Chapter 67
Xing Guang looked at her father’s wives, that were following them with a frown. Originally, she just wanted Tian Cao to come with her to visit her father, but here these women came with and they were arguing behind them.
She looked at her brother and saw that he seemed to be nervous. Smiling, she asked, “Are you nervous?”
Looking at her, he couldn’t help but nod his head. He had heard from his uncle Qiang Wu that Youxian was the best martial artist and a commander. Youxian had so many merits, but they all went downhill. He heard all the gossip from the servants too and he asked his grandparents too about him because his mother went on and on about how all his father could think about was Youxian and not them his family.
She chuckled, “Oh well, you’ll get over it soon. He isn’t a monster.”
Haeun looked down at Xing Guang, observing her. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t plotting her death.
Xing Guang punched Changling in his right rib cage saying, “Father.”
Changling rubbed his side. “What is it?”
“Grapes, get me grapes. The green ones and they must be sweet. I don’t want the bitter ones,” she said.
Changling pulled her hair, “You’re rude!”
They arrived at the palace and Changling turned to his wives, “I don’t want arguing from you two. You’ll regret it if you cause trouble.”
They didn’t answer him, but bowed.
The doors opened and Xing Guang jumped over the door frame. Stretching her arms out she yelled, “Daddy, I’m home~”
In the chamber, Youxian chuckled with a shake of his head. She was so loud, unnecessarily loud, but he loved it. She never changed her habits since their arrival at the palace and he was happy about that.
Xing Guang grabbed Tian Cao by the hand and ran with him to the chamber.
Youxian was lying down originally, but he got up knowing that she was coming for him. He pulled on a robe, then sat on the bed, waiting for her with a smile.
The door swung open, and she shook her butt while she sang, “I’m home~”
“Alright, come here and give me a hug. I missed you,” he said.
She looked at Tian Cao and smirked, pulling him with her. They ran around the dividing screen door.
Before they came into sight, he heard an extra pair of footsteps.
When they came into view, Xing Guang frowned. Her father’s eyes were red again. She sighed and climbed into his lap, giving him a hug. Kissing him under his chin, she asked, “Were you crying again?”
He nodded his head slowly as he looked at her, “Mn, I miss your father.”
Xing Guang sighed, “I miss him too. Will he come visit us?”
Youxian didn’t know what to say to his daughter. He looked at the boy she brought with her and immediately, the resemblance to their father was there.
Holding out his hand for him to take, he said, “Come here.”
Tian Cao took his hand hesitantly, then bowed.
Youxian chuckled, “We’re family now, so there is no need to bow to me.”
He shook his head. “How can I not? You are one of the people I should show great respect to.”
“Oh daddy, this is Hwang Tian Cao, my brother,” Xing Guang said.
Youxian smiled as he looked down at his daughter, “Wow Ah-Xing, you’re a big sister now.”
She giggled with a nod of her head, “Yes! And there’s another one too. A baby girl, she’s called Tian Shi.”
Youxian chuckled as he looked at Tian Cao, “Is it okay with you if I call you Tian? I’m sure everyone calls you Ah-Cao.”
He nodded his head, “I don’t mind, but why not call me Ah-Cao too, Mr Hwan?”
Youxian’s eyes widened. “I’m not that old. Please call me as Ah-Xing does.”
He nodded his head, “Why not call me Ah-Cao, daddy?”
Youxian couldn’t hide the joy and sadness in his heart. He pulled Tian Cao closer and hugged him.
Xing Guang smiled when she saw her brother’s surprised expression. She gave him a thumbs up as she said, “Daddy, you don’t have to worry anymore. I brought you a son.”
Youxian chuckled and gave her a kiss on the head. He kissed Tian Cao on the head too saying, “Mn, maybe daddy won’t cry anymore.”
“Mn,” she hummed as she hugged him tighter.
*
Youxian came out holding both kids, one on each side.
Haeun looked at the scene and rolled her eyes. They were sitting in the garden, waiting.
Changling smiled as he saw this scene. He stood up and walked over to the steps. Looking at his son, he said, “Ah-Cao, it looks like you helped your sister.”
He nodded his head, saying, “Yes.”
Youxian didn’t spare Changling a glance and just walked past him.
“Daddy, did you eat? We had lots to eat. Aunty Ae Cha cooked,” she said.
“Aunty? I thought I told you to call me mommy,” Ae Cha said as she placed the teacup down.
She stood up and bowed to Youxian. “I’ve been looking forward to having tea with you, Commander Hwan. When can that be arranged?”
Xing Guang squeezed her father’s hand. Youxian looked down at his daughter and bent down so that she could speak to him.
Covering her father’s ear, she whispered, “I don’t like her.”
Youxian nodded his head, smiling at Ae Cha he said, “You are free to pay me a visit anytime.”
“Welcome back, Youxian,” Haeun said.
He looked down at her and smirked, laughing he said, “It looks like we’ll get to see each other often. Don’t be a stranger. You’re welcome to visit me when she comes.”
Haeun looked at Ae Cha, then rolled her eyes. Turning to him, she said, “It’ll be better if you come visit me.”
He sat down and looked at them. Then looked at the baby in Haeun’s arms and asked, “So this must be Tian Shi?”
Haeun frowned, “You know my daughter?”
He shook his head. “Mn, Ah-Xing said she has a brother and a sister.”
He looked over at Ae Cha, saying, “And it looks like there’s another one coming.”
Ae Cha rubbed her belly proudly. She looked at her husband, saying, “Yes, soon, there will be another addition to the family.”
Haeun scoffed.
Youxian raised a brow, noting Haeun’s attitude. “Girl or boy?” He asked.
Ae Cha shook her head, “His Highness and I have will wait until the birth. I like surprises.”
Youxian chuckled as he drank the tea Xing Guang poured for him. “That reminds me of Ah-Xing too. I was excited when I found out that I was expecting, but when I asked the physician for the gender, he wasn’t sure. Later, we got the gender revealed, so we were expecting a son, but when the child was born, it was a girl.”
Haeun gazed at him and recalled that Youxia said she had three daddies, but when asked about it, she never answered it.
“That’s right. Youxia mentioned that she had three fathers. Where is the other one?” She asked.
Youxian glanced over at her, then said behind the teacup, “Where else? Your husband had him killed.”