Chapter 49 (2/2)

When they arrived, Meng Chen saw that his general is already waiting outside the entrance to the palace’s courtyard. As soon as they got close enough, Meng Chen saluted the other person. “Greetings to General Bai!”

“En. Is this the person that His Majesty is waiting for?”

“Yes, sir,” Meng Chen replied.

“Alright. I will take over from here. You can wait outside,” the general said before he went over to Long YinLian.

“Honorable master, please come with me,” General Bai said as he then helped Long YinLian into the courtyard.

Long YinLian had been quiet throughout the journey. Based on what he hears, he knew that they are currently in the Imperial Palace. ‘Since we are in the palace… then Xiao’er is also brought here?’ it was only his worry for Lin Xiao did he dare to step into the Emperor’s residence. After all, if he accidentally did something, or hear something that he shouldn’t, then all that awaits him is death.

When they entered the main residence of Tianlong palace, Long YinLian immediately noticed that something was wrong. The palace was too quiet.

“General Bai, help the guest to his chair,” Long YinLian heard the Emperor’s voice. At first, he thought that he would be treated roughly but the general only politely asked for Long YinLian to follow him and even carefully helped him to his seat. “You can leave us now. Zhen has a few questions for the guest.”

From his sharp hearing, Long YinLian heard the footsteps getting farther and farther until he could no longer hear it.

“This person… you said you adopted him. Will you please tell Zhen how you found him?”

“Your Majesty, I—”

“Zhen has been looking for someone these past few years, and your son looks similar to him. He was Zhen’s most important person. Unfortunately, he was plotted against, and before Zhen could save him, Zhen was told that he had fallen to his death and his remains were eaten by the tigers living in the forest,” Qin YiJun spoke up again. “Zhen heard that you brought along three tigers when you arrive at the Xia family residence?”

“Your Majesty has been investigating me? That person… My three tigers are not the one who ate him. It must be other tigers…” Long YinLian replied.

“Zhen is not accusing your tigers. Zhen only wants to know; how did you find Lin Xiao? Did those tigers of yours help you find him? How was his condition when you found him?”

Long YinLian became more confused at the Emperor’s questions. ‘Indeed, us normal people cannot understand the thought of a monarch…’

From the beginning, Long YinLian began to recount on how he found Lin Xiao, and how the other had decided to live with him. If Long YinLian was able to see, he would be shocked that the son he is talking about, is currently laying on the Emperor’s Daybed and his head rests on the Emperor’s lap. Even the Emperor’s hand is gently stroking the other’s face occasionally.

“So, after waiting for a long time for his family to pick him up, he finally decided that he is an abandoned child? Thus, decided to live with you in order to repay your life-saving grace?” Qin YiJun asked after Long YinLian finished telling his story.

“At first… that was how it is. Then, one day, he saw this humble subject practising his martial arts and he said he wanted to learn. Since then, our relationship changed to that of master and disciple… Time goes by, and this humble servant grew more and more fond of him, so even without realizing, I have thought of him as the son that I would not be able to have.”