Foster Son of the Human Emperor

Foster Son of the Human Emperor

Today, Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng finally emerged from their chambers, their spirits visibly high. Mo Qingcheng, basking in the warmth of the sun's rays on her skin, closed her eyes and stretched out her hand, as if attempting to capture a piece of sunlight itself.

"It's wonderful to have you with me," a look of contentment graced her face. The past few days spent with Qin Wentian had felt like a dream, and she wished for this bliss to continue indefinitely.

Qin Wentian turned to watch the sunlight caress Mo Qingcheng's flawless visage, his smile growing even more radiant. With such a wife by his side, he knew that he possessed something countless others yearned for but could never attain.

"Qingcheng, you are the Holy Maiden of the Medicine Sovereign Valley. One day, I will give you the grandest wedding in the entire Royal Sacred Region. I will proclaim to the world that you are the wife of Qin Wentian," he silently vowed in his heart. Mo Qingcheng had willingly cast aside her reputation to be with him, giving him her all. Qin Wentian was determined to elevate her status.

Although he understood that Mo Qingcheng didn't care about such worldly matters, he cared deeply about them. He wanted Mo Qingcheng to marry him with pride and honor, to let the world know that the Holy Maiden of the Medicine Sovereign Valley had found a loving and worthy husband.

"Let's go," Qin Wentian said as he gently pulled Mo Qingcheng along. She sweetly gazed at him, nodding in agreement before following his lead.

When those from the Medicine Sovereign Valley saw the couple emerging, they couldn't help but sigh inwardly. For four days, the Holy Maiden and Qin Wentian had remained in the same room without venturing outside. It was evident how deeply Mo Qingcheng loved him. She didn't care about the gossip of the outside world or her own reputation.

The maidens from the Medicine Sovereign Valley knew that not even the Medicine Sovereign himself could separate them if they wished to be together. Moreover, given the Medicine Sovereign's deep affection for Mo Qingcheng, he would not object to her choice of a life partner.

In the past, there was a disciple who disrespected Mo Qingcheng and boasted about taking her position. This maiden had a high status and exceptional talent within the Medicine Sovereign Valley. However, after uttering that single sentence, the Medicine Sovereign had not only crippled her cultivation but also expelled her from the valley. From that point on, no one dared to challenge Mo Qingcheng. Even if they harbored resentment, they wouldn't dare openly confront her.

"Holy Maiden," the other maidens greeted her with a bow. Mo Qingcheng addressed them, "I'm going to visit the Human Emperor to check on the progress of his recovery. I've created some medicinal pills that I hope will help. During the administration of the medicine, I'll need some time alone with him. It would be best if all of you wait outside to avoid any disturbances."

The maidens nodded in agreement, understanding that only Mo Qingcheng and Qin Wentian were privy to the details of their intentions.

"Of course," the Empress responded with a laugh as she nodded her head. "In that case, we will have to trouble the Holy Maiden."

Mo Qingcheng simply nodded in agreement, displaying no signs of anything unusual. She didn't even order the entire area to be sealed off, making it appear like an ordinary medicinal session.

"Senior Human Emperor, later on, our actions might border on disrespect, so we are begging Senior for your forgiveness now. However, we must do this in absolute secrecy," Qin Wentian transmitted his voice to the Human Emperor, ensuring only the Human Emperor could hear him.

Lying on the bed, the Human Emperor's eyes suddenly shone with an intense light. Then, he blinked his eyes to signal that he understood.

As the Human Emperor, he had experienced countless situations, yet seeing Qin Wentian look so solemn made his heart tremble slightly. Could it be...

"Senior Human Emperor, please consume this medicine," Mo Qingcheng gently placed a medicinal pill into the Human Emperor's mouth, and he obediently swallowed it. By now, the Empress and others had already left the room. The Empress turned back one last time, casting a final glance at them before departing. However, she harbored no worries. After all, how could the Holy Maiden from the Medicine Sovereign Valley be in league with the Qi King to harm the Human Emperor?

Exiting the abode, all of them waited in silence. The Empress smiled at Ye Lingshuang and said, "Lingshuang, your junior brother seems to be quite an extraordinary character."

"Yes, he is indeed extraordinary," Ye Lingshuang nodded in agreement. After carefully considering all the information she knew about Qin Wentian, she had come to realize that he was far from ordinary. Even an elder of the sect and Senior Brother Lin Shuai had personally escorted him from Xuan King City. Additionally, his feat of comprehending a total of fourteen sword strikes within just five days filled them with awe.

"And to win over a woman like the Holy Maiden, he truly can be considered remarkable," the Empress chuckled.

Ye Lingshuang leaned in closer to the Empress and whispered something that caused the Empress's eyes to light up. "This fellow truly appears capable. To think he even has a mistress hidden within the Battle Sword Sect? In this regard, he is already many times stronger than your father."

The mother and daughter continued their conversation as time passed by unnoticed.

"Don't you think the Holy Maiden has been inside for quite some time?" a prince voiced his concern.

"The Holy Maiden knows what she's doing; just wait patiently," the Empress replied, casting an annoyed glance at the impatient prince. Such impatience wouldn't lead to great accomplishments in the future. It was no wonder her clan was suppressed by the Qi King; the heirs of the Human Emperor were truly disappointing. They weren't even equal to her daughter, Ye Lingshuang.

As time continued to pass, even the Empress herself began to feel anxious. However, when she remembered the Holy Maiden's earlier words, she forced herself to remain patient. The maidens from the Medicine Sovereign Valley also found it suspicious; if it were only a matter of checking on his injuries and administering medicine, why would it take this long?

"Alright, all of you can come in now."

Mo Qingcheng's gentle voice broke the silence. The others couldn't help but wear rueful smiles on their faces as they silently scolded themselves for overthinking the situation. The Holy Maiden was simply tending to the Human Emperor's injuries; what other affairs could there be? If even this group of closely related people were entertaining such thoughts, then it was safe to assume that the guards waiting outside must be even more suspicious.

The Human Emperor lay quietly on his back, his appearance unchanged. Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng exchanged knowing glances, sharing a smile before announcing, "Empress, we shall take our leave now."

"Holy Maiden, would you care to join us for dinner later?" the Empress politely offered.

"No, thank you," Mo Qingcheng declined with a shake of her head. She then departed with Qin Wentian.

"Junior Brother Qin, some of our senior sect members from the Battle Sword Sect are currently touring Ye Country. If you have the time, perhaps you and the Holy Maiden could accompany them and enjoy a leisurely stroll," Ye Lingshuang suggested with a smile.

"Of course," Qin Wentian replied, returning her smile. The two of them strolled away, leaving behind a group of people who remained in the dark about the events that had unfolded during their visit to the Human Emperor's chambers. Meanwhile, the Human Emperor, lying on his bed, wore a serene and contented smile. Deep within his heart, however, excitement pulsed like a drumbeat. Even now, he found it difficult to calm down.

Those two spirited youngsters had demonstrated remarkable courage.

As he pondered this, the Human Emperor's smile broadened. If only he could have a son and daughter like them, life would be truly wonderful. Unfortunately, while his daughter showed promise, his sons had all proven to be disappointing. Without his guidance, it seemed nearly impossible for them to govern this ancient country effectively.

Over the next few days, Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng were inseparable, like two peas in a pod. They visited the Human Emperor daily under the pretense of checking on his injuries, forging an increasingly close bond between the three of them.

This naturally ignited jealousy among some of the princes.

On this particular day, the Human Emperor lay in his chambers as usual, watching Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng beside him. He broke into laughter and said, "Wentian, I have a request. I would like to adopt you as my foster son. Would you be willing?" Qin Wentian was caught completely off guard by the Human Emperor's sudden proposal.

Qin Wentian deeply understood that the Human Emperor's offer to accept him as a foster son stemmed from a genuine sense of kinship and not from any desire for personal gain.

"If you are hesitant or unwilling, feel free to decline. It won't affect our relationship," the Human Emperor assured him with a warm smile. The situation was somewhat delicate, especially considering Mo Qingcheng's elevated status as the Holy Maiden of the Medicine Sovereign Valley. If the Human Emperor openly adopted her as a foster daughter, it could lead to complications. However, if Qin Wentian agreed, it would essentially make Mo Qingcheng his foster sister.

"Wentian is deeply honored by the Human Emperor's kindness and would never refuse such a heartfelt offer," Qin Wentian replied earnestly. He couldn't help but reflect on his own life, having grown up as an orphan and being raised by Uncle Black and Qin Chuan. The years of countless adventures had taken their toll, and often his thoughts drifted back to Sky Harmony City in Chu. He longed for the chance to revisit, but he also understood the current gravity of his situation.

"However, Wentian already has another foster father, Qin Chuan. When I reunite with him in the future, I will discuss this matter with him and seek his approval," Qin Wentian added.

"That is only natural," the Human Emperor agreed with a gentle nod, his eyes filled with affection as he looked at the two young people before him. Empress Ye, standing by his side, couldn't hide the motherly love that sparkled in her eyes. "Child, it's time you started calling us differently."

"Allow me to greet you as Foster Father and Foster Mother," Qin Wentian said as he knelt and bowed to the Human Emperor and Empress Ye. A wave of warmth and harmony filled the room as smiles graced the faces of those present.

"Junior Brother, I'll have to start addressing you as my brother in the future," Ye Lingshuang chimed in with a laugh. She couldn't help but recall the time when she had referred to Qin Wentian as a lecherous fellow back in the Battle Sword Sect, causing her laughter to become even more heartfelt. The world was full of surprises; who would have imagined that she and Qin Wentian would become siblings?

"Sister Lingshuang," Qin Wentian replied with a touch of awkwardness. He glanced at Ye Lingshuang and then at the Human Emperor. Ye Lingshuang's eyes welled up with tears as she thought of her father's injuries, uncertain of how much longer he could endure.

Even now, neither Qin Wentian nor Mo Qingcheng revealed the truth about the Human Emperor's condition to the others. It wasn't a matter of trust; rather, it was the gravity of the situation. The Empress Ye and Ye Lingshuang were unlikely to divulge the information intentionally, but their actions might inadvertently tip off the Human Emperor's enemies. After all, it would take some time for the Human Emperor to fully recover.

Qin Wentian also thought of Qin Chuan and his sister, Qin Yao. He longed to reach the Celestial Phenomenon Realm as soon as possible. Once he achieved that breakthrough, he could return to Grand Xia and complete the unfinished business there before visiting his foster father and sister in Sky Harmony City.

Qin Chuan had shown him immense kindness, a debt that weighed as heavily as mountains. This long separation was filled with unanswered questions: How was Qin Chuan after all these years? And was his sister, Qin Yao, already married?

"Wentian, I have a proposal for you. How would you feel about becoming the Crown Prince of Ye Country?" The Human Emperor's voice reached Qin Wentian's ears, and he couldn't help but be taken aback by the unexpected offer. He gazed at the Human Emperor, who was looking at him with anticipation. In that moment, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The Human Emperor was well aware that his own heirs were ill-suited to rule the empire. Even if he were to hand over Ye Country to them, their lack of power and influence would render them incapable of controlling the numerous kings and dukes within the country.

"Foster Father, I appreciate your kind intentions, but my ambitions lie beyond the borders of Ye," Qin Wentian replied earnestly. He understood that the Human Emperor's offer stemmed from a recognition of his talents and potential. The Human Emperor believed that Qin Wentian could be nurtured into a formidable figure capable of facing off against the various kings and dukes, someone who could effectively govern the ancient country. However, this was not the path Qin Wentian wished to pursue.

The Human Emperor nodded in understanding, not pressing further to change Qin Wentian's mind. His expression remained calm, concealing the depth of his thoughts. This conversation was a private exchange between the two of them, known to no one else.