131 A Family

I stood beside my son, refraining from pulling him into my arms. Since he would eventually have to face the world alone, my over-protectiveness would only do him a disservice.

"Mother, he hit me, boo-hoo..." Yun Heng’s son cried to Qiao Ruoqing.

"Mufan, you are nothing but a maid, and your son is no one of noble birth. My son is the only heir of the Yun family..."

Yun Heng tugged at Qiao Ruoqing, signaling her to be silent now that Li Yexuan was present. However, Yun Heng said nothing himself, effectively tacitly approving of her words.

Yun Heng, you know full well that I am Huangfu Zijun, yet you allow this woman to slander me here.

"Mother, Baby is not a bastard."

The child’s words shattered my defenses. He did not throw a tantrum as he usually would; instead, he gripped my hand with his small fingers. His eyes glistened with tears that never fell, his expression identical to the time on the island when he was taunted for being born without a father.

"That's right, Baby is not. Baby has a mother, and he has a father."

The noble Prince Regent knelt before my son, stroking his tear-streaked face. All those who had just been pardoned and stood up now dropped back to their knees—everyone except for me and the child.

This included Qiao Ruoqing and her son, who had spoken so insolently.

Li Yexuan’s robes trailed on the dusty ground. He had always been fastidious about cleanliness, yet he paid no heed to it now.

Many eyes were on me, but I did not kneel.

"Baby, be good. Mother is here, and Father is here too. From now on, Father will also protect Mother, so don't be afraid." Both my son and I saw it: blood was seeping from Li Yexuan’s sleeve. His left hand, which had been nearly crippled years ago saving me, was tucked away. I was suddenly struck by a realization—the carriage had been so close to us, could it be that he had used his own hand to stop it?

"Your hand..."

My son saw it too. He had been clever since he was small and naturally understood what had just happened.

"Father, your hand is bleeding..."

My son’s words made Li Yexuan freeze. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"What did you call me?"

My son stood motionless, father and son staring at one another with matching eyes.

"Could you call me that again?"

"Be good, say it one more time. Say it again, and Father's hand won't hurt anymore," I whispered, gently stroking my son’s head.

"Father..."

Li Yexuan pulled him into his arms, lifting him with one hand.

"Tell everyone to rise. They’ve been kneeling long enough."

"Everyone rise. This is my son, the little Prince of Yuehua..." Li Yexuan smiled with immense joy. He couldn't help but kiss the child’s small face, completely forgetting the provocation from Yun Heng’s son. I saw Qiao Ruoqing frantically shielding her own child, terrified that Li Yexuan would turn his attention to settling scores with her.

"Let me take him; you are hurt," I reached out, but Li Yexuan dodged.

"He is too heavy. I'll carry him."

"Baby is not heavy at all, hmph."

Li Yexuan teased the pouting child.

"Should we return to the Prince’s mansion and have the imperial physician take a look?"

"Let's go to the Imperial Palace."

Along the way, I watched the father and son walking beside me toward the palace, my heart filled with an overwhelming sense of contentment.

Li Zheng had already received word and was actually waiting outside the bedchamber.

"Aunt, it really is you!" Li Zheng excitedly grabbed my hands.

"Quick, call the imperial physician. Your uncle is injured."

"Oh? Right, right!"

The physician arrived and bandaged Li Yexuan, noting that while a bone had been jarred, it was nothing serious.

"Uncle, you’re getting on in years; why be so reckless?" Li Zheng muttered from the side. Li Yexuan shot him a glare. At twenty-four, he was hardly old.

"Uncle, why does this child look so much like you?"

My son looked at Li Zheng with curiosity before running back to Li Yexuan's side.

"Father, does it hurt? Baby will blow on it for you."

With a thud, Li Zheng fell off his chair. Fortunately, it was just a chair in the bedchamber, not the Dragon Throne.

"Father? This child is yours?"

"Why else would I come to the palace in the middle of the night?"

"..."

"Uncle, that’s not very loyal. You haven't been to the palace in days."

"Isn't this me here now?"

"Is Aunt coming too?" Li Zheng looked at me with eyes as clear as they were years ago.

"I have other matters to attend to..."

Li Zheng did not press further. Li Yexuan, sensing my fatigue, led us to his private quarters in the palace.

"Back then, A-Zheng was still young and uneasy when I was away, so he stayed here in the palace," Li Yexuan explained.

"I see."

I held my son’s hand and followed him in.

"Does Baby like it here? You have Father and the Emperor."

"The Emperor? Is that the brother who just called Mother 'Aunt'?"

"That’s right."

"I like it."

I removed my son’s outer coat. Li Yexuan summoned palace servants to bathe him, but I refused; my son’s daily care was handled by A-Fu and me, and he would not be comfortable with strangers.

"Mother has to leave for a while. From now on, Baby will live here with Father, alright?" I felt the palace was much safer than the Prince’s mansion.

"Will Mother come back? Baby doesn't want Father, I want Mother."

I could see a flicker of desolation in Li Yexuan’s eyes.

"I will come back. Tomorrow, Mother will have Aunt Fu and Aunt Ling come to keep you company. Just wait for Mother to return and be a good boy. Listen to Father and the Emperor, okay?"

"Okay." He nodded obediently and buried his face in my chest.

"Then come back soon, Mother."

"I will."

It was a struggle to get him to sleep. He seemed so reluctant to let me go that he held my hand even in his slumber. I gently withdrew, kissed his face, and stepped out.

I closed the door softly and walked away.

"You have raised him very well." For a moment, I felt that Li Yexuan was a man of flesh and blood, willing to carry his son through the streets without reservation and proudly proclaim him to the world.

"He has been sensible since he was small and rarely gave me cause for worry. He is just a bit attached to me."

I did not expect Li Yexuan to pull me into an embrace as I spoke.

He remained silent, burying his head on my shoulder until my shoulder ached, only then pulling away.

"I thought I, Li Yexuan, would never be bound by anyone in this life, yet I never imagined I had been destined to be bound by you since I was young. And now we have a son. Zijun, thank you for giving me a son."

"What is there to thank? He is my son too. When I had lost all hope, it was he who kept me going."

"I'm sorry."

Was Li Yexuan apologizing to me?

"It’s all in the past, isn't it? The child has grown up. Li Yexuan, I don't regret walking this path as Mufan. But I am Huangfu Zijun after all; one must never forget one's roots."

"Must you go?"

"Yes, I must. I leave our son in your care."

We both looked toward the distance. In the dead of night, four shadows descended from the air, completely undetected by the palace guards. Even the guards of the Tanghui Palace noticed them, but Li Yexuan waved them off.

"Greetings, Pavilion Master." The Four Envoys stood before me, bowing respectfully.

"Hmm."

In the darkness, I walked toward the Four Envoys.

"Zijun..." My steps faltered as Li Yexuan called out, but I did not turn back.

"Are you truly leaving?"

"Baby is still young; the title of Little Prince might constrain him..."

"I understand. The Yuehua Kingdom will not be your enemy. My son and I will wait for your return."

"Let's go." With that, I departed, surrounded by the Four Envoys.

My son was more obedient than I had imagined. To accept Li Yexuan overnight—they say a child’s heart is the purest, free of grudges and heavy grievances.

"Pavilion Master, that person is still watching," Vermilion Bird said, looking back and whispering in my ear.

"Ignore him."

Li Yexuan, perhaps I might not return.

Once outside the palace gates, I felt a sudden turn for the worse and clutched my chest.

"Pavilion Master, what is wrong?"

Vermilion Bird, who had been escorting me, panicked when I began to sink. Azure Dragon caught my other arm, preventing me from falling.

"Vermilion Bird, take out the jade bottle and feed me a pill."

"Yes, right away."

After swallowing the small lingzhi pill, our group rested for a moment. To keep Li Yexuan from noticing anything amiss, I had not dared to use the medicine in his presence, forced to endure the pain.

"Pavilion Master, are you alright?" Vermilion Bird handed me a canteen.

"I am fine. Let us proceed."

When I fled alone years ago, I had made it through, and I no longer feared the darkness or the hearts of men. My mind was set on that one great task. I hadn't even brought my child with me; I only wanted to settle things quickly so I would have more time to return and be with him.

Vermilion Bird and Azure Dragon used their lightness skills to carry me, while Black Tortoise and White Tiger guarded our flanks. It is shameful to admit, but I am truly a weak Pavilion Master.

Upon returning to the Fantian Pavilion, I headed straight for the Great Hall. As expected, Aunt and Zijun were still awake; the hall was brightly lit.

"Aunt, Zijun, you haven't rested yet?"

"We were waiting for you."

"Sister, Brother Dongfang has already returned to the Northern Peace Kingdom, and Cousin has gone to the Lingyun Kingdom."

"Good. I have left my son in Li Yexuan’s care."

"Is he capable of that?"

"It is better than leaving him here alone. What about you, Aunt? Will you come with us?"

"Naturally. Though I am getting on in years, there is little in the desert I haven't seen."

"That is good. But you must take care of yourself, Aunt."

"It is enough that you are back. Rest early; tomorrow will be the start of a difficult journey."

"Zijun understands."

After seeing Aunt and my brother off, I did not rest. Instead, I summoned the Four Envoys, the Twelve Killers, as well as A-Fu and A-Ling.

The hall was full of people waiting for my orders.

"The time has come. A-Fu, A-Ling, White Tiger, Black Tortoise—the four of you will head to the Yuehua Imperial Palace tomorrow. Follow Prince Regent Li Yexuan, protect the young master at all times, and remain in constant contact with me."

"Yes, Princess."

"White Tiger and Black Tortoise, we obey."