“I am grateful to my aunt for raising me and I have always been grateful for her kindness. However, recently I have felt a little melancholy.”
Yuan Huizhou frowned, lowered his head, and looked dejected.
"It's just that... I remember things very early and I remember my biological parents, but... I've long regarded my aunt and uncle as my parents, which makes me feel very sorry for my biological parents."
Seemingly realizing that his idea was wrong, Yuan Huizhou lowered his head even further.
It was after Qu Huaiyuan became his disciple that Zhu Yuan subtly reminded him about Yuan Huizhou's identity.
Therefore, he was one of the few people who knew about Yuan Huizhou's background.
Now, hearing him mention his uncle and aunt, one knows that the child is referring to King Jing and Lady Zhen.
Looking at the young boy in front of him, who was bowing his head and looking very guilty, he felt a sense of empathy, as both of them were alone.
However... they are fundamentally different.
“Zhou’er, the kindness of giving birth and raising us is of paramount importance to us. Both biological parents and adoptive parents are parents. You don’t need to distinguish between them and determine who is superior.”
"Your biological father and mother gave you life, and they also doted on you when they were alive. It is filial piety to not forget their kindness! Always thinking of your parents is not forgetting your roots."
"But people always look forward. The deceased is gone, so there's no need to dwell on it. We should look ahead and cherish the people in front of us."
"You are filial, never forgetting to offer incense to your parents on every festival. I believe they have already felt your filial piety in heaven."
"The saying 'The child wishes to care for his parents, but they are no longer there' teaches us the same lesson: cherish the present. Now your uncle and aunt treat you like their own child, and you treat them like your parents. Cherish the time you spend with them and don't let these things ruin your relationship with your mother."
After Qu Huaiyuan's words, Yuan Huizhou's unease faded considerably.
He stood up respectfully and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, teacher. I was thinking the wrong way."
Qu Huaiyuan quickly helped him up. Looking at the extraordinary young man in front of him, he felt only pride.
Despite his young age, he is loyal, humble, and eager to learn. If it weren't for the sudden accident in Huachao...
If His Highness the Crown Prince had not passed away and had successfully ascended the throne, Yuan Huizhou would certainly have been the best heir apparent.
Unfortunately, such is fate; one can only accept it.
Suddenly realizing this, Qu Huaiyuan's eyes darkened slightly, as if he were testing the young man before him.
He looked around and saw that there was no one else in the room, only the master and his apprentice.
Only then did he dare to ask, "Zhou'er, do you have any regrets?"
Yuan Huizhou looked up at him in confusion, but did not answer immediately. His intuition told him that his teacher's regret was not simple.
He countered with a question: "Teacher, regrets are common, but I wonder what you specifically mean?"
Qu Huaiyuan stared intently at Yuan Huizhou's face, his gaze sharp, not missing a single expression.
"Your biological father is the Crown Prince of Hua Dynasty, and your biological mother is the Crown Princess. You were born into a noble family. If it weren't for an accident, you would have been the next emperor of this world. But now you are hiding your identity, which completely eliminates the possibility of ascending the throne. Do you feel resentful?"
Yuan Huizhou was stunned, his face full of disbelief, and he hurriedly explained, "Teacher! I would never have had such thoughts!"
He hadn't expected his teacher to suspect him, and he was both flustered and anxious, fearing that his uncle would find out and dislike him.
"Heaven and earth bear witness, if I have uttered any falsehoods, I will surely be punished by heaven!"
Yuan Huizhou, fearing that his teacher would not believe him, raised his hand and swore to the heavens, his words sharp and his eyes exceptionally serious.
Although he did harbor hatred in his heart when he was very young because he witnessed the death of his father and mother, he vowed to become a superior person and avenge his parents.
But gradually, his mind was healed by his aunt and the simple Zhen family in Meizi Village.
Although the hatred still lingered, it wasn't as intense as it had been at the beginning; instead, it turned into a greedy longing for the warmth given by Zhen's family.
Later, my uncle raised an army, repelled the Northern Hu people, and then defeated Yang Wang, the Fifth Imperial Uncle, and others one after another...
Seeing that he could witness the head of that person in Kyoto roll without having to lift a finger, his obsession had long since died down.
And he found the life he wanted more.
He didn't want that kind of court life, and he didn't want to face the conflicts in the court anymore. He wanted a simple and stable happiness.
Qu Huaiyuan had been paying close attention to Yuan Huizhou's expression. Seeing that he looked serious and didn't seem to be lying, Qu Huaiyuan felt relieved.
Fortunately, the child didn't have those kinds of thoughts, so for him, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
Those in positions of power are unpredictable; those who can sit in that position are not simple people.
The human heart is unpredictable, a truth that has been around since ancient times. Once a person gains immense power, they will not tolerate any interference from others.
Yuan Huizhou's background is already a sensitive issue. When Prince Jing ascends the throne, the next crown prince will undoubtedly be Guai Bao.
He was afraid that his young apprentice would go astray, arouse the suspicion of those above, and ruin his relationship with them.
At the same time, he didn't want his apprentice to go down a path of no return because of these things.
"teacher?"
When Yuan Huizhou saw that the teacher had not responded, he became a little anxious. He really didn't have the mind to do that anymore!
Qu Huaiyuan heard the choked sound coming from his nose and also came out of his chaotic thoughts.
His words today probably frightened him.
“Zhou’er, although I’m asking you these questions, I’m also reminding you that you are now a descendant of the Li family, and you will be in the future.”
Yuan Huizhou, no! Li Yuanzhou nodded; he understood all these principles!
Soon, the royal family will change dynasties, and he will no longer be the high and mighty Crown Prince.
From this day forward, he will only be Li Yuanzhou, and there will be no more Yuan Huizhou in the world.
The two, master and apprentice, chatted for a while longer. Seeing that it was getting late, the servant came to urge Li Yuanzhou to go home. Qu Huaiyuan saw him off to the carriage and watched it leave.
Today is the day Li Yuanzhou returns home, and Zhen Wanwan had the kitchen prepare his favorite food early in the morning.
Sweetie held her new toy in her hands with a smile, waiting for her brother Li Yuanzhou to come home so she could give it to him.
As always, the little one remained calm, sitting by the study window reading a book.
From this angle, the gate is clearly visible, so he can spot Li Yuanzhou's return immediately.
Zhen Wanwan smiled helplessly. The three children had been inseparable since childhood and had a very close relationship.
She was very happy and gratified to see this.
For four or five years now, Zhou'er has been just like Guai Bao and Tian Bao, all her children.
If it weren't for her previous plan to adopt Tianbao as a foster father, and her desire to register Zhou'er in the family genealogy so that he could truly become part of their family.
However, Zhu Yuan had other plans. Before he met Zhen Wanwan, he wanted to contend for the world, but he did not want to sit on the throne himself.
Instead, he wanted to help Zhou'er ascend the throne and assist him in securing it.
But now he has his own children, and his son is very intelligent, understanding things almost instantly.
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