Peaceful Farm Life-Chapter 1060 - 1061: Thinking of Retreating

He truly hadn’t expected Su Haoyu to become a vegetarian and avoid seeing anyone on the anniversary of his and his sister’s death each year.

However, Gong Juechen immediately shook his head inwardly. It was all a facade! Su Haoyu was just putting on a show! If Su Haoyu hadn’t wanted to kill his own son, why would his imperial consort mother have faked his death and sent him out of the palace?

...

The next day, Gong Juechen entered the palace to examine the Emperor of Xiyun’s health.

If Xiao Changyi hadn’t known Gong Juechen might be Su Chenglin, he might not have also entered the palace that day, but now he knew and feared that Gong Juechen might harm the Emperor of Xiyun, so he too, entered the palace.

An Jing, being at home to take care of their four children, did not accompany Xiao Changyi to the palace.

While Gong Juechen was examining the Emperor of Xiyun, Xiao Changyi quietly observed.

If Gong Juechen was truly Su Chenglin, and yet did not acknowledge the Emperor of Xiyun, clearly there was deep resentment, and he was genuinely worried that Gong Juechen might harm the Emperor, his adoptive father.

Since Xiao Changyi had matters to discuss with the Emperor of Xiyun that day, Gong Juechen did not find Xiao Changyi’s presence at his side to be inappropriate.

After finishing the pulse examination, Gong Juechen said, "Your Majesty, you are overthinking and overexerting yourself, which worsens your condition. I hope you take care of your health."

The Emperor of Xiyun, sitting back, merely fluttered his eyelids at Gong Juechen’s words and said nothing.

Su Chengyu asked, "Do you need to take medicine?"

Gong Juechen replied, "Taking more medicine cannot compare to resting for a day without working or worrying."

Seeing the Emperor of Xiyun still not speaking, Su Chengyu then had someone escort Gong Juechen out.

Previously, physicians from the Imperial Hospital had also advised the Emperor of Xiyun not to overexert or overthink.

"Father..." Su Chengyu began to speak and then stopped, clearly feeling uncomfortable. Watching the father he loved age so quickly made him feel even worse.

The Emperor of Xiyun finally spoke, "Chengyu, you haven’t finished approving those memorials for me. Go and do so. I would like to speak to your imperial brother alone."

"Yes," Su Chengyu respectfully withdrew.

After Su Chengyu left, the Emperor of Xiyun first took a sip of tea, then smiled at Xiao Changyi, "There’s no stopping old age."

He paused, sighed, and then said, "Yi Er, I am truly old now, and a lot of things are beyond my strength."

Xiao Changyi no longer stood, but sat down, still expressionless, yet feeling very troubled inside.

The Emperor of Xiyun wasn’t angry at Xiao Changyi’s demeanor, instead, he looked at him affectionately and after a while, he asked seriously, "I am thinking of abdicating the throne to Chengyu early. What do you think?"

Xiao Changyi did not specify his thoughts, simply responding, "Once you step down from that position, come live with me."

The Emperor of Xiyun’s eyes immediately teared up, and he nodded with a smile, "Alright, I will stay with you."

After a while, the Emperor of Xiyun added, "I will abdicate due to my inability to bear the burden of my health. Once the announcement date is set, attend court that day to witness it, and support Chengyu."

"Mm."

...

Upon returning from the palace, Xiao Changyi relayed to An Jing that the Emperor of Xiyun intended to abdicate.

An Jing was initially stunned, having never expected the Emperor of Xiyun to abdicate early; she always thought he would remain emperor until his dying day. When she collected her thoughts, she nodded in agreement, "The adoptive father is looking quite aged, he really shouldn’t overexert himself."

She paused, then added, "Once the adoptive father steps down, let’s bring him to live with us at our home."