Qin Huaiqiu froze on the spot.
“Father... What are you talking about... Haha... What could there be between me and the Emperor? He just sent me here to lead the troops to support you...” Qin Huaiqiu's eyes darted around nervously.
Qin Feng remained unmoved. He just sat there, staring directly at Qin Huaiqiu with his eyes fixed on him, making him break out in a cold sweat.
No... It can't be, right?
How did Father know about my relationship with Sikong Ting? It doesn't make sense!
Qin Huaiqiu was as nervous as if he were sitting in a small boat tossed about by huge waves. He didn't know what to say. But seeing Qin Feng's expression, it seemed that he had heard some rumors or knew some details...
It's all over...
Qin Huaiqiu thought to himself.
Although there were people in the Great Sheng Dynasty who were fond of same - sex relationships, it was not the mainstream culture after all. There were those who could accept it, but there were also many who were resistant and disgusted.
Qin Huaiqiu didn't consider this aspect when he first got together with Sikong Ting. If he were to confess his relationship with the Emperor, what would Father's attitude be?
In the worst - case scenario, would Qin Feng think that he had misled the Emperor and led him astray? Or would he think that he had shamed the loyal and heroic Qin family by serving the Emperor with his beauty?
In the best - case scenario, even if Qin Feng didn't blame him, he was still impersonating Qin Huailian's identity.
Both the daughter and the son of the Qin family being taken into the Emperor's harem?
It's just too...
Qin Huaiqiu gritted his teeth and was ready to deny it to the end.
“I received letters from the court officials.” Seeing that Qin Huaiqiu lowered his head and didn't say a word, Qin Feng spoke first. “It was exactly one month ago.”
One month ago... wasn't that when he and the Emperor had just become close!
Qin Huaiqiu trembled all over and sweat poured down like rain.
“Oh... What did they say?” Qin Huaiqiu asked tentatively.
Qin Feng glanced at him. His eyes were filled with complex and strange expressions, with an indescribable meaning.
“The court officials wrote to congratulate me one after another, saying that they were congratulating Concubine De on receiving the Emperor's favor and grace, and also wishing her to give birth to a noble son soon.” The lower Qin Feng spoke, the lower his voice became. His voice was already hoarse, and each word struck Qin Huaiqiu's heart. He felt as if he had been skinned alive and then put on a fire to be roasted, and all this was in front of his own father!
“This... The Emperor treats me well and is kind to me because I discussed with Qin Lan how to please the Emperor. We could always hit the mark with what we did.” Qin Huaiqiu pretended to scratch his head, but actually wiped the sweat off secretly. “The Emperor's mind is not difficult to guess. At that time, there were still warriors from Loulan in the palace. I just had to keep flattering the Emperor with Qin Lan.”
“What about receiving the Emperor's grace?”
“This... I was impersonating Huailian's identity at that time. I just helped the Emperor take a bath...”
“What about giving birth to a noble son soon?”
“Father, you're overthinking. Whenever a concubine is in favor, don't the court officials always congratulate in this way? There's nothing else to congratulate about. After all, the Emperor still has no heirs so far.”
Qin Feng listened to Qin Huaiqiu's seemingly flawless but actually full - of - loopholes explanation, and snorted from his nose. “Qiu'er, do you think your father is far away at the border and doesn't know what's going on in the court?”
Qin Huaiqiu froze all over.
“The Emperor was poisoned during the spring hunt, the envoys from Loulan entered the capital, Concubine Shu in the harem committed suicide out of love, and the Minister of Rites resigned and returned to his hometown...” Qin Feng recounted all the events one by one. He turned his head and looked at Qin Huaiqiu. His eyes were so dark that it was almost terrifying. “Qiu'er, do you think your father will believe what you just said?”
The air froze for a moment.
Qin Huaiqiu was in a daze for a while. Suddenly, his legs bent, and he knelt straight in front of Qin Feng. He lowered his head, gritted his lips, and said nothing. He just kowtowed three times to Qin Feng.
Qin Feng looked down at Qin Huaiqiu. His silent acquiescence was so firm and stubborn that at the moment when Qin Feng's inner guess was confirmed, it seemed as if a shadow had fallen on Qin Feng's face, making him look ten years older all of a sudden.
“Your son is unfilial...”
Qin Huaiqiu gritted his teeth tightly, and tears began to well up in his eyes.
Qin Feng didn't make any movement. Qin Huaiqiu didn't know what Qin Feng's attitude towards him was at the moment, but he was sure that Qin Feng was very disappointed in him.
“Your son is unfilial!” Seeing that Qin Feng still didn't say a word, Qin Huaiqiu made up his mind and continued to kowtow. His forehead hit the ground, making a dull and disturbing sound. He didn't stop. It seemed that he would keep kowtowing until he got Qin Feng's nod.
Blood flowed out. The bright red blood dyed the floor a blood - red color. His forehead was broken, and the blood was left on the ground due to the repeated impacts. The wound became bigger and bigger with each impact. Finally, the blood trickled down his cheek, passed over his high nose bridge, made a turn at his chin, and then flowed into his collar along his white neck.
Qin Feng was like a statue. He quietly watched Qin Huaiqiu kowtowing in front of him, and there was no expression on his face.
After God knows how many times Qin Huaiqiu had kowtowed, Qin Feng moved. He slowly opened his mouth and made a hoarse and old - sounding voice from his throat. “Get up, Qiu'er...”
Hearing this, Qin Huaiqiu propped his hands on the ground and still maintained the posture of kowtowing. He lowered his head, only showing the top of his head to Qin Feng. The blood dripped on the ground, splashing blood - red flowers.
“Get up.” Qin Feng seemed to sigh. Seeing that Qin Huaiqiu remained unmoved, he took a step forward himself and pulled Qin Huaiqiu's arm, forcefully pulling the stubborn Qin Huaiqiu up. “When do you plan to stop kowtowing?”
Qin Huaiqiu trembled all over. He slowly raised his head and looked at Qin Feng. Finally, he couldn't hold back his tears, and two lines of clear tears flowed down from his eyes. “Father...”
Looking at Qin Huaiqiu's pain - stricken expression, Qin Feng finally couldn't bear to be harsh.
Qin Feng lost his wife when he was young, and he never remarried after that. Qin Huaiqiu and Qin Huailian had lacked maternal love since childhood. It could be said that after Gu Hanfang's death, they were raised by Qin Feng. But less than a year later, he vowed to avenge his dead wife. After that, he went on a campaign against Loulan, and this war lasted for a whole year.
After that, there were countless small battles and border frictions. He had rarely been together with Qin Huailian and Qin Huaiqiu. By the time he finally had time to teach them, they were almost as tall as his waist.
Qin Feng had missed the most precious years with his son and daughter for various reasons. Although he had tried his best to make up for them later, he still owed them.
Qin Feng's gray beard trembled slightly, and he let out an almost inaudible sigh.
“Wipe your face.” Qin Feng let go of his arm. “I don't care about your feelings, but I only ask you one thing.”
Qin Huaiqiu was stunned for a moment and stared at Qin Feng, as if he hadn't reacted yet.
“Did you force or seduce the Emperor?” Qin Feng said word by word.
Qin Huaiqiu was startled and was about to kneel down again, but was grabbed by Qin Feng.
“No! Your son didn't! Father!” Qin Huaiqiu explained in a panic. He and Sikong Ting loved each other, and there was no such thing at all.
“That's good.” Qin Feng let out a sigh of relief. Then he patted Qin Huaiqiu's shoulder. “Get ready well. It won't be long before there will be another war.”
Qin Huaiqiu stood there stunned. His eyes were a bit dull, and he looked at Qin Feng in disbelief. His lips trembled, and he wanted to ask something, but finally only stammered out a word. “Father...?”
Qin Feng let out a bitter smile, stretched out his hand, and pulled Qin Huaiqiu into his arms.
The broad and warm chest was pressed tightly against Qin Huaiqiu's face. The long - lost smell of his father made Qin Huaiqiu open his eyes wide, and tears slid down from the corners of his eyes.
This hug was short but warm.
Qin Feng let go of him, patted his shoulder hard, and repeated. “Get ready well.” Then, as if nothing had happened, he strode towards the door.
“Father!”
Qin Huaiqiu took a few steps to catch up, knelt down in front of Qin Feng again, and kowtowed three times hard. He said tremblingly. “Your son... Thanks to Father for granting consent.”
Qin Feng didn't turn back or say a word. His figure paused for a moment, then he pushed open the door and strode out.