126 The Child Is Not Yours

On the day of the twelfth slaughter, Dongfang Qingyu gave a harsh punishment, sparing no one—not even the innocent Four Envoys. They all suffered under his stern reprimand and later came to me to plead for forgiveness. Seeing they had been chastised enough, and since I bore greater responsibility, I decided not to punish them further.

From then on, a saying spread through Fantian Pavilion: when the Yun Tian Pavilion Master loses his temper, it is truly terrifying. It caused widespread unease, though fortunately, I never witnessed Dongfang Qingyu’s full fury. Had I seen that, I shudder to think how it might have shattered his gentle image before the child.

As I suspected, Li Yexuan came calling.

Fantian Pavilion received a formal invitation from the Tanghui Palace. The subordinates had already reported it to me, and I stepped out. I temporarily removed my mask—after all, Li Yexuan already knew my true identity.

Standing tall outside the grand hall of Fantian Pavilion, I watched him ascend the steps with measured strides. Alone, clad in deep crimson robes, his hair partially falling over his forehead and the rest swept high at the nape, his gaze locked onto me above him. His steady pace seemed to declare his resolve as he reached the platform.

Looking into his eyes, no ripple of emotion stirred within me. It was as if the entire world had lost its color, and this man before me seemed insignificant in comparison.

I withdrew my gaze and refused to look at him further.

Soon he stood beside me.

“Whether you are Mufan or Ziyun, you belong to me, Li Yexuan. I thought you were dead. It’s enough that you’re alive.”

I am a sorrowful soul and understood the grief in his eyes. I stepped back two paces, intending to leave, but Li Yexuan grasped my hand.

“Don’t go…”

“Mother…”

Their voices, his and the child’s, rang out simultaneously. I was startled as the child called to me and ran forward. Mechanically, I bent down and lifted him into my arms.

Afu hurried over as well. “Princess, the young master ran so fast, I…” Seeing the unfamiliar man before her, she guessed the truth with near certainty.

“It’s alright. You may go.”

“You’re all sweaty from running so fast. Let mother wipe you down.” I took out a handkerchief, but the child held it back.

“I can wipe myself,” he said, fidgeting with his small hands.

“Ziyun, this child…” Li Yexuan looked at the boy in my arms with a longing and hope I had never seen before.

“Mother, who is this…” the child asked.

“This is Uncle Li.”

“Uncle Li? Why does he look like he’s going to eat me?” The child, frightened, nestled closer to me.

“He doesn’t eat children, right?” I glanced at Li Yexuan; he nodded firmly.

“Your name is Baby? Can I hold you?”

Li Yexuan reached out, but the child clung tightly to my neck, refusing to let go. His small wrists revealed two little golden bells jingling softly.

“Come on, Baby, let Uncle Li hold you.”

The child’s fingers slowly unfurled, and Li Yexuan lifted him carefully. It was likely Li Yexuan’s first time holding a child, judging by his cautious demeanor.

Child, he is truly your father. This delayed embrace is his gift to you. I do not know if you will ever live by his side, so cherish this moment. And if you ever resent me, that is alright.

Perhaps due to blood ties, the child, once resistant, soon warmed to playing with Li Yexuan. I found it difficult to hurry Li Yexuan away as the father and son played together in the back hills.

I went to the kitchen and brought some food. The child’s health had never been robust, likely due to my condition during pregnancy, so I was always attentive to him. After so much play, he must be hungry.

“Baby, come to mother.” Hearing my call, he ran over.

“Here, this is your favorite goat’s milk and pear blossom cake, and some cow’s milk.” I gestured to the side where the little white dog, Milk, had followed me over from his nap.

“Mother, can Baby share some goat’s milk with Milk?”

“It’s alright. I prepared extra. After you finish, you can feed him.”

Li Yexuan’s eyes never left the child, as if he could never get enough.

“Sit down and have some tea,” I invited.

“Alright.”

Just like years ago, I brewed him a cup of tea, though it surely did not taste the same.

Soon, the child cuddled Milk and went to feed him aside.

“Baby is adorable. Is he… mine?” Li Yexuan asked hesitantly.

I shook my head without replying and watched the child play with the puppy not far away.

Suddenly, the child stood and ran off. Dongfang Qingyu had returned, scooped up the child, and Milk trotted after them.

“You’re back,” I said, walking toward Dongfang Qingyu without regard for Li Yexuan behind me.

“Has Baby been troublesome for mother?”

“Baby has been very well-behaved. If father doubts, he can ask mother.”

At the word “father,” I heard the sound of a teacup shattering behind me. Turning, I saw Li Yexuan holding his bleeding hand, shards of broken porcelain scattered at his feet, tea stains marring his robes.

“Uncle Li…” the child’s voice snapped me back; Li Yexuan was hurt.

I glanced at Dongfang Qingyu, who nodded and summoned a servant to bring medicine.

Dongfang Qingyu offered the remedy to Li Yexuan, but he refused.

“It’s just a minor wound, no need to trouble the heir.”

It was far from minor; splinters still embedded in his hand. What was he stubbornly denying?

“I’ll take Baby to get some food…”

“Father, Baby just ate…”

“More is better. Children should eat well and sleep well…”

Dongfang Qingyu found an excuse and took the child away.

“Let me see your hand.” I sat beside Li Yexuan, who slowly extended his hand.

Through a cloth, I removed the splinters. His brow furrowed in pain, but I avoided looking at his face, focusing on dressing the wound. Medicine was applied, and I wrapped it simply with a handkerchief tied in a small bow.

“Go back and have Kong Yulin treat it properly.”

“Who are you now? Northern An’s heir’s wife? Concubine?”

Ignoring Li Yexuan’s rambling, I stood to leave. Suddenly, my wrist was gripped tightly, and I stumbled into an embrace.

“Ziyun, the past was my fault. Don’t stay silent. Baby is mine, isn’t he? Not Dongfang Qingyu’s, right?”

I pushed him away.

“Li Yexuan, I don’t want to speak of the past anymore. You only tried to save me from poison and never forced me. Let’s part amicably. Baby is only four years old—he belongs to Qingyu, not you. He has nothing to do with you. Our family is well. I’m grateful you haven’t disturbed us.”

“I don’t believe it…”

“I didn’t intend for you to know I’m alive, but now that you do, so be it. I came back mainly for my little brother—to reclaim Lingyun Kingdom. I hope the Regent won’t side with our enemies.”

“You came to Yuehua Kingdom just for this? To see Li Zheng?”

“Li Zheng needed help, so I thought to repay his life debt, but I never expected you to discover my identity. Now it’s out in the open.”

“I see.”

“I still have many affairs to attend to at Fantian Pavilion. Your Highness, please take your leave.”

Li Yexuan did not expect me to send him away. He removed the jade pendant from his waist.

“This is the pendant you left behind. Since you’ve returned, take it.”

Without waiting for my consent, he pressed it into my hand and left.

I watched his retreating figure until he vanished entirely.

A metallic taste filled my mouth; blood seeped from my lips. Hastily wiping it away, I saw a hand holding a cloth gently wiping my bloodstains.

“Look at you, already a mother but still like a child.”

“When I leave, tell Baby the truth. He has the right to know who his real father is.”

“Why bother? Just tell him you no longer hate him. Why bear all this alone?”

“No need.”

“Suit yourself. Rest a while.”

Dongfang Qingyu escorted me back to my room. After lying down, the nightmare of that cliff jump from five years ago returned to haunt me even now. I woke in a cold sweat. Reflecting on that day, I was truly frightened. I did not know then there was a little life inside me; otherwise, I would never have jumped.

That night, I hung the jade pendant around Baby’s neck.

“Mother, what’s this?” Baby fiddled with the pendant.

“This is a jade pendant. Uncle Li gave it to you. Keep it safe.”

“Okay.” He tucked it inside his clothes.

“Do you like Uncle Li?” I covered him with the quilt.

“Yes, mother. When will Uncle Li come again? Baby wants to hear his stories…”

My heart jolted. I began to doubt whether letting them meet was the right choice.

“Mother, mother, mother…” Seeing my silence, the little one grew anxious.

“I’m here. I don’t know when Uncle Li will come again. If Uncle Li is father, would Baby still like him?”

“Then Baby would dislike Uncle Li.” His lips pouted.

“Alright, I was joking. Now, say goodnight.”

“Goodnight, mother.”

“Goodnight.”

By candlelight, I watched over Baby through the night. It was my fault, letting him reject his own father so deeply. The guilt weighed heavily, but I could not change the truth I must face.

The next day, when Aunt summoned me, she noticed my weary appearance and asked more questions. Despite Zi Jun’s presence, I confided in her.

She comforted me with a few words; as a woman, perhaps only she could understand my pain.

I had not forgotten the limited time left or the great cause of revival. Since matters with Li Yexuan were settled, the next step was to go to Lingyun Kingdom.

Spies from Yun Tian Pavilion reported that Li Yexuan had spent the entire night alone at the Golden Jade Workshop…