When the Prime Minister arrived at the gate of the mansion, he saw this large family and noticed an unfamiliar woman. He could probably guess who she was.
However, he didn't look at them much, but focused his attention on his wife. As for the other concubines, he just nodded and turned his attention back to his wife.
"Madam, you've worked hard. How are you feeling? Changling has caused you worry."
Faced with Prime Minister Xie's understanding and respect for her, the Prime Minister's wife was moved to tears and shook her head repeatedly.
"Everything is fine, my husband."
The Prime Minister was relieved and led everyone back to the main courtyard, where he announced that Xie Changling had been appointed by the Emperor as the gatekeeper of Yanmen Pass to guard it.
Xie Changling, however, was somewhat uneasy. Upon hearing this, he simply nodded without saying a word.
In the evening, he locked himself in his study and scribbled or drew something by himself.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the study door.
"Father?"
Xie Changling was initially surprised, but quickly invited the person in. The person was wearing a light blue robe loosely and had his hair down, giving him a somewhat unruly air.
“Father, I did not know you were coming. I have not washed my face or tied my hair. I have been rude. I hope you will not blame me.”
After Xie Changling finished his bow, he looked at the Prime Minister, wondering what his father wanted to say to him.
The Prime Minister carefully examined Xie Changling and noticed that he had indeed lost a lot of weight. He then patted Xie Changling on the shoulder.
"Sit down and talk to your father."
"Yes, Father."
Xie Changling readily agreed, sitting respectfully to the side, looking quite obedient.
"Changling, do you know?"
"What Father said is..."
"Consort Ling, no, the Empress is pregnant."
After Prime Minister Xie finished speaking, he looked at Xie Changling's expression and saw his face suddenly change. Considering Xie Changling's behavior at dinner, how could he not know anything?
"Ling'er, don't be so persistent. The Empress is now firmly in the palace, and the Emperor treats her very well. There is no need for you to do anything unnecessary."
Prime Minister Xie was too lazy to interfere in his son's private affairs. Although he couldn't bear to separate this ill-fated couple, he believed that a short, sharp pain was better than a long, drawn-out one.
"Father, has Xi'er really been made Empress?"
Xie Changling spoke, his voice terribly hoarse, and his eyes immediately reddened. No matter how many times he mentioned it, his heart still ached terribly.
"Yes, you can rest assured. It was our family that was unworthy of her. With such stunning beauty, our family could not keep her."
The Prime Minister earnestly tried to persuade him, as he truly did not want Changling to remain obstinate.
"If you insist on this, you're dragging the Prime Minister's mansion down with you, and making your mother and I pay for your stubbornness!"
The Prime Minister deliberately spoke in a harsh tone, but it wasn't entirely without reason; his intention was to sever all of Xie Changling's hopes.
...
After a long silence, Xie Changling shook his head.
His long, black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and as he shook his head, it swayed in the wind, making his empty robes appear even more ethereal.
"Father, I'm not reconciled! Xi'er might still be pregnant with me—"
"Changling! Watch your words! Do you want to kill the Empress and the Crown Prince?"
Prime Minister Xie interrupted Xie Changling, preventing him from continuing.
Whatever the reason, the Empress is now the Empress, and any further covetous thoughts will lead to utter ruin!
Prime Minister Xie looked at Xie Changling's suddenly hunched back, sighed helplessly, and finally couldn't bear to persuade him anymore. He stood up, patted his shoulder, and comforted him.
"Your father has always known that you are exceptionally intelligent and destined for great things, so he has never given up on nurturing you."
"Now that you possess great talent, you are going to the harsh and cold frontier to hone your skills. The emperor is far away there, and your father cannot protect you. I hope you can make something of yourself."
"Father……"
As Xie Changling listened to the Prime Minister's heartfelt words and high hopes, the hardened corner of his heart was gradually shattered, revealing its festering interior.
He looked at his father and saw the fine lines at the corners of his eyes and the white strands in his black hair. In a flash, he realized what he had missed.
The Prime Minister truly placed high hopes on his eldest son, not wanting him to be trapped by love and to stay away from the capital and strife, so that he could have the destiny of a dragon transforming into a god.
Before stepping out of the door, he paused for a moment, and finally left a piece of advice, out of a father's love for his son.
"However, surviving is more important; only by surviving can anything be possible!"
These words stayed with Xie Changling. Later, even when he went to the battlefield, he always cherished his life, was extra careful and cautious, and endured temporary pain to pave the way for the future.
After the Prime Minister left, Xie Changling came to the table again and looked at the painting of Song Lingxi. She had almond-shaped eyes, arched eyebrows, a delicate nose, and red lips. No matter how good his painting skills were, he could not capture even a tenth of her beauty.
Even so, Xie Changling still treasured the painting, using his hands to trace Song Lingxi's outline and depict her eyebrows and eyes.
Finally, as Xie Changling gazed at the painting, her vision suddenly blurred, and a single tear fell from the corner of her eye onto the painting, blooming into a blurry yet vibrant flower on her lips.
He watched this scene, cried and laughed, laughed hysterically, and finally, he sat there blankly all night. Only after dawn did he burn the painting.
Xie Changling knew that time was of the essence and he could not remain stuck in the same place any longer. He had to fight and strive, and do everything in his power to do something for the Empress and the unborn prince.
His eyes suddenly hardened, and his gaze slowly regained its luster. When Prime Minister Xie saw him off, he saw the change in him and smiled with satisfaction.
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