Chapter 526: Chapter 526

As he entered her palace and dismissed everyone, his heart was particularly tense, fearing that she would ignore him in a fit of anger.

When he cautiously entered the inner hall and saw the mother and son already embracing in sleep, his heart nearly melted.

The little guy indeed resembled him greatly. She had raised him exceptionally well—with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a rosy, adorable countenance—most importantly, he was intelligent.

The eunuchs of Changchun Palace had already reported to him that, despite the young master’s tender age, he was remarkably articulate, responsive, and clever.

She seemed thinner than a few years ago, yet even more beautiful. Time seemed to have left no marks on her face; she was still the same serene and elegant woman, seemingly devoid of worldly desires. Even in sleep, her defenselessness was evident, and it was this very aspect of her that deeply enraptured him.

He stretched out his hand cautiously, caressing her smooth cheek with a light touch. Yet that slight gesture made her eyelashes flutter as she slowly opened those bright eyes. In the moment their gazes met, neither spoke, silently watching one another until their breathing grew heavy, and only then did they slowly sit up.

She gave him a once over, then silently took his hand for a lengthy pulse reading.

While she took his pulse, he quietly watched her face, not daring to speak, his heartbeat racing uncontrollably for her.

During this, she glanced at him two or three times, finally grabbing his hand decisively, throwing it back to him with an exasperated eye roll.

"Don’t be angry. I had no choice. You’ve always been elusive like a dragon, glimpsed but never seen. I’ve searched for you for so many years; shouldn’t you show yourself and demonstrate how deeply you’ve missed me?"

"All right, but on the condition that you don’t take my son away. When I want to leave, you can’t stop me, and my son will not be involved in the future succession to the throne. If you agree to these terms, I will stay."

Rong Heng was unable to hide his shock. "What are you saying? This is my son, my legitimate heir, destined to inherit the empire."

Tangyuan raised her eyes, her gaze sharp: "I said, he is my son. Yes, he can be your son, but not a prince. He will not inherit the empire in the future. I want him to live a free and easy life, not one steeped in schemes and plots. Do you understand?"

If not for Tangyuan’s firm tone and serious gaze, Rong Heng would have thought she was joking. He could not fathom why she would want this, but since it was her request, his best course of action for now was to agree and devise a strategy for later.

Unexpectedly, she demanded a written promise: "Rong Yue can bear the surname Rong, he can be your son, but he is not a prince. He will not partake in your royal family’s power struggles. I want you to convey my wishes to every one of your concubines and sons. If they dare harm my son, I will retaliate at all costs."

With just this statement, Rong Heng saw her resolve and her fierce maternal protectiveness, especially when she said—

"You have countless sons, but I, I only have this one son."

His heart softened; this was probably the guilt he could never fully explain to her.

"By age, he is the Third Prince and should be entered into the family records. I can make him a leisure prince, but he must be a prince. And about you, the queen position remains vacant; don’t you yet understand my feelings for you? This isn’t something we can falsify, Yuanyuan, you have to believe that I can protect the two of you."

Tangyuan shook her head. "I’m not interested in the queen position. The child can be entered into the family records, but he’s not interested in becoming a leisure prince."

"But how do you know he isn’t interested? What if he is a fitting emperor, a hard-working and people-loving ruler? Wouldn’t that be a fortune for our people? Yuanyuan, I don’t want to return and immediately cause friction over this issue. Let’s let the child decide for himself. He’s already three years old and at the age for enlightenment. If you continue to wander with him, getting jostled constantly, how can I, as his father, bear it?"

"How can you bear it?"

At those words, Tangyuan’s eyes suddenly reddened. The rise in her tone caused the child to grunt in his sleep and turn over. Worried about waking the child, she stifled her anger and walked toward the side hall, only for him to embrace her from behind.

"Sorry Yuanyuan, I was wrong, truly wrong. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. You struggled alone to raise our child for three years, acting as both mother and father. I can imagine how tough that was. Seeing him so healthy, beautiful, and intelligent should have reassured me. But Yuanyuan, you can’t deprive me of my right to be a father. You left for four years; have you thought about how I’ve spent those years?"

Tangyuan looked up and scoffed coldly, "Ha, with your harem of three thousand beauties, how could you possibly remember this country girl? Rong Heng, spare me your words; I have not wronged you, nor have you wronged me. We were both willing. I came this time fully knowing it might be a trap, but I came for fear of a lifelong regret. But this doesn’t mean I’m willing to spend the rest of my life here."

"Are you jealous? Is it because of those women in the harem? Just say you’ll stay, and I will dismiss my harem."

If he hadn’t said that, Tangyuan would be less upset: "You accepted them, then you dismiss them; what future will they have then? Rong Heng, how can you be so irresponsible? You are their sky, their only hope; how can you just give them up so easily? If your reason for accepting them was just to maintain your position, how are you different from a scumbag?"

Rong Heng was vexed; this woman always seemed different from the others.

If this wasn’t acceptable, nor was that, what did she expect him to do?

Tangyuan knew he was patient with her because of their past feelings, but if this went on for too long, her actions would only ignite a fire and eventually destroy the last remnants of their relationship. She didn’t want to start arguing as soon as she arrived and immediately moderated her sharp tone, sitting down on a nearby couch.

"Let’s calm down for now. We can discuss the child’s matter later. I’ve checked your body, and there’s nothing seriously wrong, but you shouldn’t neglect your health due to state affairs. Necessary care is also essential. You," Follow current novels on novel(ꜰ)ire.net

"Then stay, take care of me for a while. Yuanyuan, even if it’s just for a month? I’m begging you, I’ve really missed you. You’ve been gone for so many years, isn’t it time for you to stay a while? Let the child get used to life in the Imperial Palace, and then let him decide his own future. If he chooses to leave, I will not object.