Chapter 9 Ah! Xie Yan's Overwhelming Fatherly Love

Chapter 9 Ah! Xie Yan's Overwhelming Fatherly Love

She sent her servant, Shi Tou, to report, but he was nowhere to be found.

She had to ask Shi Tou to repeat himself, explaining that it concerned the child, but he refused again.

Thinking of Cheng'er's expectant yet cautious expression, Shen Nanzi felt as if her heart was being torn apart. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she forced them back by tilting her head back.

The moonlight, like water, hung in the sky.

Composing herself, she ignored Shi Tou's attempts to stop her and rushed into the courtyard, shouting, "Xie Yan, come out!"

Just before entering the house, Shi Tou ran ahead, arms outstretched, his face full of loyalty, "Your Highness, His Highness is taking a bath and cannot see you."

"Please leave!"

Shen Nanzi raised an eyebrow. "Which prince haven't I seen before? It's just a bath. Move aside!"

Stone's cheeks flushed red, but he stubbornly blocked the way, showing no intention of backing down, and remained vigilant.

Enraged, she shoved the stone aside, declaring, "Whoever blocks my way today, will be..."

"What about tomorrow?" A cold, questioning voice rang out in the room.

Shen Nanzi looked up and saw that Xie Yan was not under the lamplight. He was still wearing the same moon-white brocade robe that Bai Jian wore, and his hair was tied up with a golden crown.

"You didn't even take a bath?"

Xie Yan walked to the threshold, his eyes filled with annoyance. "That was just an excuse I gave you to get rid of you. What? Don't you understand?"

Shen Nanzi was speechless for a moment, and almost laughed in anger. Xie Yan really didn't hide anything from her at all.

Thinking of Cheng'er, she exhaled, her arrogance subsided, a smile returned to her face, and her tone became calm.

"Xie Yan, Cheng'er will be learning horsemanship tomorrow. The Grand Tutor said it's best for the father to personally instruct him the first time. You..."

"I'm busy!"

Before she could finish speaking, he decisively rejected her, like an egg being smashed, leaving Shen Nanzi speechless for a moment.

I felt a dense, tingling pain in my chest, like being stung by bees, and the stinging sensation spread to my eyes.

Not wanting anyone to see her disheveled state, she turned away proudly and said nonchalantly, "Then forget it!"

She didn't want to fight anymore and hurriedly left his courtyard, afraid that if she lingered even a moment longer, her tears would flow uncontrollably.

The night wind was cold, and a chill crept into my neck.

She hurried toward her yard, bumping headfirst into a hard chest. A blur went down her spine, and she realized who she had bumped into.

"What's wrong, Miss?"

Hearing the sound of the cold wind, Shen Nanzi finally couldn't hold back and lowered her head to let her tears flow freely.

Drop by drop, it fell onto the bluestone slab, cracking and spreading, mingling with her choked accusations.

"Why? Why did you do this to me and the child?"

"Cheng'er is just learning to ride. What's wrong with his father teaching him? Besides, it's only once!"

"I really..." She really regretted it, regretted insisting on marrying him.

If she could go back in time, she would never marry him again.

"How heartless!" She didn't want him anymore; being with him was too miserable, and the child would suffer along with him.

"I'm so beautiful, any man I marry will cherish me, right?"

"Hmm!" Lie Feng, who was usually expressionless, had worry in his eyes.

"I'd be so happy if I married another man, right?"

"Um!"

"But there's nothing we can do. Time can't be turned back, and it can't be changed."

"I hate myself so much. I live a miserable and ridiculous life, and I can't leave it."

"I'm really not a good mother; I can't even fulfill this small request of Cheng'er."

"What should we do? The wind is howling!"

Lie Feng looked at her twitching shoulders, so helpless, and reached out to touch her, but then restrained himself and withdrew his hand.

I'll go tomorrow.

Shen Nanzi let her tears fall freely. After the tears dried, she thought for a moment and nodded, "Yes, that's the only way. But Cheng'er will be disappointed again!"

"I made that promise so confidently before." She shouldn't have given the child hope, knowing full well that Xie Yan was that kind of person.

But she always held onto hope for him; her Cheng'er was so intelligent and so endearing.

"Wipe away your tears, he's not worth it."

Shen Nanzi nodded, grabbed Lie Feng's sleeve and wiped her face with it, "You're right, he's not worth my tears, Shen Nanzi."

A cold wind chilled their skin, and darkness enveloped the master and servant.

When Shen Nanzi unfurled her sleeves, a smile had spread across her face. She grinned, revealing her pearly teeth, and looked up at Lie Feng, who was a head taller than her.

"Liefeng, you truly are my loyal partner. Without you, my life would be even more difficult."

Lie Feng's fingers caressed the spot where she had wet it. "Lie Feng's life was given to me by you, Miss. I will protect you for the rest of my life and will never leave you."

Hearing his silly words, Shen Nanzi shook her head as she walked towards the children's room, like an elder sister, "That won't do. You have to get married and have children and grandchildren before that's possible."

"No, I just want to stay with Miss." He stated stubbornly.

“You’re older than me. My Cheng’er is already six years old. How long are you planning to postpone it?”

I will not get married.

"Nonsense, I need to keep a close eye on things and find you a beautiful girl who loves you."

Shen Nanzi nodded, talking to herself, not taking Lie Feng's words to heart, assuming he was just shy.

Before she even entered the house, Xie Chengze had already come to greet her, gazing at her expectantly.

Shen Nanzi held the child with guilt, her throat blocked, making it difficult for her to speak.

Xie Chengze patted her back with his small hand and whispered in her ear, "Daddy is busy again, right? Mommy, don't be sad, it's okay."

"I'm sorry, Cheng'er."

He kissed her cheek. "Teach me tomorrow, Mother! Don't you know how to ride a horse?"

"Liefeng is a better rider. He'll teach you tomorrow, so you must study hard!"

Xie Chengze glanced at the biting wind outside the door and nodded, "Yes, I will definitely study hard and won't be any worse than others."

Shen Nanzi gently rubbed his little face, "My Cheng'er is the best, Mother believes you can definitely learn it."

The mother and son tacitly avoided mentioning that person.

＊

The next day, the weather was perfect, with gentle breezes and bright sunshine.

Early in the morning, Shen Nanzi got ready and took Xie Chengze to the Royal Archery Range.

The Royal Archery Range is for use only by members of the royal family.

The grounds were spacious, the horses were excellent, and the emperor's ancestors were very strict with the education of the royal offspring, requiring them to learn riding and archery skills.

The emperor would also regularly check the riding and archery skills of the princes and grandsons, so no one dared to slack off.

Xie Chengze changed into a small riding and archery outfit and followed behind Lie Feng, his small chest puffed out high.

Lie Feng explained the precautions, speaking earnestly. Xie Chengze listened attentively, asking questions until he understood anything he didn't know.

Shen Nanzi leaned against the railing, watching the two of them with a smile on her face, occasionally interjecting with a comment.

After Lie Feng finished speaking, he led Xie Chengze onto the horse to experience it.

Riding skills cannot be learned in a day, so Shen Nanzi found a place to sit down.

She hadn't slept well last night, and she propped her head up, thinking she could take a nap.

Wow! You're really carefree!

Shen Nanzi felt irritated as soon as she heard Lin Ruyi's voice, and closed her sore eyes, not wanting to talk to her.

"Stop pretending to be asleep." She simply sat down.

Shen Nanzi thought she was sick and had been harassing her ever since that incident.

"You're not royalty, how did you get in?"

"It was specially approved by the Emperor. My son Zhang'er is intelligent, the Emperor likes him, and he will be given an important position in the future." Lin Ruyi was very proud.

Shen Nanzi: "You've finished showing off, you can leave now!"

"I'm here to see you make a fool of yourself."

Are you crazy?!

"Heh!" she gestured with her chin. "Look over there."

Shen Nanzi looked in the direction she was pointing, and the next moment, her beautiful eyes widened.