Chapter 144 You are enemies, aren't you?

Chapter 144 You are enemies, aren't you?

Shen Nanzi nodded her thanks and was about to walk inside.

Xie Yan suddenly stood up to stop her and said to Qinghe behind her, "Go and bring Cheng'er out."

Shen Nanzi realized that these were all the female members of the Pingyang Marquis's household.

She knew it was inappropriate for them to meet, so she stopped and let Qinghe go in.

The brothers, sensing the situation, all got up and left, leaving Prince Jing and his wife behind.

Before long, Qinghe brought Xie Chengze out.

Shen Nanzi looked at Cheng'er's little face, which was tense, and seemed to be preoccupied.

Remembering that he had been preoccupied with something before, I thought I would take him out to find a quiet place to ask him what was going on.

Now it's time. I took his little hand and walked out of the Hall of Harmony.

Xie Yan watched the mother and son's retreating figures and then followed them.

Shen Nanzi led Chengze to the lotus pond in the inner palace, and the mother and son found a rock to sit on.

As the weather gets cooler, some of the lotus leaves in the lake are tattered, and there are no lotus flowers to be seen, only some lotus pods with their heads drooping.

Shen Nanzi shielded the child beside her, sitting side by side with him, holding his little hand in one hand.

"Cheng'er, why are you unhappy?"

Xie Chengze looked at the lake, his small face filled with doubt and sorrow, but he didn't say a word.

Shen Nanzi thought of the rumors circulating outside, "Have you heard something bad?"

These words struck a nerve with Xie Chengze. He looked away, withdrew his hand, rested his forearm on his knee, lowered his head, his shoulders trembled, and tears streamed down his face.

One after another, large drops fell onto the hem of his clothes, spreading out.

Looking at her empty palms, Shen Nanzi felt utterly guilty for bringing him into this world against her will.

Not only did he not receive his father's love, but he was also embroiled in public opinion.

As soon as he became more sensible, he worked very hard, wanting to prove himself and hoping that his father would pay more attention to him.

However, Xie Yan ignored him time and time again.

Now, rumors about her and Xie Yu are being deliberately spread again, along with previous rumors about Xie Yan and Xue Qingning.

He must have heard a lot of gossip while he was in the study.

At such a young age, with such a sensitive mind, the accumulation of these feelings over time will inevitably lead to inner conflicts.

He was having a good time in the inner courtyard, so he must have heard something upsetting in the side hall.

Shen Nanzi felt heavy-hearted and stroked his thin back. "It's all my fault! I've made you suffer!"

“Your mother and your sixth uncle are good friends, not like what's being said outside.”

"These are political manipulations, for the sake of power and profit. You'll understand when you're older."

"Also, are you wondering about your background?"

Xie Chengze raised his little head, his beautiful eyes filled with tears, and his little mouth twitched a few times.

Shen Nanzi frowned, her eyes filled with sorrow, and solemnly told him, "You are Prince Jing's son, you are Prince Jing's son!"

Shen Nanzi repeated, "Don't believe any of the rumors outside."

Seeing the hurt in Cheng'er's eyes, Shen Nanzi's heart ached, and she said gently:

"It's just that Mom and Dad didn't get along, and they used that to their advantage; that's called a propaganda war."

Xie Chengze received confirmation from his father and mother twice today, and his anxious heart finally felt at ease.

"What about Xie Hongrui? Whose son is he?" the little child asked, voicing his doubts.

This question stumped Shen Nanzi, as she had no idea whose son Xie Hongrui was.

The only person who knew was Xue Qingning.

Shen Nanzi sighed, "His father is the Second Prince Xie Yao on the royal genealogy, but his other mothers don't know anything about him."

Xie Chengze's lips twitched, and his eyes were filled with disappointment.

There was still a knot in her heart, and it was etched on her face.

"Xie Hongrui is not my son!" Xie Yan's voice rang out from behind.

The mother and son turned their heads at the same time, looking at him with surprise.

He stood tall and elegant, his hands clasped behind his back. His deep purple brocade robe was both neat and crisp.

Xie Yan walked to the two of them, his gaze fixed on the lake. "Xie Chengze, remember this: you are my only son."

"No matter what people say outside, you don't need to pay attention to it or take it to heart."

"Words can be deceiving, and three men can make a tiger," like an invisible knife, silently tearing apart people's hearts.

"To be a strong person, one must have a heart as firm as a rock, and no matter how sharp the rumors are, they cannot break one's will or disturb one's mind."

Xie Chengze tilted his head back, his expression towards Xie Yan was extremely complicated.

Looking at the tall figure before him, he swallowed hard, and asked in a trembling voice:

"But...why are you a supporter of Prince Jing, while I am a supporter of the Sixth Prince?"

Shen Nanzi's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Xie Chengze in disbelief. How could he know all this when he was so young?

The Emperor detests factionalism the most, but given the current situation, even that is unavoidable. Everyone can only proceed in the most covert way possible, secretly.

How did such a young child know this?

Have they already laid hands on the children?

Xie Yan felt as if his heart was being pricked by needles when he heard this. Xie Chengze's problem was also the problem he had to face.

Although he and Shen Nanzi had just had a preliminary interaction, he was not confident in his heart.

Shen Nanzi's heart is not with him, and this alone makes the variables extremely high.

He was unable to answer Xie Chengze's question at the moment.

Xie Chengze's eyes darted back and forth, and with each glance, his heart sank a little deeper.

I received no reply for a long time.

He gazed at the lake, his eyes brimming with tears, his voice choked with emotion, "You are the enemy, aren't you?"

This question made their hearts skip a beat.

The sun was blocked by thick clouds, the sky was gloomy, there was not a breath of wind, and the oppressive atmosphere made it hard to breathe.

Xie Chengze knew the answer, and tears welled up in his eyes but fell silently. His fair face showed a maturity beyond his years.

Xie Yan caught a glimpse of that small face that looked just like his own, and his heart finally softened.

She bent her knees, squatted down beside Xie Chengze, and gently wiped away his tears with her sleeve in her hand.

He didn't know how to comfort a six or seven-year-old child, so he could only talk to him in his own way:

Tears are utterly useless; they can only release emotions temporarily, but they can't solve any predicament.

After saying that, I realized it was too difficult for a seven-year-old child.

"No matter what the future holds, you will always be the son of your mother and me."

"Your father will do everything in his power to protect you. If he cannot protect you, you must stand up and take care of your mother."

Shen Nanzi's eyelashes trembled slightly. What did he mean by that? Was he also worried about failing?

Xie Chengze's gaze was unfocused, and Xie Yan didn't know if he could understand what he was saying.

The three of them remained silent.

Then someone came to announce that it was time for the birthday banquet.

The three of them composed themselves and headed towards the Hall of Harmony.

Upon arriving at the palace, Wuying suddenly appeared and whispered a few words in Xie Yan's ear.

Shen Nanzi was nearby and heard a word on the wind: "Imperial Edict".

An imperial edict?

A will?

Could it be that the Emperor's will has already been finalized?

Shen Nanzi's brow twitched, but she pretended to be nonchalant and walked towards the steps, heading into the hall.