Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“You know clearly yourself! Although you’ve never met her, showed her your concern, or even made your existence known in her life, you know deep down that you love her like a precious gem,” Shi Xiaoyu snapped, raising her head.
Tuoba Rui could not be bothered to argue with her and said simply, “I won’t continue debating with you. I must divorce you today, no matter what.”
“Mother, where… is Father’s illegitimate daughter? Have they met each other before?” Tuoba Danxue asked.
“Of course they have. They’ve seen each other at your wedding. I bet you won’t be able to guess who she is,” said Shi Xiaoyu, glancing at her husband.
After much thought, Tuoba Danxue probed, “There were so many guests present at my wedding, I really can’t guess who she is. Who is it? Tell us quick, do we know her?”
“It’s that An Xiaoning.”
Tuoba Gucheng widened his eyes and stared at his Father in shock and disbelief. “An… Xiaoning? Is that true!?!”
Tuoba Rui nodded and said, “Yes, it’s true.”
Shi Xiaoyu sneered and said, “It’s her, all right. She looks exactly like her mother. It’s a striking resemblance that wouldn’t go unnoticed.”
Tuoba Rui stood up in an attempt to slap Shi Xiaoyu again, only to be stopped by Tuoba Hancheng. “Don’t do it.”
At this very moment, Tuoba Gucheng’s heart was shattered into pieces. He recalled the words An Xiaoning had said to him the night before and thought to himself, Did she come to the Autumn Palace to reunite with her biological parents?
If that was the case, why did she have to put on a mask back then?
“Father, have you two acknowledged each other?”
“No. She probably doesn’t know yet that I’m her biological father,” Tuoba Rui said truthfully.
Tuoba Gucheng was filled with questions. Why didn’t she reunite with Father when she clearly had the chance to?
It had never occurred to him that An Xiaoning would be his half-sister…
How unexpected.
The woman he loved most turned out to be his biological sister…
At this moment, he felt as if a dagger was plunged right through his heart.
“Why is she the one!?! You guys are really out to ruin our mood on New Year’s Day!” Tuoba Danxue exclaimed, flabbergasted beyond words.
Shi Xiaoyu stood up and said, “The three of you, follow me. I have something else to say to you.”
The three siblings stood up and followed her into the bedroom.
After closing the door, Shi Xiaoyu walked toward the bed and looked at her children solemnly. “You can’t let your father hear about what I’m going to tell you next. You mustn’t let him know about it, no matter what. Otherwise, I don’t know what the consequences will be.”
Tuoba Danxue stomped her feet impatiently and said, “Got it, hurry and tell us what you wanted to say.”
After a moment of silence, Shi Xiaoyu said to Tuoba Danxue, “I think you’d better not know about this. Go out, I’ll talk to your brothers.”
“Why won’t you let me hear about it?” Tuoba Danxue questioned.
“Because you’re someone else’s daughter-in-law now and I can’t trust you to keep your mouth shut. It’s better that you don’t know about this,” Shi Xiaoyu answered, dismissing Tuoba Danxue.
The three of them were left in the room.
“An Xiaoning’s mother is still alive.”
The pair of brothers looked at each other in bewilderment and continued to listen quietly.
“Back then, I staged her death and claimed that your grandparents were the ones who had executed her. In reality, I locked her up for decades in my secret dungeon. I thought that she would die in my hands eventually and that no one would ever find out about it. Yet, your uncle actually managed to rescue her. I don’t know how he found out that she was still alive, nor do I have any idea about how he managed to rescue her, but your uncle is with that woman right now. She’s the one I want to kill, not your uncle.”
“Mother, isn’t she your half-sister? Why do you have to treat her that way?” Tuoba Hancheng asked in puzzlement.
“Sister? I don’t have a sister like her,” Shi Xiaoyu sneered.
“I guess I understand it now. You held her captive for so many years and you want to kill her now that she’s escaped. Mother, Father was right. You’re much more vicious than he is.”
“I told you these because I wanted you to know that I don’t intend to harm your uncle at all. I was just too impatient, so… You can’t let your father find out about this, otherwise, he’s going to rip me into shreds. Sons, you guys are my only hopes left. You can’t leave me in the lurch. You can’t let your father divorce me.”
Tuoba Gucheng closed his eyes before opening them again. He took a deep breath and walked away. Shi Xiaoyu hurriedly grabbed him and said, “Gucheng, did you hear what I said at all!?!”
“Even if Brother and I don’t tell on you, do you really think Father won’t find out?”
“That’s why… Son, give Mother a hand and execute that woman in secret! I’ll forever be rid of troubles then!”
Tuoba Gucheng squinted and said, “No way I’ll ever do that.”
He opened the door in a bid to leave. Shi Xiaoyu hurriedly chased after him while Tuoba Hancheng followed closely behind.
Upon the sight of them, Tuoba Rui stood up and said to his son, “Regardless of what your mother said to you, I must get a divorce.”
Shi Xiaoyu glanced at her sons, after which Tuoba Hancheng said, “If you really can’t stand my mother, you may just live separately with her. Divorce is only an on-paper procedure, it’s better to uphold your reputation and continue being married in name.”
“I’m already so old and I’m no longer the president. Reputation isn’t important to me anymore. I don’t want to continue forcing myself to endure the suffering. Time and time again, she’s tried to harm a child who doesn’t pose a threat to her at all. She even dares to harm your uncle. What else does she not dare to do? She might just kill me one day,” said Tuoba Rui, venting his frustration.
“Just get a divorce, then,” said Tuoba Gucheng.
As soon as he finished speaking, Shi Xiaoyu glared at him and yelled, “Gucheng, what are you talking about!?!”
He avoided eye contact with her and said, “Everyone has the right to pursue the life they want. If life is too arduous and the only way to break free from the torment is by getting a divorce, then just go ahead.”
“Brother, what are you saying!?! Our parents are already so old, it’s so ridiculous to be getting a divorce now. I thought you would stop them from getting divorced, yet you’re actually supporting it. What are you thinking!?!” Tuoba Danxue protested, for she was strongly against the idea of her parents getting a divorce.
Tuoba Gucheng gave her a side glance and said, “What do you know?”
“Gucheng, I thought you would have my back, yet you’re actually far worse than your brother! What’s the point of having you as my son? You’re taking your father’s side!”
Pursing his lips, Tuoba Gucheng sneered at Shi Xiaoyu and said, “Mother, you’ve been blaming Father for the way things have turned out, but have you ever reflected on yourself? Have you ever admitted and took responsibility for your mistakes? Danxue and I weren’t allowed to make the decision in our own marriages. Didn’t you just want us to end up like you by doing that? I reckon Father must have married you largely because of Grandpa and Grandma’s orders. Danxue once told me not to treat my children the way you treated us, if I one day succeed the throne and become the president. She wanted me to allow my children to have the final say in their own relationships. Actually, your marriage is between the two of you and you don’t have to seek our opinion at all. If you can’t live together anymore, just have a discussion and come up with a solution.”
