He was a failure as a husband, choosing to head north at the outbreak of war, leaving Yan Xiao Han alone to manage the situation in Jiangnan, and ultimately forcing Yan Xiao Han to clean up his mess and be exiled from the central government to this dangerous frontline…
The Northern Yan army’s duty was to protect their home and country, but he was about to destroy his own family.
“No one forced me, I came to find you myself. I’ve been waiting for seven years and don’t want to wait for anyone’s favor anymore.” Yan Xiaohan lowered his head and kissed his temple. “Jing Yuan, I am your husband, not your burden, so don’t be distant with me—if there’s a next time, I’ll really get angry.”
In the black night, there was only endless silence.
“But… Meng Gui,” after a long silence, Fu Shen pulled his hand and placed it on his chest, speaking in a hoarse voice, “I can’t even take care of my own family. What face do I have to claim ‘loyalty’ or talk about restoring the country and defending the homeland? Isn’t that all just a joke?”
Yan Xiaohan closed his eyes in frustration and took a deep breath, thinking that this matter would not be resolved tonight.
Fu Shen’s sense of guilt was too heavy. A year of separation was like poison, and with the empress’s catalyst, under multiple influences, this guilt was finally cooked into a heart demon.
“Fine, if you insist on making yourself unhappy, I’ll fulfill your wish.”
Yan Xiaohan said straightforwardly, “You, as an elder brother, failed to take care of your sister and should be punished. I’m two years older than you, and you once called me ‘brother’. This past year, I’ve been busy establishing a new dynasty and haven’t come north to find you. So, as an older brother, shouldn’t I also be punished?”
Yan Xiaohan’s question was truly tricky. No matter how Fu Shen answered, it would be equivalent to admitting he was the “older brother”. If he didn’t answer, Yan Xiaohan would take it as a default, and he would be completely at a disadvantage. Talking about “punishment” would likely end up with various unconventional methods.
