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Chapter 565
Chapter 565
Chapter 565
Chu Feng glared at it and sneered, "I'm afraid you've already forgotten that we are a 'humble' mother and son."
Meanwhile, at Lord Chu's Castle in Yenching...
The vast mansion, with its nine entrances and nine exits, resembled a royal palace, exuding luxury, and grandeur from every brick, every plant, and every tree.
Within the estate, there was a secluded and quaint courtyard, consisting of a few tile-roofed houses and an ancient well. Its ambiance stood in stark contrast to the opulence of the palace.
At the center of the courtyard stood a peach tree with thick branches, bearing the marks of age. Despite the cold winter, the tree was meticulously protected, a testament to years of careful nurturing.
A tall man, dressed in a purple-gold dragon robe, was diligently tending to the tree—watering, weeding, and loosening the soil with practiced movements.
In Donghua, there were only two individuals worthy of wearing the Dragon Robe.
One was the heir of the former Emperor of the capital, Crown Prince Hua.
The other was the King who stood shoulder to shoulder with him in Yenching—Chu Tianxiong!
The man, nearing the age of fifty, had temples tinged with white, yet he exuded an air of timeless grace. Instead of appearing aged, he carried the aristocratic aura of a renowned lineage, every action emanating an imposing presence.
His weathered face, marked by the ravages of time, was stern and majestic. His sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and even the scars on his face and silver hair emitted an aura of ferocity.
His broad shoulders conveyed a sense of security, as if he could single-handedly bear the weight of the heavens, should the sky come crashing down.
"Woosh!"
At that moment, an elegant elderly man in gray attire entered the yard, carrying fifty or sixty documents that needed attention.
He stood silently, patiently waiting for the man, his mind filled with complex thoughts.
Every day, at this very hour, the man would come to the yard to water the peach tree and tend to the soil.
For half an hour, nothing significant could disturb him.
Of course, in the past seventeen years, he could only have half an hour for himself.
"Lord Chu!"
As the time drew near, the old man in gray clothing stepped forward and presented towels and hot tea.
The man accepted the towel and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He gently patted the peach tree in
front of him and asked, "Mr. Weng, how tall has this tree grown? How many years has it been?"
The old man's eyes reflected a complex mix of emotions. "It has been seventeen years, Lord Chu."
"Seventeen years," the man repeated.
He placed his hands behind his back and gazed up at the starry sky. "She's been gone for seventeen years."
"There's a loquat tree in the courtyard. My wife plated it before she passed away, and now it flourishes like a canopy."
Recalling that year, in the peach grove, the woman in white with a smile as radiant as a blossom appeared vividly before his eyes, as if she were right there with him, just like before...
"When Qingrou was alive, she loved peach blossoms the most."
"I promised her that after fighting my final battle and repaying the emperor's kindness, I would take her away, find a paradise, and spend the rest of our lives in peace..."
The man fell silent for a few moments before speaking in a calm voice. "But in the end, I failed to do so."
"I have been worthy of everyone in the world throughout my life, but I have let Qingrou down..."
And that stubborn boy, always wearing an air of arrogance, challenging him at every turn, a natural adversary at best...
"Lord Chu, it has been seventeen years. It is time for you to let go."
Mr. Weng appeared deeply saddened, shaking his head as he spoke, "You had no choice back then. If you hadn't married the second wife and allied with the Su family, how would the 800,000 soldiers be paid? What would have become of the hundreds of millions of people in Donghua? They would have starved to death in Mount Coronet, with no trace..."
"Not to mention the legend of conquering sixteen countries overnight and returning with a great victory."
"National affairs take precedence. If Miss Ye understood this, she would have forgiven you."
Chu Tianxiong gazed at the peach tree and responded calmly, "I feel even more guilty because she forgave me."
Weng Bo remained silent, unsure of what to say.
"Qingrou's death anniversary is the day after tomorrow. Please arrange the schedule. I will visit her," Chu Tianxiong said calmly after wiping his hands.
"Understood," Weng Bo bowed.
"Very well, please bring in those reports and documents," Chu Tianxiong said as he rubbed his bloodshot and weary eyes. In the next moment, he resumed his composed and dignified posture.
He still had much to accomplish.
He still had much to uphold.
He could not falter, nor could he rest!
Weng Bo's eyes turned red as he looked at the tall, upright figure before him, sighing with mixed emotions.
"To outsiders, this palace appears magnificent and majestic, but in reality, it is nothing more than a prison..."
"It firmly locks one's heart within its walls, within Donghua."
"Lord Chu, who in the world could understand hardships you face..."
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