It was the worst time possible to come forward with his own pregnancy.
With his father's icy glare and his elder brother's barely veiled displeasure weighing heavily upon him, the months ahead stretched out like a desolate wasteland. Every passing day was a fresh scrape against a raw wound, turning his already difficult situation into a living hell in the most literal sense.
It was painful to endure the questioning stares of the palace officials at the Golden Dragon Palace, but it was also difficult to stay within the walls of Fuxi Palace without losing his mind.
After his audience with the Emperor one day, Xie Jianyu sought solace in a stroll around the Crystal Jade Pond. Reserved primarily for educational purposes, the area rarely saw adults. The air was filled with the playful laughter of children, who lingered behind after their classes, waiting for their parents to come and pick them up.
