Peaceful Farm Life

Chapter 1095: Chapter 1096: If you must punish, then punish me

But his imperial consort truly loved him, ready to sacrifice her life for him, which self-immolation and finding a substitute for him were ultimate proofs...

At this moment, Gong Juechen didn’t even know what he was feeling. It seemed like a weight was lifted off his shoulders, yet it also felt like a huge stone was pressing on his heart, making it impossible for him to breathe.

Stepping out of the Jun Palace, Gong Juechen halted his steps and looked up at the sky.

With immense devotion, he prayed in his heart, ”Heavenly Father, I was wrong, I was wrong. Please, don’t let him suffer in the eighteenth layer of hell for eternity after his death. I was wrong, I was wrong. If you must punish someone, then punish me instead, let me be the one who will not ascend from hell after death.”

After devoutly pleading in his heart, Gong Juechen continued to walk forward.

Inside Jun Palace, Xiao Changyi said to the Emperor of Xiyun, ”Rather than having him return as your son, it’s better to leave things as they are. That way, it’s better for everyone.”

His last sentence was the same as what Gong Juechen had said.

The Emperor of Xiyun choked up, but still responded, ”Yes.”

”You still have a son and a daughter alive, you should be happy.”

”Mm.” This time, the Emperor of Xiyun was even more choked up.

Xiao Changyi stopped talking to him and said to Eunuch Fu, ”Help the Emperor change his clothes, the Emperor is tired and needs a good sleep.”

”Yes, Prince.”

Xiao Changyi glanced at the Emperor of Xiyun once more, saw him nodding tearfully toward him, and then turned to walk outside.

Then, outside the Jun Palace, on the stairs, Xiao Changyi caught up with Gong Juechen.

Actually, it was not so much catching up.

Because Gong Juechen was already pausing there, silently observing the pansies outside the Jun Palace. Now, the pansies weren’t as splendid as before, with only a few scattered blooms.

As soon as Xiao Changyi approached Gong Juechen, he lifted his right hand and placed it on Gong Juechen’s left shoulder.

Gong Juechen’s gaze slowly moved away from the pansies, and turning his head, he looked at Xiao Changyi, and with a playful smile, he said, ”After so many years, I’ve survived. There’s nothing I can’t endure.”

That sentence undoubtedly reassured Xiao Changyi.

Xiao Changyi did not immediately withdraw his hand, but tightened his grip on Gong Juechen’s shoulder slightly before taking it back. Though he offered no words of comfort, this gesture alone was enough to warm Gong Juechen’s heart.

”Tell Jing Er for me that I’ll be home late.”

”Okay.”

Once Gong Juechen agreed, Xiao Changyi turned away and went to the East Palace.

Su Chengyu was alone in his study. Xiao Changyi did not enter, but instead sat in the courtyard outside the study drinking tea.

On the stone table, there were also fruits, but Xiao Changyi did not eat them, merely sitting there drinking tea slowly, expressionlessly.

By the time he finished a pot of tea, it was nearly dark, and Su Chengyu emerged from the study.

When Xiao Changyi arrived, the Crown Princess Consort had brought someone to serve tea to Xiao Changyi, and Su Chengyu had heard the noise, so he knew Xiao Changyi was there, but he hadn’t expected him not to have left.

Seeing Xiao Changyi still there, Su Chengyu was slightly stunned, then listlessly walked over and sat opposite Xiao Changyi.

Xiao Changyi remained silent.

After waiting a while, seeing that Xiao Changyi seemed to have no intention of speaking, Su Chengyu broke the silence, ”Brother Yi, I’ve been thinking a lot. I still can’t accept Gong Juechen. If Gong Juechen wasn’t Mrs. Han’s son, I might accept him, but he is...”

Xiao Changyi calmly said, ”He doesn’t expect you to accept him either.” He paused, ”Su Chenglin was burned to death long ago; he is not Su Chenglin, he is Gong Juechen.”