His last words were: “Everything is my fault, and it has nothing to do with anyone here. Please spare my family.” By calling himself the elder brother, he was begging Xiao An to show familial mercy and protect his family at all costs.
Chapter Eight: Secret (Part 2) (2)
However, Xiao An could no longer control the situation. Except for Xiao Chong’s wife and daughter, who were imprisoned for rebellion, everyone else was executed on the spot.
As an emperor, Xiao An had to do what he had to do!
That very night, Wang Bo sought an audience with Xiao An under the pretext of discussing important matters. After dismissing everyone, Wang Bo risked his life to request Xiao An spare Xiao Chong's wife and daughter.
Xiao An had been thinking of ways to rescue the mother and daughter but couldn't devise a plan. Wang Bo's timely arrival gave him an idea. As the Minister of Justice, Wang Bo could use his official position to execute the plan.
"If you want to save them, you must bear the blame and wander the world forever. Are you willing?" Xiao An asked.
Although Wang Bo had always maintained neutrality in court, he was close friends with Xiao Chong and felt that fame and fortune were unimportant. He immediately agreed.
After leaving, Wang Bo immediately used the pretext of the emperor personally interrogating them to remove the mother and daughter from prison and bring them to Xiao An. Xiao An had already prepared a carriage and provisions. As soon as they arrived, he let them leave freely.
Xiao Chong’s wife, Xia Ruoyao, originally wanted to die together with Xiao An, but she could not bear to leave her daughter alone in the world. She endured her grief and left with Wang Bo. Before leaving, she said, “Today you spare me, but one day I will take your life!”
Afterward, Xiao An claimed that Wang Bo had rebelled. The wife and daughter of the disgraced official Xiao Chong had escaped from prison, and a nationwide arrest warrant was issued to pursue the three of them. Wang Bo had already set sail as Xiao An instructed, arriving at the sea market island Xiao An had mentioned.
Pei Yi learned the truth on the third day and thought that the widow and orphan would not pose a threat, so he no longer pressed Xiao An to hunt them down. As time passed, the arrest warrant was lifted.
However, upon reaching the island, Xia Ruoyao could not let go of her hatred. Ignoring Wang Bo’s advice, she practiced martial arts and set up many formations on the island. To seek revenge against Xiao An one day, she even made her daughter practice martial arts, betraying Xiao An’s mercy in sparing their lives.
My elder brother had no choice,” Wu Ruoyao said, “Moreover, we were at fault. If he had truly wanted to eliminate us completely without brotherly affection, we would not be alive today.”
“So, all these years, we have been deceiving ourselves?” Bing Zhi was momentarily stunned, feeling empty. For so many years, hatred had sustained her. Now that this hatred turned out to be a ridiculous misunderstanding, how could she continue living?
Wu Ruoyao laboriously raised her hand to stroke Bing Zhi’s head, saying, “I harmed you! I projected all my hatred onto you. Do you blame me?”
Bing Zhi said nothing but gently shook her head.
Wu Ruoyao smiled contentedly, “Xiao Xin must have told you that you are not my and Xiao Chong’s biological daughter. Would you like to know why we adopted you? If that incident had not happened, you might still be a princess today.”
Wu Ruoyao continued: “I was once pregnant, but I miscarried and was told I could never bear children again. By chance, you were abandoned at our doorstep. He brought you in, and I fell in love with you at first sight, holding you constantly. I treated you as my dead child, and Xiao Chong also loved you as his own.
Later, he used a clever ruse, claiming I had given birth to twins, one of whom died, and you were the surviving daughter.”
“So what he said was true,” Bing Zhi suddenly realized how unreasonable she had been, refusing to believe Xiao Xin, who had saved her multiple times.
“Why didn’t Xiao Xin tell me the truth after finding me?” Bing Zhi asked, puzzled.
Wu Ruoyao smiled, “He knew you, like me, were stubborn. If he had told you everything from the beginning, you might have been unable to accept it and done something foolish. He wanted to gradually dissolve your hatred and tell you everything later. He just didn’t expect you to discover the truth so quickly.”
Yun Qi, listening nearby, was shocked. Xiao Xin had been so thoughtful toward Bing Zhi, and Bing Zhi’s heart now bore Xiao Xin’s mark. How would his own feelings fare?
After hearing her mother’s words, Bing Zhi was stunned. Indeed, even after her mother revealed everything, she hadn’t had a strong reaction. Besides feeling somewhat disappointed, her heart had not been greatly stirred. Had Xiao Xin’s love melted away her hatred?
“Daughter, I can sense Xiao Xin’s sincerity. I’m also grateful to him. Without him, I might have been trapped in the shadow of your father’s death forever,” Wu Ruoyao said firmly, “But promise me, never marry into the imperial family, including anyone associated with it. I hope you can live a peaceful life.”
Bing Zhi had just wanted to return and make amends to Xiao Xin, but her mother was making such a request now?
“Xiao Xin is the top candidate for the throne. Once he becomes emperor, how could he not have multiple wives? Even if he loves you, he cannot remain faithful to you alone!” Wu Ruoyao said. “Can you bear sharing the man you love with others? The loneliness of the palace is unbearable. I don’t want you to become a sacrifice to politics and power!”
“I am speaking from experience. If your father had not died, he would probably have married more than just me. This is an undeniable fact,” Wu Ruoyao had finally awakened. Though she no longer hated, she had also seen through love. “No matter how devoted he is to you, it is impossible. Born into the imperial family, some things are possible, some are not.”
“Mother…” Bing Zhi did not know what to say. She could not persuade her mother and had reservations, though she was willing to compromise for Xiao Xin.
“Daughter, my time in this world is limited. What I worry about most is you,” Wu Ruoyao demanded. “I want you to swear in front of me that you will never marry into the imperial family. Otherwise, I will not rest in peace in the afterlife.”
“Mother, why do you force me?” Bing Zhi’s inner conflict was extreme. She didn’t want to disobey her mother’s last wish, but she also could not let go of her feelings for Xiao Jin!
Xia Ruoyao said nothing, just staring directly at Bing Zhi, her eyes filled with countless emotions – persistence, reluctance, expectation, heartache.
Chapter 9: Oath (2)
Bing Zhi knew that if she didn’t agree, this gaze would haunt her for a lifetime. So she gritted her teeth and hardened her heart: “I, Mu Rong Bing Zhi, will absolutely never marry into the royal family. Otherwise, my mother will not rest peacefully in the netherworld.” After speaking, Bing Zhi felt all her strength drain away, collapsing to the ground. I’m sorry, Jin, in this life I can only let you down, I can only wait until the next life…
“Master! What’s wrong?” Yun Qi, heartbroken by Bing Zhi’s pain, had kept silent due to his own selfish thoughts.
Bing Zhi shook her head, indicating she was fine. She couldn’t speak now, afraid she would burst into tears.
“Young man, come here,” Xia Ruoyao said to Yun Qi. She had noticed this man from the beginning – skilled in martial arts, with a deep affection when looking at her daughter.
Yun Qi walked over, kneeling beside the bed like Bing Zhi.
“I entrust Bing Zhi to you, hoping you’ll take good care of her. Daughter, I don’t mean to force you, only hope you’ll be happy.”
