Zhan stepped slowly into the sitting room, feeling a strange heaviness settle over him. He couldn't bring himself to lift his gaze or take in who was already there....not until he had walked right into the center of the room.
His heart skipped a beat when he finally looked up and saw the older man dressed in white robes embroidered with gold. The man's presence alone filled the entire room with power and quiet authority.
"Welcome, my son Zhan… Come here," the man said, gesturing toward the seat next to him as Zhan made a move to sit near the door instead.
Hesitantly, Zhan walked forward and sat on the floor, lowering his gaze again. His lips barely moved as he forced out a greeting.
"Good afternoon, sir…"
"Welcome, my dear son-in-law, Zhan," the man replied.
Zhan couldn't bring himself to respond. A strange pressure pulled at his chest, and his head began to throb.
The man cleared his throat softly, speaking with a calm, composed dignity that left no room for doubt.
"My name is Mo Wang Yi. I am the father of Prince Yibo, King of Tianjin."
He paused briefly, and Zhan's eyes flicked up to him...just for a moment...before lowering again. There was no mistaking the resemblance between this man and Yibo. It was written clearly on their features.
King Mo Yi continued, his voice steady and deliberate.
"How's life treating you? And… how are my grandchildren?"
Zhan's chest tightened. He knows about them? How? Who told him about Aunt Anu's house?
"They're fine…" he managed to say.
"Good to hear."
Then his voice dropped a little, growing more serious.
"I've been informed about everything that happened between you and my son…and my wife Zhaiye… over the past week. To be honest, I never imagined....not even in a dream...that Yibo or Zhaiye would ever be capable of something like this. But here we are."
He sighed deeply. The pain was evident in his eyes and voice.
"I came here myself....not on behalf of Yibo or his mother...but on behalf of myself. Because I believe it is my duty to offer you a sincere apology. Your life was disrupted, hurt, and violated...without your consent or choice. And that is a burden no one deserves."
Zhan sat still, humbled and stunned. The weight of this apology from King Mo Yi made him feel like he was sinking into the ground.
"If I truly have any humanity in me," Zhan thought, "I should say thank you. Because this man has done more than I expected."
Finally, he spoke, voice low but firm.
"Your Majesty, I accept your apology. And I forgive everything."
King Mo Yi smiled gently.
"Thank you, truly. Now… there's one more request I must make of you. Please don't feel pressured. This is entirely your decision. I'm not here to force your hand. But...before anything else...."
He handed Zhan a document.
"I'd like you to take a look at this. It's your divorce paper. you signed it right?"
Zhan took the paper with a slight tremble. He opened it...and yes, it was indeed their official divorce paper. They had already signed it. Zhan's voice came out in a whisper.
"It is what it appears to be, Your Majesty."
"Good," Mo Yi said. "Then read what's written there."
Zhan read silently. Then he looked up, eyes wide with disbelief and a flicker of confusion.
King Mo Yi nodded slowly.
"Everything you see is real. And yes, your own copy is identical. Now… here is my request: I'm asking....humbly....that you return to your marriage with Yibo. He has told me that you're still legally his husband, and I believe him. Your family knows it too.
I ask this, not to protect Yibo or Zhaiye, but to protect your honor....and his. And also, to protect his mother, who desperately needs your help."
Zhan's head shot up in surprise. Their eyes met. The intensity of it made Zhan glance away again.
King Mo Yi noticed the strain and added gently:
"Please. This isn't about forgiveness. You're allowed to be angry. You're allowed to hold them accountable. You can take all the time you need before returning. But please… don't let the bond between you be broken. Not for their sake, but for the children's."
He paused.
"Even Yibo doesn't know I'm making this request. I won't tell him. You're free to punish him however you choose. But let the marriage remain. Let the bond stay intact....even if only on paper....for now. I'm not asking as a king today. I'm asking as a father… and as someone who has seen the pain that pride and silence can cause."
His voice softened even more, and he shifted slightly...as if he might even kneel.
"Please… my son."
Zhan felt overwhelmed with emotion...embarrassed, humbled, and afraid that a whole king might actually kneel before him. This was a man old enough to be his father's elder, maybe even older. Zhan was sure he was in the same age range as his youngest daughter, Nalan. In a moment of panic, without even fully thinking it through, he blurted:
"I accept, I won't brake the bond."
The moment the words left his mouth, he could hear the King release a deep, relieved breath and smile visibly.
"Thank you, Zhan. Thank you. You've proven yourself to be a man of honor, a worthy son, and a respectable father to my grandchildren. I appreciate this more than you know."
The King leaned back slightly, still visibly moved.
"May life turn in your favor, and may you find peace after all you've endured."
He continued to speak, offering words of goodwill and blessings that softened Zhan's heart. Unintentionally, tears began to stream down Zhan's face.
When Zhan left the room, he sent Jianghu and the others in to greet the King. They stayed with him for a long time and returned later with gifts in their hands.
Zhan didn't know how long they had been gone....he had locked himself in his room, lying flat on his bed, crying quietly. He kept asking himself if he had made a terrible mistake agreeing to return to Yibo's marriage. He hadn't asked for anyone's advice....not even Aunt Anu, who had stood by him all his life like a mother, nurturing and shaping him into the man he was now. And his father… though he was part of the cause of all this, the man had changed in ways Zhan could never have predicted.
Meanwhile, Aunt Anu kept an eye on Zhan. She already knew what had happened....she knew the entire story. She'd made sure no one disturbed his room and gave him space. She knew that, eventually, everything would settle down. Truthfully, even she had started wishing he would return to the Prince's house...but that didn't mean her feelings toward the Queen had softened. Not at all.
----
When 8 p.m. came and Zhan still hadn't left his room, Aunt Anu finally went up, leaving the kids downstairs eating dinner. She knocked gently. Inside, Zhan was still sitting on the flush carpet, exactly where he'd been all evening, his face down. After crying himself hoarse, his emotions had finally begun to ease.
He got up and opened the door. Aunt Anu walked in, her eyes on him. She sat at the edge of the bed and asked softly:
"You haven't come out since your guest left… Are you alright?"
Zhan kept his eyes down and fidgeted with his hands. He felt weighed down by guilt...for making such a huge decision without consulting her, the one person who had always guided him.
His voice trembled.
"I acted on impulse… I accepted the request without asking for your advice first… because of his age, and because of who he is."
To his surprise, Aunt Anu chuckled warmly...a sound that caught Zhan off guard.
"It's alright, son. So, in the end, you agreed to return to your marriage? That's good. That alone will drive your enemies mad. Don't worry, I support whatever decision you make, as long as it doesn't harm you or compromise your integrity."
Zhan let out a loud, relieved sigh. Aunt Anu gave him a playful look and said:
"That kind of sigh? Hmm… Do you secretly love the Prince?"
Zhan looked up, eyes wide.
"Momma, please stop… I'm just glad you're not upset with me."
Aunt Anu laughed and shook her head.
"Oh no, I see it clearly now. This is love...plain and obvious."
"I've never loved him, Momma," Zhan said, his voice soft and a little desperate.
Aunt Anu took a calming breath.
"Then why didn't you look at another man for eight whole years? You waited for your Prince."
"But I didn't even know his face before, Momma… I didn't love him."
"Shhh!" she hushed him through her suppressed laughter.
"You're only now realizing how clueless you are. The father of your children....and you're saying you never loved him? Then why were you wearing his ring like a pendant? And why did you only take it off after he showed up? Young man… you've been in love with him from the very start. Stop pretending and face the truth."
Zhan blinked, startled. He had forgotten about the ring....how had she even noticed?
"I know everything son," she added with a knowing smirk.
Aunt Anu burst into full laughter, then gave Zhan a long, serious look.
"Whether you love him now or not, that's not the point. What matters is: we're going to burn the hopes of your enemies to ashes. I'm starting preparations for your return to your children's home. I've realized your husband has zero patience when it comes to you....he sticks to you like some gum."
Zhan completely melted, heart pounding under the weight of her words.
"But I'm not ready to return yet, Auntie… Not until he understands what he did wrong. If I go back now, it'll feel like he won."
Aunt Anu raised her eyebrows.
"Understand what? Son, whether you go back today or not...you've already won. You've given them children. You've ended this game. Anyone who looks at those twins knows they're heirs to Tianjin's throne. So forget the drama and start preparing yourself. I can tell the Prince is going to cling to you even more now...like you're the only one who exists for him."
She stood to leave. Just as she reached the door, Zhan called out quietly:
"I'll go see Baba tomorrow."
"Send my regards to him," she replied, smiling gently as she walked out.
~**~
The Queen arranged for two vehicles to escort her...she needed privacy, and not just anyone was to know where she was going or why. Alongside these were three additional vehicles loaded with all kinds of luxurious items: elegant fabrics, makeup, designer bags, shoes, and even golds, pearls, and silver coins.
Dressed in elegant traditional attire, she requested permission to leave from His Majesty. He granted it without asking where she was headed. Even Prince Yibo, who had returned the night before and remained confined to his quarters battling an unbearable abdominal ache and his heart pain, had no idea what was going on.
Earlier that morning, Zhan had completed all his house chores before returning to his room to get dressed. He chose a silk outfit embroidered with sparkling Swarovski stones, giving him an entirely regal appearance. He looked so polished and radiant that you wouldn't guess he was the father of Jianghu and Jiangji... he looked no older than twenty.
As he entered the sitting room, he fumbled through his bag, searching for his ATM card. He planned to pick up some gifts for his father on the way. Jianghu, watching him, asked:
"Bah, should I come with you?"
"No need. I won't be long, and you two haven't even had your bath yet. Stay here, I won't take time… Momma, I'm heading out."
"Alright. Greet them properly. And when you're back, please don't forget to pick up my outfits from the tailor."
"I will," Zhan responded quickly as he exited the sitting room.
Aunt Anu turned to Niu.
"Looks like you're both getting comfortable with laziness today, huh?"
Niu gave her a sheepish look.
"Mom, I just didn't feel like touching water today."
"Suit yourself. Since you're not ready to...bathe the boys together, go ahead whenever you're ready."
Niu turned to glance at Jiangji, who, just as she suspected, was sulking in silence. With a teasing smile, she added:
"You know Mom, Jiangji stopped letting anyone bathe him a long time ago. He thinks he's grown."
Aunt Anu looked over at the boy...such a small child trying to act all mature. No wonder he didn't want anyone seeing him naked anymore.
"Just go in with them. When you're done bathing them, fill a separate tub for him. After all, he's the future king. Aunt Niu shouldn't be seeing him like that anymore."
The room erupted in laughter, and even Jiangji finally loosened up and smiled.
Barely five minutes after the children had gone inside, a security guard knocked at the sitting room door. With permission granted, he stepped in and announced:
"Ma'am, you have visitors in a convoy outside. They request permission to enter."
Aunt Anu was visibly surprised. As far as she knew, they weren't expecting any guests. Still, she said:
"Let them in."
The guard replied with a quick nod and exited. Curiously, Aunt Anu got up and walked toward the far window that faced the compound. Pulling back the curtain, she peeked outside.
What she saw surprised her.... luxurious cars rolling into the compound. She let the curtain fall back and returned to her seat, now waiting to see who the unexpected guests were.
Soon, she could hear the traditional praises and ceremonial greetings approaching the sitting room door. She stood there quietly, watching.
The Queen was at the front, her attendants following closely behind.
Aunt Anu stared hard at her, immediately noticing the striking resemblance she shared with Jianghu and Prince Yibo. It took only a few seconds for her mind to piece everything together.
With her expression hardening, Aunt Anu stood straight and confronted them as soon as they entered:
"Who are you?" she asked coldly, her eyes fixed on the Queen.
One of the attendants stepped forward and replied:
"We are guests from the Tianjin Royal Palace, here in the company of the Queen...the mother of Prince Yibo, heir to the throne...who was once married to your son."
Aunt Anu gave the speaker a dismissive glare before turning her gaze back to another woman standing near the Queen.
"I didn't ask for a whole history lesson. Who exactly are you looking for? As far as we know, we have no ties to any royal palace, let alone one from another city."
"Our Queen has come to speak with her former son-in-law in hopes of reconciliation," said one of the Queen's closest attendants.
Aunt Anu threw her a dismissive glare, then snapped sharply,
"Are you the one who wants to see him? Or are you the so-called 'Queen' you're babbling on about? Let's get something straight....no one in our family has ever had ties with the Tianjin royal palace, let alone married into it. So I think you people are suffering from some serious confusion… or delusion."
Just as the woman was about to respond again, the Queen raised her hand, signaling for all her attendants to leave. Within moments, they had all exited the room, leaving only her and Aunt Anu alone in the sitting room.
The Queen took a step forward, her voice softer now but still laced with authority.
"I came here personally, seeking peace. I want to mend the rift between myself, His Majesty, and my son. What I'm asking for today, if it's possible, is that Zhan returns to the palace and offers his forgiveness....to Yibo and to me. I have promised him everything he desires, a life of stability and comfort. Even now, I've come bearing countless gifts and goodwill. If he chooses to reconcile with Yibo as his husband again, I'm open to that too… so long as peace is restored."
Aunt Anu gave her a long, piercing look. Her chest felt tight, but her mind was clear...this was the opportunity she had been waiting for. If she didn't empty her heart now, if she didn't let the Queen feel the full weight of the pain her son had endured, if she didn't make her words burn enough to rob her off sleep tonight, then she didn't deserve to call herself Zhan's protector. She might as well have never been born to her own parents.
Because from the Queen's tone alone, it was clear she still didn't understand. She hadn't truly acknowledged the harm done to Zhan. Even now, her words didn't carry humility...or regret, they sounded more like commands, like a veiled demand masked as a peace offering.
Today, Aunt Anu was going to make it clear: this wasn't her palace, and she wasn't here to give orders or expect obedience. Not anymore.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛