"But just a few days after I issued the decree, Yi Er woke up," said the Emperor of Xiyun. "I was both happy and unsure how to explain to Yi Er that I had adopted him as my son."
"When Yi Er learned that I had adopted him as my son, he ignored me for an entire month. Even afterwards, when he finally spoke to me, he refused to call me Father. To this day, Yi Er has never called me Father. I am also aware that Yi Er still fears bringing me harm."
Having said this, the Emperor of Xiyun then looked at An Jing: "Jingjing, I didn’t intend to share these things with you, but since I’ve started, I might as well continue. However, I’ve said so much that I might just as well add a bit more. I adore Yi Er so much because he is worth it—he has earned it with his life and blood."
An Jing knew that the Emperor of Xiyun was speaking from the heart, but listening to him, she also felt a flood of emotions. The days her husband had lived through... the more she thought about it, the more her heart ached...
Taking a sip of tea from the table to moisten his somewhat dry throat, the Emperor of Xiyun continued: "He has done so much for Xiyun, yet he desires nothing in return. He tossed the Tiger Talisman to me without a second thought, never clinging to or coveting anything, not even as much as the cabbages he once grew in the Imperial Garden."
"I still remember stepping on one of his cabbages by accident and killing it. He was angry with me for a whole day and wouldn’t speak to me."
"He cares even less about the title of King of Eternal Victory. Whenever Su Chengyu or I annoyed him, he would take ten taels of silver and leave."
"I don’t know what more I can give him," sighed the Emperor of Xiyun deeply. "All I can give him now is to let him continue speaking to me with such informality, which I actually find more endearing."
"Besides calling me ’old man’, he has never referred to me in any other way. If he were to change his manner of address, I probably wouldn’t be used to it." Saying this, the Emperor of Xiyun laughed at his own amusement.
An Jing said, "Changyi should rightfully address you as Father."
"Let it be, let it be," the Emperor of Xiyun waved his hand, appearing completely unconcerned. "Let him be happy. Whatever he calls me, I’m content."
After a pause, he added, "I can see that he cares a great deal about you and listens to you. Since he has chosen to marry into your family, I understand his feelings for you. I trust his judgment of people; you must be a good person. I hope you two will have unshakable love and grow old together."
An Jing responded, "As the Emperor wishes, Changyi and I will certainly live up to your expectations." They would have unshakable love and grow old together.
The Emperor of Xiyun looked again toward Xiao Changyi, who was instructing Su Chengyu in horseback archery. After watching for a while, he slowly continued, "That child was lonely for so long. I was really worried he would remain lonely forever. I couldn’t bear the thought. Now, with you by his side, I am truly much relieved."
Two people living together is always better than one person being alone.
An Jing also looked at Xiao Changyi, who was on the archery field. Her eyes were resolute, and her determination deepened. Her husband would never be lonely again; in life or death, no matter where they were, she would be by his side.
Su Chengyu wasn’t slow-witted; with just a little guidance from Xiao Changyi, he would understand. His lack of significant improvement in horseback archery was mainly due to lack of practice.
After all, a Crown Prince, busy with state affairs, didn’t have much spare time to practice horseback archery.
Fortunately, Xiao Changyi’s expectations of Su Chengyu weren’t high. He merely hoped that if Su Chengyu ever went to the battlefield, he wouldn’t be a burden to others. Thus, the entire process of instructing Su Chengyu wasn’t too frustrating for Xiao Changyi.