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Night Star doubted whether he had misheard. Old Madam was actually concerned about him?!
For so many years, the Old Madam, who had never cared about his feelings and had never regarded him as a person, was now saying that she felt sorry for him?
"Xingchen, your mother is getting old and can't handle too much anymore. I just hope that our family can live well and safely. But my own son left my side without even calling me 'mother,' which makes my heart ache."
As Old Madam spoke, her eyes became slightly moist. She then said to Night Star, "Every time you go out to battle, I feel a wave of fear in my heart.
I worry about you being out there, suffering and enduring hardships. I'm afraid something might happen to you. You have no idea how much it pains me. After I saw you injured that time, I was truly worried about you and have been praying for you in the ancestral hall."
Old Madam spoke earnestly, as if she truly meant it.
Her face looked haggard, revealing a hint of worry. It felt a bit awkward; Old Madam wasn't sure how she was coming across. However, every word she had just said was insincere, and she wondered if any cracks would show on her face.
Old Madam's gaze flickered uncertainly. Night Star didn't notice at all; his heart felt as if it had been struck by something, a wave of bitterness rising within him that made him feel uncomfortable.
What kind of feeling was that? It was strange, something he had never experienced before. Old Madam was showing concern for him for the first time and speaking so much at once left him somewhat at a loss.
He had never felt what maternal love was like; in fact, he had never experienced the care and love of family throughout his life.
He was a cold child, treated as an unfortunate being. His dark childhood made him indifferent and emotionless. Even during every mission he undertook, he held a resolve to die. He longed for something but didn’t know what he wanted in this world filled with absence.
Yet every time he passed by a street corner and saw other children his age holding candied hawthorns bought by adults, his heart would ache inexplicably, feeling an overwhelming sadness he couldn't understand.
Today, he finally understood where this sadness came from.
"Mother, you have never taken the initiative to care about me all these years," Night Star couldn't help but say, feeling a sense of rejection within himself, an inexplicable aversion to what he had always wanted. He realized this stemmed from years of pent-up resentment.
"I'm sorry, my child. Your father died because of you, and I was heartbroken... I wronged you. I hope you can forgive me for what I've done over the years. Deep down, I still love you," Old Madam said passionately, conveying a deep maternal sentiment. Night Star's heart stirred, and Old Madam quietly observed his expression, giving a knowing glance to his older brother.
Jiang Huai immediately understood and stepped forward to say, "Nephew, you have no idea how severe that palace coup was back then. Many powerful figures lost their lives because of it; entire families were exiled or executed—hundreds of people. We had no choice but to act in self-preservation. Your mother didn't want to send her own child away; who could bear to see their child sent to such a place?"
Pausing for a moment and noticing his expression softening slightly as if he began to understand, he continued, "In this world, blood ties run deep! Which mother would willingly abandon her child for power or those hollow and useless things? It was Consort Hua who forced our hand; otherwise, the Night Family would not have made such a drastic decision." The Chancellor spoke with tears streaming down his face, revealing a hint of sorrow etched on his weathered features.
"Poor my sister, so young yet bearing such immense suffering."
After saying this, he looked at Old Madam. His words came from the heart; he had thought this way for a long time.
Although Night Star couldn't fully accept this matter at the moment, he was somewhat prepared to accept it.
He could understand; after all, being among the powerful was like walking with tigers—one misstep could lead to annihilation. Everyone lived in fear and struggled to climb higher. Yet, since it happened to him, it felt like a colossal joke.
"What should I do?" After a moment of silence filled with an eerie atmosphere, the handsome man before Old Madam finally spoke in a calm voice that revealed no emotion.
Looking at his expression, she noticed that it was also cold and devoid of any joy or sorrow.
Jiang Huai felt a pang of anxiety in his heart, slightly worried and unable to decipher Night Star's feelings or what his next move might be.
However, since he had said that, it must mean he was inclined to agree. With this thought, Jiang Huai let out a sigh of relief and said softly, "You should listen to me; it would be best to do so in a few days..."
As he spoke, his voice lowered gradually, barely audible to the two of them. Old Madam's face was cold and distant, seemingly returning to her former high and aloof demeanor, imposing and untouchable, showing no trace of affection towards her son.
Yet, despite this, she still had to endure and strive to put on a façade of a suffering mother. She needed him to help her biological son solidify the Empire, to use him for her brother's purposes, ensuring that the world belonged to the Night Family and that it was their legacy!
In the afternoon, the flowers in the back garden bloomed. The Seasonal Begonia had just been transplanted because Mo Xier liked them. A few days ago, Night Star had sent people to bring in a large quantity of these flowers from elsewhere.
These flowers were extremely delicate and difficult to cultivate, and they were rare in the capital of the Heavenly Universe Kingdom; apart from the palace, they were nowhere else to be found.
He did not know where Mo Xier was at that moment but hoped she could feel everything he had done for her. The fragrance of the flowers enveloped the entire Night Manor, noticeable even to passersby.
However pleasant the floral scent was, some Jade Bitches began to lose their composure. Jiang Wei stepped out and inhaled the faint floral aroma. Hearing from his subordinates that Night Star had specially planted these for the woman mentioned in the missing person notice, he felt a slight fondness for Night Star. But then he caught sight of his damned cousin from afar.
That woman looked quite good—delicate and charming, easily evoking pity and affection from men.
For some reason, he felt a sense of aversion towards such women. In the royal courtyard of Penglai Nation, women like this were often very calculating. He had encountered many beautiful women before and had been quite taken with them in his youth.
But gradually, he realized that the more fragile and pitiful a woman appeared, the more malicious and dark her heart could be. Some could even commit acts of cruelty that he, as a man, found hard to accept.
Liu Xuxin walked gracefully towards him with a shy smile and said affectionately, "Are you enjoying the flowers, my lord?"
Jiang Wei shot her a cold glance without responding and turned away dismissively.
Liu Xuxin was stamping her feet in anger as she watched the elegantly dressed man walk away in the distance. She felt somewhat discouraged, thinking that such popular figures must have significant backgrounds.
If she were fortunate enough to win the favor of one of them, it would be a lifetime of Wealth and Glory, and she wouldn't have to cling to her cousin's tree for survival.
Moreover, thinking of that Jade Bitch made her even angrier. Her cousin was infatuated with her, but what was so good about her that she wouldn't even glance at Liu Xuxin? In her heart, she believed she was far more noble than that wretched woman.
Whether it was in voice, status, or demeanor.
As she pondered this, she suddenly remembered someone who had come with that group last night. He was quite handsome, almost too beautiful—more beautiful than many women.
Although the Young Master appeared younger than the man she had just seen, she noticed how those around him treated him with exceptional respect and deference. He must also come from a distinguished background, making him a suitable match for her. If not, she could always seek him out!
Feeling slightly excited at the thought, Liu Xuxin returned to her room to carefully prepare herself. Holding a plate of pastries, she headed toward the guest room.
Before leaving, she specifically instructed her maid beside her, "If anyone asks where I have gone, just say that I am feeling unwell and taking a walk alone in the garden."
The maid lowered her head in response, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her mistress. "Rest assured, Miss. I know what to do."
Liu Xuxin nodded; she naturally trusted this maid completely. She had been raised by her mother and was exceptionally clever and resourceful—far superior to ordinary servants.
If it were up to her to handle things, Liu Xuxin would trust her without hesitation.
As for Cui Er—hmph! A useless person; what good is there in keeping her around?
With these thoughts in mind, she happily stepped out.
Ajin was in her room, looking into the mirror as she braided her hair and then put on a small cap. Her slender figure was hidden beneath a loose robe. She turned around perfectly in front of the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.
She was extremely pleased with her appearance. Although her body was not as robust as a man's, her delicate look exuded an elegant charm reminiscent of a scholar.
Her playful face already had striking features, and dressed as a man, she presented a different kind of allure. A refined gentleman, gentle as jade, could hardly compare.
She thought to herself that this appearance would be presentable in front of her brother. Although cross-dressing was not ideal, it was unavoidable when out in the world; surely her brother wouldn’t think too much of it?
Thinking of her brother made Ajin's heart ache, a sharp pain constricting within her. Tears of sadness were on the verge of overflowing.
That feeling was exceptionally stifling and unbearable. No matter what she did, her brother always appeared cold and fierce, as if she were inherently worthless. Yet she didn’t wish to be that way; it was simply beyond her control.
To survive, she lived this way, but her brother could not understand the plight of a poor woman.
Feeling downcast, Ajin gently wiped the corners of her slightly damp eyes when suddenly she heard a knock at the door. Panic surged within her as she quickly put away the mirror, dried her eyes, stood up on the soft wolf fur carpet, and walked towards the door.
She adjusted her appearance to look more presentable and couldn’t help but call out, “Who is it?”
With a creak, the door hinge turned, and the intricately carved antique wooden door swung open. As light flooded in, she realized that it was the beautiful woman who had been flattering her brother last night!
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