Observing this, Wei Xuan felt uneasy and spoke to his two elder brothers, “The Emperor is so heartless, why…”
Wei Luo shot a cold look at him, silencing him.
Wei Yan glanced at the window and advised him in a hushed tone, “Be cautious; disaster may befall from loose lips.”
No matter how indifferent the imperial grandfather might be, he was still a father. Unless pressed by urgency, a father wouldn’t be heartless to his own son. Seated on the dragon chair was their father’s nephew, their cousin, who perhaps wished to deflect blame for his errors.
After their conversation, they waited for another half an hour, ensuring their father was asleep. The three brothers then returned to their respective lodgings.
The bed in the post station had witnessed many years of use, creaking softly with every slight movement. Wei Luo simply lay flat, unmoving.
The tent carried a faint odor, but Wei Luo paid no mind to it, lost in contemplation atop the bed.
When the former Crown Prince Uncle was alive, he always assumed the role of a supportive brother. Even when some exposed the misdeeds of the vassal kings, he spoke in defense of his younger brothers.
Regardless of the uncle’s character or the dynamics between him and the Emperor, the uncle never tried to remove the vessel kings.
On the other hand, Wei Ang, the Emperor’s grandson, was different. Not long after he assumed the role of the Emperor’s grandson, he showed an inclination to withdraw them from the domain, a proposal that the Emperor denied.
While this proposal wasn’t made public, the vassal kings had their own sources in the capital and could unearth secrets. Their father had even mentioned it to the three sons during their errands.
With imperial grandfather gone, what would Wei Ang do?
Rationally, Wei Luo felt that it was a good thing that his father could not go to Beijing. If he went, he may not be able to come back.
He had only met his grandfather once, and had no deep relationship with him, but his father was different.
Putting himself in the same situation, Wei Luo couldn’t stand it if his father threw him out of town until he died and refused to see him.
With all kinds of things in his mind, it was not until the third hour that Wei Luo finally felt a little sleepy. At that moment, there was a slight sound of the door opening outside.
It seemed to be on the father’s side!
Wei Luo got up quietly, put the sword behind his back with one hand, quietly opened the door on his side with the other, and looked sideways.
With his hands behind his back, King Yan strolled lightly in the corridor and unexpectedly encountered a crack in the door, as if his son were guarding against a thief.
Upon locking eyes, King Yan came to a halt. Wei Luo opened the door, scanning the surroundings habitually after emerging. He sheathed his sword and explained in a hushed voice, “I heard a strange noise; I didn’t know it was you.”
Despite the late hour, his son had detected the subtle movement. King Yan smiled, looked ahead, and said, “Let’s go.”
Wei Luo followed his father into the yard.
It was March 18th, and a bright moon faintly illuminated the sky. A stone table occupied the yard, and King Yan seated himself on a stone bench, gazing at the moon. He instructed Wei Luo, “Go fetch the wine jar.”
Wei Luo swiftly retrieved a wine jar and two bowls.
After pouring a generous amount for his father, he sat down beside him.
King Yan remained silent, consuming bowl after bowl.
Wei Luo stayed still. Observing his father ready to pour the third bowl, he finally reached out to restrain the wine jar, saying in a low voice, “Father, you didn’t eat enough dinner, and you are harming yourself by drinking too much.”
King Yan clutched the wine jar tightly, glaring at his son. “Release.”
Wei Luo refused to let go.
King Yan’s gaze turned colder.
In Wei Luo’s mind, a recollection surfaced— the family banquet on the night of Yin Yong’s birthday the previous year. The old man had been in high spirits, desiring a drink, only to be scolded by his granddaughter.
Wei Luo had then remarked, “Mr. Yin enjoys his wine. In the past two years, Mrs. Yin has taken charge, preventing him from drinking too much. She said she would rather be unfilial for a while, in exchange for the old man’s life reaching a hundred years.”
King Yan snorted, “So you also want to take care of me?”
Wei Luo nodded in agreement.
In this tense standoff, the wine in King Yan’s stomach began to ignite. He might not have felt it due to frequent drinking.
Growing irritated, King Yan slapped his son’s wrist but Wei Luo refused to release the wine jar.
King Yan, without bothering to look at him, shifted to the opposite stool, sitting with his back to his son, gazing up at the moon.
After some time, King Yan grew curious about his son’s presence and, upon looking back, found his son calmly returning the gaze.
If it was companionship, he remained silent. Yet, if King Yan spoke with irritation, his son’s eyes remained clear, displaying no impatience.
Frustrated, King Yan snapped, “What are you doing here?” Having just lost his father and feeling uneasy, shouldn’t his son know to offer some comforting words?
Wei Luo was at a loss for words.
He had been concerned about the possibility of an assassin and, during his inspection, was discovered by his father. Consequently, his father instructed him to join him.
King Yan pointed to the guest room, saying, “It’s none of your business; go back.”
Wei Luo, however, refused to leave and finally stated, “I’ll sit with you for a while.”
Annoyed, King Yan retorted, “You don’t need to accompany me!” His son appeared sulky, seemingly unaware of what true companionship entailed.
Wei Luo continued to remain silent.
Observing his son’s icy demeanor and recalling the cautious look when he opened the door, King Yan inexplicably smiled again.
Smiling and sighing, he stood up, saying, “Alright, it’s cold at night; let’s all go to bed early.”
Wei Luo then accompanied his father to the door before retreating to his own room.