“Xingchen…”
“Mother…”
Xue Zining hurried forward and picked up the little one, somewhat disbelieving, “Xingchen, is it really you?”
Xue Xingchen waved his little arms, crying his heart out, “Mother, it’s me, it’s me…”
Xue Zining held him in her arms, tears flowing down her face, “I finally found you.”
Xue Xingchen felt his mother’s burning tears, “Mother, it’s all Xingchen’s fault for making you worry.”
Xue Yan, who was tidying up in the room, heard the commotion and came out. Upon seeing Xue Xingchen, she was astonished. She quickly stepped forward, exclaiming with joy, “Little Highness, you’re finally back.”
“Aunt Xue,” Xue Xingchen wiped away his tears, saying happily.
“Little Highness, where did you go? Do you know how hard His Majesty searched for you?”
Xue Xingchen recounted his experiences one by one. During the crucial moments, Xue Zining shed tears of heartache.
Her child was only a little over one year old, yet he had endured such experiences. Other children were enjoying their happy times, while her child was forced to go through these trials.
“Mother, don’t cry…”
Xue Xingchen reached out his small hand to wipe the tears from her face.
She embraced her child, “Xingchen, I will never let you leave again.”
Xue Xingchen nodded, “Mother, Xingchen is fine.”
Holding him, Xue Zining finally asked him about his reason for coming, “What happened to Miss Lin?”
Xue Xingchen said, “Mother, please save Miss Lin. She is being forced by the newly appointed prefect to marry that idiot Yu Fengxi.”
Xue Zining frowned, “Mother knows. Mother will save her.”
“Mother, Sister Lin likes Young Master Yan. Why don’t we pull a trick? It can punish that Yu Fengxi and also allow Sister Lin and Young Master Yan to be together.”
Xue Zining was taken aback and looked at Xue Xingchen, asking, “Is she very good to you?”
Xue Xingchen didn’t understand the meaning of his mother’s question and nodded, “Yes, Sister Lin is very good to me. Without her, I might still be wandering.”
“Miss Shu, Young Master Yan requests your presence,” a voice called from outside the door.
Xue Zining looked at Xue Xingchen and said, “Mother will be back soon.”
Watching Xue Zining leave, Xue Xingchen turned to Xue Yan and asked, “Aunt Xue, is Mother a little unhappy?”
Xue Yan walked over upon hearing this and asked, “How could you tell?”
“I just felt that when I suggested Sister Lin and Young Master Yan be together, Mother’s expression changed. Aunt Xue, tell me, does Mother also like Young Master Yan?” Xue Xingchen asked.
Xue Yan looked at him for a moment before saying, “What if I say yes?”
Xue Xingchen was stunned, “Mother also likes Young Master Yan? Then… then what should we do? Sister Lin also likes Young Master Yan.”
“In your heart, who do you want Young Master Yan to like?” Xue Yan asked.
Xue Xingchen was surprised. Who did he want Young Master Yan to like?
If possible, he wished his mother happiness.
But Sister Lin was also good to him, and he didn’t want Sister Lin to be sad. He was in a dilemma.
“Is it very difficult to choose?” Xue Yan asked.
Xue Xingchen nodded, “On one side is my mother, on the other side is Sister Lin. But Aunt Xue, Mother has Father. She doesn’t need Young Master Yan, but Sister Lin is different. She wouldn’t be able to live without Young Master Yan.”
“Then what if, your father is Young Master Yan?” Xue Yan suddenly asked.
Xue Xingchen fell silent. After a long while, he said, “If Mother is willing, and Sister Lin is also willing…”
“His Majesty will not be willing,” Xue Yan interrupted Xue Xingchen, saying word by word.
Xue Xingchen looked at Aunt Xue, who seemed a little angry. He couldn’t help but ask, “Aunt Xue, did I say something wrong? Please don’t be angry.”
Xue Xingchen was picked up by Xue Yan. “Little Highness, His Majesty vowed to have only one wife for life because of your father. Do you think His Majesty Yun should also be devoted to His Majesty for life?”
Xue Xingchen lowered his gaze and said, “But, the Grand Tutor said that it is normal for men to have three wives and four concubines.”
Xue Yan frowned upon hearing this. What had this Grand Tutor taught the Little Highness? What three wives and four concubines? If His Majesty found out, his position as Grand Tutor would be over.
“Little Highness, according to what you’re saying, if it’s normal for men to have three wives and four concubines, then since His Majesty is currently an Empress, isn’t it also normal to have three husbands and four consorts?”
Xue Xingchen was stunned, “Aunt Xue, can men and women be compared?”
“Why can’t they? Little Highness, are you looking down on women? Are you also looking down on His Majesty?”
Xue Xingchen quickly shook his head, “Aunt Xue, I absolutely don’t mean that. I just…”
“Little Highness, don’t forget, although this world was conquered by your father, there is a saying that conquering a country is easy, but guarding it is difficult. It is even more difficult for His Majesty, being a woman. Others may not understand, but you, as the future Crown Prince, His Majesty’s child, must understand.”
“Aunt Xue, I understand. I won’t think like that anymore. Aunt Xue, tell me, is my father Yan Jin Chao?” Xue Xingchen had been thinking about why Aunt Xue was so opposed to Sister Lin and Young Master Yan being together. There was only one possibility: Yan Jin Chao was his biological father.
Xue Yan looked at Xue Xingchen and said, “Since Little Highness asks, I can only answer yes.”
“Why doesn’t Father recognize me?” Xue Xingchen was even more surprised.
“Little Highness, your father lost his memory. He forgot His Majesty, and even everyone in the capital.”
Xue Xingchen nodded upon hearing this, “This includes me and my sister.”
“Yes,” Xue Yan nodded.
“Aunt Xue, thank you for telling me all this today. Otherwise, I almost made Mother difficult.” Xue Xingchen understood why his mother’s expression had turned unhappy just now.
He was truly too foolish. If his sister were here, she would have understood earlier than him.
“Little Highness, it’s not too late for you to understand now,” Xue Yan said.
“But I already made Mother sad just now,” Xue Xingchen said with great self-reproach.
“His Majesty will not be angry with Little Highness. Little Highness need not blame yourself.”
Xue Xingchen nodded, “I understand, Aunt Xue.”
Xue Zining went to Yan Jin Chao’s study. Looking at the tall, slender figure bathed in silver moonlight by the window, her heart still beat uncontrollably.
“Young Master Yan, did you ask me here for something?” Xue Zining asked.
Yan Jin Chao raised his eyes and saw the exceptionally beautiful face. His gaze, clear as the bottom of a well under the moonlight, enticed him.
“Young Master Yan…” Xue Zining couldn’t help but speak.
Yan Jin Chao came back to his senses and, to alleviate his awkwardness, turned his head, “What are your thoughts on this imperial decree?”
“Someone forged the imperial decree,” Xue Zining said.
“Does His Majesty believe that someone acted intentionally?” Yan Jin Chao asked.
Xue Zining nodded, “Yes, they even imitated my handwriting.”