Yibo walked slowly, lost in thought, replaying his plans over and over in his mind. He hadn't seen any signs that Zhan would be comes to terms, not even the slightest hint. It felt like his only option now was to face His Majesty again, no matter the consequences. Whatever punishment awaited him, he was ready to take it....so long as it meant Zhan and their children could return to his life.
At the entrance to Grandma's quarters, he spotted the kids playing. But Jianghu was sitting quietly to the side, still sulking from his earlier injury. The moment they saw Yibo, the children lit up and ran toward him, just as Yibo, beaming with joy, approached them.
He swept them all into his arms, hugging them tightly, showering their faces with kisses. Each of them started rambling excitedly, eager to share everything with him.
Without feeling the slightest weight from them, Yibo lifted both kids....one in his right arm, the other in his left...and carried them toward Grandma's quarters. Jianghu, ever the dramatic one, pointed at his scraped hand, his expression exaggerated with a pout. Yibo played along, making a fuss over the tiny scratch. It wasn't for show; deep down, seeing Jianghu hurt stirred something protective in him. They arrived at Grandma's quarters with Yibo saying he'd take Jianghu to the clinic to clean the wound properly.
Grandma welcomed him with genuine warmth, and he greeted her with the same respectful tone. You wouldn't have guessed this was Yibo...the famous businessman, the Prince of Tianjin, recognized globally.
Grandma had tried everything to get Zhan to come out and greet him, but Zhan had refused. She even sent the housemaid, who came back saying Zhan claimed to have a headache. But Yibo already knew the truth behind that excuse, so he didn't push the matter. Instead, he told them he'd take Jianghu to the clinic to treat his injury.
Grandma clicked her tongue and shook her head. "All this fuss over a tiny scratch? It's just one of those little cuts. You know, his grandmother spoils him rotten," she chuckled, referring to Mama... their grandmother, Papa's mother. "That boy is always clinging to his Baba, while Jiangji there is already acting like a grown man. I bet he's the one destined to inherit the throne one day," she added with a laugh.
Yibo smiled politely, realizing that Grandma had a playful streak and didn't hold back her jokes. It lightened his mood a little.
"We'll be back, Grandma. Maybe his finger's really bothering him," Yibo replied playfully as they left.
As they stepped into the courtyard, Papa and his father, Dr. Jixue, were just arriving. They had walked in, apparently leaving their car parked outside the compound. It seemed they wouldn't be staying long.
Both of them locked eyes with Yibo immediately. Papa, quick to observe, instantly understood everything....the resemblance between Yibo and the children was undeniable. Even Dr. Jixue stared at them in surprise, visibly processing how much the kids looked like Yibo.
They'd caught him red-handed, but Yibo approached them calmly, greeted them politely, and then returned to the children.
He settled the kids into his sleek car, started the engine, and drove them out of the compound.
They spent hours together after treating Jianghu's injury, exploring the best parks and recreational spots around town. It wasn't until they were all exhausted that they finally headed home.
Everyone, including little Jiangji, stumbled into the house, drained from the day. Jianghu was already nodding off from exhaustion. Yibo climbed onto the roof of his car and simply sat there, staring at the night sky, full of twinkling stars and a bright, half-moon.
Time had slipped away.
A strange heaviness settled in his chest. He didn't want to leave the front of the house, not yet. A stubborn part of him wanted to stay right there until Zhan finally forgave him.
The street was silent, the entire neighborhood quiet, as he sat there alone.
That was until a car turned into the street, headlights on full beam. But as it drew closer to him, the driver dimmed the lights.
Only when the car passed him did Yibo realize who it was...Papa and his father, Dr. Jixue. He didn't react, just kept sitting there as they drove into the compound.
"Who is that boy?" Dr. Jixue asked as he maneuvered the car. "His face looks familiar."
"You probably do know him, Father. He's a well-known businessman, Prince of Tianjin… and Jianghu's father. Zhan's ex-husband," Papa explained.
"Ah, right… But, is everything alright?" Dr. Jixue asked, a note of concern in his voice.
"I believe he's here to try to win Zhan back. Anu already started mentioning it to me… But we didn't finish that conversation before this trip came up," Papa replied.
"It that's how people 'try to win someone back' these days?" Dr. Jixue remarked dryly, giving Papa a sharp look. Papa glanced back at him, slightly confused by his tone. After all, he knew his father wasn't aware of the full story behind Zhan's previous marriage.
"Well… I don't see much support coming from you people. Don't tell me you and Anu actually support your son in this?" Dr. Jixue replied sharply.
Papa knew his father well. His strict, no-nonsense attitude was a perfect match for his mother's, Grandma. Nothing repulsed them more than a broken marriage. Papa had no choice but to explain the situation to his father, at least to the extent he knew and was sure his father would understand.
Dr. Jixue listened silently, nodding thoughtfully as the explanation sank in. Finally, he exhaled heavily and spoke.
"Without a doubt, His Majesty, King Mo Yi had no idea this was happening. I'm certain none of this was done with his knowledge. I've known him long before he became the King. I know his character. But… this is a delicate situation. It requires careful handling… We'll discuss this properly. It shouldn't be ignored."
"I understand, Father. Let's just hope everything works out," Papa replied.
"Alright," Dr. Jixue nodded as he made his way toward the door. But just as he stepped outside, he paused, turned back to Papa, and added, "And don't stop the Prince from seeing his children. They have nothing to do with any of this. They have the right to their father."
"Anu already makes sure they see him when he comes by. That will continue, I promise," Papa reassured him. With that, Dr. Jixue left, lost in thought over everything he'd just heard.
Not long after, Papa headed to Grandma's quarters. He hadn't had a chance to greet her properly today.
Inside the sitting room, Zhan, Aunt Anu, and Grandma were gathered together, chatting. Jianghu lay curled up asleep on Zhan's lap.
Grandma was in the middle of a long-winded speech about Yibo, showering him with praise...how decent, respectable, and accomplished he was. Every word made Zhan feel like banging his head against the wall. He wanted to tell Grandma to stop, but instead, he bit his tongue and endured it.
After exchanging greetings, Papa spoke.
"I saw the Prince earlier. My father and I were sitting by the car outside, and we ran into him. Father was saying he shouldn't be stopped from seeing the kids anymore. From now on, whenever he comes, he should be allowed to see them."
"That's the right thing to do. The children have nothing to do with adults' drama," Grandma cut in.
"But no one's been stopping him, Papa," Aunt Anu replied, looking at him.
"If only you would show some maturity,"
Grandma sighed, "You'd all sit down with him, talk things through, make peace. A person's true value is in their home. A child's pride comes from their father's house. Living in another man's home never feels the same, no matter how well a child is cared for."
Zhan abruptly stood up, gently adjusting Jianghu on his shoulder. The words stung too much. His marriage, his separation....it was nothing like what Grandma thought. She didn't know the half of what had happened, didn't know how that relationship had shattered. All she knew was the surface....the fact that Yibo divorced him.
Without saying a word, Zhan left the room, Grandma watching him as he disappeared down the hall. She turned to Aunt Anu and said firmly, "Don't let them drag you into Zhan's bitterness. Marriage is fragile… Even if you break apart, if fate wills it, you'll come back together. The real victims of failed marriages are always the children....and society suffers for it too, unless there's a serious, undeniable reason for separation."
"You're right," Papa agreed, rising to his feet. He bid them farewell as Aunt Anu followed him out.
Meanwhile, in the Palace…
Since that scandal involving Xueyin, Qinnu, and Princess Dongzhi, no one had known peace. Everyone was restless, desperate to uncover the truth. Was Zhan really the Prince's husband? If so, when did the marriage happen? Did His Majesty approve it? And if he did, why was it hidden?
No one had answers. His Majesty had shut everyone out, buried himself in state affairs as though nothing had happened. His face betrayed no emotions. At least Queen Zhaiye had shown signs of distress, but even that offered no real answers.
Sikong, on his part, was deeply unsettled. The words "he's my husband" from Yibo still rang in his ears, threatening to shatter everything he had carefully built. If that marriage was legitimate, he'd have to let go of Zhan. All his hopes, all his ambitions tied to Zhan... they'd be gone. The thought alone left him spiraling in anxiety.
In recent days, Queen and His Majesty had become like strangers living under the same roof. It was around 10 a.m., and Queen stood silently to the side as His Majesty prepared for his royal council meeting, meticulously dressing in his ceremonial attire.
In the past, it was Zhaiye who dressed him. No one, not even the royal maids, knew how to arrange His Majesty's garments as well as Zhaiye did. Sometimes, His Majesty wouldn't feel confident in his appearance unless Zhaiye handled it herself self.
But now, all of that was gone. The first time Zhaiye had tried to help after the scandal, His Majesty had simply raised a hand, silently stopping her. At first, Zhaiye kept trying. But eventually, she gave up.
It was His Majesty's new form of punishment... a punishment that cut deeper than any harsh words ever could. For over thirty plus years, no matter how upset His Majesty was, he had never treated Zhaiye with such coldness.
Queen Zhaiye stood there as King Mo Yi finished dressing. Quickly, she grabbed his cup of carefully prepared hot milk with ginger and cloves and handed it to him. But as always, he simply raised a hand to dismiss her and began walking out.
She couldn't take it anymore. Her patience and silence had reached their limit. Her hand trembled, and the cup slipped, shattering on the floor. The sound made him turn around. He could even feel the shards brushing past his clothes, but he stayed composed, acting unaffected. She didn't care either... she hurried after him, cutting him off.
She grabbed his hands firmly in hers and burst into tears. He said nothing, nor did he stop her, letting her cry to her heart's content.
"Whatever punishment you want to give me, do it, please," she begged, her voice breaking. "But I can't stand this silence, this cold indifference anymore. Please."
His Majesty's voice was calm but cutting. "What crime have you committed? Did you do something? Should I know about it?"
She sobbed harder, shaking her head.
"Please… don't say that. Don't act like you don't know…"
No matter how hard he tried to suppress the flicker of pity in his chest, it wouldn't leave him. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd seen her cry like this. Yet, despite that, he'd already decided she had to feel the consequences of her actions. He never thought she'd commit such a grave mistake. It wasn't just about him, or even about the Prince.... the real harm had been done to Zhan.
What he truly wanted was for Zhaiye to admit it to herself, to realize she had wronged Zhan, that she owed him an apology. Even the Prince bore some blame, and King Mo Yi wouldn't spare him either...he would face his punishment as well.
"Oh, come on," he added with sarcastic calm, "you're a grown woman, old enough to make decisions for yourself, old enough to judge what's right. You thought everything you did was fine, so… what's there to cry about now?"
Zhaiye went quiet, her sobs softening to shaky breaths. He slipped his hands from hers and walked away, though the sound of her crying followed him, heavy in his chest.
When he entered his sitting room, he found Xueyin sitting on the sofa, dressed elegantly, done up to perfection...a sight that almost startled him.
The moment she saw him, she stood gracefully, smiling.
"Wishing you long life and good health, may your days be many, welcome, my lord," she greeted cheerfully, her voice slightly raised, clearly aware that Zhaiye was nearby.
King Mo Yi smiled politely with the reserved dignity of a king, not intending to stay long enough for her to waste his time.
"How are you, Xueyin?"
"Very well, thank you, Your Majesty."
"Just a visit?"
"Yes, I came to greet you. We haven't seen you in two days, and you left us all worried."
"I'm fine… what exactly were you worried about?"
Xueyin's expression shifted instantly into an exaggerated look of concern. Lowering her head slightly, she responded,
"The situation with the Prince… We've all been so anxious. We keep fearing the worst. You haven't given us a proper explanation. We need reassurance."
King Mo Yi looked away, already too familiar with Xueyin's games...especially after intensifying his investigation into the leaked photos. He noticed that most of them originated from Xueyin's region.
He started walking past her, speaking casually over his shoulder.
"Oh… right. I nearly forgot anything even happened. You can all sleep easy. It's nothing worth stressing over. Just pretend it never happened."
"But we need more clarity," Xueyin pressed, "Even your own sister, Princess Dongzhi, is deeply worried."
King Mo Yi turned to her with a sharp look.
"Then go explain it to them the same way I just explained it to you. I think that should be enough for all of them."
"Yes, Your Majesty," she answered quickly, lowering her gaze, unnerved by the way his eyes lingered on her. He left with his entourage.
Behind the scenes, Queen Zhaiye, still seated nearby, had heard everything exchanged between Xueyin and His Majesty. Her hands trembled as she covered her mouth, fresh tears threatening to overwhelm her once more. Despite his pride and his stubborn silence, she couldn't ignore how he was quietly trying to shield her, even now.
She knew what existed between them....her and Mo Yi....was real, a love that stretched back to their youth. But she also understood that the hatred Xueyin and the others held for her ran deep...deep enough to scheme, to twist truths, to destroy her piece by piece.
Clutching her head with both hands, she whispered his name to herself, fighting the suffocating wave of fear building in her chest.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛