Sudden news of a son

After a while, Li Haotian asked, "Will Yi'er fall into a coma again in the future?"

Gu Yuanqing said, "I'm not quite sure either. If Your Majesty is worried, you can leave him in North Spring Mountain for the time being. You can consider my suggestion."

Upon hearing this, Li Haotian immediately replied, "Absolutely not."

Gu Yuanqing looked at Li Haotian with some suspicion, then smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I only admire his talent. It would be a great pity if someone else were to teach him. Does Your Majesty think I would covet the treasures on him?"

Li Haotian seemed to notice his own emotional state and said in a calm tone, "Cheng Yi is being groomed by me as the heir apparent of the Great Qian Dynasty. He needs to have lofty ambitions, be knowledgeable about the past and present, know how to use people effectively, and understand the ways of governing the country. It is not enough to simply have profound cultivation."

Gu Yuanqing was even more puzzled; Li Haotian's words seemed more like an explanation to himself.

"Your Majesty is overthinking this. This child is following me in cultivation, and it's not that he can't leave the mountain. He just needs to cultivate with me and lay a solid foundation. At that time, he can return to the palace to learn the ways of governing the country. In this world, cultivation is ultimately the most important thing. Without extraordinary cultivation, how can one subdue the masses and bring peace to the world?"

Li Haotian, "That is not true. When I gained the throne, I was only at the True Martial Sixth Layer. Even within the Imperial Family, there were many who were more powerful than me. So why was it I who obtained this position?"

"Your Majesty's ability to gain the throne is undoubtedly due to your exceptional skills. However, I was only referring to this child's cultivation. If Your Majesty is concerned that I might interfere with his other studies, you can simply send a tutor from North Spring Mountain to teach him." Gu Yuanqing was somewhat amused and exasperated. In truth, he couldn't explain why he was so eager to take this child as his disciple today. Countless people throughout the land wanted to become his students; could it truly be because he recognized the child's talent?

Li Haotian's heart tightened, and he said in a deep voice, "The way of the Emperor is not merely something to be learned, but something to be taught by example and experienced firsthand."

Gu Yuanqing stared at Li Haotian. He could sense Human Heart in North Spring Mountain. Even though Li Haotian was surrounded by Human Dao Aura, it still couldn't block out all his senses. He felt that Li Haotian had something else to hide.

Since becoming Emperor, Li Haotian had never felt such a gaze before. He felt a chill run down his spine, and his face darkened. "Why are you staring at me? Is what I said false?"

Gu Yuanqing smiled slightly, "I just feel that Your Majesty is hiding something from me?"

Li Haotian somewhat angry. "I am the ruler of a country, why should I tell you everything? Gu Yuanqing, although your cultivation is profound, you should not be too presumptuous. Besides, I am Miaoxuan's father. In terms of both sentiment and reason, you are a junior. Don't you think this is going too far?"

Upon hearing that Li Miaoxuan had been brought up, Gu Yuanqing gave an awkward smile and said, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. I was somewhat rude. However, Your Majesty asked Senior Li and the others to leave earlier, saying that you had something to discuss with me. May I ask what you wanted to say?"

Li Haotian snorted coldly, and after a moment he slowly said, "I do have something I want to talk to you about, but before that, you must promise not to force Cheng Yi to stay in the Mountain to cultivate. Otherwise, I have nothing more to say."

Gu Yuanqing was both amused and exasperated, and even more puzzled. How could what he was saying be related to this?

Before Gu Yuanqing could speak, Li Haotian added, "I am Miaoxuan's father. She secretly sent cultivation Secret Manuals to the Mountain, and I did not stop her."

Hearing this, Gu Yuanqing felt helpless. Even if it wasn't his intention, he still felt indebted to her. He said helplessly, "Your Majesty, as the Emperor, why do you always bring up Miaoxuan? Very well, Your Majesty, please speak."

Li Haotian, "A gentleman's word is his bond."

"What is done cannot be taken back."

Hearing this answer, Li Haotian finally felt somewhat relieved and slowly said, "This child is Miaoxuan's son, my own grandson, but his surname is Li."

Gu Yuanqing was stunned by these words. Even though he was Divine Platform Cultivator, these sudden remarks still left him momentarily speechless. Miaoxuan's son? What did that mean?

Li Haotian stood up. "I have said what I needed to say, so I will not disturb your peaceful cultivation in the Mountain any longer. Farewell!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Haotian turned and left, his pace quickening as he even activated his inner energy and used movement True Qi. In the blink of an eye, he was almost out of the courtyard gate.

Gu Yuanqing finally came to his senses and shouted, "Wait!"

Li Haotian didn't even turn around. As soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, he shouted, "Grand Uncle, the matters in the Mountain are settled. Come down the mountain with me."

But as soon as he spoke, his vision blurred and he found himself back in the courtyard, heading towards Gu Yuanqing. He quickly calmed his True Qi and used the Thousand-Kilogram Drop technique to steady himself.

He roared, "I have said what I needed to say, Gu Yuanqing. Do you intend to use your cultivation level to force me to stay here?"

Gu Yuanqing took a deep breath and stared at Li Haotian, saying, "Your Majesty, you must make things clear."

Li Haotian, "What else is there to say? Miaoxuan has only had physical intimacy with you."

Gu Yuanqing's voice trembled slightly. "Does Your Majesty mean that this child is my son?"

Li Haotian, "I have said what I needed to say. How you judge it is your business."

Gu Yuanqing was unable to calm down. He stared at Li Haotian for a long time without saying a word. He thought to himself, "No wonder my heart skipped a beat when I saw this child. I felt an inexplicable liking for him. No wonder I usually don't like children, but I have repeatedly mentioned wanting to take him as my disciple."

It turned out that this child was the Miaoxuan had given birth to for me. For a moment, I was overwhelmed with mixed feelings, both surprised and delighted. Gu Yuanqing couldn't quite explain what I was thinking.

Not far away, Li Haotian turned around and looked towards the Courtyard, then looked up and asked, "Great-great-grandfather, was that Imperial Grandpa calling us just now?"

Li Shi'an smiled slightly, bent down and gently stroked Li Chengyi's head, then picked a withered leaf off his clothes, saying, "It's alright, your Imperial Grandpa still has some things to say. Let's play a little longer. Cheng Yi, do you think this fox is pretty?"

Li Chengyi was squatting on the ground when a snow-white fox sat in front of him, and he stroked the fox's head with his two small hands.

The Little Fox, with its eyes half-closed, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying itself, occasionally tiptoeing to rub its head against Li Chengyi's small hand.

Li Chengyi chuckled, "It's beautiful and very well-behaved, even more lovable than the kittens in the yard. Great-grandfather, may Cheng Yi take it back to the palace?"

Li Shi'an glanced at the fox. As a Dao Fire Cultivator, he could tell that this fox was no ordinary one. The aura emanating from it was comparable to that of Profound Martial Middle Rank Cultivator. If he weren't in North Spring Mountain, where everything was under Gu Yuanqing's control, he wouldn't even dare to let the fox get too close to Li Chengyi.

He smiled and said, "You're too young to keep this fox. Besides, you'll have to ask the owner of this mountain."

Li Chengyi looked up and said, "I can buy him, or I can ask my Imperial Grandpa to bestow other good things upon the owner of this mountain."

Li Shi'an said softly, "Cheng Yi, the master of this Mountain is not someone your Imperial Grandpa can control simply by bestowing something upon him."

Li Chengyi was somewhat puzzled. In his education, he had been taught that everyone in the world had to obey the emperor's orders, and that his Imperial Grandpa, had the final say in all matters.

In the Courtyard.

Seeing that Gu Yuanqing remained silent for a while, Li Haotian said in a deep voice, "The affairs of the court are very busy. I have been gone for half a day and need to return as soon as possible. I will take my leave now."

After speaking, Li Haotian turned and left again without waiting for Gu Yuanqing's reply.

At this moment, Gu Yuanqing said softly, "Your Majesty, in this North Spring Mountain, no one can leave the mountain without my permission. Or rather, even if you reach the vicinity of Fengtian City, I can immediately bring you back to this courtyard with just a thought."

Li Haotian froze, slowly turned around, and said in a deep voice, "Gu Yuanqing, are you perhaps trying to back out?"

Gu Yuanqing took another deep breath, his expression regaining its composure. "Your Majesty, please sit down and let's talk things over slowly."

Li Haotian, "I have said all I need to say. I came here to save Cheng Yi and to inform you of this matter. There is nothing more to discuss. Moreover, as a great Cultivator, since you have made a promise with me, you should keep your word. How can you break your promise?"

Gu Yuanqing smiled slightly, "That's because I didn't know Cheng Yi's identity. Besides, Your Majesty, in your heart, am I, Gu Yuanqing, a gentleman?"

Li Haotian's expression faltered slightly. In his mind, after what had happened, he naturally couldn't consider Gu Yuanqing a gentleman. He coldly said, "I don't concern myself with other matters, but this concerns Cheng Yi. As his father, how can you break your promise regarding his affairs? If he finds out later, how will he view you?"

This time, Gu Yuanqing was outmaneuvered and felt a bit angry. No wonder this old fox insisted that he agree beforehand; he must have been laying the groundwork for this.

Gu Yuanqing did not answer immediately, but instead refilled Li Haotian's teacup with Spirit Water.

"Your Majesty, please sit down and speak slowly. Since Cheng Yi is my son, I cannot simply abandon him. Don't you agree?"

Li Haotian knew that if he didn't make things clear today, Gu Yuanqing would definitely not let him leave. As Emperor, he felt somewhat aggrieved, but facing someone of such cultivation, he could only endure it. He stood there for a moment before slowly coming over and sitting down, coldly saying, "Although you are Cheng Yi's biological father, where were you when Miaoxuan was pregnant for ten months and endured the pain of childbirth? Miaoxuan left after three months, and I raised her single-handedly until now, so her future arrangements are naturally up to me."

Gu Yuanqing's lips twitched. Where was I? Wasn't I imprisoned in the Mountain by you? How could I have known that that night would leave me with a child? Even now, he still felt that it was all a bit unreal.

This was so sudden!

Gu Yuanqing recalled a night and suddenly felt that something had happened. Calculating the dates, could that night have been the day the child was born?

"Your Majesty, there's no need to dwell on the past. However, now that I know this child is my... son, there are some things we must clarify."

Li Haotian's heart tightened, and he said in a deep voice, "Gu Yuanqing, you need to understand this: Miaoxuan was willing to give birth to this child because she was leaving this world. This child is the only bloodline she left me. And the name Li Chengyi was also given by Miaoxuan. So, if you want him to change his surname to Gu, that's impossible. Even if it were to be changed, it would be Miaoxuan herself who changes it. You have no right to do so. Moreover, although you have profound cultivation, you are still just a young man in your twenties. Do you know how to raise a child? Do you know how to cultivate and educate a child?"

Gu Yuanqing fell silent for a moment. He hadn't actually considered changing the child's surname, but considering everything that had happened, it was perfectly normal for the child to have the surname Li. He wasn't from this world, nor had he ever married or had children, and he wasn't particularly attached to a surname. However, thinking that this child was, after all, his own son, he couldn't simply ignore him. He slowly said, "No one is born knowing how to be a parent. I can learn. As for a tutor, I can hire one. Countless people want to come to North Spring Mountain."

Li Haotian continued, "Study? I've heard you also enjoy reading, but you should know that what you learn from books is ultimately superficial. There's a proverb that says, 'You can tell what a child will be like at three, and what they will be like as an adult at seven.' Childhood is crucial to one's entire life. Are you planning to use this child as a test subject? Besides, do you really want this child to grow up like you, living alone in these Mountain?"

Gu Yuanqing said, "Your Majesty, I never said I would leave him in the Mountain forever, but similarly, you can't just leave him in the Imperial Palace forever either."

Forgive my bluntness, but perhaps in your eyes, raising this child to be Emperor is the best choice. However, how unfortunate it is for a person to have their path predetermined from birth. Moreover, Your Majesty, as Emperor, do you know if being an emperor is really that good? If it were, Miaoxuan wouldn't have given up the readily available Imperial Throne and left this world for the sake of her Dao Path."