Cultivation Goddess
Chapter 240
Concubine Tang asked Jian Heng to sit down and let her walk near the door. With tiptoes, he walked quietly closer to the door. As the door opened abruptly, the person outside was shocked and reflexively picked up the horses.
“Xi Changyi!” exclaimed Consort Tang who was also surprised by the existence of the First Son.
The person called Xi Changyi felt relieved after seeing Consort Tang was fine. He immediately let down his guard and behaved normally.
“Sorry, Your Grace. I thought there was an intruder. I was like hearing a man laughing around here.”
Changyi moved his head to the right and left to see the situation inside Consort Tang's room.
“Come in!”
Consort Tang's relationship with all of Emperor Xi's sons was excellent. He did not discriminate against them despite being born from a different womb.
Seeing Jian Heng being there, Changyi immediately walked ahead of Consort Tang to approach him.
“Heh, Naughty Child! How long haven't you been home?" Changyi smacked Jian Heng's shoulder then sat down next to him.
Jian Heng smiled. Then swung his fist in front of Changyi. Their fists clashed softly.
"You've never felt how wonderful the outside world is, Brother. I'm sure you'd be reluctant to go home if you knew how it felt."
Changyi's face became grim. "I don't have the courage like you. Father will definitely give me severe punishment if I break his orders."
Jian Heng did not want to discuss about this any further. He thought of another topic to talk about. After this he must prepare to receive punishment from his father.
"How are you doing, Brother Hao Xiang? You guys still like fighting over the training ground or not?" Jian Heng acted as if he would not experience anything bad after this.
"You still remember it. I really thought you'd forgotten us."
Consort Tang brought drinks for her two sons. Behind him two servants brought food for them. Jian Heng and Changyi were unaware of his mother's departure until he returned.
"Talking is postponed first. Eat up!" Concubine Tang pushed the porcelain dishes filled with food before them.
Not only was Jian Heng hungry, Changyi who had just finished training felt the same way. They were both in a race to finish the meal.
Concubine Tang shook her head at the childish behavior of her son. Outside they look tough and powerful. However, when they were in the midst of a family, they were very different.
Time passes so fast. Dusk began to fall, forcing them to return to their respective villas and ending the warmth in the afternoon.
Concubine Tang escorted the two to the front door. There was worry in his heart. The smile of happiness on his face, in a moment it would definitely be tears. Ready or not, he had to see Jian Heng punished by his father.
The news of Jian Heng's return finally reached Emperor Xi's ears. He ordered his aide to call Jian Heng after dinner. His calm face did not show anger. However, the look in his eyes exuded a firmness.
Tonight Empress Han prepares a special banquet for dinner. Everything he did to welcome Jian Heng's return. Even though Emperor Xi considered it excessive, he still did not budge. To him, Xi Jian Heng was already like his own son.
"Don't be too hard on your son. He's an adult now. Be softer or you'll lose her forever." Empress Han spoke to Emperor Xi who was sitting pensively in her room.
Emperor Xi only glanced at him a glance then turned back to look at the empty spot.
"You know what it is about educating children. He was a man, the gentleness would only make him weak. I was planning to just marry her off so she'd stay at the palace." Emperor Xi's voice sounded heavy and trembling.
Empress Han didn't want to interfere more deeply. She understands how her husband is. It was very hard to be influenced and so stubborn. But actually, he is very loving.
They don't talk to each other anymore. Empress Han helped Emperor Xi change her clothes and tidied up her appearance. Although only attended by the nuclear family alone, he had to look authoritative.
In the banquet hall were already waiting for the four sons and two concubines of Emperor Xi. The youngest Hu Chu ran over to his father and struggled in his arms. They very rarely met despite being in one palace.
The atmosphere became tense. No one dared to make a sound before the Emperor sat on his seat of greatness.
Jian Heng advanced before him then saluted him. "Jian Heng saluted you, father."
"Sit down!"
Emperor Xi's gentle demeanor made him suspicious. Usually Emperor Xi would show his anger by ignoring him. However, Jian Heng did not want to think negatively.
Consort Tang and Consort Liu looked at each other. They dare not speculate. What will happen next they cannot predict.
The waiters served food at their desks. Before Emperor Xi opened the conversation, they no one dared to start. They chose to enjoy the delicious food in front of him while waiting.
Unlike before, Changyi and Jian Heng behaved more courteously. So was Hao Xiang who had been holding himself back from speaking. He felt that his two brothers were unfair to him. They secretly met without involving him.
Concubine Tang and Consort Liu looked at her four sons. Their togetherness made the hearts of the two feel cold. They hope this situation will continue.
Occasionally Emperor Xi glanced towards Jian Heng. He quietly continued to observe the physical changes of his son. He felt an aura of energy that was so powerful from his body. His strength exceeded Changyi and Hao Xiang.
After finishing dinner, Emperor Xi brought the family to the palace hall.
Anxiety began to envelop Consort Tang's heart. Actually it was not just him, everything in the room looked tense. They hoped that Emperor Xi would not give a heavy punishment to Jian Heng.
Two years ago, Jian Heng was sentenced to receive 100 lashes and tied up overnight outside the palace. Not only that, he still had to train a hundred war horses within a week. That opportunity he used to run away from the palace on the grounds of bringing a war horse to a more spacious place.
It took a great deal of guts for a Jian Heng to return home. I don't know what kind of punishment he'll receive after this. In order to keep her mother feeling, she tried to be calm.
Consort Liu tried to calm Consort Tang who was starting to look moody. Several times he rubbed his shoulders and grabbed her.
"Dian Heng! Come closer!" Emperor Xi's heavy voice rang out amidst the silence of the night.
Hao Xiang and Changyi stared dejectedly at Jian Heng. Hu Chu had yet to understand what was really happening, He did not show any expression.
Changyi patted his shoulder gently. That small treatment became a very meaningful moral support for Jian Heng. The sulking Hao Xiang did the same to him.
Jian Heng stood before his father. Emperor Xi's seat was at a higher place leaving the two at a distance.
This time, Emperor Xi descended from his throne and stood before Jian Heng.
Jian Heng stood up sculpting and let his father walk around him while observing his body. He did not understand his father's intention to do so.
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