Mu Hanxu, having grasped the Emperor’s thoughts, displayed an increasing amount of pain in his eyes. “Father, you speak the truth. If only your son had known this earlier, how wonderful it would have been. Now, your son thinks that even though the person is gone, something must be done to compensate. Your son has one matter he wishes to beg of Father!”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was no longer as displeased with Mu Hanxu as before.
He lowered his head to look at Mu Hanxu, his voice deep but his gaze relatively kind. “What do you desire?”
Mu Hanxu, however, raised his head and directed his gaze towards the wet nurse holding Little Peach: “Your son only hopes to have Little Peach brought back to his side!”
Song Chaoyu knew that this Mu Hanxu absolutely had no good intentions!
The Emperor also looked in Little Peach’s direction, his brows furrowing even deeper.
Mu Hanxu hastily explained, “Your son knows that on the day Jiao’er gave birth, your son truly should not have been so neglectful and left her at Prince Chang’s manor to give birth. Your son has wronged her, and also wronged Little Peach.”
As he spoke, Mu Hanxu covered his chest with his hand, appearing deeply pained. “But Little Peach is, after all, your son’s own flesh and blood! Your son is her father, and from now on, only your son and she will have each other to rely on.”
He even looked up at Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi. “Your son knows that with his current status, he cannot provide the same glory for her as she would have had living in Prince Chang’s manor. But your son is her father; would he harm her? Thinking of her having to endure such pain of separation from her parents from childhood makes your son so heartbroken that he cannot sleep day or night. Therefore, your son implores Father to let Little Peach return to your son’s side. Your son cannot live without her, and she cannot live without your son!”
If Song Chaoyu had not known from the very beginning what kind of person Mu Hanxu was, she might truly have been deceived by his sincere and pained demeanor today.
Indeed, a hint of pity and heartache surfaced in the Emperor’s eyes. “What you say is indeed true. However, you have never taken care of a child before; do you know how to look after Little Peach?”
“Father!”
However, before Mu Hanxu could speak, Mu Changxi pushed his wheelchair forward, interrupting the Emperor. “What does Father mean by that? Has Father not already promised your son that Little Peach would remain in Prince Chang’s manor?”
Mu Hanxu could feign pitifulness, and Mu Changxi was no different. “That day, if your son had not heard Little Peach’s cries, he would not have been able to awaken from such a long and dark nightmare. Little Peach has a connection with your son, and a connection with our Prince Chang’s manor. Father promised your son that Little Peach would stay with your son and A Yu!”
His earnest plea was indeed something the Emperor could not ignore.
Mu Hanxu knew this might be his only chance.
“Brother Prince Chang!”
He then turned to look at Mu Changxi, his distress growing. “I know that you and your wife both dote on Little Peach, and will treat this child very, very well. But she is, after all, my daughter. If she continues to stay in Prince Chang’s manor, how will others speak of us in the future?”
“Moreover—”
He glanced again at the little monkey held by the wet nurse beside him. “You and the Princess of Chang also have your own child now. You will undoubtedly dote on your own child, just as I will surely dote on my own child. Please take pity on me and return Little Peach to me, won’t you?”
The implication behind these words was that Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu might not dote on Little Peach as they would their own child.
It was also saying that the Prince Chang’s manor had “snatched” the child away and refused to return her, and Song Chaoyu began to admire Mu Hanxu’s skill in twisting right and wrong.
Even the Emperor frowned, staring at Mu Hanxu as if deep in thought about the matter.
It was Song Chaoyu, standing beside them, who sighed and drew the Emperor’s attention. “Princess of Chang, what is it? Do you find what Prince Su said to be improper in any way?”
Song Chaoyu merely shook her head. “No, this concubine dares not. It is merely that His Highness the Prince County mentioned my sister, which also brought my sister to this concubine’s mind. My sister was a proud person for half her life, and even at the point of her passing, she only called for this concubine and entrusted some words to her. Sister said that she was willing to let this concubine raise Little Peach. Little Peach is a girl, and moreover, she was born with a deficiency. To have survived is already a great fortune.”
Song Chaoyu was reminding the Emperor not to forget what Mu Hanxu and Song Yanjiao had done.
She continued, “My sister regretted everything when she left this world. But she also knew that it was too late. The harm to Little Peach had already been done, and as a mother, her final kindness was left to Little Peach. She knew that this concubine would definitely take good care of Little Peach. Although this concubine could not give Little Peach a glorious title, this concubine would let Little Peach grow up safe and happy.”
She sighed again, then looked at Mu Hanxu. “Your Highness Prince County, it is truly not that this concubine doubts you. But we all know the many incidents that occurred in your manor. This concubine only wishes to ask, are there any people in your manor now who can take care of Little Peach?”
This question struck at the root of the matter, causing Mu Hanxu to pause, then he opened his mouth and said with little confidence, “Naturally, there are wet nurses in the manor. Moreover, if Little Peach returns, I will certainly prepare everything for her and ensure she does not suffer any grievances in the womb. You can all rest assured of this.”
“Heh—”
Song Chaoyu finally let out a cold laugh, then shrugged slightly. “See, even you yourself know that if Little Peach were to be called back to the manor now, it is possible she might suffer grievances.”
Song Chaoyu, right in front of Mu Hanxu, extended three fingers and made a promise to him. “How about this? This concubine actually knows that you are worried about Little Peach. Today, in front of Father, this concubine also makes a guarantee here. No matter what happens in the future, this concubine and His Highness Prince Chang will certainly not let Little Peach suffer grievances! We will definitely ensure she grows up carefree and lives a happy life in our Prince Chang’s manor.”
Song Chaoyu’s guarantee left Mu Hanxu speechless for a moment.
Even the Emperor nodded, seemingly very approving of Song Chaoyu’s assurance.
He said to Mu Hanxu, “朕 believes that the Princess of Chang’s words are not without reason.”
Mu Changxi chimed in, “Yes, Father. In fact, Little Peach has been living with your son for so long now, and your son has developed feelings for her. Your son will certainly treat her as his own daughter. Besides, the child is so young; moving her back and forth might not be appropriate.”
She even looked at Song Chaoyu with a smile. “If Little Peach were to be moved again now, I fear A Yu would cry for an entire day and be reluctant to part with her! Father, please do not cause us to be separated from our flesh and blood. In the future, when the two children grow up, our little monkey will be able to protect Little Peach. Father, think of the scene of grandchildren surrounding you; isn’t that just perfect?”
Mu Changxi’s words made the Emperor’s lips curl involuntarily, and his heart became pleased.
Ultimately, seeing that Mu Hanxu still wanted to speak, the Emperor waved his hand at him. “Enough, Su’er, say no more. What Chang’er and the Princess of Chang have said is also true; Little Peach is still so young, it is truly not suitable to move her back and forth. If you miss your child, go to Prince Chang’s manor to see her. I believe they will not refuse you entry, will they?”
Mu Hanxu lowered his head, his hands at his sides clenched into fists, yet he dared not say more.
The Emperor then patted Mu Hanxu’s shoulder. “In the future, you will have a legitimate consort and your own children.朕 hopes that your lives will be good.朕 also hopes that your future legitimate consort will be a learned and sensible person. But朕 more importantly hopes that Little Peach can be stable now, and朕 hopes you can understand朕’s intentions. But rest assured,朕 promises you, at any time, Little Peach is still your child, Mu Hanxu.”
With the Emperor saying this, if Mu Hanxu were to persist in his own ideas, it would truly be excessive.
Mu Hanxu did not care about Little Peach’s situation; he was afraid of the Emperor’s anger.
Therefore, he finally nodded, conceding defeat. “Your son understands Father’s intentions. Your son thanks Father.”