119 Promise

Dongfang Qingyu remained relentless, insisting that the baby must recognize the presence of his godfather.

I was speechless, wondering how Dongfang Qingyu intended to make the baby acknowledge him. That little rascal was cunning; ordinary people truly couldn't get the better of him. I couldn't help but let out a long sigh—he was my son, after all, and certainly no slouch.

"Baby, is your godfather good to you?" Dongfang Qingyu asked, picking the child up, fearing he might be tired from walking.

"Yes, Godfather is the best!"

*Smooch.* Another wet kiss landed on his handsome cheek.

"Since you've given Mother a gift, is there one for Godfather, too?"

Dongfang Qingyu, did you really have to be so blunt?

The little one thought for a moment, nodded vigorously, and insisted that Dongfang Qingyu put him down. In a flash, he scampered off and returned with an item.

"You're giving me this?"

"Yes! Don't be polite, Godfather."

The baby shoved the item into Dongfang Qingyu’s hand and immediately ran off to tug at Zhuque’s sleeve, asking for this and that.

I laughed until my stomach ached. In Dongfang Qingyu’s hand was a paper lantern—a little white rabbit.

Suppressing my laughter until I felt I might suffer internal injuries, I walked over to his side and patted his shoulder. "Qingyu, this is a gift from your godson. Keep it safe, keep it safe. Raising a son provides for one's old age, you know... Hahaha!"

Dongfang Qingyu rolled his eyes at me and shoved the rabbit lantern into my hands. Just as he was about to leave, someone called out.

"Customer, you haven't paid for the lantern yet..."

"..."

I simply hugged the lantern and walked off to catch up with the baby, leaving Dongfang Qingyu to pay the bill, caught between anger and amusement.

After a day of outings, the baby was reluctant to leave.

"Mother, can we come again?"

His hand was in mine, but his head kept turning back toward the market.

"Of course, as long as you behave."

"Can Godfather come too?"

"He can."

Only when Dongfang Qingyu confirmed it did the boy’s little hand tighten around his large one. Though still skipping, I noticed him blinking heavily.

"Are you tired? Shall Mother carry you?"

"Okay."

He opened his arms, and as I picked him up, he rested his head on my shoulder.

"My little piggy, you’ve grown quite heavy." The baby was five now; carrying him was becoming a bit of a strain.

I noticed then that my son had already fallen asleep on my shoulder.

"Looks like he really wore himself out today, falling asleep so quickly."

"Give him to me. It's tiring for you to hold him like that."

I intended to refuse, but seeing Dongfang Qingyu’s extended arms, I handed him over.

Unable to ride a horse while holding the baby, Dongfang Qingyu had to share the carriage with me. I took out a small cloak to cover the child in his arms.

"If you're tired, you can lay him down on the carriage seat. You don't have to hold him like that."

"It's fine. He sleeps more comfortably this way."

Watching the baby sleep, my thoughts began to drift.

"He's your son, why can't you get enough of looking at him?" Dongfang Qingyu teased.

"The way he sleeps looks just like..." Realizing what I had said, I paused, sighed, and continued, "He really is so much like him."

Years ago, I was the same—I loved watching him sleep. Even though he was a man, he had long eyelashes, and I loved the sight of him in slumber. My son was growing older, and he was becoming more like his father.

"He is the child’s biological father, of course he looks like him."

"On the carriage ride here, the baby asked me if you were his real father. He asked if his father had abandoned him." When I said this, Dongfang Qingyu was stunned.

"How did you answer him?"

I shook my head. "I didn't want to lie to him and risk distorting his entire life. I told him that it was Mother who left the father. I thought he longed for a father, but he said he didn't have one. He said that whenever anything happened since he was small, it was either his godfather or his uncle—never a father."

"Ziyun, it must hurt to hear that."

"It’s been five years; there's no grudge that cannot be let go. I once naively thought that if something happened to me, I would entrust the baby to Li Yexuan—at least he is the boy's biological father and would treat him well. But I saw Yun Rong at the Maple Leaf Auction; it seems he has another woman now. In the future, there will be others to bear his children. He has more than just the baby, but the baby only has him. I cannot let him suffer any grievances."

"You must not give up on yourself. Besides, you still have me."

"Qingyu, you are the Prince of Northern An; you will have children of your own."

"As long as you are willing, Mufeng will be my son, the future Prince of Northern An."

I was startled by his words, but he didn't appear to be lying.

"His surname is Huangfu, not Li, nor Dongfang. I only want him to be happy for a lifetime. The throne is a shackle, and I don't want to imprison him for that."

Dongfang Qingyu said nothing, his gaze fixed on the baby in his arms.

"Qingyu, you will find someone better."

We sat in the carriage in silence.

If I cannot give him a lifetime, I should not offer empty promises. I, Huangfu Ziyun, do not believe I am worthy of Dongfang Qingyu, so I will not give him false hope.

After returning to Fantian Pavilion, I spent a sleepless night.

The candle on the table was still burning, so I got out of bed and took up the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

As the brush touched the paper, I wrote a letter, sealed it by hand, and placed it in a brocade box.

In the morning, I summoned Afu.

"Has the Princess been awake all night?" She could tell by the undisturbed bed.

"Afu, there is a brocade box here. This is the key. Keep it safe. If something happens to me, open it and give it to whom it belongs."

"Don't say such things! Why would anything happen to the Princess?" Afu muttered as she took the box and the key.

"It is merely a precaution. Just keep it."

"Is the Princess hiding something from me again?"

"What could I possibly hide from you? Go and prepare breakfast; the baby will be hungry soon."

"Very well."

Watching Afu walk away, I felt a sudden sense of dread. Why was Afu still so childlike?

Gu Teng was recovering day by day, and Zijun had become more composed, though I no longer heard him mention Xu Xun from Maple Leaf City. I had once asked him why he didn't go find her. He said that if he failed, she would surely forget him over time, marry someone else, and live her life without ever knowing his feelings. If he won, he would simply marry her with all the pageantry befitting a queen.

I patted his shoulder and said, "Your insight is profound."

A ruler cannot have too many personal attachments, or they will lose. Only when one holds the world in the palm of one's hand can one dote on whom they please.

The Way of the Monarch cannot be explained in a few words. I had read almost all of my father’s imperial library, and during my idle time on the island, I had written much of it down from memory, which once frightened the men around me. Zijun was young then and hadn't read much, but for five years, he had studied my handwritten copies and learned them thoroughly; his insight was indeed no less than mine. It was a pity that during the palace coup, my father’s library was burned to ashes.

The Murong family was truly ignorant—the knowledge within was worth more than a thousand soldiers. Being a family of military generals, they simply didn't understand.

Everyone was busy with their own affairs. Dongfang Qingyu often had to attend to matters in Northern An. Fortunately, Fantian Pavilion was not far from Northern An. I had tried to persuade him to abandon Yuntian Pavilion, but he wouldn't listen. And so, I hadn't seen him for several days.

In the blink of an eye, I had been in the Central Plains for a long time, yet I could not find a way to enter the politics of the three kingdoms.

Just as I hesitated, an opportunity quietly presented itself.

Emperor Li Zheng of the Yuehua Kingdom was critically ill. The "Jade-Faced Gentleman" had personally emerged from seclusion, yet he lacked one crucial ingredient: a Heavenly Snow Lotus. A decree was issued to recruit the talents of the world to find one.

As fate would have it, Gu Teng possessed a Heavenly Snow Lotus.

I had Gu Teng retrieve it. Gu Teng, Dongfang Qingyu, and Zijun all gathered together.

"Are you certain you want to go?"

"Yes, I must. This is an opportunity, and besides, I have a connection with Li Zheng; I cannot let him die."

"In what capacity will you go?"

"As the Master of Fantian Pavilion."

"I may need to enter and exit the Yuehua imperial palace at any time. All of you, be careful."

"Understood."

That same day, I had news spread that Zitian Pavilion possessed a Heavenly Snow Lotus.

I expected Yuehua to send someone to demand it or invite me to the palace to present it, but I never imagined that the person who would come was Li Yexuan.

"I did not expect the Regent to come personally. Please, enter."

"If I did not come myself, where would the sincerity be?"

How devious you are. You are clearly here to probe Fantian Pavilion.

I sat on the main throne, the Four Envoys standing beside me, and Gu Teng stood to the side, holding the Heavenly Snow Lotus.

"The Ancient Clan?" Li Yexuan clearly recognized Gu Teng.

"Oh? Does the Prince also know of the Ancient Clan? This young man has now joined my Fantian Pavilion as the Master of Lingtian Pavilion."

"No wonder Fantian Pavilion possesses such a sacred object."

I noticed the corner of Gu Teng’s mouth twitch. I imagine he never thought he would see the day when I would speak to Li Yexuan like this.

"Naturally. Is there anything Fantian Pavilion does not possess?"

"I wonder what conditions the Pavilion Master has."

"I have no conditions, other than wanting a promise from the Prince."

"What promise?"

"I will tell you when I have decided. In any case, it will not go against morality. As long as you agree, Fantian will immediately bring the Snow Lotus to the palace to treat His Majesty. Or does the Prince need time to consider?"

"No need to consider. I agree. Let us go."

"The Prince is indeed straightforward."

We walked outside together. Looking at Li Yexuan’s back, I felt a sense of estrangement.

I once dreamed of overlooking the world side-by-side with him, but now, I cannot even bear the thought. Yet, I owe it to Li Yexuan’s betrayal; otherwise, how would I have rediscovered Huangfu Ziyun and regained that steely heart? The Lingyun Kingdom must return to Zijun’s hands. Li Yexuan, if you stand in my way, I will not show mercy.

As for the palace coup all those years ago, whether Li Yexuan was involved or not—that is something I have never been able to uncover...