Zhang Fengxi shook his head.
"How?"
"For the past three months, I meditated at Mount Huang for closed-door cultivation. By the time I returned, both the Emperor and Jianyu had already passed on. All that was left in my Shuiran Palace was an imperial decree, signed by His Majesty the Emperor and witnessed by Jianyu himself," Jiang Muchen began to explain.
He too was stunned when he saw his name printed inside the imperial decree. Because how could he not know that the emperor intended to pass him the throne?
"..."
"I later found out from retired imperial eunuchs that the emperor was livid when he found out about Jianyu's pregnancy. He urged Jianyu to abort the child and resume his duties as the crown prince. No one had to know about the existence of your child. All eunuchs and royal physicians who knew about the child were told that they would lose their lives if they dared to breathe out even a single word.
But do you know that Jianyu foolishly chose to give birth to your child?"
"..."
"Jianyu, he might be the strongest swordsman across the entire heavenly realm, but his health is not that good.
Giving birth to this child was a life-and-death gamble, and he took it anyway. And why do you think he did that?"
"I don't know," Zhang Fengxi helplessly said.
He did not know.
He did not know anything about Xie Jianyu.
He did not know anything anymore.
"He knew how heartbroken you were when Liu Wenyuan lost his child.
He wanted to give you this child, although he knew that you would never love this child the way you love Liu Wenyuan's child."
"..."
Jiang Muchen shook from excessive sorrow.
"I don't care whether you blame Jianyu for Liu Wenyuan's death or not. I want you to know that Jianyu has done his best to make up for your loss. He is probably the only omega who has to live like an alpha and suffer more than the majority of the alphas that I know."
"..."
"Poor Jianyu. He risked his life giving birth to a child that only lives a few days longer than him."
Jiang Muchen raised his staff and shoved hard at Zhang Fengxi's chest.
"You are the worst, Zhang Fengxi. You do not deserve Jianyu's kindness. You do not deserve to be this child's father."
Heartbroken, he then left Longjing Palace without a word of farewell to anyone.
Zhang Fengxi felt numb from head to toe. Before he knew it, he already staggered toward his crying mother and took the lifeless baby into his arms. Other than his blue, unnatural facial complexion, the little boy looked so peaceful, almost as if he was just taking a nap.
Zhang Fengxi brushed against the baby's forehead, hoping to see the glowing image that proved that the child was his flesh and blood. Unfortunately, the sigil already disappeared, just like an oil lamp that lost its flame.
"Xie Jianyu," Zhang Fengxi thought to himself. "Our son died today. Just like Jiang Muchen said, I was a terrible father to him. No wonder he chose to leave my side and chase after your shadow instead."
Tears fell from Zhang Fengxi's eyes when he lowered his head to give his son the first and last kiss on his tiny forehead.
Why was it that he never kissed him before?
The baby was his son.
Was it because it was Xie Jianyu and not Liu Wenyuan who gave birth to him?
Because Zhang Fengxi did not expect to have a son?
Because Zhang Fengxi felt too guilty for ending Xie Jianyu's life?
"Xie Jianyu, your soul has already scattered away," Zhang Fengxi continued in his heart. "Our son will never be able to find you no matter where he goes."
The baby's soul was going to wander alone in the underworld, pitifully crying after a mother who was no longer there.
"Our pitiful little son...
Don't worry, Jianyu...
I will not let him go alone.
I will follow him wherever he wants to go, and stay with him always."
Two days after the baby's death, Lady Song passed away from excessive heartbreak and immense guilt.
Longjing Palace was covered in the white color of mourning. Day and night were filled with mournful cries for both the little prince and Lady Song.
Three days after the baby's death, Jiang Muchen attacked Golden Dragon Palace and disposed of Liu Yichen. He then ascended the throne and became the next heavenly emperor.
Ten days after the baby's death, Zhang Fengxi completed the burial of both his son and his mother. Having fulfilled the last act of filial piety, he concluded the night by killing himself with a jar of poisoned wine.
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Author's note :
Okay, now that I have broken all of your hearts at the end of this chapter, we can go back in time and fix all of Fengxi's horrible life choices ✧\(>o<)ﾉ✧
Please wish him a lot of luck!