in2ebook Chapter 139 Tall and graceful
Chapter 139 Tall and graceful
Chapter 139 Tall and graceful
"I wonder if Marquis Su has come to the palace today on any important matter?" Emperor Li Yu of Tang asked directly. Compared to the position of Protector of the Nation, he was more concerned about why Marquis Shenwei Su Lie had suddenly entered the palace.
"Of course, it is an important matter." Su Lie looked around. "However, I'm afraid His Majesty doesn't want others to know about this. Let these ministers all leave."
The Tang Emperor was puzzled, wondering what Su Lie wanted to say. It was not convenient for outsiders to know, but he still waved his hand and said, "You may all leave. I will speak with Lord Su alone for a while."
After the group of princes and ministers had left, the Tang Emperor finally spoke and asked, "Lord Su, you haven't attended court for several years. What important matter is it that now only the two of us remain? You may speak now."
Su Lie cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty, my grandson has returned to the capital."
"Grandson?" Emperor Tang's expression changed, and he suddenly pinched off a corner of the table and stood up abruptly: "You mean, Long Yuan is back? Wasn't he sent to the Jade Emperor Sect? How could he suddenly come back?"
The Tang Emperor's face looked extremely grim, as if the person who had returned was not his own son, but a vicious bandit.
Seeing the Tang Emperor's expression, Su Lie snorted, "What, Your Majesty, do you still believe that bullshit Taoist priest's nonsense, like 'two dragons cannot meet'?"
Emperor Tang seemed somewhat embarrassed and coughed lightly: "Lord Su, you know what happened back then, and I have no choice but to believe it. I also feel guilty about sending Longyuan away. However, in the years since Longyuan was sent away, everything in the capital has been peaceful, and nothing like that has happened again. What Daoist Feng said may not be entirely unreasonable."
"Hmph, that Taoist priest He Feng, judging from his strange appearance, doesn't seem like a good person!" Su Lie sneered. "Your Majesty, I have now brought him here. Whether you see him or not is up to you! If you don't want to see him, I will take him back immediately!"
Emperor Tang was about to say he wouldn't see them, but he stammered and couldn't bring himself to say it. After a long while, he sighed and said, "Alright, since they've all come back, let's see them then!"
He thought for a moment, then continued, "There are too many people and too many eyes in the Imperial Study. How about this, Marquis Su, you take him to the East Garden, and I will meet him there."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Su Lie bowed expressionlessly and was about to turn and leave when Emperor Tang called him back.
"Lord Su, um..." Emperor Tang seemed quite embarrassed: "However, after meeting him, please take him back to your residence first. When the time is right, I will arrange for him to enter the palace."
"I understand!" Su Lie snorted coldly, clearly dissatisfied, and turned to leave the imperial study.
The Tang Emperor's expression was complex. He finally sighed and said with a bitter smile, "Two dragons cannot meet. Heh, Shan'er, now even my own flesh and blood, I am somewhat wary of. Marquis Su treated me like his own son back then, but now there is a distance between us."
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, there are no true relatives in this world! Shan'er, do you think I want this?" As he spoke, tears welled up in the Emperor's eyes.
……
Meanwhile, Lin Fei followed behind Su Lie and headed towards the East Garden of the Imperial Palace.
Su Lie walked ahead, and without turning his head, said to Lin Fei, "After we see His Majesty, Yuan'er, you should come back to the Marquis's residence with me."
Lin Fei paused for a moment, then replied, "Yes, Grandpa."
He also had some doubts in his heart. What kind of prejudice did his adoptive father, Emperor Li Yu of Tang, have against him? Not only did he send him to the Jade Emperor Sect thousands of miles away back then, but now that he has returned, he doesn't even allow him to live in the palace.
“Don’t blame him.” Su Lie sighed. “Two dragons cannot meet. He is still the emperor of Southern Tang. What happened back then frightened him quite a bit.”
Su Lie hesitated, then said, "The East Garden is just ahead. Go there yourself. I'll wait for you here."
……
Emperor Li Yu of Tang was a man who looked very ordinary. If it weren't for the dragon robe he wore, he would have been no different from any other middle-aged scholar in the streets.
Looking at his adoptive father, Lin Fei hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and bowing, saying, "This humble Taoist, Mingxin, greets Your Majesty."
He was also conflicted, unwilling to call someone he had no memory of "father".
"'The first yang returns to its origin, uniting all teachings in eternal enlightenment,' it seems you are a 20th-generation disciple of the Jade Emperor Sect!" Emperor Tang said, his hands behind his back, his back to Lin Fei: "You won't even call me 'Father Emperor'?"
"Enough, enough. I haven't fulfilled my responsibilities as a father. If you don't want to call me that, then don't!" Li Yu sighed, turned around, and looked at Lin Fei's face, but was immediately stunned.
Emperor Tang's appearance was at best average, but Lin Fei was exceptionally handsome and dashing. This was certainly not inherited from Emperor Li Yu of Tang.
"You look more and more like your mother back then," the Tang Emperor said with a sigh. "How have you been all these years?"
Lin Fei replied mechanically, without much emotion, "Thanks to His Majesty, it's not bad."
When father and son met, one showed no affection whatsoever, while the other was wary and hesitant to speak. They couldn't find anything to say, and the atmosphere between them was quite awkward.
The Tang Emperor's expression was complex. His own flesh and blood seemed so distant, and he, as the father, was undoubtedly "to blame." He had no reason to blame Lin Fei, and simply sighed, "Come with me!"
Emperor Tang led Lin Fei through a maze of turns until they arrived at a corner of the East Garden. There stood a large tree, and in front of it was a tombstone that read: "Tomb of my beloved wife, Su Yanshan."
There was also a line of smaller characters next to it: "Erected by Li Yu, husband of Li Yu".
"This cenotaph was erected by my own hand. I would come to keep your mother company every year during festivals." The Tang Emperor stroked the tombstone, his expression filled with grief: "I even wish that it was me who had died, not her!"
Lin Fei remained silent for a long time before softly saying, "Father, you are very kind."
He could tell that Emperor Li Yu's grief was genuine, not feigned. Regardless of his reasons, he seemed to harbor some apprehension towards him. This affection for his mother alone was enough for Lin Fei, in place of the original owner of this body, to call him "Father."
"Father? I am not worthy to be called that father." Emperor Li Yu of Tang smiled sadly: "This tree was planted by your mother and me when she was pregnant with you. Now, it has grown tall and majestic!"
"I once swore to be a strong tree that shelters you and your son from the wind and rain. But I am useless. Not only could I not protect your mother, but I also had to send you to the Jade Emperor Sect thousands of miles away." As he spoke, tears welled up in Li Yu's eyes.