Duanmu Junyu was genuinely surprised that Helian Rong would ask this question. Her face flushed slightly as she said, "Back when Eastern Chu and Western Liang went to war, I was young and impetuous, so I personally led the army into battle. Eastern Chu sent Renzhong. At that time, I fought him on the battlefield every day, but I could never beat him. However, he was a very soft-hearted man and would never really kill me, so I had a deep impression of him."
Helian Rong was surprised that Su Renzhong could be so perceptive, and laughed, "I didn't realize that kid could be so chivalrous. I guess it's only for you!"
When talking about her love affair with the elder, Duanmu Junyu was still a little embarrassed. She lowered her eyes and smiled, "Perhaps he was also very curious about me. At that time, I hid my identity and wore a mask. He had no idea that I was the Empress of Xiliang, nor did he know what I looked like. Until one day, when I was fighting with him, I fell off a cliff. He jumped off the cliff without hesitation to save me. We spent several days on the cliff. That's when he learned what I looked like and that I was the Empress of Xiliang. And I fell in love with him under his careful care."
This love story is quite touching, but...
Helian Rong frowned and said, "At the time, I sent people to investigate, and they said it was an orphan girl that your son brought back from the battlefield."
Duanmu Junyu nodded and said, "Yes. Although we loved each other back then, because of our vastly different social statuses and being from enemy countries, we knew we were destined not to be together. However, because of our love, we didn't plan to continue fighting. He wrote to the Emperor of Eastern Chu, and the Emperor of Eastern Chu agreed to withdraw his troops. I wanted to see him one last time, so I arranged to meet him at that cliff. But my sister followed me and pushed me off the cliff again. Later, he jumped off the cliff again to save me. That time, my injuries were particularly severe, and I also lost my memory. He was worried that I wouldn't be able to deal with my sister because of my amnesia, so he took me back to Eastern Chu and claimed to the outside world that I was an orphan."
Helian Rong finally understood. No wonder he found out that the boy had married an orphan. So everyone in Dongchu thought that the boy had married an orphan. Only the boy himself knew the truth: he had married the Empress of Xiliang!
Duanmu Junyu sighed softly: "I only regained my memories a year ago and returned to Xiliang. Before that, I was in Dongchu!"
"I see." Although she didn't say it explicitly, Helian Rong could already sense her hardship: "That kid is lucky to have met you."
Despite her own hardships, she still came to Northern Wei to find that boy, which shows that she truly loved him.
Duanmu Junyu disagreed: "It should be my good fortune to have met him. If he hadn't saved me time and time again, I would be gone long ago."
Helian Rong nodded silently, now understanding the deep affection between the couple.
However, the matter of the Northern Wei throne cannot be left unresolved!
Helian Rong took a sip of tea, then suddenly changed the subject: "This boy in our family, he shouldn't be your imperial consort, right?"
Duanmu Junyu was also drinking tea when she heard this and almost choked because she felt guilty.
After a while, Duanmu Junyu finally caught her breath and looked at Helian Rong somewhat awkwardly: "He is indeed not my royal consort yet, but he will be soon."
Duanmu Junyu couldn't help but explain, "I ascended the throne at the age of ten and married my consort early on, but I never favored him until I returned to Xiliang a year ago and discovered that he had a child with my sister. I have already dealt with them both. When Renzhong comes back to Xiliang with me, I will make him my consort."
"Cough cough..." This time it was Helian Rong's turn to be provoked. He coughed twice and looked at Duanmu Junyu in shock: "You want to take him back to Xiliang?"
Duanmu Junyu raised her eyebrows noncommittally: "Of course, I went through so much trouble to find him, I'm definitely going to bring him back to Xiliang!"
"Cough cough cough..." Helian Rong coughed violently again, stimulated by the cough.
Remembering what Su Xuening had said, Duanmu Junyu quickly comforted her, "Don't worry, Ning'er said you can't be agitated right now, take care of your health."
Helian Rong finally caught his breath and said, panting, "You should know that I want to pass the throne of Northern Wei to Ci'er, right? What do you think?"
Helian Rong decided to stop beating around the bush and get straight to the point.
Duanmu Junyu glanced at Helian Rong, who was not in good condition, and pursed her lips, saying, "Let's talk calmly, please don't get agitated."
Helian Rong gestured with his chin towards her, indicating that she should continue.
“Our family has finally reunited, so naturally I do not want Renzhong to succeed to the throne of Northern Wei, nor do I want Renzhong to remain in Northern Wei.”
As soon as Duanmu Junyu finished speaking, Helian Rong became agitated and started coughing again.
Duanmu Junyu raised her hand and quickly stopped her, saying, "Please don't get agitated. Let's talk things out. Everything is negotiable."
As if he had been waiting for Duanmu Junyu to say those words, Helian Rong immediately felt relieved and stopped coughing.
However, after catching his breath for a while, Helian Rong sighed and said, "Back then, I loved and favored my eldest son Helian Yu the most, who was also Ci'er's father. Ci'er's father was very smart. He understood everything at a glance and liked to read all kinds of ancient books. He knew everything from astronomy to geography and was also skilled in both literature and martial arts. I didn't know how much I liked him back then. I would have laughed in my dreams if I had such a son."
Duanmu Junyu listened attentively, and could tell that he truly loved his eldest son. She also believed that her father-in-law, whom she had never met, must be very outstanding.
“I made him the crown prince, and he naturally got married and had a son named Ci’er. Everything was fine until that day…” Helian Rong seemed to be thinking of Helian Yu’s death, and his joy turned to sadness: “If it weren’t for the rebellion of the Prince of Nanxian back then, Yu’er would not have died, Ci’er would not have been wandering outside for so many years, and our Northern Wei would not have lost its heir.”
Helian Rong's eyes reddened as he spoke, and he sighed softly, "I told Ci'er before that if his father hadn't met with this, that boy wouldn't have had a chance. To be honest, Ci'er isn't as outstanding as his father. It's a pity that my best son is gone, and my other sons are hopeless. No matter how much they fight or struggle, I will not pass the throne of Northern Wei to them. I only want to pass the throne of Northern Wei to Ci'er and to Yu'er's bloodline. I hope you can understand me."
As Helian Rong spoke these words, he suddenly seemed to have aged many years. He sat hunched over, looking like a frail old man, which made Duanmu Junyu feel inexplicably sorry for him.
Duanmu Junyu could understand him, but she was also reluctant to part with Su Renzhong.
Duanmu Junyu thought for a moment and said, "I can't be separated from Renzhong, but I can give you all of me!"
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