determination
Life in the palace appears peaceful on the surface, but beneath the surface, a turbulent undercurrent rages. Although Ziling and I live in separate rooms, my thoughts are constantly on her. However, another strange development has recently distracted me—my sister Yingying, always so lively and uninhibited in the palace, has been staying indoors for days, and along with her, the stinky tofu has vanished.
This was definitely not their nature. At first, I thought it was just a young couple's quarrel, or perhaps a minor illness. But observing the night sky, my father, Ouyang Feiying's natal star, flickered and shimmered with a chilling aura—definitely not a good omen. Putting the two together, a sense of foreboding crept over me.
As night fell, I finally felt uneasy and wheeled over to their residence. The hall was brightly lit, yet strangely quiet. I knocked on the door and entered, only to find Yingying sitting across from Choudoufu, their expressions barely concealed.
"Yingying, Choudoufu, are you feeling unwell? Why haven't I seen you go out in so many days?" I lowered my voice, scanning their expressions with my eyes like a doctor. "If there's anything wrong, I can check your pulse."
"No, I'm not feeling unwell!" Yingying answered first, but her voice was unnaturally hurried.
Stinky Tofu also quickly agreed: "Yes, we are fine, it's just... we just want to have some peace and quiet for a few days."
How could their evasive glances and blunt words have fooled me? I sighed inwardly, wondering when these two people, whose minds were as pure as a sheet of paper, had learned to play tricks on me? This was definitely not something they could have come up with on their own.
"Really?" My voice deepened, its intensity undeniable. "You just don't want to go out?" I wheeled my wheelchair a few inches closer, locking my gaze with theirs. "When did your thoughts become so deep? You're even hiding something from my eldest brother?"
Stinky Tofu was frightened by my gaze, and a look of struggle appeared on his honest face. He said hesitantly: "Brother...we, we just don't want you to worry..."
"You don't want me to worry?" I grasped the key to his words, my tone suddenly sharp. "Is this related to Father? Is it... related to me?" Seeing their pupils shrink slightly, I was already 70% certain, and my voice turned cold. "With the brains of the two of you, it would be absolutely impossible for you to hide this from me. It was your sister-in-law, my wife, right? She asked you to do this?"
I pretended to leave, "Since you won't tell me, I'll go ask her myself!"
"Brother, don't go!" Stinky Tofu panicked and blurted out in a hurry, "It's my sister-in-law! She, she doesn't want to embarrass you either!"
In his fragmented, guilt-tinged narration, the truth washed over me like an icy tide. My father's vicious plan, Yingying's accidental overhearing, Ziling's foresight... the "faked death" scheme, the Turtle Breathing Pill I had created...
In an instant, my heart seemed to be immersed in ice and fire.
First, a bone-chilling chill. My father… my biological father, he hadn't changed a bit. For the sake of power, he wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice his daughter's happiness, even his son-in-law's. The faint longing for a father's love, which had never been completely extinguished in my heart, was now completely extinguished by this cruel reality.
Then, an indescribable bitterness and pain followed. Zi Ling... she had foreseen this crisis, yet she chose to plan it alone, refusing even to discuss it with me. Was it because I had so confidently defended my father that day that she felt I was no longer trustworthy? Or was it because she didn't want to put me in the difficult position of a father-son confrontation?
However, the sting of being concealed did not last long and was replaced by a deeper understanding and compassion.
I recalled all her sacrifices, the grievances she endured for me, the exhausting care she'd put into our family. Her actions weren't about distrusting me, but rather knowing me too well, understanding my longing for and struggle for family affection, understanding my dilemma between being a father and a lover. So, she chose to bear it all alone, taking on the dirtiest and most difficult part, simply to protect everyone else to the greatest extent possible, and also... to protect my pitiful self-esteem.
She is always like this, silently and firmly guarding everything she cares about in her own way.
How could I let her face it alone again?
The turmoil in my heart gradually subsided, replaced by an unprecedented clarity and determination. Since the storm is coming, and there's no avoiding it, then let me take on the responsibilities of a husband and a father!
I looked at my bewildered sister and brother-in-law, and my voice regained its usual calmness, yet with an undeniable force: "You did the right thing. I'm aware of this."
Under their surprised gazes, I continued, "Just follow Ziling's plan. You all stay in the room, feign ignorance, and keep father in the dark. Leave the rest to me."
I had a far-sighted vision, already laying out the chess game in my mind. Zi Ling wanted to use Yingying's "death" to awaken his father's conscience. While this method was risky, it might be the only way to achieve it without bloodshed. However, I had to prepare for the worst.
"Remember," I warned solemnly, "if the situation gets out of control, I will find a way to get Zi Ling and our child out of danger and never let her get involved." The golden thread of divine wisdom silently coiled in my sleeve, and a more determined thought took shape in my mind. "If... Zi Ling's plan fails, and my father refuses to repent..." I paused, a hint of cold determination in my voice: "I will personally take action to seal his martial arts."
Destroying his martial arts would at least prevent him from stirring up trouble and harming the people I care about. This might be the most unfilial act as a son, but it's also a choice I must make as a husband, a father, and a friend.
As the night deepened, I pushed my wheelchair away from their residence. The confusion and pain in my heart caused by the love entanglement had been replaced by a greater sense of responsibility to protect my family and a calm plan.
My father, this time, I will not let you destroy my family again!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
