267: Thoughts are hard to understand

Shou, or rather, Li, sprang up directly from his seat.

Before him were the curious gazes of the Two Children, and behind him was Gaia's burning stare; he felt as if he were enveloped in a barrier.

Seeing this reaction, Gaia became even more certain of this incredible matter.

"How could it be..." In an instant, his head throbbed with a splitting pain. This... handling such a complex matter was beyond his capabilities.

"What's wrong?" Nan Yifei turned back. "Lord Shou, shall I take you to your room?"

"Ah! Manager Nan, I think it would be better if he stayed with me."

"That's not appropriate; the Silver Armored Knight does not see outsiders," Nan Yifei explained to Gaia.

"Then, which room is he staying in? I'll take him there."

Although Nan Yifei didn't understand why Gaia was so enthusiastic, the request was simple enough, so he told Gaia which room it was.

Gaia led Li all the way into the room. Seeing no one around, he pulled Li inside and closed the door behind them.

However, a small, slightly darker shadow had already followed their shadows and slipped under the bed the moment he pushed the door open.

"So, you really are Li. How did you become a Silver Armored Knight? Does Tu Nan know?"

Gaia threw out a barrage of questions.

After a long silence, the knight unbuckled his armor and removed his helmet, holding it in his hands.

"It's me. I just wanted to be with the Children, to be with Tu Nan. Your Majesty promised me."

Ao Ao remained motionless, quietly listening to the entire conversation, then followed Gaia's footsteps out of the room.

He found Miao Miao, looking uncharacteristically dejected, and sat on the ground in the form of a small wolf cub.

[What happened? Tell me!] Miao Miao was dying of curiosity.

Ao Ao saw on the screen that Mom was on the balcony constantly waving to the people, while the Emperor Teacher held her, his gaze never leaving her for a moment.

[I'm going to tell Mom,] Ao Ao decided. [I'm afraid any decision I make might be wrong. Mom will know what to do; we shouldn't keep it from her.]

[True... Mom is super amazing.] Miao Miao had no objections.

It was the wedding day, so Tu Nan couldn't return to the Autumn Palace. It wasn't until the following afternoon that the Two Children saw her and The Emperor.

[Mom.]

Ao Ao had been so anxious all night that he didn't want to change back into human form, so Tu Nan finally got a rare chance to pet the little wolf cub.

Seeing the Emperor Teacher there, he used a mental link directly.

[The Emperor Teacher can tell we're whispering,] Tu Nan reminded him with a smile, but she didn't stop the child's intimacy.

[Can he hear us?]

[No, he can only sense it.]

[Mm, Mom, I have something very important to say.] Seeing that the teacher had gone to tease the two little dumplings, Ao Ao stared seriously at his mother; he couldn't wait another second.

[Yesterday, I overheard Gaia talking to that silver armor, and both Miao Miao and I could sense it.]

Once he was sure his mother was paying close enough attention, he told her.

[That's Dad; Gaia called him Li. He said Your Majesty knows everything, and it was the teacher who let him stay by your side.] Seeing his mother freeze, he asked worriedly, [Is the teacher doing something bad to you? Dad... are you still afraid? What should we do, Mom?]

It was a lot of information to process.

Shou was Li.

This distant name gave her heart a jolt.

It was as if she had instantly returned to the moment they first met, that figure... that choice to which she hadn't devoted a single shred of emotion.

Pushing these messy thoughts out of her mind, she began to consider The Emperor's purpose for making this decision.

But first, she bowed her head to kiss the little wolf's ear, her heart feeling incredibly soft.

Even though the Children had a blood connection with their father, they had suppressed it out of concern for her.

[It's very important that you let Mom know this. You and Miao Miao did the right thing.]

She first affirmed the Children and then immediately comforted them.

[Don't be afraid. Your Majesty has his own ideas, but he would never want to harm you, nor... would he harm me.] She smiled gently. [As for your father, he might just miss you too much. Let me handle it first, okay?]

Ao Ao nodded and exchanged a look with the worried Miao Miao, and the two huddled together to continue their private chat.

Seeing The Emperor "bullying" the two dumplings and having a great time, Tu Nan realized with just a bit of thought that all of this was a decision made by the true Your Majesty.

After all, when Shou was assigned to her side, it was during the time Your Majesty was present.

She wouldn't mistake it.

In that case... "Your Majesty," she said to him, "I'm a bit hungry. Join me for some afternoon tea; the autumn scenery of the Autumn Palace is charming."

The Emperor was more than happy to.

A set of refreshments was quickly prepared in the garden. Tu Nan dismissed the maids, poured tea for The Emperor, took a sip herself, and then spoke.

"Your Majesty, since Shou was placed by my side by you, why can't you stand to see him now?"

The Emperor picked up a pastry and said nonchalantly, "I am The Emperor. If I don't like someone, it's already a mercy that I haven't cut off their head. Why can't I tell him to get lost?"

"Fair enough. Then what about the previous question?"

The Emperor chewed for a while, then suddenly asked, "What have you discovered?"

"I've simply learned that he is an acquaintance of mine, but I'm curious about the reason Your Majesty did this."

Both of them knew that "Your Majesty" here referred to the true Emperor.

"Oh," The Emperor suddenly narrowed his eyes and smiled. "I remember now. It was actually my suggestion at the time."

"You probably didn't know, but he was the one who saved Kong Jiamu back then." He raised an eyebrow at Tu Nan's surprised expression. "That's right, for the second time. A true twist of fate."

"As for me, I was just curious because his emotions were so intense back then." He wiped his hands and looked at the silent Tu Nan.

"Does your heart ache? With the way he was struggling back then, wanting to get close but not daring to, I thought there would definitely be a good show if I put him by your side."

This was very much in line with The Emperor's personality; there was a kind of childlike innocence in his core—an innocent malice.

"But why would Your Majesty agree..."

This was what she couldn't understand.

"Who knows? He has always liked to fulfill everyone else's wishes. Maybe it was just to generously satisfy the wish of a meritorious soldier and liberate a Silver Armored Knight in the process? Although he didn't ask if you were willing, since he's long been used to sacrifice himself, maybe he thought you were willing too?"

The Emperor sneered, "Or..."

He leaned back in his chair, thought for a moment, and then suddenly gave a wistful smile.

"You could also guess that it was because he had already taken a liking to you back then, but he didn't know it himself."

His head didn't move, but his eyes turned toward Tu Nan, carefully observing her reaction.

"He was annoyed by the Peacock, but the Peacock was half-dead. He was annoyed by Hain, but Hain was always respectful and polite. There was only this Chaotic Beast."

He reached out and grabbed Tu Nan's hand, causing her to flinch.

But he was only rubbing the power ring on her hand.

"He missed his first chance, yet he thought Heaven would give him a second blessing... but what right does he have?"

"So, our just Your Majesty decided to give him a punishment."

For some reason, The Emperor laughed so hard he bent over. It took quite a while before he stopped. He stood up on his own, his expression turning cold as he walked away, leaving behind only one question.

"Which one are you willing to believe?"

Tu Nan closed her eyes.

He was always like this—speaking in jest, yet every word was barbed.

It was her fault; asking The Emperor only made her mind more chaotic.

Li.

Previously, Your Majesty said he would let that "retired" Silver Armored Knight help look after Ao Ao and Miao Miao for a while. Now, it was perfect; Li could just go along with them.

She gazed at the swaying reflection in her teacup and sighed.