Xu Bai went to Tai'an with regret. Before leaving, he left a letter for Xiao Yuan, in which he explained in detail his feelings during this period. Although their relationship would change a lot in the future due to their different statuses, Xu Bai felt that he had to make these things clear to Xiao Yuan. Only by making things clear could they know that even if they couldn't be together all the time in the future, and even if they couldn't speak so freely when they met, Xu Bai wanted Xiao Yuan to know that his good friend would always care about him as before.
Xiao Yuan could easily understand Xu Bai's thoughts, but he was often powerless to do so now. It was at this moment that he felt sorry for his father, and he also felt somewhat relieved that his mother had been imprisoned in the Cold Palace in earlier years, and that he and his mother had endured a difficult life there. Later, he was even sent away, which made it impossible for the mother and son to see each other for more than ten years.
Emperor Liang Cheng could sense the change in Xiao Yuan, and one day he asked him, "Crown Prince, you seem to be in a very good mood these past few days. Is there something that made you happy?"
Xiao Yuan smiled and said, "What makes me happy, Father? I think it's because I've figured out a lot of things, that's why I'm in a good mood."
Emperor Liang Cheng asked him with great interest, "Oh? You've figured out a lot of things? Would you mind telling me about them?"
Xiao Yuan carefully organized his thoughts and said, "Your Majesty and I have always said what's on our minds. But when you wrote to me, you said that because of the changes in our identities, we would have to change our words and actions in the future. Only then did I realize that there are many times in life when we are not in control of our own destiny. Father, you have such a heavy burden on your shoulders, and there are even more times when you are not in control of your own destiny. Many times, you have to make choices yourself. When making these choices, I think that many things are not done according to your original wishes. Therefore, all the resentment I had towards you has disappeared. I feel that you have had a hard time, and as your child, I should understand your difficulties."
Emperor Liang Cheng had never expected his son to speak so frankly about his thoughts. Emperor Liang Cheng had always been a very reserved person, and even his closest relatives had never expressed their feelings so directly. Therefore, Xiao Yuan's words had a certain impact on Emperor Liang Cheng's thinking.
Seeing that Emperor Liang Cheng remained silent, Xiao Yuan didn't know what he had said wrong, so he could only look at him with some worry. Emperor Liang Cheng looked at Xiao Yuan's uneasy face and felt that his efforts over the years had not been in vain. You know, in order to cultivate him, Emperor Liang Cheng did not just send him to the Xu family and call it a day. Without his planning behind the scenes, how could the Xu family have developed so smoothly over the years?
Emperor Liang Cheng couldn't help but laugh. He stood up from behind his desk and walked to Xiao Yuan's side. Xiao Yuan was already half a head taller than Emperor Liang Cheng. He was a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy, somewhere between adolescence and youth, and his youthful exuberance was slowly becoming more restrained.
Seeing Emperor Liang Cheng approach and scrutinize him, Xiao Yuan was somewhat bewildered. Emperor Liang Cheng was amused by the rich expressions on Xiao Yuan's face, gently patted Xiao Yuan's shoulder, and said, "Good child, thank you for understanding my difficulties. I am also gratified that you have seen through these things. With you as the heir of Great Liang, I can not only close my eyes in peace, but also face the ancestors of our Xiao family."
The relationship between the emperor and the crown prince is actually quite complex. If the crown prince is mediocre, the emperor is anxious, fearing that the crown prince he chose cannot be a good emperor. If the crown prince is too capable, the emperor is afraid that he is inferior to the crown prince and will be ridiculed. Therefore, when Emperor Liang Cheng was teaching Xiao Yuan, his feelings were also somewhat complicated. However, at this moment, Emperor Liang Cheng deeply understood one thing: Xiao Yuan was not only the crown prince, but also his son, and the son he owed the most. Born in the cold palace, he did not experience the luxurious court life of other princes from a young age. Later, he did not enjoy the privileges of a prince outside. He practiced hard and studied diligently with his fellow disciples, just like many children who were expected to succeed in their families. He lived a hard life. But this was his son, his most proud son.
Emperor Liang Cheng was deeply saddened. He knew his own body was failing and that his time was running out. The only way he could lessen his guilt was to raise his son to be a capable emperor. Although Emperor Liang Cheng didn't say it, he understood that the trouble caused by his princes was due to his indulgence and his pampering of his children. This had allowed the princes to disregard the lives of the people of Liang and commit such heinous acts.
Emperor Liang smiled at Xiao Yuan and said, "Yuan'er, your father's health is not as good as before. Even with careful recuperation, the poison I have been given has shortened my lifespan. Tomorrow, Yuan'er, you will accompany your father to court and stand aside to listen to how your father handles matters at the grand court assembly. Yuan'er, you are right. As an emperor, sometimes you are not in control of your own destiny. You need to make choices many times, and sometimes these choices are against your will, but you have no choice but to make them. Therefore, your father hopes that you can learn how to maintain balance and how to obtain what you want among various forces."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan bowed respectfully and agreed. The next day at the grand court assembly, the court officials were taken aback when they saw Xiao Yuan following behind Emperor Liang Cheng. This crown prince, who had only recently returned to the capital and had not yet married a crown princess, was being brought to the grand court assembly by Emperor Liang Cheng at this time. Many people began to speculate on what kind of signal this sent. From this moment on, the Yongning Marquis's residence became the object of envy and jealousy for many families.
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