25 Parents

-Court room-

After Daiyu ran out, Fan Ying felt a headache coming. He ran his fingers through his hair as he held back the urge to punch himself.

"You were too tough on her. She's just a baby."

His wife felt disappointed and he could feel it.

"How come you didn't tell me you had a daughter? Do you even consider me your brother anymore?"

"Li she was born a few days ago I didn't have the chance."

"WHAT!? AND SHE AND SPEAK AND WALK ALREADY? DON'T LIE TO ME!"

It was only normal for the emperor to be in disbelief. That was just NOT normal. However when he looked over at Nuwa Yenay he could only accept her answer.

"It's true"

After learning this, everyone was surprised but their surprise quickly turned into anger.

The first to burst was the emperor.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU SCREAMED AT A BABY WHO IS ONLY A FEW DAYS OLD! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!"

Everyone joined in. Hearing everyone's reasoning only made Fan Ying feel more remorse.

His wife defended him but everyone knew that you still shouldn't scream at a newborn child.

"You could cause her to feel hated and lonely. Did you know that could cause a huge trauma?! This isn't how mother taught you to be."

The emperor sighed in disappointment but he didn't notice the couple stiffen and remember a very important aspect that had been haunting their daughter, her trauma.

At that point, Fan Ying fell into panic and endless guilt his heart was in pain as he burst out of the room and left behind nothing but wind.

"What happened? Why did his mood change so quickly? Clearly it wasn't that bad a few moments ago."

As the wife of the general she had to explain their reason for coming and for his panic.

"The reason we came here was to avenge our daughter. The cause of why we're here and why my husband ran so quickly was because of our daughters trauma. As you can see our daughter is especially smart…"

She recounted everything that had happened since the birth of Daiyu.

"Hearing you talk about a possible trauma is worrisome because she could be engulfed by the Cari that's after her at any time and that's why he left so hurriedly. He must be drowning in guilt at the moment."

There was a long silence before the emperor ran out and everyone followed him.

That small child had captured all their hearts so they all panicked after hearing what she went through at such a tender age.

[How dare that quack hurt my niece? I will make him pay with blood!]

The palace was basically turned upside down but nobody could find her.

Nuwa Yenay cried in frustration.

"My baby girl. Where are you?"

Fan Ying had been searching nonstop but he had already gone through everything more than three times.

"Brother is there any other place left?"

The emperor thought but the only place he could think of was that cottage.

Thinking of it cause his eyes to churn with unknown emotions.

"Yes but only we, her family, can go there."

Everyone immediately backed out after all every empire had its own secrets.

The trio rushed to a faraway small cabin hidden behind trees.

It was old and the roof had holes everywhere. It was so broken down and pitiful. The sight of it made the couple get nervous.

"Could our jade really be in there? It looks terrible. Children usually in safe places when they are scared. How could she feel secure there?"

Nuwa Yenay gazed at the small cabin filled with spider webs and creeping animals everywhere. Just looking at it made her feel disgust.

The emperor sighed, "Before we go in. You must guarantee that this will not be spread anywhere. Nor one can know who is behind that door."

"Brother. I can assure you complete secrecy but who lives here?"

The two men looked at each other. There was something in the emperors eyes that seemed to she guilt and shame.

"My son. Illegitimate son. I know that I can trust you since we grew up together even though we aren't directly related. Even if out blood bond is little our love bond will be strong but because of this it only makes it harder to tell you how he was born."

…

He took a deep breath and summarized everything the best he could.

"His mother was a beautiful woman. She a appeared out of thin air and became a servant in my palace. I was drugged and seduced by her. She ended up leaving for some time and came back with the baby before leaving without him. When my empress learned about it she became furious and jealous. I had promised to stay faithful and I failed her. She couldn't take the anger to I had to abandon him here. I know my wife has been torturing him and starving him but I can't do anything since it was my fault. I left him there and I didn't do anything about it. I'm a horrible father. The empress has yet to get pregnant and that only makes her take out her anger on him more. He is innocent, but what can I do when I love my empress so much?"

There was silence. Fan Ying could only shake his head and head towards the cabin.

He heard her soft sobs when he neared the door. His arms trembled as he listened to her cries.

"What's wrong? Why are you sad? Please don't cry."

A small voice interrupted her cries. They could all hear the warmth in his voice.

They listened to everything to the end.

Hearing his daughters insecurities made them all writhe in pain. They wanted to comfort her but the one who did was not them but a mere stranger.

However how could they take it out on a boy who seemed so lonely.

"Can you visit me whenever you have time?

I'm three years old and my name is…

Lóng Wei"

When he introduced himself, his request to have a friend was filled with sadness and nervousness.

Unbeknownst to them, everyone who had been listening outside where already at the brink of tears, especially Yenay and the emperor.

Daiyu looked up at the Long Wei and smiled, "As long as my daddy or mommy brings me here I will play with you…"

"But, why are you so frail? Are you sick? I will ask daddy to bring you with me and I will protect you! You comforted me so you are my friend and treat my friends the best!

I also need to ask uncle if he lets us adopt you. Oh wait where are you parents I need to help them too!"

Looking at the baby's excitement lifted his mood but her last question stifled the air.

"What's wrong? Why do you look so sad?"

He looked at her and gave out a painful smile.

"I don't have parents."

…

The small silence seemed eternal to those inside and outside. The emperor sighed.

"We killed the mother in her most vulnerable state. She was so weak after giving birth. It was unfair for that boy. We were unfair."

Fan Ying looked up at the emperor and said, "If you don't want him, I will take him."

"Nobody will know he's yours and he won't be mistreated. My daughter needs more servants. Ha. She said that to me to pick up a homeless girl. If we already got one what is wrong with one more. She needs friends. Let me take him with me. He can work to live with us and no one will know where we picked him up. They would think he came from a low status and we took him up just like the tiny girl."

Before the emperor could respond, the door opened and two small figures appeared in front of them.

In the light the boy seemed much more fragile and starved.

Fan Daiyu saw the scars hidden within his clothes. She lifted his sleeves and everyone gasped.

Even the emperor had not expected it to be so bad. The boy seemed like he could break at any moment.

"Take him General Fan"

He looked at the boy with guilt.

Long Wei looked back. There was no emotion reflected in his eyes. It was as if he were looking at a stranger instead of his father.

"Long Wei, I- I didn't know it was this bad before. I'm sorry. I know I can't make it up and the empress probably won't let me, so I will send you off. Away from here.

You will live with General Fan and work to live with them."

The small boy looked at the general.

[What is there to lose?]

He looked to his side at the small girl.

[Ah. That's what I will lose. My first friend.]

He didn't want to leave anymore. She was worth the torture. She was an angel. She was his comfort.

He tightened his grip and failed to notice her excited expression until she shook his shoulders.

"Long Wei! Long Wei! Aren't you happy! This is good!"

He looked at her and her words broke his heart.

[You want me to leave?]

His sad eyes made her question him, "Why are you sad? You don't want to come home with me? You don't like me anymore?"

His sad eyes brightened and almost blinded them all. He looked at her with astonishment and surprise, "The general is your father?!"

She giggled at his dazed expression, "yes!"

The small boy looked at the general and his wife in reverence as he bowed.

"Please take care of me"

For some unknown reason Fan Ying felt a little displeased.

[Hmph. He only gave in when he heard I was Daiyu's father. I'm starting to regret my decision but Daiyu looks so happy.]

The small girl suddenly withered.

[She was so happy moments ago. What happened?]

Long Wei patted her head and tried to make her happy again. He could feel daggers coming from a certain father so he quickly stepped aside.

Daiyu looked at her father. Her insecurity was growing again after that warmth and comfort disappeared. She grew increasingly nervous as her father walked towards her.

She cringed away in fear and ran back into the cabin.

[Father please don't leave me! Father please don't hate me!]

She hid in the small corner beneath the table and calmed down.

Fan Ying on the other hand felt heartbroken, "I can't believe I was so cruel to her."

He wanted to punch himself so bad at the moment.

When he went in, he couldn't see her.

He began to look everywhere until a small voice filled with hidden anger sounded.

"That's not were she feels safe. You're looking through the cleanest places but why would she hide in this place if it didn't look as it did. Dark. Hidden. Empty. Lifeless.

She needs a bubble. Come with me."

Fan Ying hesitated but still followed him.

Underneath a small rotting table filled with cobwebs in the darkest corner hid a small ball. She was curled up and her face was hidden between her knees. She was so small. So smart. But… So scared.

Scared to be hated.

Fan Ying hugged her and cried out to her.

"My baby I'm sorry. I'm so sorry"

He apologized until her rapid breathing calmed down and her small face looked up.

"Daddy?... You're not angry anymore?"

"My treasure daddy is sorry. Daddy isn't angry."

"Daddy won't hate me?"

"Daiyu, daddy will never hate you."

At that she finally relaxed and fell asleep from exhaustion.