After Su Jinxiu left, the imperial study fell into an eerie silence. Ah Man didn't even dare to look back at her father.
It had been a long time since they had shared a common hatred for a common enemy, and it had been a long time since they had handled something with such tacit understanding.
It was the most common thing for many years, but now it has become a luxury.
Ah Man didn't want to disturb the silence, and Su Jing didn't want to either, but his body couldn't take it anymore and he coughed.
After a violent coughing fit that seemed to cough out her heart and lungs, Ah Man turned around with tears in her eyes, and saw her father covering his mouth with both hands, with bright red blood leaking out from between his fingers.
That bright red, like a sharp blade, pierced through Ah Man's eyes and went straight into his heart.
Even though he had prepared himself mentally, when he saw this scene, Ah Man still couldn't control the panic and pain in his heart.
She stumbled to Su Jing, pried open her hands, looked at the blood flowing from his hands, and tears fell uncontrollably.
"Father, you..." Ah Man choked up, but Su Jing just shook his head.
"I've been overindulging myself lately, I..." Su Jing felt so distressed when he saw Ah Man's appearance. He smiled bitterly and made up the most unbearable excuse, wanting to make Ah Man angry and want her to leave, but Ah Man just held his hand, tears falling down her face, like a child abandoned by her parents.
"A'man, this is all my own fault." What Su Jing feared most was that A'man would cry. Whenever she cried, he felt that he had made an unforgivable mistake. He forced himself to explain, but A'man didn't want to listen to a word of his explanation.
"I don't care why you are so weak. I only ask you to not leave me and Xuan'er. We already don't have our mother, and we can't live without you anymore."
Ah Man didn't listen to Su Jing's explanation, but just stared at Su Jing's hand and said harshly.
Even Ah Man herself was not sure whether this was said to herself or to her father.
Ah Man was also very clear about this. Neither her father nor herself could control birth, aging, sickness and death.
It's just a beautiful wish.
But this beautiful wish is destined to be difficult to achieve.
Su Jing smiled bitterly, raised his hand, gently touched Ah Man's bloody face, and said, "Okay, Father promises you."
The voice was so gentle and loving as never before. As Ah Man listened, tears fell like beads from a broken string.
"It's because my father is useless and fell into someone else's trap, that's why..."
"Mother, is it the same?" Ah Man suddenly looked up and stared at Su Jing with a frank and eager look. Su Jing looked at him for a long time without saying a word.
However, Ah Man had already understood from her father's expression.
All the things that I couldn't figure out before now now have answers.
The Queen Mother will certainly fall into the trap. The Emperor treats me and Xuan'er like this for one reason: first, to protect them. Only if they are disliked by him, the people behind the scenes will not target them. Second, to make them hate him so that if he leaves this world one day, they will not be sad.
"Ah Man, I..."
Su Jing couldn't control his emotions. He knew his daughter best. She was always smart. Seeing her vomiting blood today, he was afraid...
It's all my fault. I can't even hold on for a moment.
"I am just the daughter you want to abandon. Why are you calling me? Aren't you a hero? Why are you calling me? Since you don't like us, I will take Xuan'er away today. How about going to Da Zhou?"
Ah Man was heartbroken, but his words were like sharp needles, as if if he hurt others, he wouldn't have to feel any pain.
"You think you are doing good for us. If I don't know it now, when do you want us to know the truth? After you die? If so, do you think we will be happy?"
After saying that, Ah Man suddenly stood up and walked towards the door of the imperial study. However, when she reached the door, she still did not have the courage to step out.
Because behind the door of the imperial study was her father, the father who always loved and cared for them.
(End of this chapter)