Chapter 402 Xiao Xiao runs away from home
Five years later...
As dusk fell, the majestic palace was dyed with a warm glow like molten gold by the setting sun.
The glazed tiles exude a quiet luster, and the vermilion palace walls appear more solemn and majestic in the deepening shadows.
The copper bells under the eaves were occasionally plucked by the evening breeze, making a few small, ethereal sounds, which made the entire palace even more profound and peaceful.
However, this solemn and peaceful atmosphere was broken the moment they stepped into the Pineapple Palace.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze, weighing heavily on everyone's heart.
The emperor, who was over thirty years old, stood quietly in the center of the palace, his posture still as straight as a pine or cypress.
He was dressed in a dark suit, with a coiled dragon pattern embroidered with gold thread faintly visible in the candlelight in the hall, outlining his broad shoulders and straight back.
After five years, the majesty he exuded became more restrained and profound, and the calm demeanor of someone in control of the world between his brows was now replaced by a touch of pampering and helplessness.
He held Wen Li'er, who was crying, in his arms and comforted her softly.
From time to time, he lowered his head and kissed away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
The past five years seemed to have been particularly kind to her, and her appearance remained as elegant as ever.
The azure palace dress made her skin look whiter than snow, just like the dewy pear blossoms on the branches in early spring.
Her hair is lightly tied up, and she wears only a simple white jade hairpin, which adds a touch of simple and elegant charm.
But at this moment, the pair of almond-shaped eyes that usually smiled were filled with turbulent emotions, and tears rolled down like pearls with broken strings.
Her long eyelashes were soaked with tears and stuck together, making her look even more pitiful.
In her hand, she tightly grasped a piece of letter.
The letter paper had been wrinkled by her, and on it was written a childish but extremely neat handwriting, with clear lines and good organization.
Between the lines, there is a burning yearning for the vast world outside the palace walls.
And an unquestionable stubbornness that is as fearless as a newborn calf.
————————————
The Emperor and the Empress respectfully report:
I, your humble servant, am deeply terrified and kowtow to you a hundred times.
By the time my parents see this handwritten letter, I... will probably have already left the palace!
I beg my father, the Emperor, and my mother to calm down their wrath for a while and not to worry so much!
I especially implore my mother to take good care of herself and not to shed tears!
I, your son, dare to speculate that your mother must be in tears again. Your Majesty, please comfort her quickly...
I know full well that such behavior is truly disobedient and unfilial, and will surely make your parents anxious and heartbroken.
However, there seems to be a spark in my heart that is burning day and night, and I can no longer suppress it!
My father used to teach me: Read ten thousand books, but you must eventually travel ten thousand miles.
Although I, your son, have read all the classics and historical records in my study deep in the palace...
Although I have heard of the anecdotes of the rivers and lakes, the beautiful scenery of the mountains and rivers, and the customs and people...
However, these are just smoke and clouds on paper and other people's words.
My son's soul has long been ready to take flight, wandering the vast universe! The universe is so vast, my son's heart is drawn to it!
I, your son, want to see with my own eyes the vastness and grandeur of the scene in the book: "The lone smoke rises straight in the desert, the setting sun is round in the long river." Is it really as described in the book?
Are the misty towers of Jiangnan truly like the shrouded in ink and wash painting, a wonderland? Can the steeds of the northern frontier truly chase the wind and lightning, their hooves trampling over shooting stars? Can the roaring waves of the sea truly stir up thousands of piles of frost and snow, their roars resonating through the heavens?
I, your son, wish to witness with my own eyes the peaceful and prosperous era created by my father, the emperor, and my mother, what a magnificent scene it is!
I want to hear the sounds of the common people’s livelihoods in the streets and alleys; I want to taste the exotic flavors of the four directions; I want to visit the extraordinary people with unique skills in the rivers and lakes.
I, your son, want to know how vast the world is outside the palace walls.
This thought spread like spring grass, occupying the child's heart, growing wildly day by day, and it can no longer be suppressed.
Although the boy is not yet nine years old, his uncle, the Prince of Lang, is a master of martial arts, and his uncle, the Prince of Liang, is a man of noble bearing and a brave and heroic young man.
With these three people protecting me, I will be safe.
Besides, I have also learned some martial arts from my uncle, Prince of Lang, so I will definitely not be a burden!
It's not that I don't cherish the deep kindness of my father, the emperor, and my mother, the empress, nor that I don't remember the deep love between brothers. Brother Tian, sister Miao, sister Zhao, and brother Mu, I will miss you all!
I just think that if I am trapped under my parents' wings forever, I will eventually become a child in need of protection.
I, your son, want to break free from the cage, experience the hardships of life, and learn about the world, so that I can truly grow up!
One day, I will be able to do my best to assist my father, protect Dayan, and protect my family!
My father often said: A good man has ambitions in all directions. This trip, I, is to find the "four directions" in my heart!
I beg my father, the Emperor, and my mother, to have mercy on me and fulfill my humble "foolish wish"!
I, your son, will always keep the palace in my heart, wishing you good health from afar. I will also be cautious in my words and actions, and never venture into dangerous places lightly.
When I have seen the wonders of the world and learned some skills to make a living, I will pack up and return to the capital as soon as possible. I will tell my father and mother in detail about what I have seen and heard, and the beautiful scenery of the mountains and rivers!
I beg you not to send anyone after me, and please do not worry about me. The road ahead is long, but my heart is always with you.
No matter how far you go, there will always be a return home.
I, an unfilial son, bow with tears and blood.
————————————
At the end of the letter, the ink was a little messy, with a small smiley face drawn on it, and a few small words added next to it:
Mother, calm down! When you return, I will present you with fresh fruit bait!
Wen Li'er looked at the pretended smile and the promise of snacks at the end, and tears started to fall again.
She raised her head and punched Yan Shixu's solid chest with her little fist.
"Look at this! Look at the good son you taught!"
"He's not even nine years old! He dared... He dared to leave a letter and run away!"
"Does he know how dangerous it is out there? He's so young! It's all your fault! It's all because of you, always telling him stories about the underworld and the splendor of the mountains and rivers! You've made him lose his mind!"
Wen Li'er pounded the letter while choking with sobs as she made her accusations, her tears soaking a corner of the letter paper.
Yan Shixu took a punch that didn't hurt at all, listened to his wife's crying, and touched his nose guiltily.
Of course he knew that Xiaoxiao had escaped in the dark—
How could he hide from him the little thoughts of Xiaoxiao and Xiongxiong, as well as the preparations made by Prince Lang and Prince Liang in the past few days?
He also made some arrangements in secret.
Yan Shixu reached out and wrapped his hands around Wen Li'er's pounding fists, pressing her back into his arms, and soothed her gently:
"Li'er, don't be anxious, don't be angry. It's not worth it to get yourself hurt by getting angry."
He patted her back gently and explained, "I know about this. I also... sent secret guards to follow the four of them all the way. They are all top-notch experts and will definitely not let anything happen to them."
"It's not necessarily a bad thing that Xiaoxiao and Xiongxiong have such adventurous spirits. With their two uncles around and the protection of the secret guards, it would be good to let them go out and gain some experience and sharpen their skills."
Wen Li'er was held in his arms, listening to his heartbeat and assurances, and the force of his beatings gradually subsided.
But the tears could not be stopped, sobbing:
"That's easy for you to say! They're both so young... There's a lot of swordplay out there, and people's hearts are unpredictable... What if... What if..."
"Nothing will happen."
Yan Shixu spoke in a firm tone, with the control of an emperor.
"I promise you that they will return safely, bringing with them the 'world' they have seen."
"Just think of it as...letting a young eagle out to learn how to fly. We'll be here, waiting for it to come home."
Wen Li'er leaned against him quietly. Although she was still worried, her husband's assurance and the letter that revealed her son's strong desire made her feel angry but also complicated.
In the end, she just clutched the letter tightly, buried her face in Yan Shixu's chest, and responded in a muffled voice.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
