657 Never scared of the consequences [Bonus chapter]

In the evening, Lo?ng Wei was seated with his father in the pavilion of his manor. They sipped the tea along with enjoying the snacks.

"I heard what happened at the Chen Family residence," Qizhen said.

Lo?ng Wei gazed at his father. "Is Father spying on me?"

"No. Prince Lo?ng Wei is famous enough that anything he does spreads around the capital and its people," Qizhen remarked.

"Then, Father must have been aware of the reason why I did that," Lo?ng Wei said and again took a sip.

"Will you keep getting angry at the people and thrash them if they talk about your mother?" Qizhen asked him.

"I never fought for her before. I couldn't help but raise my hand at Chen Xiao," Lo?ng Wei said and put the cup on the table.

"Raising a hand at anyone will not bring anything good. You will only suffer, Son," Qizhen said with a tense expression.

"I understand," Lo?ng Wei said. "It will not happen anymore, Father," he affirmed.

"Anger destroys us, Lo?ng Wei. I know it hurts you when someone says you killed your mother. After knowing the truth, you are guilty of not saving her that day. But you cannot explain that to everyone all the time. Ignorance is bliss," Qizhen stated.

"Li Hua says I did right. I liked her answer more," Lo?ng Wei said.

Qizhen laughed to hear his son's words. "Alright. I only advised you for the future. I don't want anyone to die by your hands. Do you understand what I mean?" Qizhen said.

"I know Father does not want me to let anger overpower me," Lo?ng Wei stated.

"Yes," Qizhen smiled at him.

"Will I be a good father in the future?" Lo?ng Wei suddenly questioned.

"Why do you ask?" Qizhen wanted to know the reason.

"I was never scared of the consequences of my actions. However, my past isn't hidden from anyone. I am worried thinking how my children will look at me. Will they hate me?" Lo?ng Wei's questions didn't surprise Qizhen.

"They will not hate you. Indeed, everyone knows your past. But at the same time, everyone knows the truth too," Qizhen asserted and he picked up the teapot to fill their cups.

"I never asked Father this, but I would like to know how did it feel when I was harsh at you?" Lo?ng Wei queried.

Qizhen put the teapot on the table and gazed into his son's eyes. "It was painful... It was hell," he affirmed, "but all of that happen because of my poor decisions."

"I must have hurt you a lot," Lo?ng Wei said.

"You had every right to do that," Qizhen stated. "You know I could never be a good husband and father. I do not blame anyone this but myself," he asserted.

"Don't do that. I've told Father many times. It will also feel me with guilt, Father," Lo?ng Wei said and clenched his jaw.

Qizhen smiled to see his son's concern.

They conversed for hours before Lo?ng Wei finally saw off his father to the chamber.

~~~~~~

Huang Xi stopped by Ai Fen's chamber. He wanted to congratulate her on the marriage, but a part of him didn't want to see her. He decided to leave and turned to go.

"Commander Huang Xi!" Ai Fen called out his name and he stopped.

Ai Fen, who was coming from the opposite side, walked up to him while he turned to face her. Huang Xi bowed to her and greeted her.

"Umm... I was here to congratulate Princess Ai Fen," Huang Xi said. For a brief moment, he looked into her eyes.

"Thank you," Ai Fen replied.

"I remembered some work," Huang Xi said while moving his eyes, "I shall leave."

"I would like to apologize to Commander Huang Xi for my behavior toward him," Ai Fen immediately said. "That day I acted irrationally and blamed Commander Huang Xi. My earlier apology wasn't sincere," she asserted.

Huang Xi didn't say anything and continued to stare into her eyes.

"I was never vocal about my feelings. I thought I would tell the princess someday. I thought I would slowly make effort to approach her. If I have to be honest, then I can never forgive Princess Ai Fen," Huang Xi pronounced.

Ai Fen looked at him in bewilderment. "Why?" she wanted to know the reason.

"Because she misjudged my character. At least, I never wished for anyone's death like your elder sister did. If stating a fact is disrespectful, then I will continue to do that," Huang Xi affirmed.

Ai Fen opened her mouth to speak but Huang Xi didn't let her.

"I am happy for Chang Shi because he is my friend. I am happy for him because finally, he will start a family of his own," Huang Xi said and bowed to her before leaving her sight.

Ai Fen felt the damage she did to Huang Xi, but now nothing could be done. She sighed and saw Li Hua.

"Did you h-hear?" Ai Fen asked.

"I didn't mean to," Li Hua said and walked up to her.

"I didn't know my words could hurt this much to someone," Ai Fen said and tears welled up in her eyes.

Li Hua caressed Ai Fen's arm. Ai Fen pursed her lips together and they went inside the chamber with Li Hua.

Oppositely, Huang Xi walked exceptionally faster than usual. In the corridor, he turned right to take the stairs when he bumped into Xiaolian who had a tray in her hand. The porcelain bowls on it fell to the floor and got smashed.

Huang Xi immediately apologized to her and got on his knees. He picked up the broken piece because of which his finger got cut, and blood overflew.

"Commander Huang Xi!" Ai Fen also went to her knees and asked why he touched that.

"Why was the princess carrying a tray? Wasn't a servant supposed to do that?" He questioned her and pressed the cut with his other finger.

"I made them, so I wanted to bring myself," Xiaolian said.

"Commander Huang Xi should visit the physician. I will call Physician Peng here," she stated and stood up.

"That's not needed, Princess," Huang Xi said and stood up. "It was a minute cut." His eyes fell on the servant and he asked him to come over.

"Get it cleaned," Huang Xi said and bowed to Xiaolian before heading to his home.