“This son came to ask if Royal Father remembers my mother.” Qi Yun stared at the emperor and noted the flash of surprise and derision on the man’s face. It made his fury burn hotter.

Before the emperor could respond, he took a deep breath and continued, “When I was young, my mother was the only one by my side. Royal Father is too busy to even pay me a visit. Mother was never allowed to attend the family dinner due to her lower background… Days after days, she waited for the man who’d promised her a lifetime of happiness to come, but he never did. She was still defending you even right before her death… She should’ve led a carefree life, but she was trapped in this palace with no end in sight.”

His eyes turned red as he swallowed a sob, reminiscing about the loved one he’d lost.

“I only have one question for you,” Qi Yun said slowly, pronouncing every syllable. “Have you ever regretted it?”

The emperor frowned. After a long pause,...