25 Parents (1/2)
-Court room-
After Daiyu ran out, Fan Ying felt a headache coming. He ran his fingers through his hair as he held back the urge to punch himself.
”You were too tough on her. She's just a baby.”
His wife felt disappointed and he could feel it.
”How come you didn't tell me you had a daughter? Do you even consider me your brother anymore?”
”Li she was born a few days ago I didn't have the chance.”
”WHAT!? AND SHE AND SPEAK AND WALK ALREADY? DON'T LIE TO ME!”
It was only normal for the emperor to be in disbelief. That was just NOT normal. However when he looked over at Nuwa Yenay he could only accept her answer.
”It's true”
After learning this, everyone was surprised but their surprise quickly turned into anger.
The first to burst was the emperor.
”I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU SCREAMED AT A BABY WHO IS ONLY A FEW DAYS OLD! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!”
Everyone joined in. Hearing everyone's reasoning only made Fan Ying feel more remorse.
His wife defended him but everyone knew that you still shouldn't scream at a newborn child.
”You could cause her to feel hated and lonely. Did you know that could cause a huge trauma?! This isn't how mother taught you to be.”
The emperor sighed in disappointment but he didn't notice the couple stiffen and remember a very important aspect that had been haunting their daughter, her trauma.
At that point, Fan Ying fell into panic and endless guilt his heart was in pain as he burst out of the room and left behind nothing but wind.
”What happened? Why did his mood change so quickly? Clearly it wasn't that bad a few moments ago.”
As the wife of the general she had to explain their reason for coming and for his panic.
”The reason we came here was to avenge our daughter. The cause of why we're here and why my husband ran so quickly was because of our daughters trauma. As you can see our daughter is especially smart…”
She recounted everything that had happened since the birth of Daiyu.
”Hearing you talk about a possible trauma is worrisome because she could be engulfed by the Cari that's after her at any time and that's why he left so hurriedly. He must be drowning in guilt at the moment.”
There was a long silence before the emperor ran out and everyone followed him.
That small child had captured all their hearts so they all panicked after hearing what she went through at such a tender age.
[How dare that quack hurt my niece? I will make him pay with blood!]
The palace was basically turned upside down but nobody could find her.
Nuwa Yenay cried in frustration.
”My baby girl. Where are you?”
Fan Ying had been searching nonstop but he had already gone through everything more than three times.
”Brother is there any other place left?”
The emperor thought but the only place he could think of was that cottage.
Thinking of it cause his eyes to churn with unknown emotions.
”Yes but only we, her family, can go there.”
Everyone immediately backed out after all every empire had its own secrets.
The trio rushed to a faraway small cabin hidden behind trees.
It was old and the roof had holes everywhere. It was so broken down and pitiful. The sight of it made the couple get nervous.
”Could our jade really be in there? It looks terrible. Children usually in safe places when they are scared. How could she feel secure there?”
Nuwa Yenay gazed at the small cabin filled with spider webs and creeping animals everywhere. Just looking at it made her feel disgust.
The emperor sighed, ”Before we go in. You must guarantee that this will not be spread anywhere. Nor one can know who is behind that door.”
”Brother. I can assure you complete secrecy but who lives here?”
The two men looked at each other. There was something in the emperors eyes that seemed to she guilt and shame.
”My son. Illegitimate son. I know that I can trust you since we grew up together even though we aren't directly related. Even if out blood bond is little our love bond will be strong but because of this it only makes it harder to tell you how he was born.”
…
He took a deep breath and summarized everything the best he could.
”His mother was a beautiful woman. She a appeared out of thin air and became a servant in my palace. I was drugged and seduced by her. She ended up leaving for some time and came back with the baby before leaving without him. When my empress learned about it she became furious and jealous. I had promised to stay faithful and I failed her. She couldn't take the anger to I had to abandon him here. I know my wife has been torturing him and starving him but I can't do anything since it was my fault. I left him there and I didn't do anything about it. I'm a horrible father. The empress has yet to get pregnant and that only makes her take out her anger on him more. He is innocent, but what can I do when I love my empress so much?”
There was silence. Fan Ying could only shake his head and head towards the cabin.
He heard her soft sobs when he neared the door. His arms trembled as he listened to her cries.
”What's wrong? Why are you sad? Please don't cry.”
A small voice interrupted her cries. They could all hear the warmth in his voice.
They listened to everything to the end.
Hearing his daughters insecurities made them all writhe in pain. They wanted to comfort her but the one who did was not them but a mere stranger.
However how could they take it out on a boy who seemed so lonely.
”Can you visit me whenever you have time?
I'm three years old and my name is…
Lóng Wei”
When he introduced himself, his request to have a friend was filled with sadness and nervousness.
Unbeknownst to them, everyone who had been listening outside where already at the brink of tears, especially Yenay and the emperor.
Daiyu looked up at the Long Wei and smiled, ”As long as my daddy or mommy brings me here I will play with you…”
”But, why are you so frail? Are you sick? I will ask daddy to bring you with me and I will protect you! You comforted me so you are my friend and treat my friends the best!