Chapter 111 [Xue Taifu's Side Story] "In the past, didn't Azi...?"

Chapter 13 [Xue Taifu's Side Story] "In the past, didn't Azi...?"

He had once genuinely considered treating Zhou Wei as his own daughter, but she shared the same bloodline as Emperor Hui, who was known for his ruthlessness and cruelty. It was highly likely that Zhou Wei would become like him in the future.

For a long time, he struggled with this. When Zhou Wei called him "father" and tried to get close to him, he pretended to be indifferent and even refused to see her. However, he kept a close eye on Zhou Wei's movements. If any princess bullied her, he would immediately step in to punish her. Everyone in the harem knew that he was favored by Emperor Hui and his popularity was unstoppable. No one dared to offend him.

No matter what he did, Zhou Wei still respected him as if he were her biological father. In fact, he and Zhou Wei were both just stubborn and pitiful people. He would never forget the scene of that innocent girl kneeling in the snow and arguing for him.

If he had married an ordinary person and had a daughter like Zhou Wei, that would have been his true blessing.

Perhaps to make amends to him, Emperor Hui entrusted him with the power of the harem.

But he was still not satisfied. This was what Feng Jun was supposed to have, wasn't it?

He gradually bribed the people around Emperor Hui and placed his confidants in the Imperial Hospital. The six palaces were completely under his control. He could even interfere in politics at any time. He obtained all the power he wanted. The empress who caused his current tragic end finally could not escape the cycle of birth, aging, sickness and death and passed away in the quiet night.

He was the first to learn of Emperor Hui's death. At that moment, he seemed no longer to be the fearsome and aloof noble prince, but rather the willful and capricious eldest son of the Xue family.

Outsiders thought that Emperor Hui favored him, which was why he made the originally insignificant Third Princess Zhou Wei the crown prince, in order to ensure his future wealth and honor. But when he heard these words, he only sneered in his heart.

After Zhou Wei ascended the throne, he lived a life where he could have whatever he wanted. The concubine who had cursed him with the poison had long been secretly executed by him. In fact, he was still the Xue family's Azi, and he was the most vengeful person at heart. No matter who it was, as long as they had hurt him, they had to pay the price.

Did Emperor Hui really die peacefully? The imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital were all her confidants. Even if they diagnosed that Emperor Hui still had a sliver of hope for being saved, after receiving his instructions, they would all say that there was no hope of recovery. And he would just stand by the bedside and watch Emperor Hui struggle to his death.

Ironically, Emperor Hui regarded him as Zhou Wei's biological father before his death.

Perhaps her biggest regret was that he lost his fertility due to the "Red Beauty Curse," and she could not find any other solace in him.

But none of that matters anymore.

He suddenly fell ill, and became very ill. After Zhou Wei ascended the throne, he was respectfully called Emperor Wei, a very good title, which was very similar to that of his mother, the Empress.

His face was deathly pale from his illness. His trembling fingertips landed on the emperor's shoulder. He suppressed the metallic taste in his throat and said, "You are the emperor. You must achieve political success like your mother. You must also be cold-hearted and ruthless, not bound by anyone, including your adoptive father. If necessary, you can sacrifice me to save the country."

A hint of nervousness flashed across the Emperor's face as he held his hand and said, "Father, please don't say such things."

"This is my only request of you." He suddenly laughed. He was incredibly handsome and beautiful. He was only in his early twenties when he became a widow. His feelings for Zhou Wei were complicated. He was proud to have her as his daughter, but he also hated the bloodline in her body.

A hint of expectation appeared in his eyes, and he finally choked up as he said, "Wei'er, you...don't be your mother."

Don't be like Emperor Huizong, carelessly trampling on other people's lives.

Emperor Wei seemed to understand his words only partially.

All she knew was that it was his appearance during her darkest time that brought a glimmer of light into her life. If it weren't for him, she might still be a neglected princess in the cold palace, with her mother not even giving her a second glance.

She revered him as a father and was willing to give him the whole world.

But Xue Taifu was Xue Taifu. He was aloof and arrogant, had an eccentric personality, rejected all contact with everyone, and was even so ruthless that he could shut out even his own adopted daughter.

At the same time, he is like a fox that can charm everyone, and wherever he goes, he is the center of attention.

Finally, Xue Taifu fell ill and was bedridden. He had vomited blood when his parents passed away, but he did not want others to know, so he kept it a secret. Although the loss of virginity did not impair his fertility, it was still harmful to his body. Years of depression had made his body extremely weak.

Ji Weinian, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, told him that if things continued like this, he might not survive more than three years unless he could resolve his inner conflict, but that was easier said than done.

"I want to sleep for a while," he said to Ji Weinian.

His heart probably stopped beating the moment his father committed suicide.

"Azi, Azi, you must live well and never let others look down on you." Her father's words seemed to echo in her ears.

He told Ji Weinian that she no longer needed treatment.

He looked at himself in the mirror, his face still incredibly beautiful, seemingly no different from before. Everyone felt that he deserved Emperor Hui's favor and was a truly captivating enchantress.

He touched his face, lowered his gaze, and whispered, "I really need to sleep for a while."

He seemed to have a very long dream. In the dream, he was still Xue Azi. Because of his beautiful appearance, the older sisters in the family always gave way to him. When he was only seven or eight years old, many people said that they would definitely marry him when he grew up.

Back then, he could snuggle into his father's arms and act spoiled, and his mother would smile and pat his head, saying that Azi had grown taller again.

If I could still see my mother and father, that would be wonderful.

He closed his eyes, but the sound of the Emperor's cries and Ji Weinian's explanation rang in his ears. He wanted to tell the Emperor not to cry, as this was not how an emperor should behave. It was as if countless hands were grabbing him, trying to drag him into an endless abyss.

"Azi, Azi, wake up." Su Yawan called him anxiously. In the middle of the night, he suddenly started crying, as if he was having a nightmare, and she couldn't wake him up no matter what she did.

Xue Taifu opened his eyes and felt the tear stains on his face. He felt himself fall into a warm embrace. He looked up and saw Su Yawan looking at him with a worried expression.

"Did you have a nightmare?" Su Yawan gently wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes and asked softly.

"I heard from Doctor Jiang that pregnant men are easily frightened in their dreams. If you dream of anything scary, remember to hold my hand. I'm right here and won't leave." Su Yawan's fingertips were warm, which made Xue Taifu's heart tremble slightly.

His voice was a little hoarse as he asked uncertainly, "You won't leave?"

Su Yawan affirmed, "I won't leave; I'll stay here with you."

Su Yawan had made this promise countless times, and Xue Taifu, no longer young and naive, had never taken it to heart. But this time, he couldn't help but be moved.

He buried his face in Su Yawan's arms, pressed himself against her, and said with some lingering fear, "I dreamt that I went back to the past."

"Did you have a hard time before, Azi?"

Su Yawan remembered the first time she met him. He was so unapproachable that even the palace servants were trembling with fear, afraid of displeasing him. Everyone respected him and no one dared to disobey his orders.

She accidentally stumbled into his palace and caught him bathing. She should have been executed immediately, but if her brother Wanyi hadn't come to plead for her, she probably would have really lost her life in the Jiaofang Palace.

She might be his only exception.

At that time, Azi was beautiful and aloof, as if no one could catch her eye. When she heard that she was a student who had come to participate in the palace examination, she sneered and looked down on her, saying, "I am curious to see what position you will climb to in the future. I will spare your life today. I have no interest in even glancing at someone without ability."

"I'm doing very well. The more others try to make my life miserable, the more I'll thrive and make them kneel at my feet, bowing down to me." As Xue Taifu spoke, he forced himself to laugh.

Su Yawan said with heartache, "Azi, don't do this."

Xue Taifu rose from her embrace, looked at the young, powerful minister, hooked his arm around her collar, and stared into her eyes, asking each word carefully, "Will you marry me?"

Su Yawan is highly regarded by the Emperor, and his future is limitless. He may very well become second only to the Emperor, and his immense power is within reach.

Such a talented young man would surely be admired by many scions of prominent families.

Back then, the top scholar, dressed in red with a large red flower tied around his chest, riding a tall horse, with delicate features, won the hearts of countless men. Even the Imperial Physician Xue had heard that several young men from the imperial family were interested in marrying her. However, Su Yawan had always been abstinent and claimed that she came from a humble background and had not made any achievements, so she would not marry so early, lest she delay the other party.

Marrying a noble young master from a prestigious family would be helpful for her in the future, allowing her to avoid some detours. She would also have a virtuous husband to help her manage the household, give birth to a legitimate heir, and enjoy a happy and fulfilling marriage, which would be considered a beautiful story.

However, if she were to be with this imperial concubine, the two of them would have to live in secrecy. If their affair were ever exposed, Su Yawan's career would come to an end.

When Xue Taifu asked this question, it was a final test. For him, it was a moment of pleasure, but for Su Yawan, it was gambling with his future.

“I am willing to marry Azi and I want to have a wedding ceremony with Azi.”

From the very first day she met him, Su Yawan had unknowingly fallen for him. She couldn't help but wonder how there could be such an unforgettable person in the world. Even if she had to give up her career, it wouldn't be impossible, especially since he was carrying her child.

Having studied for so many years, she should shoulder the responsibilities of being a woman.

"Azi, give me some time to prepare." Su Yawan took his hand and solemnly promised, "I will marry you."

Xue Taifu didn't know what she had to offer him in marriage, but his long-lonely heart was rekindled by those words.

He lay obediently in Su Yawan's arms, seeing that she treated him like a child, telling him little stories she had heard from who-knows-where to lull him to sleep. He muttered that she was childish, but he enjoyed it very much.

After seeing that Xue Taifu had fallen asleep, Su Yawan kissed his forehead as if it were a precious treasure, hoping that he would no longer have nightmares.