincerity. He nodded and said, "If you think this way, I am also deeply gratified." He leaned back on the chair, relaxing his emotions, sighed, "That night I always try not to think about, yet it’s hard to forget. Every night, I dream of your mother tragically dying in my arms. Holding you, she cried and begged me to ensure your survival... At that time, I didn’t even know if I could leave alive, let alone carry you. In my dilemma, I had Fourth Master Xiao take you away. Although my heart could not bear it, I had no other choice. Do you understand?"

Even if there was no choice at that time, what about afterwards? Min nodded, "I understand!"

"You don’t understand." The Emperor exhaled, suddenly sitting upright with a steely gaze, recalling the day with lingering hatred: "For me, she gave up the best years, watched her family perish, seeing her loved ones die one by one. For me, she sacrificed her life, leaving you behind, said even if we as husband and wife die, we must continue the lineage for me... In the end, you and I, father and son, live in this world while she never opened her eyes again." He spoke with visible sorrow and self-reproach, "And I couldn’t even collect her body, letting her lie in a pool of blood, gradually fading away!"

Min gazed at him in shock, witnessing the Emperor’s genuine pain on his face, his heart tumultuous, speechless.

Having finished speaking, the Emperor looked at Min: "I haven’t told anyone these things. I tell you because I want you to know your mother has always lived in my heart, unchanged."

Min lowered his head, tears falling, not hiding his sadness, nodding with choked sobs, displaying a child’s helplessness.

"Alright, enough." The Emperor waved his hand, "Let’s not talk about these things anymore."

Min, with tears in his eyes, red-eyed, looked at the Emperor, his lips moved but made no sound, showing expectation.

The Emperor watched him, feeling deeply gratified, saying, "Just a child, isn’t he?" Smiling, he continued, "If you want to call, just call. I am your father, I also want to hear you call me once."

Min did not wipe his tears, looking at him with emotion. Tears falling on his lips, opening his mouth so softly it was almost inaudible, he called out gently, "Father." The tears flowed more fiercely.

The Emperor laughed, his laughter joyful, stood up, walked to Min’s side, comforting his shoulder, saying, "Not bad for being my son." After a pause, he said, "Compared to your brothers, your temperament is most like mine, restrained, composed, intelligent!" After that, he said further, "When I was about your age, I had already left the palace to establish a residence. Behind every person in the residence were different masters, truly loyal to me was only one eunuch by my side. I didn’t dare laugh, cry, or even fear, just like you, hiding all emotions."

He gazed at Min, nodding in approval, "You’ve done well!"

Min also stood up, only reaching the Emperor’s chest in height, looking up shyly at the Emperor, eyes showing desire.

The Emperor grew more delighted, smiling, "Quickly wipe your tears, a man must not cry easily!" Min obediently wiped his tears away, the Emperor nodding, "You’re young, just focus on studying with peace of mind, don’t be afraid, I’m with you!"

"Yes! Son will remember father’s teachings." Min clasped his fists and saluted, full of respect. After leaving the Emperor’s chambers, his expression gradually faded, becoming indifferent.

Mother said he’s the father, blood is thicker than water, but to him, in his heart there is only one father!

"Calculating the time, the Emperor has been traveling for about half a month now." Madam Qian sighed, looking at Xiqiu, "Fortunately, the weather has warmed up in recent days, otherwise I don’t know how cold it would be over there." The further north you go, the colder it gets.

Xiqiu smiled, "Don’t worry, Lord Qian travels often, knows to dress accordingly. Besides, there are people accompanying him."

Madam Qian sighed, "At home, we often bicker, now when he’s not home, the house feels unusually quiet. I don’t eat well or sleep soundly." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Xiqiu pursed her lips and chuckled. Madam Qian replied dissatisfied, "Don’t laugh at me, your relationship with Fourth is even better than ours. You look fine during the day, but who knows how you cry at night under the covers." After speaking, she couldn’t help but laugh, Xiqiu also laughing said, "Yes, every day I’ve been drying my blankets, all soaked by my tears."

Madam Qian laughed heartily, then sighed, "Coming to sit with you really eases the mind. Being stuck at home watching those people around me makes me inexplicably irritable."

"Then come often when you’re free, you’re always welcome."

Madam Qian nodded, took a sip of tea, and asked Xiqiu, "Old Madam Shen went into the palace again yesterday. She’s been going every day for the past couple of days. Although the palace is keeping the Empress’s illness under tight wraps, it doesn’t look optimistic to me."

Xiqiu’s gaze moved, replied, "Just a miscarriage, after some recuperation should be fine, perhaps you’re thinking too seriously."