Sixty One

That day, His Majesty spent an unusually long time in the court hall. Before leaving, he instructed that Bai Wuxia be informed he wanted to see her privately after court.

They met, just the two of them, away from prying eyes. By the time their conversation ended, His Majesty had gathered all the information he needed. He dismissed her in silence, but inside, his anger boiled. Zhaiye had defied him completely...she had stunned him. If not for his self-restraint, only he knew how disastrous things could have gotten. Even now, he felt it was that same self-restraint that prevented things from spiraling further. With a heavy heart, he retreated to his chambers, finalizing the harsh decision he was about to make.

Meanwhile, after Yibo confirmed that Zhan had arrived in Beijing that day, he diverted his car toward his own residence to pack a few things. Determined, he then headed straight for Tianjin, fully prepared to confront His Majesty face to face. He was tired of this endless back and forth. He was tired of Zhan playing games with his head. No matter how much he cared, enough was enough...he needed closure.

When he reached Tianjin, he avoided everyone. He didn't go straight to the Palace either. Instead, he found himself drawn to his private countryside villa...a property he had built with meticulous attention to detail. The house was designed to resemble an old, traditional Chinese home, but modernized discreetly. Everything inside...the décor, the layout, even the kitchen...reflected classic charm with subtle modern upgrades. The clay pots, the wooden canopy bed, the earthen water jars, the vintage-style seating… all of it blended with hidden air conditioning, soft lighting, and refined details to create a peaceful, enchanting atmosphere.

The place had a quiet, almost magical feel to it, filled with plants and flowers that kept the air fresh and the surroundings cool. Birds of all kinds perched on the trees, their songs blending with the rustle of leaves. Anyone who set foot inside would immediately sense the uniqueness of the home.

Yibo sat for a long time in one of the living rooms after changing his clothes. Eventually, he reached for his phone to call Qiantang. He had avoided contacting her for days, and she hadn't called either. He wasn't even sure if she was still at home or off wandering somewhere as usual. At this point, he just needed her nearby....even if she had nothing useful to say or do....just the sound of another person's voice would help.

But her phone wouldn't connect. He tried three times, each time hearing the same automated response: her line was switched off. Frowning, he tried her mother's number....same result.

Growing uneasy, Yibo called Nalan instead.

"Good morning, brother," Nalan greeted respectfully.

"Yeah… Has Qiantang mentioned going anywhere recently?" he asked bluntly.

Nalan hesitated, surprised by his question. Honestly, she found their marriage odd. Qiantang still acted like a little girl, completely unaware of what being married meant. Meanwhile, Yibo buried himself in business, as if the marriage barely mattered to him.

"I asked you a question," Yibo's voice sharpened with frustration.

"I… I'm not sure. But the last time I saw her, she came by to see Mom. They didn't meet, though. She just told me she was accompanying her dad to his annual medical check-up."

Yibo ended the call abruptly before she could say more.

This time, his frustration simmered into real anger. It was time to take action. Marriage wasn't a game, and he wasn't some naïve fool. He wouldn't sit back while his wife behaved like a child, clueless about responsibilities. He might have been distracted by Zhan's situation, but that didn't mean he had ignored her completely. He had fulfilled almost every obligation toward her.

Closing his eyes, lost in the storm of problems swirling through his mind, a gentle knock came at the door....soft, formal, the kind used when someone wanted a private word.

Without opening his eyes, Yibo gave permission for them to enter.

One of his trusted personal staff, dressed in their signature traditional uniform designed especially for the villa's workers, stepped in quietly.

"Your Highness, Mr. Xielin is here. He requests an audience."

Still without opening his eyes, Yibo simply gestured for him to let Xielin in.

The moment Xielin entered, Yibo opened his eyes, locking his gaze onto him, just as Xielin did in return while finding a place to sit.

Yibo sat up properly, his eyes never leaving Xielin, who was staring at him intently. Just as Yibo was about to speak, Xielin's unexpected laughter cut him off. Yibo looked at him, puzzled, and after a moment, realizing the mischief hidden in Xielin's expression, he simply closed his eyes again and lay back down, ignoring him.

Xielin laugh for a while, clearly enjoying himself, before finally speaking.

"The great intimidator, finally getting a taste of his own medicine? Imagine that. I wonder what all those women...whose knees used to buckle at your mere presence...would think if they saw you now. The same women who couldn't sleep because of their obsession with you, who couldn't even look you in the eye. And now, one man...just one....has completely messed with your head, ruined your peace, stolen your focus… I never thought I'd live to see the day the mighty Prince Yibo turned weak… All because of Zhan? Looking at you now, you even seem to have lost weight, haven't you?"

Yibo opened his eyes again, fixing them on Xielin, his voice calm but his words sharp as he replied, "I may be weak when it comes to Zhan. I may lack reason and logic when it comes to him. But among men? I remain a lion... the kind who terrifies any girl who dares step into my space without permission."

He sat up fully, his fierce eyes locked onto Xielin as he placed one hand over his chest, right over his heart.

"Do you know what I feel right here, Xielin? Do you know how I sleep at night? Do you know how much my heart burns? But Zhan refuses to see it. He refuses to understand. He won't let me in. Doesn't he realize… besides my mother, he's the only person I have ever loved like this? The only one I can't bear to lose? Why won't he understand that?"

Xielin sighed deeply, genuine sympathy flickering across his face. He had known Yibo his whole life, seen his strength, his pride, his fearlessness… but never this. Never had he seen him expose his heart so openly. If it took this much to break down Yibo's walls, then this love of his was no small thing...it deserved compassion.

Before Xielin could say another word, Yibo stood up abruptly.

"I'm going to see His Majesty. I don't care if it gets ugly, if I have to beg him on my knees, he has to intervene. His silence… I know what that means, Xielin. It means many things are happening beneath the surface."

With that, he disappeared into the inner quarters, heading toward the traditional bathhouse area designed like an ancient pool.

~**~

Later that day, His Majesty was taken aback to spot Yibo among the council of noblemen in the Palace. Dressed just like them, blending in, Yibo sat silently, but His Majesty maintained his composure, pretending not to notice him.

Yibo remained in the hall throughout the long meeting, unmoving, patient. Only when the assembly finally ended and His Majesty stood to leave did Yibo rise and follow him, ignoring the other council members as they dispersed.

His Majesty noticed Yibo trailing behind but said nothing until they reached the entrance to his private chambers. Turning, His Majesty's eyes met Yibo's. For the first time in years, Yibo felt the full weight of his father's authority...intimidating and undeniable...and instinctively lowered his gaze.

"Is everything alright? I'd like to go inside and rest," His Majesty said coolly, though he already knew why Yibo was following him.

Without hesitation, Yibo dropped to his knees before him, his voice low and filled with regret as he pleaded on Zhan's matter, accepting any punishment His Majesty saw fit for him.

His Majesty listened quietly, allowing Yibo to speak his heart. When he finished, His Majesty cleared his throat.

"So… You take me for a fool, do you? After all the disgrace you've brought upon this family, after dragging our name through the mud, now you want me to step in and clean it up? Yibo… the same way you got into this mess, is the same way you'll get out. Go fix what you and your mother created. You claim you love him, yet you let this destruction happen? Shameful."

"All I ask is your forgiveness, and your blessing… if not for me, then for the sake of the twins Zhan and I have."

His Majesty froze, the words catching him off guard.

"Twins?" he repeated, stunned. Then again, "You mean… you have children… with Zhan? As in… he gave birth? You… male pregnancy?"

Yibo nodded silently, confirming every word.

His Majesty slowly sank onto a nearby chair, lost in thought. Several long minutes passed in silence. Finally, without another glance at Yibo, he stood up and walked inside, leaving Yibo kneeling there alone.

That night, King Mo Yi spent hours locked in deep thought, analyzing the situation, searching for a solution that would be fair, peaceful, and beneficial for everyone involved... especially for himself and his family.

Deep down, he was convinced that this entire situation was a test for him...a trial centered around the woman he loved most among his partners and the child he loved most among his children. Despite all his efforts to be fair and rational, only he and fate itself knew the full extent of the secret he carried.

For two full days, His Majesty carried out his investigation discreetly. In the end, everything Yibo had told him was true. That truth softened his initial judgment and changed the course of the harsh decisions he had planned to make.

On the third day, unable to contain his restlessness, he found himself heading toward Xiao Yun's house personally... without sending anyone ahead. He traveled in a single vehicle with dark-tinted windows, accompanied only by three of his most trusted men, dressed in plain clothing to avoid drawing attention. Nobody would guess the King of Tianjin was in that car.

XIAO YUN'S HOUSE

Ever since Zhan returned to Beijing, the twins had practically lived with Xiao Yun and Chao. Xiao Yun had even shed tears of joy upon seeing Chao again among her relatives. He had searched everywhere for her after she disappeared, exhausting himself before finally giving up.

Xiao Yun had poured endless blessings on Zhan, practically treating the twins most loving grandchildren. Two of his boys among them even ran his businesses now, as his health had declined. He no longer had the strength to run around as he once did... some days were better than others, but the illness wouldn't leave him.

Almost every time he saw the children, Xiao Yun would shed tears. He often reflected on how life works...how sometimes when life takes one thing away, it compensates in another form, even if you don't realize it at the time.

He used to cry over poverty, believing fate had denied him wealth. But it turned out that wealth had simply been replaced with good health. Later, when his health deteriorated, money finally came his way...money that couldn't buy back what he had lost. He could afford any food, any clothing, but without health, it all meant nothing. Still, seeing his family and others benefiting from the wealth brought him peace. Truly, there was no blessing greater than good health.

Amidst this sadness and regret, his wives Cunxin and new bride had secretly been scheming to steal from him. They were convinced that when he passed, they would be left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Fenghua and her children would take everything.

That thought kept Xiao Yun awake at night. His heart ached even more after he divorced both women, reflecting on his life with Yunjun, Zhan's mother. She had been better than him in every way...more beautiful, more respected, wealthier...but she had chosen to stay by his side. She had sacrificed everything for him, never once looking down on him, never complaining about the life he provided, even though he could barely give her anything. Now, ironically, the very people he had lifted from the dirt were plotting to destroy him...seeking to claim wealth earned through Yunjun's child. Wealth that Yunjun herself had never lived to enjoy.

It was then he realized: no matter how troublesome a first wife might be, as long as she was loyal, that was what truly mattered. Fenghua, for all her flaws, had never tried to deceive or betray him. Yes, she had a sharp tongue, she loved her children more than others', and she criticized him often....but she never harbored malicious intentions like this.

That day, just like many others, Xiao Yun had personally called Zhan and asked him to bring the twins over. Zhan prepared them himself. The children were excited...they loved going to Xiao Yun's house. Everyone there adored them, showered them with affection.

Zhan dressed them up beautifully in matching outfits specially made for them by Papa. He could only be grateful....everyone loved the twins, cared for them deeply.

Zhan brought them himself, spending time chatting with Xiao Yun. Afterward, he visited the relatives inside and exchanged pleasantries with Fenghua as well.

Their conversation was pleasant. Every time Zhan looked up at his siblings, seeing how life had turned out for them, he felt a renewed sense of happiness. Even now, talk of Que's wedding filled the room.

After just two hours, Zhan excused himself and left the twins with them. He knew there were people who could bring them back home later... and even if they spent the night, it wasn't a problem. He trusted that no one would let them return that day if they didn't want to.

Less than an hour after Zhan left, His Majesty's vehicle quietly pulled up near the house. The car stopped directly at the entrance. His Majesty had already confirmed Xiao Yun was home...he rarely went out these days due to his declining health, as their investigation had shown.

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛