Su Jingyang got some information about Ling Li from Rong Hua's story, that is, he'll die very far in his life. Su Jingyang carefully calculated the approximated year and month, he estimated that Ling Li would live to be nearly 70 years old.

When Su Jingyang heard about the King Li's life and death, Su Jingyang couldn't help but fall into deep thought, after all, everyone will die someday. Ling Li would be able to live till 70 years old, this could already be considered a long life in ancient times. After looking at it that way, he began to feel a little better.

While they waited for Rong Hua, Su Jingyang and Rong Ci began frequently taking the two children out for strolls in the garden. One day, they happen to run into Rong Xia. Su Jingyang, who had almost forgotten the existence of the child, was stunned when he saw him.

Rong Xia was passing by holding two books in his arms. There was no expression on his small face, and he seemed much calmer and quieter than before, losing some of a child's innocence. After seeing them, Rong Xia stopped and greeted them properly before leaving.

Rong Ci noticed that Su Jingyang's expression was a little complicated, he told him that Rong Xiao now knew everything he should know. Su Jingyang said, "No wonder he looks like this... he's quite pitiful."

Rong Ci quietly said: "Children without mothers are all pitiful."

"..." Su Jingyang glanced at him and moved Ah-Yu in his arms, he felt suffocated.

Ah-Xi held onto Rong Ci's fingers and nibbled at them, Su Jingyang saw the small scars on Rong Ci's hands, all of which were just added recently. Su Jingyang couldn't help asking him: "It's been so long, does your formation still require blood every day?"

Rong Ci blinked and looked at him with a smile, "It's not a big deal, a little blood isn't worth worrying over."

"I just think it's weird." Su Jingyang became more and more suspicious, after observing him for a good minute, he finally asked: "Rong Ci, be honest, are you doing some secret shady stuff?"

Rong Ci his fingers that were already coated with Ah-Xi's saliva, he said with a smile, "What can I do? Can I even stop you from leaving? Oh, look there, the messenger's here."

Su Jingyang looked at the direction he pointed at and saw someone coming over to deliver a letter. He was interrupted, and forgot to ask him again later.

The letter was by Rong Hua, he said that some things had been delayed and asked them to set off first, he ensured that he would chase after them once the matter was handled. Although Rong Hua didn't say exactly what it was, Su Jingyang vaguely guessed that it had something to do with Ming Jiasheng.

Su Jingyang really hoped that Rong Hua could find someone who treated him wholeheartedly, instead of wasting his life because of Ming Jiasheng's pain. Ming Jiasheng's mistake was really not worthy of forgiveness.

In Yongning Hall.

Ling Li was tired from reading, he got up and prepared to rest momentarily on the couch. He had become continously sleepy after getting pregnancy. With the help of a maid, he loosened his hair and removed his coat. Before he could lay down, someone informed that the Prince was outside. Ling Li put on his clothes again and waited for him to come in.

Ah-Xuan first greeted Ling Li before sitting next to him, his eyes were sparkling and he said: "Erchen¹ went out of the Palace this time and ran into a stranger from Jianghu. He's very good at tricks and can make sour faces smile."

Ling Li couldn't help but laugh, "Is there such a person?"

"Really! I think he's quite capable, so I brought him into the Palace so that my Father Emperor and Empress Mother can also be amused." Ah-Xuan shook Ling Li's arm and said, "Is it possible for Erchen to call him in right now?"

Ling Li agreed, he went to get his hair, crown, and clothes ready. Ah-Xuan clapped his hands and the door of the bedroom suddenly swung open. A head poked from behind, and a smiling clear voice sounded: "Then I'm coming in."

This familiar voice... Ling Li trembled under Ah-Xuan's cheerful gaze. He couldn't believe it. With a turn of his head, he was able to clearly see him.

Ling Li felt like he was dreaming. He held his breath, and staring at the person who came, not even daring to blink, for fear that the scene in front of him would shatter.

The man stopped in front of him, he bowed in salute, staring at him with clear and bright eyes. He asked softly: "Oh Majestic Empress, I don't know if you would be so kind to enjoy my humble performances?"

Rong Ci was led to a martial arts arena by one of the guards. Ming Zhan was practicing archery, he was dressed in a crimson-sleeved training attire. His profile was tall and brave, and the bow in his hand was stretched to its limit.

He looked back at Rong Ci and said, "Come here and compare with me."

Rong Ci curved his mouth and smiled freely, he happily stepped forward, "Alright, how will we compete?"

They competed by seeing who could get in the most shots with moving targets. After three rounds, Rong Ci did slightly better.

Ming Zhan's black eyes stared at Rong Ci and said, "City Lord Rong shots very well. In this Palace, only you would dare to beat me."

Rong Ci said, "I only won by an arrow. Your Majesty's aim is very praiseworthy as well."

After expressing their mutual admiration, the two looked at each other and smiled momentarily. Ming Zhan left to change his clothes before having tea with Rong Ci. Someone came to deliver a message for Ming Zhan, saying that the Empress wouldn't eat dinner with him later.

Ming Zhan's face was stagnant, and he hesitated slightly, "I knew that he'd be like this."

His dark eyes glanced at Rong Ci, saying slowly, "City Lord Rong, we have to pay attention to the fires in our inner courtyards."

When Ling Li was still in Rongcheng, he very diligently wrote to him, looking forward to a reply every time. Those meager replies were forced, and even though he felt a little disappointed in his heart, he excused Ling Li as someone not very good with words.

However, a few days ago, when Ming Zhan watched Ling Li become overjoyed after receiving Su Jingyang's letter. He immediately went to his desk and wrote several pages full of sincerity and affection without pause. Only then did he realise the bias.

Rong Ci knew exactly what Ming Zhan was talking about, he put down his teacup, and said in the tone of someone who was used to looking the other way: "If we weren't for us, they would've stayed together for the rest of their lives." Rong Ci smiled and said in a low voice: "Actually, it's quite enviable being able to maintain such a pure and special affection. Let them go."

Ming Zhan snorted coldly but he didn't oppose it anymore.

Rong Ci lowered his head and drank a sip of tea, he murmured lowly for a while before asking: "I heard that Ling Li is pregnant?"

Ming Zhan's fingers that were tapping at table paused, he raised his eyes to look at him, they flashed at the mention of Ling Li, "Just say what you want to say."

Rong Ci looked up, he took a deep look at him before saying: "I know that there are certain things that I can't hide from you... You love him, and that's reason in itself to understand and be considerate of his fearful and uneasy state of mind back then. It's better to speak frankly with each other, so as to not create misunderstandings and have knots in a relationship."

"You care about my Queen." Ming Zhan said: "But I don't need your reminder, there'll be no knot between us."

Ling Li didn't want the child at the time, and he had always wanted to escape. Ming Zhan knew clearly that it had something to do with his merciless killing of his guard, Qin Yu, who had followed him for many years. Ling Li was afraid of being as miserable as Qin Yu.

Qin Yu was loyal and planned everything for him, but his fault was presuming things beyond him and making claims. He also tried to hide from heaven's son, leaving him in the dark at their manipulation, completely betraying and destroying all of his trust.

How much he trusted him reflected how angry he was at the time.

Ming Zhan was very sensitively against it, but today, he'll no longer be young and impulsive enough to kill. But he'll still have other arrangements, such as dealing with Song Hui. Ming Zhan wanted to punish him because he concealed the matter and didn't report it. As expected, Ling Li interceded with him. After the punishment, Ming Zhan place Song Hui to Ling Li's side as the chief guard, and talked with him for half a night. And finally instructed him to never reveal this matter again in the future.

There was slight surprise in Rong Ci's eyes, he smiled: "It seems like I was just worrying too much."

Ming Zhan sneered, "The Emperor Ming have short lives, and I won't spend it lingering on old days passed with him, I'll never be happy then. As long as he's willing to stay by my side, I'm more than confident in protecting his life, the rest will pass. I'm not such a completely unreasonable person." Ming Zhan snorted again: "You saw just now that he didn't want to accompany me for dinner, did I say anything?"

Rong Ci raised his teacup and eyebrows at him, "Your Majesty, how about me accompanying you?"

The corner of Ming Zhan's mouth twitched, "It's fine."

Su Jingyang touched Ling Li's already protruding abdomen. He looked at his ruddy complexion, gentle smile between his brows, and the soothing and gentle aura his body provided. Just being near him could make Su Jingyang relax completely.

Ling Li watched him, the feeling of pleasant surprise hadn't yet dispersed. They sat facing each other, Long Li took his hand and asked: "Didn't you say that you'd wait until the two children were of age?"

"If you already know all the details, would it still be a surprise?" Su Jingyang tilted his head and smiled brightly at him, Ling Li nodded vigorously, "I was so happy when I ready your letter, I thought that I'd still have to wait for so long."

Ling Li raised a hand to touch his face again, and couldn't help but laugh, "You're so tanned."

Su Jing yang also chuckled. They came to Jincheng and brought the two children with them, but because the two couldn’t stay in the carriage for the entire day, they had to stop and play outside from time to time. It took two months for them to arrive, and the weather was always sunny with a very fierce sun. Everytime Su Jingyang took the children outside to play, his skin would become darker from the exposure. Rong Ci changed his nickname to 'black coat²', which made Su Jingyang see red every he heard it.

In fact, Su Jingyang didn't feel that he was particularly dark, he was wheat-coloured and super healthy! Su Jingyang despised Rong Ci who didn't know to appreciate it.

Ling Li asked him why he bring the two children. Su Jingyang said, "When we left, they were both sleeping. We'll bring them over some other day."

Ling Li nodded, "Alright."

Ling Li reached out to also hold his other hand, he glanced at it and accidentally saw the dark mole at the middle of his palm. He was silent for a moment before hesitantly lifting his gaze to look at him: "Jingyang, you......"

"Aiya, Aiya, you already saw it, I wanted to surprise you." Su Jingyang said: "It's been just over a month."

This child was conceived on the road to Jincheng. When Su Jingyang discovered it at the time, he was dazed for a long time but had no unnecessary reaction. Compared with shock and resistance of his first pregnancy, he now thought that this child is a renunciation, and he could calm himself a little.

Ling Li's eyes stared at him quietly and he didn't speak. Su Jingyang shook his hand. Although his eyes were curved from smiling, Ling Li saw tears flashing in them.

Su Jingyang's lips trembled slightly before whispering: "Ah-Li, thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for me. It's just... I may not be able to go back for the time being."

Ling Li felt the temperature from his palm, it seemed that he wanted to express some general tension and strength. He was shocked for a moment, and suddenly understood why he suddenly said this. His eyes widened slightly, when he was about to speak. Su Jingyang shook his head lightly with some worry.

Ling Li still spoke. He looked at Su Jingyang and softly said: "I'm fine now, don't you see? Don't worry about me."

Before he could rebut, Ling Li continue softly: "Jingyang, you must remember that no matter what you decide in the future, it's because you wanted it in your heart, not because of me, do you understand? As long as you choose what will make you happy, I'll celebrate it and also be happy for you."

Su Jingyang looked into those eyes that were as calm as autumn waters, he understood what Ling Li wanted to say in an instant.

Ling Li wanted him to go home because he wished so, he didn't want him to go home just to live up for what did for him.

Su Jingyang's nose felt sour, tears began falling uncontrollably. He hugged hugged him, burying his face on his shoulder and choking with sobs: "I see, oh silly Ah-Li..."

Su Jingyang stayed in the Palace for a total of five times a day to accompany Ling Li. He eventually took Ah-Xi and Ah-Yu to show him. After his arrival, Ling Li's mood obviously brightened. On days when he didn't stop by, Ming Zhan would come to personally pick him up.

On two occasions, he saw that Ling Li was really reluctant to separate. He asked him to stay and spend the night with him in Yongning Hall.

After careful consideration and observation, Su Jingyang realized that Ming Zhan was very different from Ming Jiasheng. He occasionally had some strange outbursts, but he was single-minded and fully devoted to Ling Li. Su Jingyang also met Ling Li's brother. Although their meeting was short, Su Jingyang felt that he was open and upright, respectful but also close towards Ling Li. It seemed that he really regarded and acknowledged Ling Li as his younger brother.

The stone in Su Jingyang's heart finally fell a bit.

Su Jingyang and Rong Ci stayed in Jincheng for more than a month, but they still didn't get news of Rong Hua's arrival. Su Jingyang went into the Palace to say goodbye to Ling Li and Ah-Xuan, making an agreement to see him again in the coming year. He then returned to Rongcheng with Rong Ci and their two children.

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Notes:

1- 兒臣 literally means your child and subject, used by direct royal children to refer to the Empress and Emperor.

2- There's no character for tan in Chinese (also it's understood as such with context), I translated it as black coat (literally black leather/skin) because it reminds me of a cat

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