Chapter 41: The truth about the assassinations (4):

Author :

We've finally reached the 40 chapter mark so I'll be taking a break. I'll come back after the 4 weeks. So see you guys soon. Enjoy!

Back to the story:

Tian You, you must be feeling an abrupt of emotions right now and I haven't even begun yet. If this is enough to satisfy your curiosity then it's time to stop. Do not read on. I've said this many times.

' Nope, I'm still reading father!' I thought as I began reading the second sheet in the letter.

Why are you still here Tian You? Rip this letter up! Don't say I didn't warn you...

Do you remember on the night of your sister's 1st birthday your mother was deeply upset after the banquet? Well, it's because a maid had notified her that she saw me leading Shi Ying'er back to my room. She caught us on the bed together after the banquet ended an hour later. You must have wondered why Yue Lin didn't go straight to my room and find out if what that maid said was true. Even I did. Maybe it's because she truly believed I wouldn't do anything to Shi Ying'er or maybe because she was in disbelief. I wouldn't know. That was the day Tian Jing was conceived and so I had to make Shi Ying'er my concubine cause she was already tarnished. We found Tian Yao near the riverbed in Jiang Nan a few months after the incident. I later investigated and found out that she had drugged me, at that time I couldn't do anything because she had just given birth to Tian Jing a few months ago and was already pregnant again. I truly did love Tian Jing she was once my shining star.

Well, that's matter one of the list I had to tell you about. The second matter is your mother's death... Your mother died a few years after the twins were born. After I had found out how I ended up sleeping with Ying'er I never went into her room again. I tried to make peace with your mother but that didn't go well. Not long later she died. It took me a good year to find the truth about your mother's death so before knowing who harmed your mother I had to send you somewhere else. When Ying'er suggested I send you to the Imperial Academy in Qi Shan I believed that was the best choice yet who would know you didn't agree to it. You even ran away. Luckily you were saved my Master Feng.

The truth is Ying'er killed your mother... you probably knew that already. She didn't hide her tracks well so I had to once again cover it up for her. I know you are probably wondering why I did that... I don't know myself maybe I had truly fallen for Ying'ers' body. But then again I've always loved your mother, so how could this be possible? Let's not dwell on this matter. This disaster is my generation's problem do not let this affect your relationship with Tian Ming and Tian Xia. I don't worry about your relationship with Tian Jing cause you both were closer than anyone. Look after them for me...

I think the most important part is the mystery behind my death. You won't stop even if I'd advised you... so I won't advise you anymore but remember my choice had nothing to do with you. So don't feel guilty it wasn't your fault. My death was a plot. An assassination plot I created with Rong Xia who had agreed to help after I persuade him for a long time. I knew his majesty would choose Rong Xia to investigate this as Count Cheng'an wasn't one to spill secrets and he knew what honesty meant. However, I'm afraid his majesty would defiantly stop investigating to a point when Rong Xia feels it's appropriate to say the assassination may have something to do with the past generations' princes. Hence his majesty would feel guilty and more likely o look after you guys well especially since I had deliberately 'died' in front of him taking on the sword that was aimed at his heart. By doing so I can protect my children when I'm not here anymore. His majesty had started getting suspicious of us when he heard I wanted to come back to Chang'an. Couldn't you tell that he was getting suspicious when he asked about your marriage?

Tian You, you must think I'm a hero who willingly gave up his life to protect his children in the long run. I'm no hero. I'm just a coward who hid behind the scenes not letting anyone know of my past matters. Wouldn't you believe this type of person had once selfishly plotted to gain the throne? Tian You I hope you would never participate in the battle for the throne. Enjoy the carefree life you always wanted do not participate in this battle. However, maybe my choice for you to marry Chiu Yeung was a bad decision. Maybe I had already lured you into the tiger's den. If that is then I'm deeply sorry. Tian You I want you to remember, even if you end up fighting for the crown don't kill your brothers. I don't mean just Tian Ming but all of your cousin's brothers, that might be a bit hard but do try Tian You. Once again I'm sorry Tian You I couldn't watch you and Tian An get married. I hope you would look after everyone for me...

Your useless father

Prince Zi, Li Dong Hai.

( Prince Zi mansion steal stamp here)

End of letter.

My eyes poured as if a dried river had finally been filled. How many times have I cried since my father's death? A total of 3, goodness. Why must you do this to us father? Ren Mo gently patted my back as he listened to my silent sobbing. Gladly for me, Yu Xuan had removed all the guards and placed himself at the door for if anyone hear me crying I would never be able to live this embarrassment up. Thinking back I hated him for the most childish situations. We both never truly understood each other. " Old Master always believed you acted just like him when he was younger. You may not know it back Old master was once young. He was once a rash teenager madly falling in love with your late mother. Though I had to admit my heart did bleed when your father began planning all of this to now. But giving you this letter has lifted a weight off my shoulders. However you mustn't feel guilty master strongly stood o me assuring you in this matter," explained Ren Mo "You need to forget all of this and continue living your life to the fullest for Old master who succeed in giving you the freedom to choose what to do with your life. I'm sure Old Master and Old Madam would be so upset to see you like this. Young Master, even if it's not for yourself you need to stay strong for your siblings. I have given you the letter now. As for what you do with it, it is your choice. You can burn it or keep it as long as no one finds it then it's fine,"

I listened carefully to Ren Mo's words and after tidying myself I headed outside to where the villagers gathered a good mile away watching the commotion and Yu Xuan standing a few meters away from the door. " It was a misunderstanding. Ren Mo is not the culprit we are looking for. Sorry for disturbing your peace," I shouted towards the villagers as they signed, muttered and walk away. The most I could do was give Ren Mo a good life after what he sacrificed for us...

I headed back into the carriage to head home. Surprisingly Yu Xuan didn't ask me what happened. "Why aren't you asking me what happened?" I inquired "You will tell me when the time is right..." replied Yu Xuan as I gazed into the unknown. " Stop by Moon Valley before we go back I've something to do," I ordered as he hopped out to the front and told the driver the change of designation.

I had told Yu Xuan and the driver to wait in front of the Jiang Zhou entry gate. I wanted to go and put this letter somewhere safe in Moon Valley where no one would suspect where it was...

I returned quite quickly as we continued our journey home.