Children (2)
How could Xie Xuanchen, the former God of War, tell his subordinate that despite having been married for almost a year, they had no physical contact whatsoever? So how could there be any child?
Xie Xuanchen’s heart was pierced right where it hurt, and it made him feel slight discomfort, so he tried his best to maintain a battle-hardened appearance in front of outsiders and feigned calmness, “What’s the hurry? Princess An and I are both still very young, and we are not in a hurry to have a child yet.”
As soon as he heard it, Zhu Yanghong seemed to have understood something, and he got even more serious: “The young age of the Prince An and Princess An makes it natural for them to desire to enjoy their time together before thinking about the child. But this general believes that since My Lord is at home and there is also peace in the country right now, this is the best time to have a child. Otherwise, My Lord might miss the growth of the child if the war were to suddenly break out, so it’ll be a pity afterall.”
Xie Xuanchen was taken aback when he heard this. He was very familiar with this tone. During his time in the army, when he chatted with everyone in his spare time, many people sighed with heartache, missing their children. He didn’t expect that Zhu Yanghong, who was a general, would have the same regret.
Xie Xuanchen asked: “How old is your son?”
Zhu Yanghong said with a sigh, “Eighteen this year, only a little younger than My Lord. When he and the second child were born, I also used to think as My Lord. I was only thinking about battles and regaining control over the lost land. I always felt that family affairs were trivial, and it didn’t matter if I took it slowly. But two years ago, my second son was killed on the battlefield. When I saw his body, I realised that it had been several years since I had had a last conversation with him about family matters. Even since they were children, I have spent very little time with them.”
Xie Xuanchen also sighed silently. Men weren’t as expressive of their affection as women. Xie Xuanchen just patted Zhu Yanghong on the shoulder and said in a low voice, “My condolences.”
Slowly shaking his head, Zhu Yanghong explained: “Last year, I decided to withdraw and left the front line. I have already missed my sons’ growth and I don’t want to miss the opportunity to spend time with my daughters before they get married. After they get married, they will only visit their maternal family once or twice a year. So My Lord, please don’t think I’m overstepping. I have learned my lessons and I have regrets. That’s why I was so presumptuous in saying such words.”
“I understand.” Xie Xuanchen said, “My father didn’t have time to take care of me since I was a child, so in the end, my relationship with him was very tense. After my mother died, I couldn’t even meet him properly or even look at him straight.”
Zhu Yanghong said he regretted it, so why didn’t Xie Xuanchen regret it? Even though Xie Yi was strict with him, he was still Xie Xuanchen’s father. After lady Yin left, Xie Yi was Xie Xuanchen’s last blood relative in this world. But Xie Yi’s death was so sudden that he didn’t even get to see Xie Yi’s face for one last time.
His father, Xie Yi, could not be regarded as a good father, and Xie Xuanchen also felt that he was not a good son either. So Xie Xuanchen hoped he would not make the same mistake as his father with his own son in the future.
“My Lord, about the matter regarding my daughters’ marriages, I should thank Princess An. Without the help of Princess An, it would have been a lot more difficult to find a good match for them. This general will always keep her kindness in mind.” Now that they were already conversing about family matters, Zhu Yanghong kept on talking.