"Speak up," Xie Wanqing prodded his Adam’s apple, "Seeing me always passionately chasing after you, does it make you especially happy?"
Lu Ziyuan: "..."
"It wasn’t on purpose,"
He held her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed it, explaining, "I joined the military at sixteen and commanded troops. The generals under me had more experience and were older. If I wasn’t cold and stern, it would be difficult to establish authority."
At that time, his thought was, this girl is his fiancée, loving and protecting her is only natural.
But a big man, how could he be like when he was young, daily flattering his fiancée with tender and gentle coaxing.
To be seen like that, not only would it undermine his authority, but it would also make people think he was overly indulgent in women and incapable of great responsibilities.
...Moreover, he indeed liked her chasing after him, calling Brother Ziyan sweetly.
"I was naive back then, and now I’ve long regretted it," Lu Ziyuan smiled, pulling her tighter into his arms, "What’s the importance of authority? Even the Emperor, in front of the woman he loves, should bow his head when necessary."
Instead of maintaining a stern face, unwilling to reveal his emotions, hurting her heart.
The wife chosen in childhood almost married someone else, and nearly couldn’t come back.
Xie Wanqing curled up in his arms, listening quietly, "Alright, let’s not talk about those things."
She held his hand and placed it on her belly, "Ran’er is already five years old, he has his own thoughts about many things. You haven’t seen your son for four years, the bond isn’t deep, whether this one inside is a prince or princess, you must not favor one over the other, making him uneasy."
There are no small matters in the Imperial Family.
The fate of the late Emperor’s sons is still fresh in memory. Under no circumstances can Xie Wanqing allow her children to reach the point of fratricidal conflict.
Moreover...
"You are too harsh on Ran’er, lacking in love, the father-son relationship isn’t close, he..."
Thinking of something, Xie Wanqing sat up straight, cupping the man’s face in front of her, saying seriously, "Is it because of those four years,... that you don’t like him?"
"Not at all," Lu Ziyuan wouldn’t admit to that, letting her hold his face, he smiled, "That’s our child, proof of your love for me, how could I not like him?"
Just thinking about this girl deciding to leave him yet still willing to give birth to the child, even planning to stay unmarried for life, living with the child alone, made his heart soften.
Infinitely joyous.
A woman, even such a cruel-hearted woman, willing to go to this extent, isn’t it love?
If she only had disgust and hatred toward him, there would be no way the child could have been born.
Lu Ziyuan looked at her tenderly, patiently explaining, "Ran’er is already five years old, though gifted and clever, eager to learn, his character is too unruly, lacking in composure, while you always indulge him. If I were the same, how would he handle major responsibilities in the future."
He is his legitimate eldest son, and the next Emperor by default.
He must quickly grow up, mature enough to take charge on his own, bearing all the pressures.
Being stern is also a form of love.
Xie Wanqing frowned upon hearing this, "You’re only twenty-six, what’s the rush?"
Seeing his stern and critical attitude toward his son, as if he was going to abdicate anytime soon.
Lu Ziyuan didn’t wish to continue this topic, and hearing her, he merely chuckled, soothingly said, "Rest assured, whether the child in your belly is a boy or girl, I would never favor one over the other. Ran’er will definitely be the Great Khan’s future Crown Prince."
He himself had personally eliminated several half-brothers, how could he bear to see his children destroy each other.
After thinking for a moment, he added, "Ran’er is already five years old, indeed it’s time to establish the Crown Prince."