Chapter 336
Lóng Wei stood up as he saw his father and bowed his head. Qiu Zedong sat down on the chair across from him and asked Lóng Wei to take the seat.
“What happened? The Prince can tell me because I have sent everyone away,” Qiu Zedong asserted.
Lóng Wei had a blank expression on his face. “Was my father happy when I was born?” Lóng Wei asked his father, and he kept his gaze fixated on him.
“Do I need to answer it?” Qiu Zedong asked and started to smile. “I was indeed happy with your birth,” he answered.
“Was she happy?” Lóng Wei inquired.
“Why is Prince Lóng Wei not addressing Concubine as her mother?” Qiu Zedong confusedly looked at him.
“Because she’s not my mother anymore,” Lóng Wei replied.
.....
“Will the Prince tell me what happened in my absence? I will punish Concubine Yu if she again says something bad to my son?” Qiu Zedong stated.
“I found out she doesn’t love me or care for me,” Lóng Wei stated. “I want my father to send me away. Everyone wants to not see my face. It would be good if I stayed away from the palace for a while. I would love to stay inside the four walls, full of darkness, than live here and see her face,” Lóng Wei said and scrunched his nose in fury.
“I do not feel happy to announce your punishment,” Qiu Zedong said with a worried look. “Do you think your father eats or sleeps in peace when you are away? Father loves you a lot, so don’t do things which make others stand against you,” Qiu Zedong advised him.
Lóng Wei found out that his father also didn’t realise why he did all those things. He wanted his mother’s attention. For him, his father’s love wasn’t enough. Also, Qiu Zedong was busy with the Kingdom’s business, so Lóng Wei didn’t want to disturb him with his complaints regarding Yu Jun.
“Father, I will try.”
Qiu Zedong was unable to understand how to make Lóng Wei speak. He then decided to call Yu Jun and ask her face-to-face what she did this time which made Lóng Wei behave this way.
“Father, don’t call her here because no outcome will come. I hate her because she failed to see me as her son. For her, I do not even exist. Father shows too much concern for her. The other princes and princesses may get envious of me. They may think Father is more loving towards me because of the prophecy that Yuze made for me. I do not want it to happen. So, punishing me and sending me to the cold palace is the best solution. Father must not get lenient on me,” Lóng Wei affirmed and got up on his feet.
He was ready to leave when Qiu Zedong said, “Prince Lóng Wei, I love all of my children equally. You are young and sending you away hurts me. That’s why I want to be lenient towards you. About Concubine Yu, I will talk to her and will punish her if I find her fault,” Qiu Zedong clarified to Lóng Wei.
Lóng Wei didn’t say anything and bowed formally before his father. He then left the King’s manor and came to the palace gates, where Hei Chengxi was present. The carriage was ready, and Lóng Wei got inside. Hei Chengxi hopped onto the horse after closing the carriage’s door, and told the chauffeur to start driving.
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Yu Jun got the message from the King, and she followed Eunuch Gao Bing to the manor. She got down on her knees and bowed before the King. Her forehead touched the rug beneath her, and she apologized for Lóng Wei’s behavior.
“Lóng Wei is hurt because his mother said that she hated him. Why is Concubine doing this? Does she think I will not kill her?” Qiu Zedong shouted at her.
“Please punish me, Your Majesty,” Yu Jun said.
Qiu Zedong frowned and knelt. He made her look into his eyes by pulling her chin up. Yu Jun flinched as the grip was tight. However, she didn’t resist because she was in front of the King.
“Are you doing this because I forced you to come to the palace?” Qiu Zedong asked. “Answer me, Yu Jun! You are destroying my son because I killed your lover. Am I right? I told you not to do anything to Lóng Wei in my absence, didn’t I?” His anger was seeping out of not only his voice, but also his eyes.
“I refuse to answer, Your Majesty. Please kill me if I said something wrong,” Yu Jun said. She had no fear and it seemed she wanted to be dead.
“I cannot kill you, Yu Jun. You are the most precious treasure to me, which I can never have,” Qiu Zedong said. His grip on her chin loosened, and he let it go soon.
“Leave!” Qiu Zedong said, and he rose to his feet.
Yu Jun stood up immediately. She bowed and left the King’s chamber.
Yu Jun returned to her chamber and she fell to the floor. She broke into tears and cried profusely. “Forgive your mother, Lóng Wei. I want you to be away from the palace to protect you,” Yu Jun mumbled. She looked at the black thread and silver pendant that were on her palm. She recalled how happily she made this thread for Lóng Wei.
She brought her hand to her chest and kept crying. “You have to hate me, Lóng Wei, even after I leave this body. I will try everything to make you leave this palace,” she told herself.