And he also had his own ulterior motives, wanting her to accept everything about him so that he wouldn’t have to feel so insecure anymore.
Lin Xinlan pursed her lips and tentatively asked, "Are you going to send Xiaocong for training?"
The man’s profound gaze fixed on her, silent for a long time.
A pang of pain hit Lin Xinlan’s heart; his silence meant he had implicitly agreed.
Her chin resting on her arm, she murmured gloomily, "Training is so hard; I’m worried Xiaocong can’t handle it... You said some died of illness, some died from accidents... I’m afraid something will happen to Xiaocong..."
"It won’t!" Rong Shaoze shook his head decisively.
"Xiaocong is going to train as the successor to Yanhuang; there will be people covertly protecting him, he won’t be in danger. However, he must endure more hardship than ordinary people to become an outstanding leader."
He really planned on sending Xiaocong for training and even wanted him to be the successor to Yanhuang.
Even though she had already thought of this, hearing him say it, she was still reluctant to let go.
She just wanted Xiaocong to grow up safe and sound, to live a happy life; she didn’t want him to suffer, much less lead a life of constant fighting.
Call her selfish, accuse her of spoiling her child if you must.
In any case, she really couldn’t bear the thought of Xiaocong following in Rong Shaoze’s old footsteps...
Seeing through her thoughts, the man sighed helplessly, kissed her forehead, and softly said,
"Xinlan, I know what you’re thinking. But there’s no other way now; he is the son of Rong Shaoze, and he must walk this path. Just as I am the grandson of my grandmother, I had to follow in her old path, otherwise the entire Rong Family would face extinction. Do you understand?"
Lin Xinlan’s eyes trembled with shock, leaving her speechless.
Rong Shaoze continued to gaze at her deeply, explaining further,
"Originally, it was my father who was meant to take over, but his body was too weak, and he had a soft temper, totally unsuited for inheriting Yanhuang.
My grandmother was a very proud woman; she didn’t want Yanhuang to be ruined in my father’s hands and insisted on not retiring, propping up Yanhuang until I took over. Only then did she fall completely ill, her health declining day by day.
If my father had managed to take over back then, she might have lived many more years. I also took on the role for the sake of our family.
Xinlan, since Xiaocong is a child of the Rong Family, he can’t escape the same fate as me. He must take over Yanhuang unless someone else takes his place; otherwise, he can’t escape his responsibilities."
Lin Xinlan nodded with difficulty, managing a slight smile,
"I understand, and I know there’s no helping it. For his sake and for the good of our family, he must become stronger so he can protect us... When do you plan to send Xiaocong for training?"
Seeing that she had finally understood his painstaking efforts, Rong Shaoze smiled relievedly.
"No rush, we will send him for training when he turns six. For the next two years, let Meiying teach him martial arts. With a good foundation, it will be much easier for him later on."
"You had Meiying come early deliberately to train him, didn’t you?"
"Yes, we need to prepare early. Besides, our son is a fine seedling. Meiying told me that his bones are excellent, very suitable for practicing martial arts. Plus, he’s tenacious and determined; he will certainly be no less than me in the future," Rong Shaoze said proudly.
Lin Xinlan joined in on the pride, "Of course, he has to be ’the blue that is bluer than the indigo from which it comes’; otherwise, it would be far too embarrassing for us."
Rong Shaoze’s eyes brightened, and he asked happily, "Xinlan, you don’t blame me for making Xiaocong Yanhuang’s next successor anymore, do you?"