Su Yun'an pouted and said with dissatisfaction, "That doesn't mean she can sell me. Am I not as important to her as her father?"

Su Xuening raised an eyebrow: "Of course they are all important. If Mother had any other way, she certainly wouldn't be willing to leave you in Northern Wei. But right now, we have no other choice."

Su Xuening then rubbed Su Yun'an's head again: "Actually, if you really don't want to, your father and mother definitely won't force you. They will definitely respect your wishes."

Su Yun'an blinked and looked at Su Xuening: "Then can I not stay in Northern Wei?"

“Of course,” Su Xuening replied without hesitation. “No one can force you to do anything.”

Before Su Yun'an could be happy, Su Xuening cupped his little face in her hands and said seriously, "But have you ever thought that this is also an opportunity for you? Although you may not be interested in this, being the emperor isn't so bad. It's something many people envy. Just like your mother said, those three great-uncles fought tooth and nail for the throne, but they still couldn't get it. Now, this position is right in front of you, and it's definitely within your reach. This is something many people can only dream of."

Su Yun'an frowned, as if he was thinking about Su Xuening's words.

Su Xuening sighed again: "My great-grandfather is old. If I don't take care of his health, he only has a month left to live. He can no longer support this country on his own. Actually, he had no choice but to choose my father. He always said how intelligent and wise our grandfather was, how knowledgeable he was, but in fact, my father wasn't that intelligent. He was just a bit more upright than those three great-uncles. If our grandfather were still alive, my great-grandfather certainly wouldn't have had to worry about choosing an heir."

Su Xuening then looked at Su Yun'an and said, "As for you, you are very smart, much smarter than your father. You also learn martial arts, and your martial arts skills will definitely be better than your father's in the future, and you may even surpass your brother-in-law. As for academics, you are still young. If you want to learn, you will have plenty of time and opportunities. I believe that the reason why my great-grandfather agreed to my mother's suggestion was because he felt that it was more worthwhile to cultivate you than to cultivate my father."

Su Yun'an was overjoyed by Su Xuening's praise: "Does my sister think I'm smarter than Father?"

Su Xuening raised her eyebrows noncommittally: "Of course, you're definitely smarter than your father. If he were truly smart, how could he have been deceived by Su Huiyan and Su Renyi for so long!"

Su Yun'an nodded silently.

Indeed, my father is not smart. He didn't even notice that Su Huiyan and Su Renyi were lying to him. He's not smart at all!

Seeing that he was softening, Su Xuening cupped his little face in her hands again: "Trust your sister, you can become the most perfect crown prince."

Su Yun'an's handsome face flushed slightly, feeling awkward.

The perfect crown prince—that sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

“If you really want to learn, whether it’s your great-grandfather, your mother, or even your brother-in-law, they can all teach you. And you don’t have to stay in Northern Wei. You can go back to Eastern Chu to learn from your brother-in-law, or you can go to Western Liang to learn from your mother. I believe your great-grandfather won’t have any objections. Your great-grandfather still has three years left, so you have at least three more years of freedom!” Su Xuening continued to coax him.

Upon hearing this, Su Yun'an felt that if he really didn't need to stay in Northern Wei, he could return to Eastern Chu or go to Western Liang. In that case, it didn't seem too difficult.

"Of course, if you really don't like it, we can give up the throne of Northern Wei. Living a carefree life might not be such a bad thing." Before Su Yun'an could even be happy, Su Xuening changed the subject again: "But even if you don't want it, the throne of Northern Wei should be left to Father, and Father will eventually leave it to you. So it's probably impossible for you to live a carefree life!"

Su Xuening touched Su Yun'an's little face and asked seriously, "Everyone is born with their own responsibilities. Are you willing to take on your responsibilities ahead of time?"

Su Yun'an smiled wryly: "Since, as my sister said, I can't escape it no matter whether I agree now or not, I might as well get used to it in advance!"

My sister is making it sound like he's going to be the emperor of Northern Wei sooner or later. Since he's going to stay in Northern Wei eventually, he might as well get used to it in advance.

Su Xuening smiled and hugged him: "I knew you would agree. You wouldn't want your father and mother to be separated, would you?"

Actually, she didn't need to persuade her at all; Yun'an would eventually give in.

But she couldn't bear to let him go; she couldn't bear to let him comfort himself, so she came.

Su Yun'an hugged Su Xuening tightly: "Sister, you must come to see me often!"

Su Xuening smiled and patted his head: "Of course, I have to prepare medicine for my great-grandfather, so I will naturally come often. And you can also come back to Dongchu with me."

My great-grandfather can hold on for another three years, so Yun'an has three more years of freedom.

"All right."

Su Yun'an completely gave in.

If, as his sister said, he still has three years of freedom, during which he can freely travel between Eastern Chu and Western Liang, then his life won't be so difficult.

Su Xuening only left the room after coaxing Su Yun'an to sleep.

Outside, Duanmu Junyu and Su Renzhong were waiting. When they saw her come out, they both stood up at the same time.

Without needing to ask, Su Xuening knew what they wanted to ask.

Su Xuening smiled reassuringly: "Don't worry, Yun'an is very sensible, he promised."

Duanmu Junyu and Su Renzhong exchanged a glance, their feelings a mixture of emotions.

They were worried the child wouldn't agree, but now that the child has agreed, they don't seem that happy.

They are afraid that their children will suffer, so they reluctantly agree. If this matter will affect their children's entire lives, they are also unwilling to force their children to agree.

Su Xuening knew what they were thinking and explained helplessly, "He agreed willingly, so don't overthink it. Mother's solution is indeed the best of both worlds. However, Yun'an is still young, and suddenly having such a big responsibility on his shoulders will definitely take him some time to adjust. During this time, let's all praise him more!"

Kids like to hear nice things.

Duanmu Junyu and Su Renzhong nodded together.

"I'm going to see my great-grandfather. You should all get some rest too." After finishing her business with Su Yun'an, Su Xuening rushed off to Changshou Palace to give Helian Rong acupuncture.

Duanmu Junyu and Su Renzhong looked at Su Xuening's retreating figure, both feeling a little lost.

Su Renzhong, in particular, said: "Both of my children have grown up, and it feels like I've missed out on their growth."

When he left home, Ning'er was only fourteen, not yet of marriageable age, still a child who would snuggle in his arms. An'er was only four, a child who loved to ride on his shoulders. Now they have all grown up, and he was not a part of their growth—what a regrettable thing.

Duanmu Junyu took Su Renzhong's hand and comforted him, "This is not what you thought, and the children won't blame you."

Both children have grown up and are now capable of standing on their own. Perhaps it is because they have experienced those things on their own that they are so outstanding today. So, fortune and misfortune are intertwined, and some things are not necessarily bad.

Su Renzhong pulled Duanmu Junyu into his arms, his heart filled with complex emotions.