I Am His Father

The Prince Jiujiang's Heir's face instantly turned bright red.

He had actually knelt. In front of all these people, he had knelt before Xiao Qianyu.

Xiao Qianyu was stunned too. He slowly drew his foot back and said with a perfectly serious expression, "It's good that the Heir knows his fault. There's no need for such a grand gesture. Get up."

Prince Gong silently praised him: His Highness the Crown Prince had done well!

Prince Jiujiang's Estate harbored disloyal intentions toward the court, and Prince Gong had long been sick of them. Seeing the Prince Jiujiang's Heir put in his place filled him with delight.

With a beaming smile, he helped the Heir to his feet and said, his words velvet over steel, "Xiao Jing, you're not a child anymore. You can't behave so wildly in front of the Crown Prince, shouting about killing people. It brings shame on Prince Jiujiang's Estate."

The Prince Jiujiang's Heir rose with the help, but inside, a fire seemed to be burning him. His face turned purple, and his head swam.

In the eyes of outsiders, His Highness the Crown Prince was supremely noble, and it was only right for him, the Prince Jiujiang's Heir, to kneel. But he knew Xiao Qianyu wasn't really the Crown Prince—he was his own son. He was Xiao Qianyu's father.

There was no father under heaven who knelt before his son. This was nothing less than turning the natural order upside down.

What would the retainers and ministers who knew the truth think of him?

And when the truth came to light, what would the world think of him? A father who humbly knelt before his son—where would he put his face?

The Prince Jiujiang's Heir clenched his fists. It took all his restraint and willpower to force down the fury surging within him. He put on a smile as if nothing had happened. "This official lost his composure and offended His Highness the Crown Prince. I beg Your Highness not to take offense!"

He had harbored unspeakable ambitions from the start. Now, toward Xiao Qianyu, the son he had never raised for even a single day, a rift opened in his heart, and murderous intent began to rise. There was no trace of fatherly affection left—only cold calculation.

Xiao Qianyu hadn't expected his first encounter with his villainous father to turn so awkward. He still wanted to bring the man onto his side, so he spoke gently. "Your offense against me is a small matter. I won't take it to heart. But the Heir's Consort suffered a needless ordeal and has my deepest sympathy. Father Emperor felt pity and remorse, and compensated her with a title. Yet instead of comforting and caring for her, you struck out at her. You've truly disappointed me."

He clasped his hands behind his back and sighed. "A man who lays hands on his wife can hardly be called a good husband. You should reflect on yourself, Heir."

The Prince Jiujiang's Heir glanced at the Heir's Consort with a smile that never reached his eyes, his gaze dark and cold. Yet he said, "The Crown Prince speaks truly. This official has been instructed. Madam Liu, now that you've returned, we'll discuss things back at the estate. Don't make a spectacle of yourself here."

Madam Liu really was an idiot. She was still demanding her "child" from him, without even realizing that her own son was standing right beside her. She was hopelessly stupid.

The Heir's Consort, Liu Wanning, had been frightened by the Prince Jiujiang's Heir's ferocity. She bit her lip uncertainly, then her expression turned resolute.

Even if she died, she had to find out where her son was. Mother and son had been separated for twenty years; she had to see him alive or find his corpse. Xiao Jing had to give her an answer.

"Then we'll return to the estate," she said firmly.

The Prince Jiujiang's Heir looked at her in surprise. This weak, foolish woman seemed somehow changed.

He looked at her only once before turning away. If Liu Wanning weren't Xiao Qianyu's birth mother, there would have been no reason to let her live.

The Prince Jiujiang's Heir stepped aside. "Crown Prince, Uncle Prince Gong, please come inside and have some tea."

Xiao Qianyu nodded readily.

Prince Gong looked thoroughly unwilling. In his view, once they had delivered the woman, they could simply leave after handing over the imperial edict.

But Xiao Qianyu said the court had nearly driven the Heir and his wife to break their marriage beyond repair. To resolve their misunderstanding and help them reconcile, he had a duty to stay and mediate.

Better to tear down ten temples than ruin one marriage!

Prince Gong sighed. Xiao Qianyu hadn't changed at all—he still wasted his compassion on all sorts of strange and pointless things. Still, he let him have his way.

The group entered Prince Jiujiang's Estate.

Prince Gong took out the imperial edict and read it aloud again. The Prince Jiujiang's Heir accepted it with both hands. No one knew what he was thinking, but he said, "I thank Your Majesty for your gracious favor. This subject receives the edict."

He handed it to a eunuch to be placed in the shrine, then turned to the Heir's Consort, Liu Wanning. "Madam Liu, you've suffered. I misunderstood you before. With the Crown Prince here, we can discuss our affairs later. Go wash up and rest for a while. I'll see to His Highness the Crown Prince and Uncle Prince Gong."

Liu Wanning was frantic. She wanted to force the Prince Jiujiang's Heir to tell her where her son was right away, but male guests were present, and her upbringing wouldn't allow her to make a scene in front of them.

So be it. She nodded coolly. "In that case, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Gong, please excuse me."

Xiao Jing wouldn't get away with brushing her off. This time, she would not let the matter rest.

After watching Madam Liu leave, the Prince Jiujiang's Heir put on a smile. "I've already arranged a banquet in the rear garden. Your Highness the Crown Prince, Uncle Prince Gong, please."

Xiao Qianyu nodded. "Very well."

Prince Gong didn't trust leaving the Crown Prince alone, so he had no choice but to stay and keep him company.

They had just reached the entrance to the rear courtyard when a steward hurried over with a report. Someone from Prince Gong's Estate had come looking for him, saying there was an urgent matter and Prince Gong had to return at once.