Tan Hua - Chapter 76

Pei Xingxu looked at Jun Qiyu’s determined expression and the corners of his mouth twitched.

 

He withdrew his gaze and stood up.

 

“Come with me, Your Highness.”

 

Pei Xingxu half-squatted down and opened his arms toward Guansheng.

 

“Guansheng, come here, I’ll take you to play with Daddy.”

 

Guansheng had been raised and cared for by Pei Xingxu, so he was affectionate toward him. Ignoring the snacks, he immediately jumped into Pei Xingxu’s arms.

 

Pei Xingxu smiled as he picked him up and wiped away the crumbs at the corners of his mouth.

 

“Such a good boy.”

 

Jun Qiyu followed behind, taking a long detour until they arrived at a flower garden. The area was not suitable for growing delicate flowers, but the plants here thrived, with peonies blooming in vibrant colors.

 

“You said Guansheng’s daddy… who is he?” Jun Qiyu couldn’t help but ask.

 

Pei Xingxu glanced back.

 

“You’ll know when you see him.”

 

In the center of the flower garden, there was a swing set, and at that moment, a person was sitting on it, leaning against the ropes and dozing off.

 

The moment Jun Qiyu caught sight of the small, slender figure, his pupils widened.

 

His heart stopped at that instant, breath caught in his throat, and he felt as if time had frozen. The surrounding sounds faded away, and everything else disappeared, leaving only that figure he had longed for day and night.

 

He wouldn’t mistake it for anyone else, even just by the back!

 

“Li… Li Qing!”

 

The name he had repeated countless times in his mind escaped his lips.

 

The figure on the swing straightened up instinctively, turning to look in the direction of the voice.

 

Jun Qiyu held his breath, forgetting to breathe.

 

The profile he had spent every day with was just as it had been during their time at Qilin Mansion.

 

Straight brows, delicate nose, slightly pursed thin lips, wearing a round-collared plain robe, and tying his hair simply in a scholar’s bun; simple and elegant, making the fiery peonies in the garden seem dull in comparison.

 

It was really him!

 

The irreplaceable Song Liqing!

 

In that second, it felt as if he had traversed millions of years.

 

“Li Qing!”

 

Jun Qiyu’s voice was hoarse, calling out his name involuntarily.

 

Unable to stop himself, he rushed toward him.

 

But when Song Liqing heard this call, his expression suddenly changed, as if he had heard the voice of a malevolent spirit, and he looked terrified, jumping directly off the swing and running in the opposite direction.

 

In his panic, he fell straight into the peony bushes.

 

“Ouch…”

 

Song Liqing exclaimed in surprise, and when he emerged from the flowers, a few petals were stuck in his hair as he adjusted his crown.

 

Jun Qiyu was momentarily stunned. The sight of him clearly afraid made Jun Qiyu’s heart ache, but his clumsy and adorable escape was quite endearing.

 

“Li Qing, you…”

 

Jun Qiyu wanted to walk over but was stopped by Pei Xingxu, who shook his head.

 

Jun Qiyu could only stand still.

 

Pei Xingxu carried Guansheng over.

 

“Li Qing, it’s me.”

 

When Song Liqing heard Pei Xingxu’s gentle voice, it was as if he had found a savior.

 

He then pulled Pei Xingxu into the bushes with him, hiding.

 

“Li Qing, what are you hiding from?”

 

“Shh—”

 

Song Liqing placed a finger over his lips, signaling Pei Xingxu to be quiet.

 

Pei Xingxu complied, but Guansheng didn’t understand, thinking they were playing a hiding game and giggled.

 

“Daddy, Daddy…”

 

Upon seeing Song Liqing, Guansheng’s face lit up with joy. He wriggled out of Pei Xingxu’s arms and took several small steps to throw himself onto Song Liqing, wrapping his arms around his neck and nuzzling against him, making clear, innocent sounds.

 

“Daddy, let’s play!”

 

“Ah…”

 

Song Liqing, sensing danger, pinched Guansheng’s chubby lips.

 

“It’s not playtime; it’s a life-or-death situation!” Song Liqing warned him sternly.

 

Guansheng, unaware of what a life-or-death situation was, giggled uncontrollably.

 

Pei Xingxu understood Song Liqing’s intent and whispered, “There’s no need to hide; we’re safe now.”

 

“Did he leave?” Song Liqing asked cautiously.

 

“Yes,” Pei Xingxu replied.

 

Song Liqing let out a sigh of relief and then said, “Let’s wait a bit longer; we’ll go out after a while to avoid being found.”

 

Pei Xingxu tentatively asked, “Li Qing, who is this ‘he’ you’re talking about?”

 

Song Liqing pouted, revealing an expression of great trepidation.

 

“The big bad guy.”

 

“The big bad guy?” Pei Xingxu asked, suppressing a laugh.

 

“He’s the big bad guy… you mustn’t tell anyone, he’s my ex-husband.” Song Liqing lowered his voice and said solemnly, “He wants to take me back and abuse me.”

 

“Abuse you? How?”

 

“Beating me, scolding me, making me bleed, not letting me eat, and forcing me to do his homework. It’s terrifying.”

 

Thinking back on it, Song Liqing shivered.

 

Pei Xingxu patted his head gently to comfort him.

 

“Oh, you still remember him?”—the sound of a crane.

 

“Of course I remember!” Song Liqing replied. “He was the worst person to me, the most malicious, brutal, and terrifying big bad guy in the world. He is also a prince, so we must not let him find us.”

 

“That truly is a wicked person,” Pei Xingxu said in agreement. “Fortunately, he’s already gone. Now, let’s take Guansheng to swing.”

 

Song Liqing nodded, stepping out of the flower bushes. He first sat on the swing and then placed Guansheng on his lap, while Pei Xingxu pushed from behind.

 

The laughter of the big and small echoed harmoniously.

 

In contrast, Jun Qiyu, who stood behind, felt out of place.

 

Pei Xingxu waved for a servant to come over to take his place and led Jun Qiyu a bit farther away.

 

Jun Qiyu couldn’t wait to ask, “Liqing, he…”

 

“Actually, I found the blood cistanche. Jun Qiyu, do you think this counts as heaven’s favor?” Pei Xingxu didn’t answer immediately.

 

Jun Qiyu furrowed his brows tightly.

 

Why wasn’t he the one who found the blood cistanche?

 

Was heaven punishing him for committing too many evil deeds, even refusing to fulfill his wish to save his beloved?

 

Everything felt disconnected from him… It was the most malicious revenge from heaven.

 

“When?”

 

A flicker of something unusual passed through Pei Xingxu’s eyes, as if he was considering how to respond.

 

“I originally wanted to trick you into thinking it was a month ago, but I figured it wasn’t necessary; it was actually six months ago.”

 

“What?!”

 

Jun Qiyu exclaimed.

 

“Yes, I brought Liqing back to Loulan six months ago.”

 

Jun Qiyu was indeed angry, but the fists he had clenched relaxed.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me? You clearly knew I was waiting so… so painfully.”

 

Jun Qiyu’s tone was not harsh or overbearing; instead, it was somewhat dejected.

 

“Why should I tell you? You should bear the pain of waiting as retribution, shouldn’t you? I have no obligation to inform you.”

 

Pei Xingxu spoke a lot and couldn’t help but cough.

 

He coughed until two drops of blood splattered on his handkerchief before he managed to stop, his breathing hoarse.

 

“Jun Qiyu, you also saw it. My blood depletion disease has reached an incurable stage. That one blood cistanche root isn’t enough to save two people,” Pei Xingxu gasped. “But I still chose to let him live. Do you know? From start to finish, my love for him is no less than yours, it may even be more!”

 

Jun Qiyu had no strength to refute.

 

“You’re right.” Jun Qiyu weakly waved his arm. “I just wanted to prove that I could also sacrifice my life for him, but I never had the chance.”

 

“I’m telling you this not to compare with you,” Pei Xingxu said. “I’m telling you that I have the right to love him, the right to make him my queen, while you, Jun Qiyu, are already too late. This time you lost. I hope you can honor our bet, attend my and Liqing’s grand ceremony, and watch him be happy.”

 

Jun Qiyu looked at Song Liqing, his gaze as soft as dawn.

 

This time… he didn’t want to vehemently stop Pei Xingxu.

 

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to stop him, but Song Liqing could no longer withstand his repeated torment.

 

“If he can really be happy… I, I won’t stop you. As long as Liqing comes back safe and sound, I’ll already be very happy.”

 

Jun Qiyu’s eyes were heavy, filled with the sorrow he had suppressed.

 

Pei Xingxu was surprised that he had learned to be accommodating.

 

“He isn’t safe and sound,” Pei Xingxu sighed. “You also saw it; although he remembers everything, his mind is damaged. The doctor said his mental state is like that of a seven- or eight-year-old child, and they can’t find the cause. He hasn’t been cured in the past six months.”

 

Jun Qiyu’s heart tightened in pain.

 

No wonder Song Liqing’s actions resembled those of a child.

 

Seven or eight years old… why that age?

 

Because at that time, Song Liqing had a period of carefree days, so he remained trapped at that age.

 

“Guansheng is also strange,” Pei Xingxu said. “I’ve been teaching him to speak, calling me Daddy, but he never said a word. I thought he was mute. But when I brought Liqing back, the moment he saw Liqing, he kept calling him Daddy non-stop. The connections in this world are truly mysterious. Perhaps he and Liqing are truly father and son from a past life, destined by fate to continue their bond in this life.”

 

Guansheng was born in the coffin where Song Liqing lay, and in some mysterious way, their bond felt like blood relations.

 

Pei Xingxu’s sickly eyes brightened a little as he spoke.

 

“Guansheng’s first sight was of Liqing,” Jun Qiyu said.

 

“I guess I’m half his adoptive father,” Pei Xingxu paused before adding, “I wonder if this child will remember me when he grows up.”

 

Jun Qiyu sensed the despondence in his tone.

 

“Are you making a will?”

 

“I’m trying to cling to life, waiting for him to have memories before I die.”

 

Pei Xingxu smiled.

 

“I need to accompany Liqing for dinner now. Your Highness, please go ahead.”

 

“Can I follow… to see Liqing?”

 

Pei Xingxu was taken aback; Jun Qiyu had never been so humble.

 

“You can just follow from a distance; he’s afraid of you.”

 

“Okay.”

 

He actually agreed.

 

“Liqing!” Pei Xingxu walked over. “Are you hungry?”

 

“Not hungry.”

 

“You must have eaten too much sweet milk cake, ruining your appetite,” Pei Xingxu scolded. “From now on, you can only have one piece; I’ll put the rest away.”

 

“That plate of milk cake was eaten by Guansheng.”

 

Song Liqing said weakly.

 

“Huh?”

 

Pei Xingxu glanced at Jun Qiyu.

 

The implication was that Liqing, at seven or eight years old, shouldn’t be lying, right?