Eunuch Liu couldn't stand it anymore. He walked to Feng Ruqing's side and sighed. "Your Highness, since the empress's death, His Majesty has been mentally and physically exhausted. His Majesty is getting worse year after year, if it werenwasn't for the princess, His Majesty would probably…"

"Lin Zhenyun, you're crossing the line!" Feng Tianyu stood up straight with some difficulty, his eyes were filled with solemnity. "You may leave now. "

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Eunuch Lin dared not say any more. He swished his hossu, bowed, and left.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony quietened down.

Feng Tianyu's hands gently caressed the young girl's face. "Qing'er, I've been hiding from you all the time. Since you're grown up and have become more sensible now, I'll have to let you know that there's something you need to understand. Or else, if I suddenly leave you someday without letting you know first… it will bring you more… disadvantages…"

His voice was soft. His eyes were gentle, and the stern att.i.tude toward the ministers earlier was gone.

Feng Ruqing's heart skipped a beat, her eyes looked hard but calm. "I'll never let you go!"

If Feng Ruqing wanted to save someone, no one could take them away from her!

"Qing'er… " Feng Tianyu smiled bitterly. "I know my body well more than anyone. Watching how you have confronted those ministers with ease today, I believe that handing over the power to you in the future… you will be capable of handling the situation. Besides, your grandfather and uncle will give you a helping hand, which makes me feel relieved…"

"Father!" Feng Ruqing's voice trembled.

There should be a way to cure her father, but she got the message that her father did not want to live any longer simply from his tone.

Yes.

Feng Tianyu… did not want to live anymore.

"Qing'er, listen to me." Feng Tianyu held Feng Ruqing's shoulder tightly, with a serious look and knitted brows. "Your mother didn't die of childbirth, in fact… she was killed…"

Feng Ruqing had already known that long ago, but it was the first time Nalan Zhangqian realized what had happened. His heart trembled as he looked at Feng Tianyu in disbelief.

"Your Majesty, Yan'er… she was killed?"

How could it be?

Yan'er was so strong. How could anyone… kill her in the palace?

Recalling what had happened sixteen years ago, Feng Tianyu slowly closed his eyes, as if in pain.

"On that fateful day, I wanted to be by her side when she gave birth to you, but someone strong snuck into the palace, and I had to face them myself. By the time I returned… Yan'er was already… dead… "

For this matter, Feng Tianyu had blamed himself for sixteen years. If he had not left Yan'er's side, perhaps Yan'er would still be alive.

Even when the ma.s.sacre happened in the palace, he should have stayed by Yan'er's side and not go anywhere nor care for anyone no matter what they would do. He should not have left Yan'er…

These were all his fault!

"Someone strong snuck into the palace? Why is it Father and I… never knew about this?" Nalan Zhangqian slowly closed his eyes. He clenched his fists, his body trembled. He felt a flame burning inside his chest.

During that year, the frontier was in turmoil, so he and his father had to guard it, and could not return to the palace. Finally, when they returned to the imperial city, they had received news about her death…