It was precisely because his thunderous methods left a deep impression that after Yang Yi realized in Huzhou that he had been set up by his own father, he decided to maintain a respectful but distant relationship with him.
Before meeting Ning Pochi, Yang Yi was inherently resistant to reconciling with his parents, yet he still harbored a glimmer of hope because he was acutely aware of the significance of the battle in Huzhou.
At that time, even though the emperor had done something detrimental to his own son, it was indeed for the sake of preserving the greater good.
So, on Ning Pochi’s advice, he ultimately decided to enter the capital city, but to his utmost disbelief, upon arrival, he found his own younger brother waiting to plot against him!
From that moment on, Yang Yi’s heart was filled with despair. How could he hold any expectations for his family in the Imperial Family?
Even though he had once been forgiving about the incident in Huzhou, after that, all understanding vanished into thin air.
After all, if even a brother he had never met could harm him, who could guarantee what the emperor, who had already set him up once, was thinking?
In order to seize the imperial power and use his own son as bait, such actions would surely tarnish his reputation if it were ever exposed.
Otherwise, why, to this very day, do so few people know about this secret?
Keeping the news tightly locked was naturally to preserve the authority of the emperor.
"But what reason do I have to find him just to kill him?"
As He Zhao secretly contemplated, the emperor seemed to see through his thoughts and continued, "He’s been gone for so many years. In fact, if I didn’t want to acknowledge him, then even if he stepped forward claiming to be the Crown Prince, as long as I say he isn’t, then he isn’t. Why would I need to go through the trouble of finding him only to deal with him?"
He Zhao, who had witnessed every hardship Yang Yi endured, felt empathetic and thought the emperor was merely being evasive, so he had no interest in listening further.
"The master has made up his mind. He probably won’t be able to forget the past events."
The emperor looked at him, "I have never asked him to forget. I just want my son to return as the Crown Prince and eventually become the emperor of Great Zhou!"
"Pardon my bluntness, but the master simply won’t agree. No one can convince him."
"Others may not be able to persuade him, but I know that you, who has followed him through life and death for many years, certainly can."
He Zhao bowed his head, "Your Majesty places too much trust in me. I am merely the master’s attendant."
The emperor turned around to face him directly, "I’ve heard you already have a wife and children. They’re in Luoyang, aren’t they?"
He Zhao was taken aback upon hearing this, his body tensed up suddenly.
"Your wife, surnamed Huang, has been married to you for fifteen years. You saved her life, and since then, wherever you went, she followed. Later, you got married and had two children. Your eldest son is twelve, and your youngest daughter is eight. They’re both very smart and clever."
He Zhao shivered, "—How do you know about them?"
The emperor remained calm, "In the village at the foot of the mountain where Consort Li’s mishap occurred, didn’t you live there for many years? Someone in the village confirmed that you once had a wife and children.
"Moreover, the guards I’ve dispatched over the years aren’t idle either. Since they found traces of you, they naturally collected quite a few clues.
"In Luoyang, they just happened to find a certain kind of woman."
With a thud, He Zhao knelt down, gritting his teeth almost to the point of shattering, "I beg Your Majesty to spare them!"
"As the Son of Heaven, I can certainly spare them at my discretion. But you must know, I also have my conditions."
He Zhao raised his head with difficulty, "The master has lived a life of suffering, and I’m one of the few he trusts along with Chen Song. Does the emperor really want to drive me away from his side, leaving him lonely and deserted in the end?"
"I am an emperor. Ever since the day I raised the banner of rebellion, I have borne the responsibility of the world and the people, and that has never changed."
The emperor gazed at him deeply, "I understand the bond between master and servant is stronger than gold, but for me, personal feelings will never outweigh the future of the nation.
"General Pei will lead the troops to the northwest tonight, and Yi Yi will accompany them. I’ve given them a month’s time.
"As long as you can convince Yi Yi within this month to return as the Crown Prince and become the new emperor of Great Zhou, I can assure the safety of your wife and children."
"I beg forgiveness for being incapable..."
"I forgot to tell you, half an hour ago, guards were already dispatched to Luoyang to fetch your family. If all goes well, they should arrive in the capital city in half a month."
The emperor spoke each word slowly, "Which means, after completing your mission in the northwest, you can savor the meals your wife prepared by her own hands and enjoy the happiness of being with your children."