596 Dreaming the Truth
The Queen let go and took a deep breath. “Of course you’re your father’s child. It’s just that your father left in a hurry back then and felt guilty about that child, so he’s always remembered him. And you grew up by your father’s side and gave him everything you could. He has no regrets, so he naturally doesn’t have too strong a concern.”
Nangong Li didn’t seem to believe him. “Is that so? Why do I keep feeling that recently…”
The Queen interrupted him. “Don’t think too much. There’s still a length to your ten fingers, and the palm and back of your hand are both flesh, but the flesh in your palm is thicker. Your father can only blame himself for being biased.”
Nangong Li was silent.
The Queen patted his hand. “Why did you suddenly start thinking nonsense?”
“I can’t say either. It clearly wasn’t like this before, but suddenly…” Nangong Li shook his head.” Forget it, I shouldn’t have suspected you so much. Please forgive me, Mother.”
The Queen smiled gently and stroked his cheek. “You’re my son, so how can I blame you? In the face of a great enemy, we should work together and overcome the current difficulties.”
Nangong Li said guiltily, “Mother is right.”
The Queen said, “You don’t have to suspect your background.”
Nangong Li said worriedly, “But Father lives beside Yan Jiuchao now. He will definitely know who he is soon. At that time, he…”
The Queen sneered. “So what if he knows? Can he abandon us just because he knows? Yan Jiuchao is his son, and so are you. Even if he doesn’t acknowledge me, he won’t abandon his own children.”
It was unknown if it was Nangong Li’s imagination, but his mother’s expression seemed to be a little wrong when she said this, but it was only for a moment. The Queen smiled slightly. “It’s getting late. Go back and rest early. Rest well before you can deal with those reckless fellows.”
Nangong Li stood up and bowed. “I’ll take my leave.”
The Queen nodded.
Nangong Li turned around and left the room. He had already stepped out of the threshold when the Queen behind him suddenly called out to him, “Li’er.”
“What’s wrong, Mother?” Nangong Li turned around.
The Queen’s eyelashes trembled as she said gently, “It’s nothing. Take care of your sister for me. She’s the one person who can’t accept your father’s matter the most. I’m worried that she’s young and insensible and will come looking for trouble again. She’s not a match for that group of people.”
Was this what his mother wanted to tell him? Why did he feel…
Nangong Li collected his thoughts and nodded obediently. “I understand. I’ll keep a close eye on her.”
“Go,” the Queen said with a smile.
Nangong Li left. He went to his sister’s courtyard.
The Queen looked at the figure that gradually disappeared into the night and revealed a tired expression. She had not dreamed for a long time, but that night, she fell into a nightmare the moment she fell asleep.
It was said that what one thought about in the day would cause one to dream at night. Originally, when Nangong Li asked about his background, the Queen thought that she would dream of that child. Unexpectedly, she dreamed of the first time the Prince Consort woke up in Nanzhao.
The young Prince Consort was handsome. The Queen had lived for more than ten years and had never seen a better-looking man. From the moment she saw him, the Queen knew that she would never be able to leave this man in her life. She had done everything she could to get him.
However, the first thing he said when he woke up was to ask her coldly, “What exactly do you like about me?”
She teased, “I like your face. Why? Can’t I?”
It was just a joke. She never expected the Prince Consort to take it seriously. He grabbed the hairpin by the pillow and mercilessly slashed at his flawless face. If she said that she liked his heart, would he cut it out on the spot?
The Queen shuddered and sat up from the bed. She panted in shock. Her clothes were drenched in cold sweat, and the mattress was sticky. She raised her hand and wiped the sweat off her forehead.
When the female envoy on duty heard the commotion, she walked over with the lamp. “Your Highness, you’re awake? Are you alright?”
The Queen felt like there was a huge stone in her chest. She rubbed it uncomfortably and said, “Pour me a cup of water.”
“Yes.” The female envoy placed the oil lamp on the table, poured a cup of hot tea, lifted the curtain, and handed it to the Queen.
The Queen reached out to take it, but her hand trembled and the teacup fell to her feet. The tea splashed on her clothes. This was the Queen’s fault, but the female envoy did not dare to put the blame on her. She knelt down and said, “Your Highness, please forgive me!”
“Where’s the Prince Consort?” The Queen asked in a trembling voice.
The female envoy replied, “The Prince Consort is at Ziwei Pavilion.”
The Queen was stunned. Yes, the Prince Consort had moved to Ziwei Pavilion and lived beside Yan Jiuchao. He had been snatched away.
Jealousy and unwillingness surged like a tide.
The Queen tightened her grip on the mattress bit by bit.
In Ziwei Pavilion, the Prince Consort, Yan Jiuchao, Yu Wan, and the three little black eggs had just had dinner. Because the Prince Consort woke up late, dinner was also prepared late.
This was the first time Prince Consort, now they should call him Prince Yan, ate with a few juniors. The three little fellows ate very well. They were not picky and did not lose their temper. They ate whatever Yu Wan put in their bowls.
When they encountered something they didn’t like to eat, they would inadvertently frown, but they still ate it all. Although Prince Yan could not remember the past, he seemed to know what Yan Jiuchao looked like when he was young when he looked at them.
Xiaobao was the most similar to Yan Jiuchao, be it his appearance or personality. Of course, Prince Yan did not know about this. It was Yu Wan who guessed that Yan Jiuchao was like Xiaobao when he was young through Uncle Wan’s description.
He was especially capable of causing trouble. And loved to wheedle. And a little stupid. He could not compare to Dabao in terms of strength, nor could he compare to Er’bao in terms of softness and cuteness. But he was the best at being clingy.
After dinner, Dabao and Er’bao were brought down by Fu Ling to take a shower, but Xiaobao hung on Yu Wan and refused to come down.
“Xiaobao has a headache. Xiaobao hasn’t recovered yet. Cough, cough, cough!” He even coughed hypocritically as he wheedled.
Yu Wan looked at him and hummed. “Oh, you haven’t recovered. Then you have to drink medicine.”
“…” Xiaobao obediently came down.
Yu Wan smiled and went to tidy the table. This time, she only brought a chef and two maidservants with her. When they were busy, Yu Wan would help.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Xiaobao lowered his head dejectedly.
“Come to Grandpa.” Prince Yan waved at Xiaobao.
Xiaobao was not shy with strangers. Moreover, they had seen each other once when he left home. They could be considered bosom friends.
Xiaobao walked over eagerly and looked at the mask on his face. “Why are you wearing this?”
He and Er’bao had only been talking for less than a month, but they could already speak a long sentence.
“Why didn’t Xiaobao have one?” Xiaobao pointed at his face.
“You want it?” Prince Yan asked.
Xiaobao nodded.
Prince Yan raised his hand to take off the mask on his face, but a memory suddenly flashed across his mind. It was the young Nangong Li. He asked the same question and wanted his mask. He took off the mask for him, but it frightened the young Nangong Li to tears on the spot.
The young Nangong Li cried and did not want to get close to him. Now, he could face this sudden memory openly. However, back then, he felt a little uncomfortable being feared and despised by his biological son.
Prince Yan did not want to scare Xiaobao, nor did he want to feel uncomfortable again. He put down his hand and said to Xiaobao, “If Xiaobao likes it, Grandpa will buy one for you tomorrow morning.”
Xiaobao shook his head. “I want yours.”
Prince Yan sighed. “But Grandpa is very ugly. If I take off my mask, I’ll scare Xiaobao.”
Xiaobao widened his eyes with an “how is that possible” expression? Even though Prince Yan was old, with only his eyes and smooth chin revealed, he could be considered a beauty. Xiaobao did not know anything about being beautiful, but he knew that this person was very good-looking.
“Xiaobao is the boldest!” Xiaobao patted his chest and said.
Children were like this. The more he didn’t let him see it, the more he wanted to see it. Xiaobao stared curiously at Prince Yan’s mask, looking left and right, wishing he could see a hole.
Prince Yan hesitated for a moment before taking off the mask. Xiaobao’s eyes widened when he saw the scar that crossed the left side of his face. A trace of panic flashed across Prince Yan’s heart. He shouldn’t have taken off the mask. He had frightened the child.
Just as Prince Yan was scrambling to put the mask back on, Xiaobao suddenly reached out and touched the scar on his face. “Does it hurt?”
His hands were soft and cold after washing them. Prince Yan felt his heart burning. There was no fear or disdain in Xiaobao’s clear eyes.
Xiaobao moved a small stool over and stepped on it. He stood on his tiptoes and blew gently at his face. “It won’t hurt anymore.”
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