Chapter 203: Father and Son Reconcile?
Su Changyu did get a little confused.
During this period of time, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty and Taishang Xuanji had been asking him about his parents every now and then.
He didn’t know why they were so curious.
However, Su Changyu finally sighed and said, “I don’t know where my parents are.”
He gave his answer.
Although he didn’t know why they kept asking such questions, he felt that it was not a big deal.
“You don’t know where your parents are? What does this mean?”
Taishang Xuanji couldn’t help but continue to ask. He knew that it was something that the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty wanted to ask and thus asked on his behalf.
Su Changyu did not answer directly and instead looked into the spot below the cliff in the distance.
He looked at Daoist Tai Hua who was still giving instructions to the craftsmen.
“All of us in the sect are orphans. Since we were children, we don’t know who our parents are.”
“Master said that a few decades ago, there were two Nascent Soul realm cultivators in Qingzhou who crushed several mountains, causing a huge calamity in Qingzhou. That resulted in many orphans.”
“We were lucky to have been saved by Master. Although our lifestyles are ordinary, we basically get to eat and live properly.”
For some reason, Su Changyu said some more things, which were rather rare.
He felt somewhat emotional, perhaps because his parents whom he had never met had appeared.
After he said that, there was a strange gaze in the eyes of the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty while Taishang Xuanji was at a loss for words.
Su Changyu resembled the younger self of the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty greatly. Besides, Su Changyu was an orphan and shortly after they met Su Changyu, a Great Confucian scholar appeared in the Great Xia Dynasty.
He felt compelled to admit that Su Changyu was the Tenth Prince.
At this moment, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty spoke up.
“Do you miss your parents?”
He asked cautiously.
There was some nervousness in his eyes.
“I’ve never seen them before, why would I miss them?”
However, Su Changyu’s tone was even calmer.
‘Have I ever missed my parents?’
Su Changyu had honestly thought about them before but it was not because he missed them. Rather, he wanted to know what kind of people his parents were.
However, those words left the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty somehow speechless.
‘Yeah, how can he miss them if he’s never met them before?’
‘Why should he miss his parents if he’s never seen them before?’
“Well, what kind of people do you think your parents are?”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty continued.
‘What kind of people are they?’
Su Changyu frowned, and the more he thought about it, the more he found the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty to be strange. However, afterwards, Su Changyu nevertheless gave his answer.
After all, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty had bought him so many clothes. If he disagreed, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty might not buy him clothes again.
“To be able to give birth to a genius like me, I think my father should be an expert who’s one in a million.”
Su Changyu answered seriously.
After hearing what he said, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty’s eyes were filled with pride. However, before he could continue to speak, Su Changyu spoke up again.
“However, Old Xia, your son should be very ordinary, right?”
Su Changyu was extremely straightforward and his words made the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty fall silent.
Pfft.
Taishang Xuanji, who was at the side, couldn’t help but show his displeasure. Although he soon looked normal again, Su Changyu noticed everything.
“Old Xuan, don’t laugh, your daughter probably looks ordinary too.”
“I know what the two of you have in mind, both of you want to let your daughter marry me.”
“However, Old Xia, Old Xuan, I acknowledge you guys as my friends.”
Su Changyu said seriously, “But don’t mention this anymore because I’m not interested in women.”
Although he did not understand why the two of them kept asking about his parents, he thought about the things they said previously.
Su Changyu subconsciously thought that the two of them really wanted to introduce him to a woman.
Unfortunately, he was not interested in women.
After hearing Su Changyu’s words, Taishang Xuanji couldn’t laugh anymore.
He was a bit upset. If not for the fact that Su Changyu was suspected to be the tenth prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, he would have definitely tried to reason things with Su Changyu.
‘What do you mean my daughter is definitely not good-looking?’
‘Do you know how beautiful she is?’
‘So what if you’re the Tenth Prince? Do you think you can undermine me just because you’re the Tenth Prince?’
Taishang Xuanji felt his tooth ache but he still had to smile on the surface.
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty felt alright. After all, the ignorant was not to be blamed. Besides, no matter what Su Changyu did, he wouldn’t blame him.
“Do you hate your parents for abandoning you?”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was extremely abrupt and seemed rather anxious too. Not to mention Su Changyu, even Taishang Xuanji felt that the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was too hasty.
Faced with the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty’s inquiry, Su Changyu’s brows furrowed even more.
He did not understand what the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty wanted to express, or what he wanted to say.
Even if it was for his daughter, he couldn’t possibly go into such detail.
Looking at the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty. Su Changyu’s gaze became ambiguous as he seemed to be in thought. He somehow got nervous all of a sudden.
Taishang Xuanji remained silent. He knew that the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was completely fl.u.s.tered. Otherwise, as the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty, how could he have gotten anxious?
However, Taishang Xuanji also knew that the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty cared about the Tenth Prince extremely much.
It was not only because the Tenth Prince was born extraordinary, but most importantly because the Tenth Prince’s mother was the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty’s most beloved consort.
After she gave birth to the Tenth Prince, she died a peculiar death. It was said that she had contracted a strange illness that would make her die once she gave birth. Even an immortal would not be able to return.
Hence, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty pampered and favored the Tenth Prince greatly. If not for his abnormal disappearance, the position of Crown Prince honestly wouldn’t have been given to Xia Qian.
That was also the reason why the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was in a state of emotional turmoil.
He was fl.u.s.tered when he faced Su Changyu, which was the reason why he kept making those mistakes.
However, he was the emperor and that was a matter that wasn’t that important either. Hence, Taishang Xuanji had nothing else to say but there was something he understood.
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was human and not as heartless as he imagined.
Faced with the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty’s question, Su Changyu chose to answer.
He was extremely calm. Gazing at the Qingyun Dao Sect, he continued to speak slowly.
“Yes!”
He said indifferently.
However, after saying that, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty felt a heartache. He wanted to explain something but he knew that he couldn’t.
However, Su Changyu shook his head and said, “I don’t hate my parents but heaven’s will.”
“The disaster in Qingzhou was not something that my parents could have prevented either, perhaps they pa.s.sed away long ago in that disaster.”
“I know that they definitely didn’t want that to happen. My master has said that no parent would want to abandon their children unless it is the last resort.”
Su Changyu said calmly.
His answer made the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty feel some soreness in his nose. However, he was the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty who could not and would not cry.
“Do you miss your parents then?”
“Or rather, if one day your father appeared in front of you, would you accept him?”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty continued.
However, that question involved his privacy. Su Changyu shook his head, clearly not wanting to continue talking about this topic.
He tried to make himself seem casual.
“Forget it.”
“If they’re still alive, I hope that they’d be able to live better. It’d be best if they can give birth to another child and not miss me. I won’t have to worry about them either.”
“The Qingyun Dao Sect is my home. Although my biological father is not with me, my master is more like a father to me.”
“Old Xia, Old Xuan, don’t ask me such questions again in the future. I reiterate for the last time, I’m not interested in women.”
Su Changyu said seriously.
Immediately afterwards, he sent the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty and Taishang Xuanji into the guest room.
After Daoist Tai Hua’s efforts, the guest room had indeed become more luxurious-looking.
“Old Xia, Old Xuan, you guys will stay here.”
“If there is anything you need, just tell me.”
“I still have something to do, I have to leave first.”
Although Su Changyu had said more than usual, his sentences were all short and he looked just like an expert.
He intended to leave directly after settling down with the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty and Taishang Xuanji.
After being gone for such a long time, it was indeed time to rest for a while, and at the same time, he had to formulate a vigorous training plan for Ye Ping.
Hence, he had to go back earlier.
“Alright, it’s been hard on you these days too, Little Friend. Go back and get some rest.”
Taishang Xuanjia said while the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty nodded. They smiled and watched Su Changyu leave.
After Su Changyu left, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was still smiling and only after a long while did he hide the joy within him.
After a while, the emperor of Great Xia Dynasty spoke up without looking at Taishang Xuanji.
“I didn’t expect him to live in such a place, he must have been aggrieved.”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was still not completely sure if Su Changyu was his flesh and blood, but he had already treated Su Changyu as the stranded Tenth Prince.
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty felt a huge heartache.
Taishang Xuanji continued, “Yeah, it seems that Changyu has suffered a lot, but Heaven has rewarded him and given him talent. Although he has suffered greatly, he also has grown and turned out better than those who grew up in the lap of luxury.”
Taishang Xuanji said.
“Do you mean that the princes and princesses of mine are all pampered and spoiled?”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty asked calmly.
“Your Majesty, you have misunderstood.”
Taishang Xuanji was stunned. ‘How can you blame me for saying that? I was speaking the truth.’
However, he soon figured out what was going on. Clearly, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty remembered that he had secretly snickered just now.
Taishang Xuanji was perplexed.
“Misunderstood? If your son lived in such harsh living conditions without having a single decent piece of clothing, wouldn’t your heart break?”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty spoke in displeasure.
Taishang Xuanji did not say anything else. He could not imagine why the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty, who had always been intelligent, would suddenly become like that.
‘He’s being too protective.’
“I know my mistake.”
Taishang Xuanji answered with his head hung low. He understood that regardless of whether Su Changyu was the Tenth Prince or not, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was certain that he was.
Perhaps, it was a way for him to make things up to his imperial consort or to the Tenth Prince. It was probably to make up for the guilt within him.
Regardless of whether Su Changyu was the Tenth Prince or not, he would not be affected.
If Su Changyu was really the Tenth Prince, the Crown Prince would probably have to give up his position.
If Su Changyu was not the Tenth Prince, the Crown Prince would probably fall out of favor.
In short, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty would give all the attention and favor to Su Changyu.
Taishang Xuanji could see through that very clearly.
“After we go back this time, get your son to go to the border and suffer some hards.h.i.+ps. That wouldn’t be a bad thing either.”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty said calmly.
As soon as he said that, Taishang Xuanji no longer had anything to say. After all, the emperor’s orders were not to be defied.
Besides, he had indeed done the wrong thing previously and that punishment was not considered much.
Anyway, he was not the one suffering. If his son could suffer, it would be a good thing as that would be better than suffering a loss.
“Yes.”
Taishang Xuanji acknowledged, but after a while, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty spoke again.
“Xuanji, what do you think will happen if I tell him that he’s my son?”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty said.
In fact, he could feel that Su Changyu was his Tenth Prince.
The reason why he did not use the ancient method of mixing blood was because he had other plans.
“Your Majesty, you can’t…”
Taishang Xuanji immediately stopped the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty from having those thoughts.
If the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty recognized Su Changyu, it would be a shocking thing to the entire dynasty.
“What’s wrong with that?”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty asked calmly.
“Your Majesty, there are three things that are wrong with this.”
Taishang Xuanji took a deep breath and then slowly spoke.
“What are the three unacceptable things?”
At this moment, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty’s gaze was somewhat cold. He wanted to reunite with his flesh and blood. Yet, someone said that it was impossible. He was definitely furious.
“Your Majesty, please listen to me.”
“The dynasty is now stable and the Crown Prince is diligent and hardworking while presiding over the nation. If you acknowledge the Tenth Prince, there might be unnecessary trouble. Besides, the Crown Prince is your flesh and blood, so is the Tenth Prince. I’m sure you don’t want to see the brothers fight each other, do you?”
Taishang Xuanji knelt on the ground without saying anything.
“Brothers fight? With me around, would he dare to do that?”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty answered coldly.
Taishang Xuanji stayed silent without answering because there was no need for him to answer that question. The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was very clear about it.
Since ancient times, there had been incidents of brothers fighting for the sake of the emperor’s throne, though not often.
After all, the emperor was still around.
In this world, it was only normal for the emperor to change all the time. Be it the king of a small nation or a dynasty, their reign would last no longer than 200 years.
Once it exceeded two hundred years, it would lead to endless natural disasters.
Even the best was within 100 to 150 years.
If it was within 100 years, there would be no natural disasters, but if it exceeded 100 years, there would more or less be some disasters.
If it exceeded 200 years, it would result in terrifying disasters.
That was also the reason why there had to be a change in the ruler every 200 years.
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty had already reigned for 125 years.
If the dynasty was in its heyday, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty would have continued in his position for 74 more years.
However, since the disappearance of the Tenth Prince more than twenty years ago, the dynasty’s fortunes had declined, so the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty did not intend to remain in power.
He planned to retire within 20 years.
After all, the old emperor’s abdication and the new emperor’s ascension to the throne might bring great benefits to the Great Xia Dynasty and enhance the national fortune.
Hence, at this juncture, the Crown Prince of the Great Xia Dynasty was the sole leader while the other princes also did their best to claim credit.
They were fighting for the throne.
However, it was difficult for them to vie with the Crown Prince, so although they continuously claimed credit, they did not go overboard.
Besides with the emperor around, the new one could not intervene.
However, Su Changyu was different.
He was the Tenth Prince, and even now, there were still many people in the Great Xia Dynasty who believed in the legend of the Tenth Prince.
The Tenth Prince was considered to be the future master of the Great Xia Dynasty.
Once it was confirmed that Su Changyu was the Tenth Prince and he entered the palace, many people would take the initiative to defect to him and support him to ascend to the throne.
How could the Crown Prince bear with it then?
When the time came, it might be more than just a fight between brothers.
Anyone else in his place would not be able to accept giving up a throne that he had worked hard for and dedicated himself to for 30 years.
Yet, someone else s.n.a.t.c.hed it away easily when he was only a step away.
Who would be willing to accept it?
Besides, that brother of his was one whom he had only met a few times and the two did not spend their childhood together.
In such a situation, how could anyone remain sane?
Those were Taishang Xuanji’s concerns, but he also believed that the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was clear about it. The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty just didn’t want to accept it.
Who would be willing to accept the idea of his sons fighting with each other?
“Go on.”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty said with an expressionless face.
“Your Majesty, the second thing is that if the Tenth Prince is really like what the predictions say, all the more you can’t acknowledge him. The Tenth Prince is said to be a blessing to the Great Xia Dynasty so he should have kept a low profile, but now, the fortune of the Great Xia Dynasty is gradually declining.”
“If the Tenth Prince can really help the Great Xia Dynasty and improve the national fortune, you can’t acknowledge him. Once you do, how can the other dynasties ignore it?”
Taishang Xuanji asked curiously.
That was the second reason.
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty could accept that.
After all, the five dynasties were all aware of that prophecy.
Later on, the Tenth Prince disappeared and the other four dynasties were also searching. After all, they naturally did not hope for the Great Xia Dynasty to prosper.
Hence, if they really reunited, it would indeed result in unnecessary trouble.
For Su Changyu, there would be an additional crisis.
“What else?”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty continued.
“Your Majesty, the third reason is that the reunion is too sudden and it will cause the Tenth Prince to be unable to accept it. It might even ruin your relations.h.i.+p with him.”
“After all, it was too sudden so we might as well let nature take its course.”
Taishang Xuanji said.
As Taishang Xuanji spoke, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty was speechless.
He understood that what Taishang Xuanji said was exactly right.
Logically speaking, he could not reunite with his son.
However, he was the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty and could do what was not allowed.
However, what the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty cared the most about was not the fight between the Crown Prince and the other princes. He wasn’t scared that the other four dynasties would attack Su Changyu either.
He could swear that if the four dynasties dared to harm Su Changyu, he would kill all the princes and princesses of the four dynasties.
He wouldn’t care even if he had to declare war.
However, what he really cared about was whether Su Changyu would accept him as his father or not.
He was worried if Su Changyu was willing or not.
That was the only thing he was worried about.
The reason being, he could tell that Su Changyu seemed to not care about his father, and in fact, he even seemed to hope that his father would not come looking for him.
He did not know if this was his own illusion or not.
However, the emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty did not dare to confirm it.
“Forget it, let’s leave this matter aside for now. Xuanji, now pa.s.s the order to have the Heavenly Apparel Pavilion make more sets of clothes.”
“No, actually, just have everyone in the Imperial Clothing Palace make dozens of sets of Sword Immortal clothes and robes and send them to Changyu.”
“Remember, they have to fit his aura. No, just do it according to the current scale. Don’t make any mistakes, get it?”
The emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty said.
“Yes!”
Taishang Xuanji was no longer nervous, as having clothes made was not a huge matter either.
Just like that…
In the blink of an eye, it was late at night.
On the Qingyun cliff, a familiar figure appeared.
It was Su Changyu.
He stood quietly on the front cliff, still pondering something.
It was something related to his father.
‘Maybe it’s because Old Xia mentioned it.”
It was now late at night and Su Changyu couldn’t help but think of a question.
‘What if my biological father really comes looking for me?’
‘Do I accept him or not?’
Su Changyu did not dwell on that issue.
After all, it was his biological father so he could accept him.
However, he would remain in the Qingyun Dao Sect.
Soon, he was faced with another question that made him feel troubled.
If his father was wealthy and came to him with all sorts of clothes from the Heavenly Apparel Pavilion…
What should he do?
Even after pondering for over two hours, he still couldn’t figure it out.
At this moment, Chen Lingrou suddenly spoke up.
“Eldest Senior Brother, they’re here.”