He had also thought many times, if he were in the emperor’s position at that time, what choices would he make?

Perhaps he wouldn’t be so heartless, as decisive to the point of being cruel, but in the end, he would most likely still prioritize the state and the bigger picture.

But for all the reasons in the world, speaking from personal feelings, he still wanted to hear a "sorry". From the age of ten, he was forced to grow up, to take on responsibilities alone, to face innumerable difficulties by himself. He was suddenly transformed from a child into a strong man by life’s adversity, and it was his own father who forcibly took away the remaining years of his youth.

Because he once had the best, he had the confidence to "act spoiled due to favor", seeking comfort in such a childish way.

Just as he previously didn’t hesitate to attack with the most vicious words, now, all that had accumulated over the years poured out entirely, yet it also brought relief.

From now on, if it is purely a relationship between ruler and subject, there will be nothing unfair.

The emperor’s eyes were clouded with mist, his left hand resting on the kang table was tightly clenched into a fist:

"Why must you say sorry? You shouldn’t have to."

Yang Yi turned around.

Pain surged across the emperor’s brows and eyes: "In terms of honesty, I am no match for you. Who hasn’t had unresolved issues in decades of father-son relations?

"But at least you dare to speak, and I cannot. I was still shrewdly plotting, enticing, hitting you right at heart’s core. If I could be like you, I wouldn’t have given you the opportunity to say those words, would I?"

Yang Yi didn’t know what to say, pursing his lips tightly again.

"Actually, Zhan Er’s wife had already told me to sit down with you openly and have a chat.

"I didn’t agree with her. Because for me, you are a man, a big man, there’s no need for such nagging discussions.

"I thought that even if you hated me, resented me, it didn’t matter. I could ignore it. Eventually, when you take my place, you will understand my difficulties.

"But I didn’t expect that, as a father, the harm to you as a son still exists.

"I also didn’t realize that what you minded was exactly what you desired.

"Child, it’s your father’s mistake. At the age of ten, you certainly didn’t have the capacity to handle such a sudden change.

"How could I let you digest all this on your own? As parents, there is a duty to love and protect your children. Even if my hands were tied back then, I shouldn’t have lost tenderness towards you."

"I was too harsh.

"And I misunderstood.

"Originally, you should first be my child, the eldest son born with much anticipation from your mother and me, and then a prince of the state."

When the emperor said this, he propped himself up on the table and stood up: "Yi Yi, it’s me who owes an apology. In Huzhou, I made the choice a Righteous Army leader should make, but I failed to be a loving father.

"All these years, you’ve suffered."

Yang Yi’s eyes instantly turned red.

His chest heaved as he turned his head away: "Alright, no matter what, you’re a ruler of a nation. The fact that you don’t hold my earlier behavior against me, allowing me to say everything I did, I’m already satisfied. No need for an apology."

"But isn’t it just us father and son here right now? At this moment, there’s no emperor, no prince, just the two of us as father and son!"

The emperor’s steps seemed incredibly heavy, and he stopped before him, saying, "I actually am quite envious of the harmonious family joy of others. Especially after your brother’s mistake led to his execution, I also felt like a complete failure.

"Back then, I devoted myself entirely to nurturing him, never imagining he harbored other intentions. So focused was I on the war in the Northwest, if a charge of failing to keep the family in order were made, I should be the first to bear it."

Yang Yi took a deep breath, glanced at his toes, inhaled again, and raised his head: "Let’s not talk about this. It’s all in the past. Let’s talk about the Yi Family.

"What do you plan to do?"

...

Under the eaves outside the Qianqing Palace, the group of people standing in silence hadn’t made a sound until the voices inside gradually calmed, and the Empress at the front slowly relaxed her shoulders and silently exhaled deeply.

Fu Zhen and Pei Zhan stood behind her, not speaking, but an intangible spirit gradually spread through their limbs.

Previously, when they arrived outside the palace gates, without waiting for the emperor’s permission to enter, they instead sent someone to report to the Empress, allowing them to enter the palace smoothly and accompany her to the outside of Qianqing Palace.