Ending 2 of Chapter 101

“Can you still be considered a five-year-old child?” Bai Li Mubai muttered, then swiftly leapt down from the eaves.

The sudden appearance of two people startled Yan’er. “Help! There are ass...assassins!” Her voice grew faint as she stared at the familiar faces before her, forcing her eyes wide open.

Bai Li Mubai nudged Zizhan beside him, pushing him forward. Seeing Zizhan’s blank expression, Bai Li Mubai winked and gave him a nudge in the rear. “You brat, aren’t you going to see your mother?”

Yan’er’s heart tightened deeply, overwhelmed by years of guilt and regret she had long carried toward this child. “Zizhan?” Tears immediately streamed down her face like pearls slipping from a broken string.

“That’s right.” Zizhan calmly looked at his mother. This was the first time since he became aware that he truly saw her. When he was very young, he only knew what she looked like from Mubai’s descriptions, but now, he was seeing her for the first time.

“Zizhan.” Yan’er called out again and rushed forward to embrace him tightly.

“Are you really my mother? You’re truly beautiful.” Zizhan gently pushed back, unaccustomed to being held so closely.

Yan’er released him. “Mubai, it’s not convenient here. Please come with me inside.” She stepped out of the small courtyard first and dismissed the palace maids.

Once inside the room, Zizhan immediately grabbed Mubai’s hand. “We’ve met now. If you have anything to say to my mother, say it quickly. I don’t belong here.”

Yan’er smiled at Zizhan and reached out to ruffle his hair, but he dodged away. “I don’t like it when people keep touching my hair.”

Her hand froze mid-air, awkwardly retreating. “Mubai, this child... he’s still very unfamiliar with me.”

“Hah, he’s not. He treats everyone like that. You’re lucky he’s even this good to you.” Mubai poured herself a glass of water.

Yan’er glanced at Zizhan. “Has he always been like this?”

Mubai shrugged. “More or less. Maybe it’s because when you were carrying him, you were very cold and spoke little.”

Yan’er bent down to Zizhan’s eye level. “Zizhan, do you resent your mother?”

“I understood things early on. I don’t hold grudges against my mother. Don’t worry. Just live well here. Today, Mubai told me to bring me to meet you as promised. By the way, the things you gave me, I’ve always kept them close.” Zizhan pulled from his chest a small sachet holding a lock of hair and an earring Yan’er had left for him.

“Zizhan.” Yan’er wiped her tears, deeply moved. “I never expected you to be so sensible. I owe you so much.”

“Mother need not feel troubled. I’m alive in this world because of you. You’ve done so much for me already. Since I was young, Mubai has told me the story of my father and mother.” Zizhan’s face remained unreadable, revealing nothing of his feelings.

“Mubai, thank you.” Yan’er turned to Mubai with sincere gratitude.

“Zizhan has kept me company all these years. We’ve been very happy, though that boy always wears a cold expression. But look at him now, Yan’er, he’s looking more and more like my senior brother.” After years of reflection, the once impulsive Mubai had changed greatly, especially in his desire for revenge, which had faded considerably.

“Yes, Mubai and I practice martial arts daily and live quietly. As for Father’s matters, we’ve come to terms with them. Since Mother has chosen a new life, then don’t worry about Zizhan.” Zizhan stepped back, disliking the scent of women’s perfume.

“Mubai...” Yan’er suddenly grew serious, remaining seated. “Yueyang is not dead. He’s still alive.”

“What?” Mubai set down her teacup, her face lighting up.

Yan’er looked at Zizhan, uncertain whether Yueyang recognized him as his son. But seeing Zizhan’s mature demeanor, she felt somewhat reassured. “He and Oulan were exiled to the frontier by Guan Canghai. Yueyang’s martial arts are ruined now, and their child is quite grown.”

Life unfolds like this—no matter how passionate it begins, it eventually settles into calm, like the sea with its ebb and flow but mostly tranquil waters. Yan’er recounted the story of Pan Yueyang. Mubai immediately decided to seek out her senior brother. Zizhan said nothing, but Yan’er knew that despite his mature mindset, he was still just a five-year-old boy who longed to see his biological father. She did not stop him, having realized their visit was merely to see an old friend. Truly, time changes many things.

Yan’er watched the sunset’s afterglow. This summer was hers to savor. Holding Boya’s small hand, she smiled at her little son’s joyful face. “Boya, what will your father teach you today?”

“Mother, Boya is very curious, but he’s happy Mother can bring him to Father today.” Boya tugged eagerly at their intertwined hands, a childlike gesture that filled Yan’er’s heart with joy.

Guan Canghai was surprised to see Yan’er arrive with a smile—an unusual expression for the usually reclusive Empress. Their long-standing tension seemed to soften. “Empress, what brings you here today? Please sit.”

“Why shouldn’t I come?” Yan’er covered her mouth, laughing softly.

“Haha, Boya, your mother is in good spirits today.” Guan Canghai lifted Boya in his arms. He truly adored this child.

“Your Majesty, Empress, Crown Prince.” A young maid knelt outside the garden.

“What is it?” Yan’er smiled and asked outside.

“Consort Changle has come to pay respects to the Emperor with the little prince, Boyi.” The maid merely relayed the message. It was unknown why the usually secluded Empress had suddenly appeared today, and why Consort Changle chose this particular day to bring the little prince before the Emperor.

“Boyi is here?” Yan’er asked Guan Canghai with a smile. After all, he was his child too, though Consort Changle’s luck was poor—she did not give birth to the prince before Yan’er, or else the Empress position might never have been hers.

“Let them in.” Guan Canghai still held Boya. Though Tongnu resembled Yan’er greatly, there were vast differences between them. His favor for Tongnu was largely because of Yan’er. Unable to find love from Yan’er, his attention shifted to another woman who looked like her. Though Tongnu had his favor, Boyi lacked Boya’s innate talent, which was why he valued Boya so highly.

Tongnu hadn’t expected the Empress to be here and her expression turned cold. Whenever she brought Boyi to please Guan Canghai, she found him holding Boya. Both were his sons, yet why did the Emperor only show favor to the cold-faced Empress’s child?

“Your Majesty, let Consort Changle accompany you and chat at leisure. I have other places to visit.” Yan’er rose with noble composure, completely unbothered by this woman.

“I respectfully see off the Empress.” Though unwilling, Tongnu bowed deeply.

Today was a good beginning. From now on, Yan’er would bring Boya here every day. She looked at Boya. “Boya, tomorrow I will bring you to see Father again.” She glanced meaningfully at Guan Canghai.

“Mother, isn’t ‘mother’ something common people say?” Boya had been taught many etiquettes since childhood.

“Boya, when your mother says ‘mother,’ then that’s what she is.” Guan Canghai pinched Boya’s nose affectionately. He truly loved this son.

Yan’er left, and Tongnu watched the interaction between the Emperor and Crown Prince, feeling a pang of bitterness. Holding Boyi, she clearly understood her place. For so many years, she had waited for this man to see her not as a substitute. She thought she had waited long enough, but when Li Banshuang smiled faintly at the Emperor, she became a replaceable shadow once more.

“Li Banshuang, as long as I, Tongnu, am in the palace, I will never let you have an easy day!” Tongnu whispered, taking Boyi and leaving the garden.

In the sixth year of Qianhao reign, Consort Changle, jealous of the Empress, attempted to harm her but failed and was banished to the cold palace, living in neglect ever after.

In the seventh year of Qianhao reign, Empress Li Banshuang bore another prince named Mu Bosi, greatly pleasing the Emperor.

“Father! I haven’t finished reading all these books yet.” A small tender hand held a hefty book, engrossed in reading.

“You really like medicine?” Pan Yueyang thought, wondering where the boy’s interest came from, as he did not inherit such traits.

“Yes. If Hongyi likes it, he will specialize in medicine.” Pan Yueyang looked at his seven-year-old son. Unexpectedly, after Guan Canghai released them, he did not trouble their family but allowed them a peaceful life.

Oulan was no longer as arrogant as before. Perhaps the decline of the entire Ou clan had taught her many lessons. That year, when his junior brother unexpectedly brought Zizhan to see him, Pan Yueyang was surprised. From their first meeting, he saw hope for the Pan family in Zizhan. The boy’s calmness was unlike that of a typical five-year-old.

Oulan did not react strongly to Zizhan’s arrival, which comforted Pan Yueyang. After all, the current high and mighty Empress was unknown to be Yan’er, or else Pan Yueyang doubted Oulan would remain so composed today.

Hongyi loved medicine, Zizhan was passionate about martial arts—both boys were outstanding. He had no regrets in life.

Zizhan was raised by Bai Li Mubai. Pan Yueyang did not doubt his junior brother much, but Zizhan’s nature was cold and solitary. The father-son bond was deep, and in Zizhan’s restless eyes, Pan Yueyang saw a stirring spirit.

Was there truly no regret? When alone, Pan Yueyang often looked to the sky, watching birds fly past, sensing that this was only the beginning of a truly cruel ordeal.

End of Part One.