I Am Your Father

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang's face instantly flushed crimson.

He actually knelt, kneeling before Xiao Qianyu in front of so many people.

Xiao Qianyu was also taken aback. He slowly withdrew his foot and said with a serious expression, "It's good that the Heir knows his offense, but there's no need for such a grand gesture. Get up."

Prince Gong secretly praised him, His Highness the Crown Prince, well done!

Prince Jiujiang's Estate harbored disloyal intentions toward the imperial court, and Prince Gong had long found them an eyesore. Seeing the Heir of Prince Jiujiang put in such a difficult position made him inwardly delighted.

He smilingly pulled up the Heir of Prince Jiujiang and said, with hidden barbs, "Xiao Jing, you're not young anymore. You can't be so unruly and shout about fighting and killing in front of the Crown Prince. It damages the reputation of Prince Jiujiang's Estate."

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang stood up smoothly, but his heart felt like it was burning with a fire, scorching his face until it was purple and making his head swim.

Although to outsiders, His Highness the Crown Prince was incomparably noble, and it was fitting for him, the Heir of Prince Jiujiang, to kneel, he himself knew that Xiao Qianyu was not some Crown Prince, but his son. He was Xiao Qianyu's father.

There was no father in the world who knelt to his son; it was a complete inversion of order.

What would his advisors and subordinates who knew the truth think of him?

How would the world view him once the truth was revealed? A father who knelt humbly to his son, where would he even put his face?

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang clenched his fists. It took all his composure and willpower to suppress the surging anger. He forced a smile as if nothing had happened and said, "It was this subject's impropriety that offended His Highness the Crown Prince. I hope the Crown Prince will not take offense!"

He already harbored unspeakable ambitions in his heart. At this moment, his feelings towards Xiao Qianyu, a son he had never raised, were filled with cracks and burgeoning murderous intent. There was no longer any father-son affection between them, only cold calculation.

Xiao Qianyu, not wanting the first meeting with his villainous father to be so awkward, still wanted to try and unite with him. He said gently, "The Heir offending me is a small matter, and I will not take it to heart. However, the Heir's Consort suffered misfortune for no reason, and His Father Emperor still pities and regrets it, bestowing rewards as compensation. For the Heir to not show care and comfort, but instead resort to violence, truly disappoints me."

He sighed, hands behind his back, "Laying hands on one's wife is hardly the mark of a good man. The Heir needs to reflect on himself."

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang glanced at the Heir's Consort with a half-smile, his eyes dark and cold, but he said, "The Crown Prince speaks wisely. This subject has learned his lesson. Madam Liu, since you have returned, we can discuss matters back at the estate. Don't embarrass yourself here."

Madam Liu was such a fool, asking him for 'their child' and not even realizing her own biological son was standing beside her. She was truly irredeemably stupid.

The Heir's Consort, Liu Wanning, had been frightened by the Heir of Prince Jiujiang's ferocity. She bit her lip helplessly, then her expression became firm.

Even if it meant death, she had to find out the whereabouts of her son. They had been separated for twenty years. She wanted to see him alive or his body if he was dead. Xiao Jing had to give her an answer.

"Then let's return to the estate," she stated decisively.

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang looked at her with some surprise. This weak and foolish woman seemed different somehow.

He glanced at her only once before looking away. If Liu Wanning were not Xiao Qianyu's birth mother, she would have no value in continuing to live.

The Heir of Prince Jiujiang then moved aside, "Crown Prince, Uncle Gong, please come in for a cup of tea."

Xiao Qianyu nodded readily.

Prince Gong was extremely reluctant. In his opinion, they should have delivered the person and left after presenting the imperial edict.

But Xiao Qianyu had said that due to imperial matters, the Heir of Prince Jiujiang and his wife had almost broken off their relationship. To resolve their misunderstandings and help them reconcile, he had an obligation to stay and mediate.

Better to tear down ten temples than ruin one marriage!

Prince Gong sighed that Xiao Qianyu hadn't changed at all—always showing useless kindness in the strangest of places. He could only go along with him.

Thus, the group entered Prince Jiujiang's Estate.

Prince Gong took out the imperial edict again and read it aloud. The Heir of Prince Jiujiang accepted it with both hands. What he was thinking was unknown, but he said aloud, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. This subject accepts the decree."

He handed the imperial edict to the eunuch to be enshrined. Turning to the Heir's Consort, Madam Liu, he said, "Madam Liu, you have suffered. I misunderstood you previously. With the Crown Prince here, we will discuss our matters later. You should go wash up and rest for a while, allowing me to entertain His Highness the Crown Prince and Uncle Gong."

Liu Wanning felt anxious, wishing she could force the Heir of Prince Jiujiang to reveal her son's whereabouts immediately. However, with male guests present, her upbringing did not allow her to cause a scene in front of them.

Fine. She nodded coldly, "Since that is the case, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Gong, please excuse me."

Xiao Jing wouldn't think he could fool her. This time, she would absolutely not let it go.

Watching Madam Liu leave, the Heir of Prince Jiujiang put on a smile, "This subject has prepared a banquet in the back garden. Your Highness the Crown Prince, Uncle Gong, please."

Xiao Qianyu nodded, "Alright."

Prince Gong was worried about leaving the Crown Prince alone, so he had no choice but to accompany him.

As they reached the entrance of the back courtyard, a steward rushed over to report that someone from Prince Gong's Estate was looking for him, saying there was an urgent matter at the estate that required Prince Gong's immediate return.