Chapter 82

Lu Jinghuan heard the sound of the pole landing on Feng Xingzhou and felt a tightness in his chest. Then, the words of the divine physician reached his ears, leaving Lu Jinghuan stunned, to the extent that he forgot to be concerned about the master.

Feng Xingzhou had destroyed the He Xin Gu?

Lu Jinghuan had no time to worry about why Feng Xingzhou had returned to secular life and yet could still remove it. His focus was on the fact that the He Xin Gu had once been in Feng Xingzhou’s possession.

He recalled the time when Xiao Xingxing had just been born.

To entertain his good friend, Chu Zhaoyou had ordered the refurbishment of the side hall. The newly installed large door had a slightly sharp edge. Hurrying to open the door, Lu Jinghuan cut his fingertip.

Upon entering, he found a basin of clear water on the table. The basin was exquisite, shimmering with golden light, and even engraved with lotus petals.

After observing it, Lu Jinghuan confirmed that it was indeed a basin of clear water, so he reached in to wash his hands. As he did, he marveled at Chu Zhaoyou’s earnestness. The basin provided for the National preceptor sparkled with Buddha’s light.

Fearing that the national preceptor might notice his carelessness in cutting his hand, Lu Jinghuan hurriedly finished washing his hands and immediately applied the ointment the master had given him to the cut. Such slender wounds caused by carelessness were easily healed. After washing and applying the ointment, the cut was barely visible.

Then, it seemed like the national preceptor had entered, and the basin of water was gone.

Lu Jinghuan surmised that the he had taken it away and wondered if he had noticed the faint trace of blood that Lu Jinghuan had left behind.

Probing indirectly, Feng Xingzhou responded firmly, “It’s a basin for washing hands. Now that I’ve returned to secular life, I was afraid you might misunderstand, so I threw it away.”

The national preceptor vehemently asserted that he had completely returned to secular life.

Lu Jinghuan felt relieved, realizing that the national preceptor hadn’t noticed the change in the basin of water.

…

So, Feng Xingzhou had truly destroyed a basin of water!

The He Xin Gu, taking advantage of Lu Jinghuan’s minor cut, had infiltrated through the tiny wound.

It had nothing to do with the national preceptor after all. At most, he could be blamed for lax supervision.

Feeling guilty, Lu Jinghuan stood behind Chu Zhaoyou.

He had secretly hoped that Feng Xingzhou had stolen the He Xin Gu for his use. However, the master, upright and straightforward, had only accidentally and improperly used the He Xin Gu, making him appear petty.

“I’m sorry.”

The He Xin Gu belonged to Great Chu and was something Chu Zhaoyou had decided to destroy. Although Lu Jinghuan had used it unintentionally, he had ultimately used it himself.

Since the National Preceptor didn’t like children anyway, he would stay in Great Cchu until the child was born, and then the He Xin Gu would be returned to its rightful owner.

Chu Zhaoyou didn’t know what had gone wrong, but it seemed that the He Xin Gu had ended up on Lu Jinghuan. Originally, the He Xin Gu had been given to the first master and then entrusted to the abbot of Wuyun Temple. Xiao Xingxing’s birth relied on the He Xin Gu, so the Regent wanted it to have a proper End, originating from the Buddha and returning to the Buddha.

Since the He Xin Gu had found its way to Feng Xingzhou and such an opportunity had arisen, it must be fate.

Chu Zhaoyou: “If you’re willing, consider it my gift to you. Rest assured.”

Lu Jinghuan’s eyes teared up a bit. “I will give back the He Xin Gu for disposal after the child is born in Great Chu.”

Chu Zhaoyou’s sense of responsibility surged instantly. ” Xiao Xingxing is going to have siblings, ofcourse I will take good care of you.”

“Okay.”

A few words set the tone for friendly relations between the two nations, marking the most harmonious conversation between sovereigns in history.

“No!” Feng Xingzhou stepped forward, grasping Lu Jinghuan’s wrist. “Come back with me, please?”

Though occasionally entertaining thoughts of Lu Jinghuan’s fondness for children and considering having one himself, he was resolute and not swayed by the He Xin Gu. Lu Jinghuan was only nineteen, and he feared he might suffer.

Chu Zhaoyou intervened: “Is this how you brothers are? You arrived with a cold demeanor, and now you’re concerned upon hearing about the child?”

A group of foolish men.

The Regent was innocently brought into an old dispute.

Lu Jinghuan, wearing a look of deep regret, made people wonder if the National preceptor had been cuckolded.

Feng Xingzhou said, “I didn’t know you came to Great Chu for this matter. I thought you came to see Xiao Xingxing.”

Chu Zhaoyou perked up. Why bring innocent Xiao Xingxing into your family dispute?

Lu Jinghuan blurted out in frustration, “I just really like Xiao Xingxing! I want to see him every day. If you don’t like children, then go back. I won’t use the child to bother you.”

The old man chimed in, “You should go back.”

Feng Xingzhou momentarily thought to counter him, questioning why he couldn’t stay in Dayan to accompany him, but he instinctively knew it wasn’t the key issue: “…”

Chu Zhaoyou was about to speak when the Regent covered his mouth and carried him away, while also emphasizing to Feng Xingzhou, “He thinks you don’t like children.”

It was like when he had initially prevented Chu Zhaoyou from participating in the talent show, driven entirely by jealousy. However, when the words reached Chu Zhaoyou’s ears, it turned into him not allowing Chu Zhaoyou to stay.

Feng Xingzhou, also driven by jealousy, was even more spineless, envious of the infant Xiao Xingxing.

The Regent felt that his temper had improved after having a child.

Feng Xingzhou envied the likability of his son. I kindly highlighted this for such a person. Tut-tut.

Having taken the wrong path, Chu Zhaoyou was delighted to see Feng Xingzhou take it again and had no intention of providing him with any previous experience.

What’s wrong with watching the excitement?

However, the problem is that their paths are too similar, making it easy to be indiscriminately attacked when watching the excitement, so it’s best to resolve it quickly.

The excitement belongs to others; Chu Zhaoyou shouldn’t see it.

As Chu Zhaoyou was carried away, he immediately saw through the Regent’s intentions and removed the Regent Prince’s hand, “Are you blushing at the thought of looking in the mirror, Regent?”

Xiao Han said, “I heard Xiao Xingxing wake up.”

…

Feng Xingzhou suddenly had an epiphany, a realization more enlightening than a Zen meditation.

He immediately explained, “I wanted to occupy all of Your Majesty’s attention, Jinghuan. I have worldly desires and emotions, and it leads to envy and greed.”

He embraced Lu Jinghuan and confessed, “It started a long time ago. I envied how you treated Xiao Xingxing, which is why I said I didn’t like children.”

He remembered silently following behind Lu Jinghuan on this journey, and despite Lu Jinghuan looking back at him several times, he hadn’t responded. He knew that Lu Jinghuan wanted to ride a horse, not grow tired of the carriage.

He realized that he couldn’t personally escort Lu Jinghuan to Great Chu again, so he had intentionally not agreed, in order to make his attitude clear to Lu Jinghuan.

“I’m sorry.”

Feng Xingzhou regretted not realizing earlier. Perhaps during those times, it was precisely when Lu Jinghuan was feeling nauseous due to morning sickness and wanted to change to horseback riding.

By not agreeing, did Lu Jinghuan secretly suffer from nausea in the carriage?

Feng Xingzhou paused, realizing for the first time the concept of “making a mistake.”

Previously, he was a holy monk, and holy people don’t make mistakes.

But now, his mistake had caused distress to the sovereign.

Lu Jinghuan hurriedly said, “I didn’t vomit in the carriage. Don’t think too much about it.”

Feng Xingzhou closed his eyes, suddenly realizing how understanding his Emperor was. If he wanted to go out and play, why couldn’t he unconditionally indulge him?

When he first saw Lu Jinghuan, Feng Xingzhou noticed that Lu Jinghuan was deeply focused, with clear and pure eyes. Accidentally, the lit incense touched the back of his ear, causing him to redden in pain but not dare to make a sound.

Initially reluctant to leave the mountain, despite the earnest pleas of the late Emperor, Feng Xingzhou changed his mind upon seeing Lu Jinghuan.

For no reason, he wanted to indulge this child. Seeing Lu Jinghuan so captivated, he decided to come down the mountain to give him a good look.

Lu Jinghuan had always been too obedient, to the point that Feng Xingzhou had forgotten he should have made every effort to satisfy his curiosity.

“I’ll accompany you wherever you want to go from now on.”

Lu Jinghuan was too easily appeased. Whenever Feng Xingzhou spoke, he was delighted and lost his bearings.

To make it up to the master, Lu Jinghuan decided to return to his country sooner.

On the contrary, Feng Xingzhou didn’t want to leave. No one had anticipated that Lu Jinghuan could become pregnant, and the only one with experience was Chu Zhaoyou. He wanted Lu Jinghuan to stay with Chu Zhaoyou for a while longer to alleviate any feelings of loneliness.

Even if during this period, Chu Zhaoyou taught Lu Jinghuan some dubious tricks, he accepted it.

Xiao Heng really wanted to drive away this pair of freeloaders.

However, there was only one divine physician.

The two almost came to blows over the divine physician’s whereabouts.

In the end, Lu Jinghuan and Feng Xingzhou returned to their country first, while the divine physician followed three months later.

Chu Zhaoyou only gained the divine physician when he had a big belly, which seemed fair.

Seven months later, Lu Jinghuan gave birth to a little prince.

The child’s features resembled Feng Xingzhou, with a barely noticeable red birthmark at the center of the eyebrows. Other than that, the child’s face had no flaws, fair and gentle, with a pointed chin, just like Lu Jinghuan.

The little prince exuded the qualities of his fathers from an early age. Unable to bear seeing anyone frown, when Lu Jinghuan held him and remarked “a bit heavy,” the child immediately struggled to get down, understanding but not yet speaking.

Feng Xingzhou calculated and, fearing his son might be too kind and get bullied, decided to teach him martial arts from a young age.

His expectations weren’t high—just hoping that his son could beat Xiao Heng’s son.

Lu Jinghuan held his son, saying, “When you grow up, you can play with your brother, Xiao Xingxing. Your godfather can sing operas, and they’re beautiful.”

Feng Xingzhou wanted to ask what’s so great about singing operas, but he read bedtime stories to his son like reading scriptures. Although it had an excellent hypnotic effect, it lacked any entertainment value, so he kept quiet.

Feng Xingzhou has always liked white clothes, and Lu Jinghuan originally thought that after having a child, the Preceptor would be forced to switch to a different color of clothing.

Little did he know that the young prince, just like the National Preceptor, also loved cleanliness, never letting the soles of his shoes touch his clothes. It was obvious they were related.

After the young prince’s lessons, Lu Jinghuan often worried that he would be scolded to tears by the Preceptor, given Feng Xingzhou’s strictness in teaching.

After observing several times, he noticed that his son was treated better. Feng Xingzhou encouraged the young prince with a gentle and pleasant demeanor, urging him to boldly question the Grand Tutor.

 Jinghuan felt a bit aggrieved but dared not say anything, fearing that the preceptor would only add pressure to his son. In the end, he angrily refused three times to share a bed.

Not heeding Chu Zhaoyou’s advice and making demands in the middle of the night to bother Feng Xingzhou was something that was regretted a bit later.

Author’s note: The last extra chapter will focus on Chu Zhaoyou and the Regent.