Chapter 278 - 276. Acceptance II

Third-person POV

"…and your husband." The truth had been exposed to Hong er and her body was visibly frozen on the spot.

Weisheng who had been silently observing Zhang Wei and Hong er's movement from the side since the beginning was impatiently waiting for what Hong er would say regarding this matter. Would she be happy as the family finally reunited? But Weisheng wasn't stupid. Just by seeing how the color on Hong er's face vanished as soon as she learned that he was her husband, he knew that things weren't as simple as they looked and he didn't know if he was prepared for what was going to happen.

Hong er hastily retracted her hand from Zhang Wei's hold. Her eyebrows furrowed into a deep frown. With an expression as dark as ink, Hong er's lips moved rapidly but only incomprehensible noises came out from her lips.

Their eyes went wide when they read Hong er's lip movement, "My husband had died long ago, as well as my baby. I told you before, didn't I? You must mistake me for someone else. I am sorry to disappoint you." 

As he already knew Hong er would say that, Zhang Wei was unfazed by Hong er's rejection. He took a step towards Hong er and grabbed her hand once again. He pressed her cold hand on his damp cheek.

"Mother! This is me, Zhang Wei, your son! How could you forget about your own child?!" Zhang Wei cried as he firmly held Hong er's hand.

Hong er recognized Zhang Wei's small hand ad didn't dare to use force to pull her hand away in fear hurting Zhang Wei. She was in confusion at how these few strangers kept telling her that she was their family. She had told them repeatedly that she was not, yet they refused to believe her and now she was at a loss of what to do.

Then a rough hand gently gripped Zhang Wei's wrist, "Ah Wei…" A deep yet calm voice rang in Zhang Wei's ears.

Zhang Wei lifted his eyes to see his father's grave face. It was as if Weisheng was going to cry but not a single tear dropped from his sorrowful eyes. He was an emperor and a father, in order to calm the anxious Zhang Wei, one must be calm as well.

"Your mother has been through a lot, don't force her." Weisheng patiently explained to Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei's red eyes locked on Hong er's pale face, unable to look away. The cold eyes that were staring at her were filled with warmth also a little bit of disappointment.

"B-but, mother doesn't recognize me…mother doesn't remember me…she thought I am dea-" Zhang Wei choked on his tears.

"Then we will help her remember." Weisheng's voice cut off before Zhang Wei could finish his sentence.

The calmness in Weisheng's eyes put Zhang Wei's heart on ease. How stupid he could be, of course, Weisheng would never let Hong er go but one shouldn't be hasty especially at how fragile the current Hong er was.

Zhang Wei's grip slowly loosened and his head lowered in downcast. Weisheng sighed and patted Zhang Wei's head.

"We will bring your mother home first, her body is very weak, she needs a check-up." Weisheng worriedly stared at Hong er's think body.

"Who are you bringing home?" at that moment, a childish yet oppressive voice interrupted the calm atmosphere.

Hong er's body fell back as Tao Qi pulled and hid her behind his narrow back. Weisheng's face instantly turned ugly, he clenched his fists and ready to summon his scythe. But the moment he saw Hong er moved closer to Tao Qi, his muscle loosened.

'Hong er must have trusted him and he is being gentle towards Hong er.' Weisheng was relieved that there was someone protecting Hong er when he was not there for her.

"May I ask what is your name and what are you to my wife?" Weisheng asked politely with his cold voice.

"Your wife?" Tao Qi's brows raised in interest.

Tao Qi's eyes scanned Weisheng from head to toe then the corner of his lips arched into a sly smirk, 'So this is the guy that came looking for Hong er 13 years ago. As I thought, he may be related to Master, I have to be careful.'

"By looking at your sincere eyes, I believe that you are not lying." Tao Qi said indifferently.

Weisheng scrutinized Tao Qi and sensed that Tao Qi wouldn't let this matter passed this easily.

"But does Hong er give her consent for you to bring her to an unfamiliar place?" Tao Qi continued.

Zhang Wei was going to argue with Tao Qi for hindering them but after he pondered for a while, he found that what Tao Qi said made sense. They couldn't just push whatever they wanted to the clueless Hong er.

Weisheng didn't immediately respond to Tao Qi. He just stared at Hong er with an unknown emotion in his eyes. As someone who had known Hong er for half of his life, he deeply understands that Hong er definitely wouldn't agree to follow them back to Royal Palace.

"I will convince her," Weisheng said determinedly.

Tao Qi shrugged his shoulder and turned away, "Good luck then."

Hong er followed Tao Qi back into the cave while her slender fingers firmly pinching Tao Qi's clothes. Weisheng watched Hong er enter the cave then turned his gaze to Zhang Wei.

"You stay here with your mother. Father will bring your sister and a physician for your mother." Weisheng patted Zhang Wei's head and left after he glanced at the cave entrance for the last time.

"I will protect Imperial Mother, please rest assured Imperial Father." Zhang Wei nodded his head and chased after Hong er.

Seeing that the situation had been sorted out, Meiyun lightly pushed Di Shang, "Go escort His Majesty Emperor. I will stay here to protect Her Majesty Empress and His Highness Prince Zhang."

"En. Take care of yourself too." Di Shang pecked Meiyun's forehead before he ran after Weisheng.

Meiyun stared at the distance while leaning her body on the sturdy horse beside her. A soft smile yet melancholic smile formed on her pale lips as she caressed her protruding abdomen, "What a great day today ah."