Chapter 64: Father, My Mother is Still Alive…

Chapter 64: Father, My Mother is Still Alive...

From the Yunnan King's palace to the Cheng family estate, one must first head north to the lower street before Zhengyang Gate, then turn east, pass through Zhengyang Gate and Chongwen Gate, and continue north for a stretch.

The carriage changed direction from the lower street to the east, and at Chessboard Street in front of Zhengyang Gate, Lu Xusheng hopped on.

"What are you going to the Cheng family for at this late hour?"

It was around 7 PM. Lu Xusheng had dinner at the imperial study and was planning to head back to the Duke's residence. As he left the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he received news that something had happened with Cheng Yian.

Originally, the Shadow Guards noticed that Cheng Yian had followed the Yunnan King's consort and were uneasy. They were suspicious of the consort's sudden appearance, especially since Cheng Yian had never met her mother. Fearing someone might be impersonating her with ulterior motives, they reported to Lu Xusheng, who then waited for her halfway.

Cheng Yian instinctively grabbed his hand, unable to contain her joy, "Xusheng, my mother... my mother is still alive, can you believe that?"

Cheng Yian was still immersed in an unreal sense of joy and briefly explained how her mother had been rescued.

Lu Xusheng pulled her close and sat down, looking at her seriously, "Are you sure it's your mother? No mistake, right?"

Cheng Yian rolled her eyes at him, "There's no mistake. You'll see for yourself when you meet her."

Lu Xusheng wasn't too worried. Who would dare to deceive Cheng Yian under his and Cheng Mingyu's watch? Knowing she was heading to the Cheng family, Lu Xusheng gazed at her thoughtfully,

"Are you planning to tell your dad?"

"Of course, such an important thing has happened, I must inform my father," Cheng Yian said without hesitation.

Lu Xusheng regarded her with mixed emotions, "I suggest waiting a few days."

Cheng Yian was puzzled, "Why?"

Lu Xusheng chuckled, "I'm afraid your dad won't get much sleep tonight if you go now."

Cheng Yian paused, "...."

Although she wasn't entirely sure about her father's thoughts, she didn't think it would be that bad, after all, more than ten years had passed.

"My dad is a noble man, always burdened by the guilt of my mother's death. Now that he knows she's alive, he must be more happy than anything."

What matters more than someone being alive?

Lu Xusheng gently squeezed her soft hand, casually saying, "Happiness aside, there's bound to be some sadness."

Cheng Yian still didn't quite understand men.

Every man has a possessive streak.

Back then, when Cheng Yian handed him a divorce letter, he signed it readily, but it was also mixed with pride and arrogance, believing he wasn't necessarily tied to her, and if she had someone else in her heart, he would let her go.

When his mother suggested he remarry, he didn't hesitate.

Who couldn't live without whom?

But the truth was, it wasn't easy.

His woman ran off with someone else.

Who could stand that?

He divorced on impulse, remarried just as impulsively, and lived with regret for the rest of his life.

Cheng Yian fell silent.

What child doesn’t wish for their parents to be together? Yet, such a dream was never one Cheng Yian had.

Her birth was truly unusual. Her mother had faced such coercion back then, and her father’s actions were not driven by love. If it weren’t for her grandmother’s "ambition" at that time, she would never have come into this world.

She dared not even imagine the familial joys others experienced.

After twenty years of twists and turns, just being able to meet in person was already a stroke of luck.

The Yunnan King’s palace was her mother’s savior. They had known each other for many years, and her mother felt even closer to them. If it weren’t for her, her mother probably wouldn’t have returned to the capital.

This was her mother’s decision; she had no right to question it.

As a daughter, she could only support her.

"As long as I stay in contact with my mother, my father will eventually find out. It’s better for me to tell him myself than for him to hear it from someone else."

"If I knew and kept it from him, that would truly hurt him."

Lu Xusheng nodded, "That makes sense."

The couple hurried to the Cheng family, only to find the north gate bustling with activity.

The steward guided them in, and Cheng Yian gestured towards the side door and asked, "What’s happening here?"

The steward chuckled,

"When they heard that our eldest daughter had divorced, matchmakers from the capital rushed here to propose matches."

It's only been a day since the separation.

Cheng Yian was genuinely surprised, "Can't we even have peace at night?"

The steward sighed in resignation, "Indeed, we've already set up roadblocks at the entrance of the alley to prevent outside carriages and horses from entering."

As they reached the main hall, Cheng Yiyan hurriedly came to greet them upon hearing the news,

"Third sister, Shen Zhi, why didn’t you join us earlier for dinner?"

In fact, Cheng Yiyan and Lu Xusheng had just parted at the government office area not long ago. Lu Xusheng pointed at Cheng Yian and said,

"It’s An An who needs to speak with her father."

Seeing Cheng Yiyan looking rather travel-worn, Cheng Yian asked with a smile, "Second brother, what’s kept you so busy?"

Cheng Yiyan pointed towards the backyard flower hall with a headache,

"Today, many relatives and old friends have come, all concerning our eldest sister's marriage. Some well-connected families have come under the pretext of visiting to gather information, and we can't avoid entertaining them."

Cheng Yian, however, knew that her eldest sister couldn't possibly be in the mood to remarry at the moment,

"What did grandmother say?"

Cheng Yiyan replied, "Grandmother has publicly refused all offers, but privately she has instructed me and your sister-in-law to keep an eye out, and if there are any good families, to let her know."

Cheng Yian teased Lu Xusheng with a wink, "See, the girls of our Cheng family are highly sought after. If you ever consider divorcing me, I won’t have to worry about finding another match."

Lu Xusheng’s eye twitched, and under the cover of his wide robe, he squeezed her hand tightly, gritting his teeth, "Is divorce even an option for us?"

Haven’t you had enough drama in your past life?

Cheng Yian chuckled, "What if your mother wants a precious grandson, and I can’t give birth to one?"

Lu Xusheng: "....."

At this moment, Cheng Yiyan also spoke up seriously, "After what happened with our eldest sister, Father quietly set aside a house for each of his three daughters, saying men can’t be trusted—women must rely on themselves."

He’s making sure his daughters have a safety net.

Lu Xusheng laughed in exasperation.

Suddenly, he felt that the appearance of the Yunnan King was quite timely.

Let the Yunnan King’s old house catch fire—that’ll keep him too busy to meddle with his son-in-law.

He looked at Cheng Yiyan and smiled, "Brother-in-law, you’re a man too, you know."

Cheng Yiyan patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "I’m more self-aware than you. I set up a property for my wife as a reminder to myself."

The Cheng men are beyond saving.

Lu Xusheng didn’t want to talk to him anymore and looked around, "Where’s Father-in-law? An An needs to talk to him."

Cheng Yiyan put away his smile and said to Cheng Yian, "Father’s in his study. Go ahead. Grandmother and sister-in-law are busy with guests, so it might not be a good time to see them."

Then he asked Lu Xusheng, "Are you coming along?"

Lu Xusheng shook his head, "I’ll stay. Get me a study—I need to write some letters to Jiangnan."

Going with Cheng Yian now would be like mocking him. He’d never be allowed through the Cheng family’s gates again.

Cheng Yiyan personally took Lu Xusheng to his study and told the housekeeper to escort Cheng Yian to Cheng Mingyu’s study.

Cheng Yian had visited Cheng Mingyu’s study a few times before. When she reached the hallway, she sent the housekeeper away. Unlike the lively buzz elsewhere, it was quiet and peaceful here, almost deserted. The lights were dim, like wisps of smoke drifting in the night.

Recalling Lu Xusheng’s words, Cheng Yian slowed her steps as she neared the pavilion.

She was a little nervous and uneasy, but she didn’t falter.

Three months of forced interaction—how could it measure up to more than ten years of friendship?

Besides, Mother was once part of the fourth branch, and Father is the Cheng family patriarch.

An unbridgeable gap lay between them, shaped by ethics and society’s expectations.

From the start, it was never meant to be.

The old servant who tended to Cheng Mingyu’s daily affairs bowed respectfully and slipped into the shadows.

Cheng Yian took a deep breath and gently pushed the door open.

Her gaze fell first on the lush bamboo forest outside the east window. A thick cluster of bamboo leaves brushed the window frame, their green tips peeking through. On the left side of the window hung a snow-white silk scroll, and in front of the painting stood a man. He was dressed in a tea-white robe with wide sleeves, resembling a tall and sturdy pine tree, standing proudly with an unshakable presence.

In his left hand, he held a cup of ink and splashed it onto the silk scroll, while his right hand wielded a goat-hair brush with great skill, creating an ink-wash painting.

In a flash, the ink dried, and his painting was finished.

This is an impressionistic landscape painting, viewed from above, resembling a massive rock standing tall amidst the world. The fine moss, dense foliage, the wind-defying pine, and a few mountain farmers carrying loads all vividly come to life on the paper.

The ink flows swiftly; to complete such an exquisite painting in such a short time, with conception, artistic conception, sharp brushwork, and a majestic style, how many years of practice would that take?

Father truly is someone who can take anything to perfection.

If Lu Xusheng were this perfect, she’d have to worry about the flowers and plants outside.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Cheng Mingyu stepped back to admire his work, seemingly quite satisfied.

"Ping Ping, what do you think of Daddy's painting today?"

Cheng Yian gently closed the door, not answering the question, but instead said playfully,

"How did Daddy guess it was me?"

Cheng Mingyu was sharp, noticing a slight change in Cheng Yian's tone, with a hint of flattery and playfulness.

"Daddy can recognize your footsteps."

He didn’t tell her that the old servant never announced her visits.

Cheng Mingyu turned, set down the brush, and as he washed his hands, his gaze settled on his daughter, asking softly,

"It’s so late. What brings you here? Is something wrong?"

Cheng Yian’s smile was unmistakable.

Her good mood brought a touch of warmth to Cheng Mingyu’s eyes.

"Sit down, let me make you some tea," Cheng Mingyu said.

Cheng Mingyu had always doted on his delicate and pampered little daughter, reluctant to let her do anything.

But Cheng Yian insisted, "Let me do it, Father."

The tea set was placed beside the desk under the south window. It was a set of exquisite Ru kiln sky-blue glazed teacups. The tea still held its warmth, and Cheng Yian, uninterested in brewing tea, simply poured two cups. Against the west wall stood a large curio shelf, in front of which was a rosewood long desk—Cheng Mingyu's desk. Under the north wall was a six-paneled folding screen, with a square table and two round-backed chairs placed beneath it. Cheng Mingyu had already walked around the desk and taken his seat on the left. In the past, Cheng Yian would sit with him on the right side, but today, after handing him the teacup, she chose to sit on the brocade stool opposite him, the same spot she had sat during their first meeting.

Between the two of them, there was nothing but empty space, and this distance created a slight ripple in Cheng Mingyu's heart.

It seemed his daughter had something important to tell him.

Cheng Mingyu adjusted his posture to face her, "Ping Ping, what's the matter?" (Note: "Ping Ping" is an affectionate nickname.)

The soft moonlight cast a gentle glow on her cheeks, like a hazy halo. Her smile was warm and tender, with the tips of her eyebrows tinged with a rosy hue, reminding him so much of her mother.

Cheng Mingyu sipped his tea, his hand resting on the desk, looking at his daughter with gentle eyes.

Cheng Yian, however, held the teacup in her palm, in no rush to drink. "Father, I came to tell you something."

Her tone was serious, and one could sense the weight of her words.

Cheng Mingyu gazed at her for a moment, his clear, deep eyes like an unshakable, tranquil pool, calm and unruffled.

"Go ahead, I'm listening," he said.

Then Cheng Yian blurted out, "I saw my mother today..."

Cheng Mingyu's long fingers visibly trembled, his usually quick mind plunged into chaos.

Each word made sense, but when put together, they were incomprehensible.

He looked at Cheng Yian with confusion and doubt, showing no reaction.

Seeing his expression, Cheng Yian guessed he hadn't grasped it yet, so she further explained,

"Father, can you believe it? Today, when I went out to offer incense, I actually met my mother. She's not dead; she's still alive."

Cheng Mingyu's heart suddenly skipped a beat, his mind went blank for a moment. His arm, resting on the desk, involuntarily slipped down to his knee, his hands slightly bent, clearly at a loss.

"An An, are you sure?" His voice was heavy, like a tightly drawn string, ready to snap.

Deep down, he still held onto a sliver of disbelief, as the news was too sudden. After all, not even a trace of her remains had been found back then, but it wasn't impossible.

Tears welled up in Cheng Yian's eyes as she spoke, her voice a mix of laughter and tears,

"How could I lie about something like this? I saw her with my own eyes. She's alive. She was rescued back then, injured, and it took many years for her to recover... I came to tell you as soon as I found out."

Each word was like a small flame, creeping into his ears and burrowing into his heart, slowly warming the long-sealed heart. Cheng Mingyu's breathing grew heavier, his gaze as hard as stone, his eyes seemingly looking at Cheng Yian, yet also at the void before him.

"Where is she now?" Cheng Mingyu asked, his hands gripping his knees, holding back his emotions.

A man who had always lived by the rules, who revered the virtues of a gentleman, for decades, he had never been accustomed to showing emotions—or perhaps, he didn't know how.

So, to Cheng Yian, he still appeared composed.

Cheng Yian swallowed before saying, "The Yunnan King's palace."

Cheng Mingyu was momentarily stunned, caught off guard, his voice noticeably wavering, "The Yunnan King's palace?"

"Yes, the old consort of the Yunnan King's palace is a woman physician. When she went up the mountain to gather herbs, she encountered my mother, who had fallen off a cliff, and saved her. Since my mother was unconscious and they were in a rush to return to Yunnan, they took her with them."

Cheng Yian did not tell Cheng Mingyu about Xia Fu's three-year coma and subsequent decade of paralysis.

Her father already bore enough guilt; she didn't want to burden him further.

She hoped they could each move on and find peace.

Cheng Mingyu now fully believed it. Going to Yunnan explained why he had never found any trace of her. The thought of Xia Fu falling from such a high cliff back then, likely sustaining severe injuries, sent a surge of heat coursing uncontrollably through his limbs, his breathing grew erratic, his eyes slowly reddening.

Just as he was about to ask about her injuries, he heard his daughter's soft voice,

"Father, mother is now married to the Yunnan King. She is the Yunnan King's consort."

All words stuck in Cheng Mingyu's throat.

The world had never seemed so silent.

The vast, endless sea stretched out, without a glimmer of light.

He could see nothing.

That surge of heat froze within his organs, gradually turning into ice, unmeltable, immovable.

Cheng Mingyu didn't even know how to react. He remained stunned for what felt like an eternity before finally responding with a delayed, "Oh..."

Cheng Yian watched as his face suddenly turned pale, his gaze lowered, all emotions hidden beneath his long lashes. Her heart ached.

"Father?"

Cheng Mingyu remained motionless.

"Father, Mother is still alive, that matters more than anything else. We should be happy, we should be grateful, right?"

She slowly stood up and walked towards him step by step. Just as she was about to squat down, he suddenly raised his eyes, his dark eyes like unfathomable deep pools. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, forming a faint smile. Although Cheng Yian couldn't describe this smile, she still heard him say,

"Yes."

A single, terse word.

Cheng Yian breathed a sigh of relief, tears welling up in her eyes, and she laughed through her tears,

"Even now, I can't believe it, it feels like I'm dreaming. Father, do you know, Mom knitted many clothes for me while she was recuperating, she was thinking of me."

"Father, my mom is back, An An has her mother back."

"Yes, An An has her mother back..." Cheng Mingyu numbly repeated her words, a smile slowly crept into his eyes, like the fragile light of a winter sun, easily shattered.

His hands gripped his knees, his pale knuckles revealing prominent veins, and he hesitated to say,

"This is indeed a joyous occasion, and I am happy for you."

He remained gentle, his expression genuine.

Cheng Yian's tears fell.

The wind swept in silently, lifting the hem of his robe. He sat majestically, as if ensnared in the passage of time, motionless.

Father and daughter sat in silence, both wearing smiles that didn't reach their eyes.

"It's getting late, An An, Lu Xusheng is waiting for you, go back and rest soon," Cheng Mingyu said with a smile.

In the past, he never rushed her, always wishing she could stay a little longer.

Cheng Yian closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and bowed to him,

"Then I will take my leave."

She really wanted to tell him that he still had her, his own daughter, but his expression was so perfect that it didn't need any comfort. Cheng Yian sighed inwardly, turned, and left.

As she went out, she glanced at him. He remained in the same position, unmoving. The door slowly closed, obscuring his figure entirely.