Seventy

Author :

Please ignore mistakes and typing errors, not really edited.

They were all gathered outside the hospital, overseeing the arrangement of the cars that would take them home now that the doctor had signed their discharge papers. Yibo stood silently, arms folded, his eyes intensely fixed on Zhan. It wasn't a casual glance...it was a heated gaze, one filled with emotions he could no longer hide.

But Zhan pretended not to notice. He deliberately avoided looking in Yibo's direction, even though he could feel the weight of his stare through the blanket wrapped around him.

Many times, Zhan found himself questioning these strange feelings. Why did it seem like he had known Yibo forever, like their souls had long been entangled? It was an unsettling pull he couldn't explain.

Just then, a few royal maids approached him respectfully and bowed slightly.

"Your Highness, the Queen requests that you join her in the car so you both may depart," they said to Zhan.

Yibo cleared his throat, and immediately, the maids went silent, stepping away politely.

He slowly walked over to where the Queen stood by the car, ran a hand through his hair, and muttered, "I thought we were leaving together..."

"Where?" the Queen snapped, throwing a sharp glare his way. He couldn't answer.

"Send Zhan to me—we're leaving. My time is being wasted," she added coldly before getting into the car. The sting of her dismissal hit Yibo hard....he felt like crying, but there was nothing he could do.

He turned, voice low and forced:

"She's waiting for you. Please go to her."

Zhan didn't say a word. He began walking toward the Queen's car, biting back a smile. As strange as it was, the whole thing amused him. A part of him was relieved; this was the distance he'd been looking for...a way to breathe, to reflect, to figure out where Yibo truly stood in his heart.

The car ride was quiet. They sped down the road heading not toward his home, but toward the Tianjin palace. Zhan realized then that he wouldn't be dropped off...Aunt Anu had hinted as much during her earlier phone call using the Queen's phone.

Then her voice cut through his thoughts:

"Did Yibo ever tell you if he had another partner besides you?"

Zhan blinked. The question had come out of nowhere. But instinctively, he trusted Yibo. A man of such status, elegance, and discipline...he couldn't imagine someone like him not having a wife for years. He composed himself and replied quietly,

"No, he never told me that."

The Queen exhaled deeply, then began to explain everything that had happened after their separation....how Yibo fell gravely ill, almost to the point of death. How he had eventually married Qiantang.

Somewhere deep inside, Zhan let out a soft breath. Listening to it all, especially hearing that Yibo had chosen him over the throne, filled him with warmth. That alone softened something inside his heart.

The fault hadn't entirely been Yibo's. Because of his mother's status and power, he had been unable to speak the full truth. And Zhan finally understood...sometimes children, no matter their age, will protect the honor of their parents, even when those parents don't deserve it.

"I hope this clears whatever's left in your heart, Zhan," the Queen said, teasing lightly. "That boy of mine

..has suffered a lot, and I can see you're playing hard to get with him."

Zhan flushed, dropping his head with a smile, saying nothing.

In her typical strategic way, the Queen had already begun planning how to introduce Yibo's hidden family to the world. Her plan: to stage a royal re-wedding.

From the moment she brought Zhan into her care, she'd kept him hidden from everyone. Only Nalan, two private stylists, and a pair of trusted aides had access to him. He was undergoing a complete transformation... learning the palace customs, etiquette, and responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the Queen herself took personal charge of teaching him how to win and hold a husband's heart—without charm or magic.

At first, Zhan had been mortified. But over time, he grew used to her sharp tongue and even sharper advice. Eventually, he understood... this woman was a strategist. She didn't rely on her title. She used her brain.

He, too, began to feel the shift. The transformation wasn't just external. It was internal... his spirit felt lighter. Even he couldn't deny how much more striking he looked. The changes brought out the full grace of his appearance... refined, elegant, magnetic.

~**~

Yibo exhaled sharply after ending a tense phone call with Qiantang. His face was expressionless, but his eyes were dark.

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed again.

Why is it that whenever women trap you in their drama, they threaten to blow everything up if you don't comply?

Qiantang wasn't the real problem—not really. He knew she was only acting out because of the Queen's influence.

But what troubled him was Zhan.

Zhan had become his air, his world. Without him, everything crumbled. And since the day the Queen had taken Zhan from the hospital, he hadn't seen him. No matter how smart or resourceful he tried to be, she kept Zhan out of reach.

He couldn't sleep. He could barely keep his businesses running. Everything felt out of sync.

He had wanted to reduce his workload... to take time, to fix what had gone wrong, to rebuild what was lost. But nothing was working.

Because Zhan was the storm that stopped the rain from falling. And without him, everything stood still.

The only comfort Yibo found lately was in spending time with his twins... the very same children the Queen had once forbidden him from ever bringing into the palace. She was only biding her time now, waiting for the right moment to introduce them herself. When she finally informed His Majesty of her decision and shared her plan, he merely smiled.

"Zhaiye… always one step ahead. May we live long and healthy," he said, looking at her knowingly.

The children were a source of immense joy for him. He often took them to his personal residence... the historical estate....where they would spend a couple of nights together. He bathed them himself, cooked for them, and when they craved something specific, he placed special orders to be delivered right to the house.

Their bond grew stronger each day. Blood had begun to speak its language, and the love of a father for his children blossomed between them. Sometimes, they would go an entire day without even asking about Zhan. Yibo devoted his full attention to them....heart, soul, and strength.

He stood now, slipping his hands into his pockets and releasing a long sigh. Today, again, he would try his luck...perhaps he might get a glimpse of Zhan. He slipped on soft, custom-made royal shoes that hugged his perfectly shaped feet, then stepped to the mirror, taking a good look at his face.

His features were radiant...more refined than they had been in recent weeks, thanks to a proper haircut, grooming, and, more importantly, the calm that came with being close to what his soul longed for. He gently touched his face and smiled. Every time he thought of Zhan, a smile spread across his face. He couldn't help but marvel at the intensity of his feelings. Even Qiantang's worst moods couldn't dampen his spirit...at least, not beyond twenty percent.

Turning smoothly, he exited his grand suite.

Anyone who tried to accompany him was quickly dismissed...he loathed being followed around like a royal relic. In fact, he was already planning to gather his family and leave the palace behind, to start a life of their own...free from pressure, eyes, and expectations.

As he entered the Queen's wing, her attendants began offering their greetings one after the other until he reached her private sitting room.

The room was empty, except for Nalan, who was lounging and watching something. She looked up slowly and returned his hesitant greeting—his voice barely audible, as if he was forcing himself to speak. She knew exactly why he was there. If it wasn't for him, no one would dare sneak around like this.

Still standing, he asked, "Where's Mom?"

"She stepped out for a bit."

"Where's the Prince?" he pressed, staring directly at her.

Nalan clearly understood who he meant, but she played coy, suppressing her reaction. The Queen had warned her not to let anyone see him. Just moments ago, Zhan had gone inside...if Yibo got in now, they'd be caught together.

"Who...?"

"Don't test me. Do I look like I'm here to play games with you?" Yibo's tone dropped low as his sharp gaze pierced through her. Instantly, she straightened up, reminded once again that he wasn't just Yibo...he was royalty.

She reluctantly pointed toward the hallway with a faint whisper, "Hey, it's not my problem. I never said you couldn't see your husband."

He was already gone, slipping quietly into the room before she finished speaking.

Inside, Zhan stood in front of a mirror, gently wiping water off his face. His skin was so smooth and radiant that the water barely clung to it. He picked up a comb and began taming his slightly messy hair when, through the reflection, he caught sight of Yibo standing directly behind him.

His eyes widened, and he began to turn...but Yibo had already closed the distance. Wrapping his arms around Zhan's slim waist, he pulled him gently against his body. His head came to rest on Zhan's shoulder, his lips and nose brushing the sensitive skin of Zhan's neck.

Goosebumps erupted across Zhan's skin. Every part of him relaxed, melting into Yibo's warmth. Both of them locked eyes in the mirror, mesmerized by each other's reflection, their breath synchronized.

After what felt like ages, Yibo turned him around so they were face-to-face. His eyes never left Zhan's. He reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from Zhan's cheek, then leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips...just enough to steal a breath...before whispering:

"Didn't miss me even a little, Prince? Are you planning to team up with fate again just to torture me? Should I prepare myself for another trip to the hospital?"

Zhan chuckled, the tension breaking.

"The hospital? Again?"

Yibo raised a brow. "Oh yes. Hospital bed and all."

Zhan laughed, stepping back with a teasing smile. "Well, I'm not ready to live with a weakling."

But Yibo pulled him close again. He wasn't ready to let go. Not yet. Inwardly, he smiled, gently biting his lower lip as memories rushed back.

"Oh, but you'll have to," he murmured, voice low and charged. "Because when it comes to you, I have no strength at all. But just so we're clear... when I say weak, I don't mean the kind you're thinking of... you remember, don't you? If you can recall that night..."

He bent slightly, whispering something into Zhan's ear.

Zhan's reaction was instant...he pulled away quickly, both hands flying up to cover his face, utterly flustered.

How could he forget? That moment. That night. When he'd felt like the most unfortunate soul on earth, swallowed by sorrow and loss. But now… those same memories were beginning to feel like some of the most precious nights of his life.

Yibo tried to hide a grin.

"Oh no, that's not what I meant… I swear!"

Zhan muttered, still hiding his face.

Yibo threw Zhan a warm, lingering smile... one of those looks that said everything without a word. He had long melted into the depths of love for this man.

"Come here and tell me how you're feeling," he said, reaching out to grab Zhan, when a knock on the door suddenly interrupted him. He paused, looked toward the door, then casually ignored it, focusing again on Zhan and moving closer.

Just as he took a step, another knock came, firmer this time. He froze.

Then, in his deep voice, he said with a touch of irritation,

"Nalan! Are you leaving now or do I need to come out there and get upset?"

"It's not Nalan. It's her mother."

The voice of the Queen filtered through the door. He pressed his palm to his forehead. He was caught. Zhan, without a word, quickly slipped into the bathroom and locked the door.

Yibo opened the door.

The Queen stood there, staring hard at him. Embarrassed but trying to hold his composure, he stepped aside.

"Where's Zhan?"

"He's in the bathroom," he replied and tried to walk past her.

"Wait for me here," she said and walked in.

Her eyes scanned the room... the bed was tidy, no obvious sign anyone had been on it. She exhaled softly, relieved. She didn't want Yibo touching Zhan just yet... not until Zhan had been reshaped and rebuilt into the strong man she envisioned him to be, one that would make Yibo worship him and regret ever letting him go.

"Zhan, when you're done hiding, come meet me in the sitting room," she called out with a smirk, sensing he'd locked himself in because of her. Then she walked out, heart oddly warm with the knowledge that fate had given her a son-in-law like Zhan. Her mind wandered briefly to her earlier meeting with Qiantang and her parents.

She had gone to meet them herself, determined to set things straight. When she arrived, Qiantang was curled up with her mother, her head resting in her lap like a pampered child. It looked like she had just finished crying. Upon seeing the Queen, she abruptly stood and without a word climbed upstairs.

The Queen exchanged brief greetings with Qiantang's mother, who was sipping on some herbal tonic. The Queen wasted no time... she explained everything and asked for forgiveness, requesting that Qiantang return to her husband as a second wife, just like any other woman might.

Qiantang's mother wasn't pleased. Her expression was stiff as she responded.

"Zhaiye, you know this is a betrayal. How could your son be with our daughter all these years, then secretly marry someone else—and have children with him—and you claim not to have known? That's hard to believe. Honestly, I'm hurt. We both are—even her father is struggling with this. But it's up to the girl. I'll send her down so you two can talk."

With that, she went upstairs.

It took almost forty minutes before Qiantang came down, still pouting and sulking. The Queen did her best to speak with calm and patience, appealing to her with the wisdom of a mother.

But Qiantang, sharp-tongued and spoiled, cut her off:

"I don't even like him anymore. He betrayed me. I trusted him completely and this is how he repaid me? I'll only go back if he divorces that man. I want to live alone with him like my mom does with my dad. I see no reason why I should share him with anyone—especially not another man."

She scoffed and walked away, leaving the Queen stunned and quietly furious. Still, she swallowed her pride. This mess was hers to fix, and she would try fix it... no matter what it cost her.

She later reported everything to His Majesty. He listened silently, surprised at the behavior of both Qiantang and her parents. He let out a long breath and said:

"I'll find time to speak with Qiantang's father myself. We'll settle this."

With that assurance, the Queen left, though her heart was heavy with disbelief over what the women had said.

Back at the present, she found Yibo standing in the sitting room, hands buried in his pockets, his eyes on the TV but his mind clearly elsewhere—likely with Zhan.

She sat down and told him,

"Sit."

He pulled his hands from his pockets and sat next to her.

Calmly, she said, "Whatever Qiantang says, I want you to be patient until things settle."

Yibo said nothing. Her words stirred something in him...something unsettled...but he simply nodded and stood up to leave.

Before he got far, he heard someone calling his name. He turned to see Nalan walking toward him, head bowed slightly. When she reached him, she said gently,

"Yibo ge… Mom didn't tell you the full story. She kept it from you."

She then told him everything...what had transpired between the Queen and Qiantang, just as her mother had explained it after returning.

Anger flared inside him. His jaw clenched, his eyes locked on a nearby tree but unfocused, as if trying to keep himself together.

He would never, ever accept someone insulting his mother...especially not a wife. Not even her family had the right. After all he had endured, after everything he'd let slide for the sake of peace and respect...this? This crossed every line.

Even now, they thought he'd forgotten about the child they lost, Su Han, due to Qiantang's negligence? Did they think his silence meant weakness?

He said nothing. He just nodded at Nalan, turned, and walked away.

"At least he knows now," Nalan muttered as she turned to leave, "So she won't come back here acting like she wasn't raised properly."

Just then, someone called out to her. A young maid approached carrying a beautiful handwoven basket made from straw.

"My lady," she said, "These are mangoes from the palace garden—the kind you love. I thought they'd suit you."

Nalan smiled and lifted the cloth covering the basket. Picking one up, she asked,

"You washed them, right?"

"Sparkling clean, madam," the girl replied proudly.

Nalan took a bite and nodded in delight.

"Perfect. Just the way I like them. Come, help me take them in—you've earned yourself a reward."

Blushing with joy, the girl bowed slightly.

"You're far too kind, madam. Thank you."

The two of them walked off together, chatting like old friends. You'd never guess one was royalty and the other a servant.

✨✨✨

Within the week, beautifully adorned invitation cards with gold detailing began to circulate across the Tianjin palace and its provinces... reaching neighboring countries, distant lands, and cities far and wide. The invitations stirred reactions from all directions: unsettling rivals, delighting allies, prompting speculation among the curious, and thrilling those who looked forward to the day.

It was a special invitation to celebrate the 9th wedding anniversary of Prince Mo Wang Yibo of Tianjin and his spouse, Xiao Zhan. But it wasn't just the announcement that caught attention...it was the unfamiliar name boldly printed beside the prince's.

"Xiao Zhan?"

People who knew the court had always heard of someone else in the prince's life. Most had never heard of Zhan.

Though the Queen once believed she had mended things by pairing Yibo with Qiantang and ensuring their reunion, her decisions didn't work. So, she acted unilaterally... without waiting for Qiantang, she went ahead with her plans.

When the elegant invitation arrived in Qiantang's hands, it was as if a switch flipped inside her. She broke down like a child... crying, angry, overwhelmed... realizing that Yibo had truly betrayed her trust. There was no going back. Almost immediately, she texted him. He read it and simply smiled. That chapter was long closed for him. He continued counting down the days until his decision, ignoring the cryptic tone of her message. He had no idea what the Queen was planning.

Back at the palace, the Xueyin was restless Princess Dongzhi, and her precious Sikong gathered with her, equally anxious. They analyzed every angle of the situation, debating potential outcomes.

To them, only two possibilities remained:

.....The event could end in disgrace for Zhaiye and her family, exposing secrets in front of the world.

.....Or, it could be a calculated move to clear her name, restoring her image and securing her son's honor.

In the end, they realized there was nothing more to do but wait and watch. Years of manipulation and scheming wouldn't go to waste easily...but it wasn't in their hands anymore.

As for Qinnu, she was consumed by her own distress.

So Yibo was married all this time?

All the wealth and resources they had spent trying to manipulate the prince had gone to waste? Still, she refused to give up. She poured even more money into spiritual consultations and charms to control Yibo. The so-called practitioners happily accepted her payments... and lied.

They told her to wait, assuring her that the tides would turn after the event.

None of them told her the truth: that the task was beyond them. They were too afraid of losing the stream of wealth she fed them.

Believing in their empty promises, Qinnu finally found a sliver of peace. She encouraged her children to attend the ceremony. The Queen had invited them personally, so surely that meant victory was near.

What she didn't know was that long before this event, Zhaiye had already commissioned endless acts of charity and held rituals in secret, as she always had, believing everything would eventually settle in her favor—and that her family would be protected from any harm, no matter the source.

Preparations were underway at a majestic level—as though the royal wedding itself was happening again. Nalan's involvement only intensified the excitement. Her plans carried elegance, grandeur, and the pride of a royal bloodline. Even parts of the palace were renovated in anticipation of guests.

Yibo knew nothing about these elaborate arrangements... at least, not at first. When he eventually caught on, he just chuckled to himself, touched by his mother's affection and efforts. He felt a warmth he hadn't known in a long time. Joy quietly settled into his chest. So, he began his own preparations... planning a spectacular private celebration, complete with a honeymoon for him, Zhan, and their twins. Only Aunt Anu was aware.

The Queen ensured that every royal relative received the invitation, even the children of Xueyin... delivered personally, bypassing their parents entirely. Her own children were strictly instructed to attend; none had ever met Zhan before.

When His Majesty received his copy, he read it carefully, then smiled. He understood.

This wasn't just a celebration.

It was the Queen's way of cleansing her image... an attempt to rebuild what had crumbled: her reputation, her son's dignity, her public standing.

It was her final chess move to undo the damage she herself had caused.

This was not merely a wedding anniversary; it was her attempt to strike down many birds with one single stone.

"Zhaiye... May we live to see that day in good health," he said warmly.

She smiled in return.

Even he couldn't deny it... the idea thrilled him. He, too, was eager for the day to come.

Zhan, meanwhile, wasn't fully informed of the grand scale of the event. He knew there would be a celebration and had even invited his close friend from New York. But what confused him was Nalan's uncontrollable excitement... she couldn't sit or stand still. It slowly dawned on him: they were planning something huge. It puzzled him how the Queen kept showering him with affection while subtly trying to edge out Aunt Anu's influence.

"Thank you, heavens," he would whisper from time to time... not out of disbelief, but as a reminder to himself that only fate could have aligned his life this way.

Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛