Chapter 128: The Congregation (1)
“I know you didn’t mean it.” Su Shuilian held Lin Si Yao’s face in both hands. She reached and placed a tender kiss on his lips just like he used to do to her. Seeing him close his eyes, she talked to him gently, “A Yao, I think there are no parents in this world who would abandon their kids. As Blood Union’s Emperor had said, they didn’t live happily during twenty-four years.”
“You want me to accept them?” Lin Si Yao opened his eyes immediately, studying her, “Or… you want to go to Blood Union’s imperial palace and be the Crown Princess?” After he slipped his tongue, he was bewildered. Immediately, he regretted it. He didn’t want to hurt her.
“I just want to stay with you. A Year ago, it was just us two. Although we weren’t rich, we managed. And more importantly, there weren’t many things that troubled us…” Su Shuilian knew he didn’t mean it. She didn’t want to keep it in her mind to weigh her heart down. She curled her lips, remembering the time they had first come and lived in Fan Hua Town. Those were the rare peaceful days…
“Now we still can…” Lin Si Yao pulled her to sit on his lap. Leaning his forehead on her neck, he gently suggested.
“But…” Firstly, Fan Hua Town was now Prince Jing’s Private Mansion. They couldn’t resist the goodwill of Prince Jing’s mansion. No matter what, it was the compensation the Prince’s Mansion gave to the daughter that had been missing for ten years. Even when Elder Wangye and Elder Wangfei didn’t visit them, there were still many maids and servants in the private mansion. Secondly, she lifted her head to peep at Lin Si Yao. Although he didn’t want to acknowledge his biological parents, would Blood Union’s Emperor give up? Perhaps they would also carry out a large-scale land acquisition and move to the town near Fan Hua Town as Prince Jing’s mansion had done… She didn’t dare to imagine further.
“We can move to somewhere else.” They didn’t need to stay in Fan Hua Town where many people now kept an eye on. At first, it was Si Tuo and then Prince Jing’s mansion. Now came the Emperor and Empress of the Blood Union… He had enough!
“What?” Su Shuilian looked at him, but didn't quite understand. Move… to somewhere else? Did he mean what she was thinking? Only the four of them moved to another small town. Nobody would come to bother them. “If we do that… Will we look irresponsible?” No matter what, they weren’t loners without any relatives or family members. “She” has parents and a brother. He also had a pair of foreigner parents. How could they get rid of the responsibility as their children?
“What kind of responsibility do you need to do?” Lin Si Yao glanced at her, asking indifferently. Just because these people came out of nowhere claiming to be their parents, they could tie his free arms and legs. Moreover, he didn’t want to accept them.
“But…” Alright, both their parents weren’t common people. They didn’t need their children to take care of them. They all had the army of servants to give orders and serve them. But how about affections and relationship bonds? Could they stand it? They had a daughter and son but they were avoiding them as if they were beasts? Wouldn’t they be punished by the Heavens? Su Shuilian couldn’t help but frown.
“Don’t overthink. We should go home first. I didn’t ask you to leave our home and run away. What are you worried about?” Lin Si Yao gently patted her face, cutting her train of thought. He understood that the mortal rules and ethics affected her more than himself. Thus, he didn’t force her to break the thoughts she had embraced. No matter what, he had his plan. When the kids grew a little more, he would take his family to travel, beholding the beauty of nature. When he was doing his missions, he used to travel through those lands. He thought they were all magnificent. Wherever they wanted, they could stay there. No one could disturb or interfere with them.
“Hmm” Su Shuilian nodded. It was okay that they didn’t need to run away from the bonds with their families. She believed that he would solve the other matters well. He had never done anything that annoyed or worried her.
...
Early in the morning of the next day, the inn.
“Rest after breakfast, then we will depart. Try to reach Shui Yue City in the afternoon.” Seeing the whole group having breakfast, Lin Si Yao commanded indifferently.
“A Yao…” Su Shuilian pulled his tunic, signaling him toward Xue Li and his group sitting in the other corner of the restaurant, seemingly waiting for them.
“Don’t mind them.” Lin Si Yao didn’t even bother to look at the others. He naturally pulled Su Shuilian to sit down for their breakfast.
“Li!” Feng Ruo Er thinned her lips, talking in a low but firm tone. “Our son… It’s okay that he doesn’t want to accept us… I want to accept him… I’ve made up my mind. I’m going with him. It’s good to see where he lives… If you have business to do, you can go back to Blood Union first. I have Jian Yue with me, so don’t worry.” Feng Ruo Er didn’t sleep last night. The image of her son’s gaze had flashed in her head. It was cold and somewhat resentful. She could not just go back to Blood Union, leaving the son, who hadn’t accepted and forgiven them yet.
“It’s okay.” Xue Li patted her hands. “I don’t plan to go back to our country now. We should go together. Just think it’s a vacation. I heard that the cities and towns in the South of Da Hui all have verdant hills and limpid water. They are more beautiful and tender than our deserted cities. Lu Qing, you go back first. Talk to Minister Feng for me.” Xue Li told his wife his decision and turned to intrust Lu Qing.
“Your Majesty!” Lu Qing opened his eyes wide in disbelief. Did he just mishear? His Majesty told him to go back first, while they would go South to follow the group of the man who was possibly their Crown Prince.
“What? Do you have any objections?” Xue Li arched his brows. His son didn’t listen to him and now his subordinate doubted his decision. Xue Li had just left Blood Union’s imperial palace for several days, and his authority was gone?
“No, this subject doesn’t dare. But, Your Majesty… a country can’t be without their Emperor… If…” Although Lu Qing was a general who was always frank and curt, it didn’t mean that he was just bronze and no brain. He knew it was more reassuring for their people when their Emperor was there.
“So all the Ministers are dead?” Xue Li waved his hand impatiently. “You just need to go home. Perhaps Ouyang Xun’s at the imperial palace now. When you come there, just tell everything to Minister Feng. He’ll know what to do.”
Lu Qing nodded helplessly. The Emperor had made up his mind. What else could he do? It was lucky that Blood Union had four Ministers who were in charge of Blood Union’s sixteen departments. If the Emperor were busy and not able to chair their imperial court, the four Ministers would assign tasks to the leader of each department. When the Emperor came back, they would report to him.
Before going to Da Hui, the Emperor had discreetly discussed with the four Ministers. They must have arranged the sixteen departments’ tasks. However, going to Da Hui’s Imperial Palace was one thing, following a man who could possibly be their Crown Prince to the South was another. Once they headed South, who knew when the Emperor would return to Blood Union’s imperial palace?
If Da Hui’s God of Slaughter, who could defeat Long Yi within ten strikes, didn't want to accept the Emperor and Empress, would the two of them…
“Alright, it’s not that we are parting by death. Why are you wearing that frown?” Xue Li gave Lu Qing a stern look. Then, he ordered him to depart immediately. “You ask the inn to prepare some dry rations and go back early.”
Lin Si Yao’s group had finished their breakfast. If nothing unexpected, they were about to leave. So, he wouldn’t have time to stay here and comfort his subordinate.
“Your Majesty! This general will bid his farewell, then Your Majesty and Her Majesty have a safe trip! You two must protect His Highness and Her Highness well!” As Lu Qing saw Lin Si Yao and the others leaving the inn, he didn’t want to waste more of His Highness’ time. Immediately, he commanded Jian Heng and Jian Yue who were standing by them before he left to prepare for his trip to the North to return to his country.
Chapter 128: The Congregation (2)
“Can we rent one of your horse carriages?” After having breakfast, Xue Li walked to Lin Si Yao, not hurried at all. He didn’t want to chase his son on whether to accept them or not. He just asked to rent one of his carriages and followed him home.
Yeah, to people with strange nature, one must apply some round-about method like this.
“No.” Lin Si Yao didn’t lift his head, denying directly.
“Yes, we have an available carriage.” After grabbing her bags, Su Shuilian was in the middle of walking downstairs when she heard Xue Li’s request. When A Yao denied them directly, she was afraid that the other would be mad. No matter what, they were A Yao’s parents, her in-laws. She hurried to smile and answer.
They did have an available carriage. Since Yang Jing Zhi and Qing Lan were afraid of being bored on the way, they had proactively moved to ride the same carriage with Liang-momo. That’s why their carriage was available.
Lin Si Yao furrowed his brows, looking at his wife. Seeing her flattering smile, his objection was swallowed back. He just let her arrange as she pleased. It was rare that she would stand up and make a decision on her own. He just let her do what she wanted then.
At first, Xue Li had worried that his son, who was said to be extremely cold and merciless, would break Su Shuilian’s neck because she supported him. He didn’t expect things to go as smoothly as this.
“We bother you.” Feng Ruo Er smiled, thanking Su Shuilian. As she remembered the other was her daughter-in-law and she had given birth to a pair of twins for the Xue family, her smile turned brighter.
“Not a problem. If you need something, just tell me. Here’s your food and tea for lunch. We have to go to Shui Yue City to find a place to rest.” Su Shuilian guided Xue Li and the other three to the empty carriage and handed them a bamboo basket.
After they exited the imperial city’s territory, their next stop was Rong Cheng, which was several miles away from there. There were only ranges of mountains and valleys between the two cities. It was rare to see an inn there. Thus, they had prepared tea and food to save themselves from being hungry. And, they could always let the horse rest and graze grass anywhere near the water source by the mountain foot.
“My Lady, please let our guests take that carriage.” When Xue Li was about to support Feng Ruo Er in the carriage, Bai He rushed over, pointing at the renovated carriage they were taking.
From Qing Lan, she knew that those people were the Emperor and Empress of the Blood Union. From this situation, they knew that the others wanted to follow their Lady and Guye back to Fan Hua Town. Thus, Liang-momo and the girls had discussed and decided to give the carriage they were riding to Xue Li’s group.
Su Shuilian thought for a while and she agreed. The man who led an entire country couldn’t just drink cool water or eat cold food. However, if she wanted to give them the carriage her family was riding, of course, A Yao wouldn’t agree. It was his limit to agree to let her give them this four-horse carriage provided by Prince Jing’s mansion.
“Okay,” Su Shuilian nodded, then explained to Xue Li and his wife, “Bai He’s carriage has a brazier that you can use to make tea or heat up the dry food.”
“You’ve trained your maids well.” Xue Li smiled at her while Feng Ruo Er complimented her honestly.
“Ah, no, it’s their careful thought.” This was unrelated to her. Su Shuilian smiled, shaking her head and rejecting the other’s compliment.
Taking the four to the carriage, Su Shuilian wanted to go to Bai He’s carriage to chat for a while, but Lin Si Yao pulled her into their carriage.
“Enough,” he frowned, looking grumpy.
“Okay,” Su Shuilian smiled, nodding to him. She had already made arrangements. She raised her hand to rub his pinched eyebrows. “You shouldn’t furrow your brows. It’s not handsome.”
“Aren’t you afraid that I’ll get mad?” He sighed begrudgingly, reaching his hand to cover her small hand.
“I am,” Su Shuilian smiled, admitting. “But I am also afraid that they would get mad. It would scare the kids.”
Since they were family, why would they have to get mad at each other and make others uncomfortable?
Chapter 128: The Congregation (1)
“I know you didn’t mean it.” Su Shuilian held Lin Si Yao’s face in both hands. She reached and placed a tender kiss on his lips just like he used to do to her. Seeing him close his eyes, she talked to him gently, “A Yao, I think there are no parents in this world who would abandon their kids. As Blood Union’s Emperor had said, they didn’t live happily during twenty-four years.”
“You want me to accept them?” Lin Si Yao opened his eyes immediately, studying her, “Or… you want to go to Blood Union’s imperial palace and be the Crown Princess?” After he slipped his tongue, he was bewildered. Immediately, he regretted it. He didn’t want to hurt her.
“I just want to stay with you. A Year ago, it was just us two. Although we weren’t rich, we managed. And more importantly, there weren’t many things that troubled us…” Su Shuilian knew he didn’t mean it. She didn’t want to keep it in her mind to weigh her heart down. She curled her lips, remembering the time they had first come and lived in Fan Hua Town. Those were the rare peaceful days…
“Now we still can…” Lin Si Yao pulled her to sit on his lap. Leaning his forehead on her neck, he gently suggested.
“But…” Firstly, Fan Hua Town was now Prince Jing’s Private Mansion. They couldn’t resist the goodwill of Prince Jing’s mansion. No matter what, it was the compensation the Prince’s Mansion gave to the daughter that had been missing for ten years. Even when Elder Wangye and Elder Wangfei didn’t visit them, there were still many maids and servants in the private mansion. Secondly, she lifted her head to peep at Lin Si Yao. Although he didn’t want to acknowledge his biological parents, would Blood Union’s Emperor give up? Perhaps they would also carry out a large-scale land acquisition and move to the town near Fan Hua Town as Prince Jing’s mansion had done… She didn’t dare to imagine further.
“We can move to somewhere else.” They didn’t need to stay in Fan Hua Town where many people now kept an eye on. At first, it was Si Tuo and then Prince Jing’s mansion. Now came the Emperor and Empress of the Blood Union… He had enough!
“What?” Su Shuilian looked at him, but didn't quite understand. Move… to somewhere else? Did he mean what she was thinking? Only the four of them moved to another small town. Nobody would come to bother them. “If we do that… Will we look irresponsible?” No matter what, they weren’t loners without any relatives or family members. “She” has parents and a brother. He also had a pair of foreigner parents. How could they get rid of the responsibility as their children?
“What kind of responsibility do you need to do?” Lin Si Yao glanced at her, asking indifferently. Just because these people came out of nowhere claiming to be their parents, they could tie his free arms and legs. Moreover, he didn’t want to accept them.
“But…” Alright, both their parents weren’t common people. They didn’t need their children to take care of them. They all had the army of servants to give orders and serve them. But how about affections and relationship bonds? Could they stand it? They had a daughter and son but they were avoiding them as if they were beasts? Wouldn’t they be punished by the Heavens? Su Shuilian couldn’t help but frown.
“Don’t overthink. We should go home first. I didn’t ask you to leave our home and run away. What are you worried about?” Lin Si Yao gently patted her face, cutting her train of thought. He understood that the mortal rules and ethics affected her more than himself. Thus, he didn’t force her to break the thoughts she had embraced. No matter what, he had his plan. When the kids grew a little more, he would take his family to travel, beholding the beauty of nature. When he was doing his missions, he used to travel through those lands. He thought they were all magnificent. Wherever they wanted, they could stay there. No one could disturb or interfere with them.
“Hmm” Su Shuilian nodded. It was okay that they didn’t need to run away from the bonds with their families. She believed that he would solve the other matters well. He had never done anything that annoyed or worried her.
...
Early in the morning of the next day, the inn.
“Rest after breakfast, then we will depart. Try to reach Shui Yue City in the afternoon.” Seeing the whole group having breakfast, Lin Si Yao commanded indifferently.
“A Yao…” Su Shuilian pulled his tunic, signaling him toward Xue Li and his group sitting in the other corner of the restaurant, seemingly waiting for them.
“Don’t mind them.” Lin Si Yao didn’t even bother to look at the others. He naturally pulled Su Shuilian to sit down for their breakfast.
“Li!” Feng Ruo Er thinned her lips, talking in a low but firm tone. “Our son… It’s okay that he doesn’t want to accept us… I want to accept him… I’ve made up my mind. I’m going with him. It’s good to see where he lives… If you have business to do, you can go back to Blood Union first. I have Jian Yue with me, so don’t worry.” Feng Ruo Er didn’t sleep last night. The image of her son’s gaze had flashed in her head. It was cold and somewhat resentful. She could not just go back to Blood Union, leaving the son, who hadn’t accepted and forgiven them yet.
“It’s okay.” Xue Li patted her hands. “I don’t plan to go back to our country now. We should go together. Just think it’s a vacation. I heard that the cities and towns in the South of Da Hui all have verdant hills and limpid water. They are more beautiful and tender than our deserted cities. Lu Qing, you go back first. Talk to Minister Feng for me.” Xue Li told his wife his decision and turned to intrust Lu Qing.
“Your Majesty!” Lu Qing opened his eyes wide in disbelief. Did he just mishear? His Majesty told him to go back first, while they would go South to follow the group of the man who was possibly their Crown Prince.
“What? Do you have any objections?” Xue Li arched his brows. His son didn’t listen to him and now his subordinate doubted his decision. Xue Li had just left Blood Union’s imperial palace for several days, and his authority was gone?
“No, this subject doesn’t dare. But, Your Majesty… a country can’t be without their Emperor… If…” Although Lu Qing was a general who was always frank and curt, it didn’t mean that he was just bronze and no brain. He knew it was more reassuring for their people when their Emperor was there.
“So all the Ministers are dead?” Xue Li waved his hand impatiently. “You just need to go home. Perhaps Ouyang Xun’s at the imperial palace now. When you come there, just tell everything to Minister Feng. He’ll know what to do.”
Lu Qing nodded helplessly. The Emperor had made up his mind. What else could he do? It was lucky that Blood Union had four Ministers who were in charge of Blood Union’s sixteen departments. If the Emperor were busy and not able to chair their imperial court, the four Ministers would assign tasks to the leader of each department. When the Emperor came back, they would report to him.
Before going to Da Hui, the Emperor had discreetly discussed with the four Ministers. They must have arranged the sixteen departments’ tasks. However, going to Da Hui’s Imperial Palace was one thing, following a man who could possibly be their Crown Prince to the South was another. Once they headed South, who knew when the Emperor would return to Blood Union’s imperial palace?
If Da Hui’s God of Slaughter, who could defeat Long Yi within ten strikes, didn't want to accept the Emperor and Empress, would the two of them…
“Alright, it’s not that we are parting by death. Why are you wearing that frown?” Xue Li gave Lu Qing a stern look. Then, he ordered him to depart immediately. “You ask the inn to prepare some dry rations and go back early.”
Lin Si Yao’s group had finished their breakfast. If nothing unexpected, they were about to leave. So, he wouldn’t have time to stay here and comfort his subordinate.
“Your Majesty! This general will bid his farewell, then Your Majesty and Her Majesty have a safe trip! You two must protect His Highness and Her Highness well!” As Lu Qing saw Lin Si Yao and the others leaving the inn, he didn’t want to waste more of His Highness’ time. Immediately, he commanded Jian Heng and Jian Yue who were standing by them before he left to prepare for his trip to the North to return to his country.
Chapter 128: The Congregation (2)
“Can we rent one of your horse carriages?” After having breakfast, Xue Li walked to Lin Si Yao, not hurried at all. He didn’t want to chase his son on whether to accept them or not. He just asked to rent one of his carriages and followed him home.
Yeah, to people with strange nature, one must apply some round-about method like this.
“No.” Lin Si Yao didn’t lift his head, denying directly.
“Yes, we have an available carriage.” After grabbing her bags, Su Shuilian was in the middle of walking downstairs when she heard Xue Li’s request. When A Yao denied them directly, she was afraid that the other would be mad. No matter what, they were A Yao’s parents, her in-laws. She hurried to smile and answer.
They did have an available carriage. Since Yang Jing Zhi and Qing Lan were afraid of being bored on the way, they had proactively moved to ride the same carriage with Liang-momo. That’s why their carriage was available.
Lin Si Yao furrowed his brows, looking at his wife. Seeing her flattering smile, his objection was swallowed back. He just let her arrange as she pleased. It was rare that she would stand up and make a decision on her own. He just let her do what she wanted then.
At first, Xue Li had worried that his son, who was said to be extremely cold and merciless, would break Su Shuilian’s neck because she supported him. He didn’t expect things to go as smoothly as this.
“We bother you.” Feng Ruo Er smiled, thanking Su Shuilian. As she remembered the other was her daughter-in-law and she had given birth to a pair of twins for the Xue family, her smile turned brighter.
“Not a problem. If you need something, just tell me. Here’s your food and tea for lunch. We have to go to Shui Yue City to find a place to rest.” Su Shuilian guided Xue Li and the other three to the empty carriage and handed them a bamboo basket.
After they exited the imperial city’s territory, their next stop was Rong Cheng, which was several miles away from there. There were only ranges of mountains and valleys between the two cities. It was rare to see an inn there. Thus, they had prepared tea and food to save themselves from being hungry. And, they could always let the horse rest and graze grass anywhere near the water source by the mountain foot.
“My Lady, please let our guests take that carriage.” When Xue Li was about to support Feng Ruo Er in the carriage, Bai He rushed over, pointing at the renovated carriage they were taking.
From Qing Lan, she knew that those people were the Emperor and Empress of the Blood Union. From this situation, they knew that the others wanted to follow their Lady and Guye back to Fan Hua Town. Thus, Liang-momo and the girls had discussed and decided to give the carriage they were riding to Xue Li’s group.
Su Shuilian thought for a while and she agreed. The man who led an entire country couldn’t just drink cool water or eat cold food. However, if she wanted to give them the carriage her family was riding, of course, A Yao wouldn’t agree. It was his limit to agree to let her give them this four-horse carriage provided by Prince Jing’s mansion.
“Okay,” Su Shuilian nodded, then explained to Xue Li and his wife, “Bai He’s carriage has a brazier that you can use to make tea or heat up the dry food.”
“You’ve trained your maids well.” Xue Li smiled at her while Feng Ruo Er complimented her honestly.
“Ah, no, it’s their careful thought.” This was unrelated to her. Su Shuilian smiled, shaking her head and rejecting the other’s compliment.
Taking the four to the carriage, Su Shuilian wanted to go to Bai He’s carriage to chat for a while, but Lin Si Yao pulled her into their carriage.
“Enough,” he frowned, looking grumpy.
“Okay,” Su Shuilian smiled, nodding to him. She had already made arrangements. She raised her hand to rub his pinched eyebrows. “You shouldn’t furrow your brows. It’s not handsome.”
“Aren’t you afraid that I’ll get mad?” He sighed begrudgingly, reaching his hand to cover her small hand.
“I am,” Su Shuilian smiled, admitting. “But I am also afraid that they would get mad. It would scare the kids.”
Since they were family, why would they have to get mad at each other and make others uncomfortable?
