Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 106 The Secret is Too Heavy

As night fell and the lights came on, Chang'an City was immersed in a bustle. However, this prosperous scene could not dispel the haze that shrouded Hu Bugui's heart.

In his mind, the spy's last whispers kept echoing: "You...you are...he is yours...", intermittent, but every word was like thunder, exploding in his ears. Finally, the spy used up his last bit of strength and revealed the secret that had been hidden for many years: "He is your father...the emperor...is your father..."

Hu Bugui's mind went blank, as if struck by lightning. How could this be possible? How could the emperor be his father? He grew up in a border area and had never seen the emperor's face. How could he be related to the emperor who was so high above him?

"No, it's impossible..." he muttered to himself, stumbling and nearly falling.

Back home, Hu Bugui locked himself in his study, not saying a word. His mind was full of thoughts, but he couldn't make sense of them. The spy's words were like a sharp blade, splitting his past life in two, one half was bright and aboveboard, and the other half was full of mystery.

He began to doubt everything he had, his status, his honor, and even his love, all of which seemed to be built on lies. If he was really the emperor's illegitimate son, then was all he deserved? Was the prime minister's deliberate attempts to win him over, and the emperor's special regard for him, all because of this secret identity?

Thinking of this, Hu Bugui felt an indescribable anger and humiliation. He had always thought that he relied on his real talent and knowledge, but he didn't expect that fate had already arranged everything for him.

"Your Highness, you haven't eaten for a day. Please eat something." Wu Tao walked into the study room with food and looked at the haggard man in front of him with heartache.

Hu Bugui seemed not to have heard it. He still sat in the chair blankly, with empty eyes and pale face.

"Your Highness..." Wu Tao called softly, put the food on the table, walked to his side, and held his cold hand.

"Tao'er..." Hu Bugui finally came back to his senses. Looking at the woman who had always been by his side, a trace of pain flashed in his eyes, "I...I..."

He wanted to tell her everything, but he didn't know where to start. This secret was too heavy, he was afraid of scaring her, and even more afraid of losing her.

"Your Highness, no matter what happens, Tao'er will always be by your side." Wu Tao looked at him tenderly with a firm tone.

However, Hu Bugui could not give her any promise. At this moment, his heart was already swallowed by great panic and confusion. He did not know who he was, nor did he know where to go. He was like a lone boat, drifting in the storm, unable to see the direction or find a destination.

 Peach Blossoms Shining in Chang'an Chapter 107 The Truth Revealed

Wu Tao's heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand. She could feel the pain and despair emanating from Hu Bugui. He was like a wounded lone wolf, licking his wounds alone and refusing anyone to approach him.

She put down the food in her hand, walked gently to his side, wrapped her arms around his cold arms, and put her cheek on his shoulder, trying to warm him with her body temperature. "Your Highness, no matter what happens, Tao'er will always be with you." Her voice was soft, but full of determination.

Hu Bugui's body trembled slightly. He lowered his head and looked at the petite figure in his arms, feeling mixed emotions. She was so kind and gentle, like a blooming peach blossom, bringing him warmth and light. However, he could not respond to her deep affection. He was afraid that his secret would taint her, and even more afraid of losing her.

"Tao'er, please go out first. I want to be alone." His voice was low and tired, as if it came from far away.

Wu Tao bit her lip. She knew she couldn't force him, so she could only get up silently, clean up the food on the table, and leave the study.

The door of the study closed gently, and Hu Bugui fell into silence again. He closed his eyes, and the spy's dying words and the emperor's majestic face kept appearing in his mind.

Is all this true? Is he really the emperor's illegitimate son? This thought was like a raging fire, burning in his heart and devouring him.

At this moment, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside the door, followed by the eunuch's shrill voice: "The Emperor has arrived——"

Hu Bugui opened his eyes suddenly, his heart filled with surprise and uneasiness. Why did the emperor suddenly come to his residence? Did he already know the truth?

Before he could figure it out, the emperor had already strode into the study. He looked at Hu Bugui with mixed emotions in his eyes, including shock, guilt, and helplessness.

"Bugui, I...I have something to tell you." The emperor's voice was a little hoarse. He walked in front of Hu Bugui and spoke slowly, "I...I already know about your life experience."

Hu Bugui's heart sank suddenly. He knew that this moment had finally come.

"I...I'm sorry for you and your mother..." The emperor's voice was filled with pain and regret. "Back then, when I was still a prince, I had a brief affair with your mother. Later, I was made the crown prince and had to marry and have children. From then on, I cut off contact with your mother. I...I never thought that she would...be pregnant with your child..."

Hu Bugui's mind went blank as he listened to the emperor's words. He had always thought that he was an orphan without a father or a mother, but he never expected that his life experience would be so complicated.

"Bugui, I know it's too late to say this now, but...but I want to make it up to you and give you a status." The emperor looked at Hu Bugui, his eyes full of expectation, "I...I have decided to publicly recognize your identity and confer you the title..."

"No need!" Hu Bugui stood up suddenly and interrupted the emperor's words, his eyes full of anger and resistance, "I don't need your charity, let alone your status!"

The emperor was shocked by his reaction. He never thought that Hu Bugui would reject his kindness.

"Bugui, you...why are you doing this?" The emperor wanted to persuade him again, but was forced back by Hu Bugui's cold eyes.

"I'm tired, Your Majesty, please go back." After saying this, Hu Bugui turned and walked out of the study, leaving the emperor with a resolute back.

The emperor stood there, watching Hu Bugui's back as he left, his face full of helplessness and sadness. He knew that this incident was too much of a blow to Hu Bugui, and he needed time to accept it all.

At this time, Hu Bugui was filled with pain and confusion. He didn't know where to go, nor how to face this sudden blow. He just wanted to escape from it all, escape from this place that suffocated him... Peach Blossoms Shining in Chang'an Chapter 107 The Truth Revealed

Wu Tao had been waiting anxiously outside the door. When she saw Hu Bugui coming out, she immediately went to meet him and asked worriedly, "My Lord, are you okay?"

Hu Bugui didn't say anything, just shook his head and walked straight out.

"Your Highness, where are you going?" Wu Tao asked.

"Leave here." Hu Bugui's voice was soft but full of determination.

Wu Tao said without hesitation: "I'll go with you."

Hu Bugui stopped, turned around and looked at her, with a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Tao'er, do you know what this means? If we leave here, we will have nothing. You have to live a life of wandering with me..."

"I'm not afraid!" Wu Tao interrupted him, her eyes firm and clear, "As long as I can be with the prince, I'm willing to go anywhere."

Hu Bugui's heart was deeply touched. He reached out his hand, gently stroked her cheek, and said in a hoarse voice: "Tao'er..."

In the end, he didn't say no because he knew that he couldn't leave her anymore.

In this way, Hu Bugui and Wu Tao left the prosperous Chang'an City and embarked on an unknown journey. What will be waiting for them?

Outside Chang'an City, on the official road, a simple carriage was slowly moving. The driver was Hu Bugui, the once high-spirited prince, but now he was dressed in coarse cloth, and his eyes looked more vicissitudes.

Wu Tao sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain, looked at his profile, and felt distressed. She knew that although Hu Bugui didn't say it, he couldn't let go of the secret of his life experience in his heart.

"Your Highness, where are we going?" Wu Tao asked softly.

Hu Bugui tightened his grip on the reins and was silent for a moment before answering, "Go to Jiangnan."

Jiangnan is his fiefdom and the place where he grew up. Perhaps, only there can he find true peace.

Along the way, they slept in the open and experienced many hardships. But Wu Tao never complained. She used her optimism and strength to melt the ice in Hu Bugui's heart bit by bit.

They would talk about each other's past by the campfire at night. Wu Tao would tell all kinds of anecdotes about modern society, making Hu Bugui laugh. Hu Bugui would also recall the happy times in Jiangnan when he was young, and his eyes gradually regained some spirit.

By chance, they passed by a small town. A temple fair was being held in the town, which was very lively. Wu Tao enthusiastically dragged Hu Bugui to watch the lion dance, but they were separated by the crowd.

Hu Bugui was anxiously looking for Wu Tao, but at the door of a teahouse, he heard a familiar voice. It was the voice of the prime minister, with a hint of pride and viciousness in his tone.

"The emperor is seriously ill and the prince is young. Sooner or later, the world will be mine!"

Hu Bugui was startled and quietly walked to the window and looked inside through the gap.

I saw the Prime Minister conspiring with a man in black with a serious expression on his face.

"I have already completed the task that the prince instructed me to do." The man in black lowered his voice and said, "The secret letter has been delivered to the emperor."

"Very good." The Prime Minister nodded with satisfaction. "As long as the emperor believes that Hu Bugui is his illegitimate son, he will no longer trust him. At that time, I can..."

The prime minister hadn't finished speaking, but Hu Bugui had already understood his intention. It turned out that all this was the prime minister's conspiracy! He used the secret of his life experience to sow discord between him and the emperor, with the purpose of usurping the throne!

Hu Bugui clenched his fists, a raging rage burning in his heart. He must not let the prime minister's conspiracy succeed! Hu Bugui felt a chill rushing from his feet to his head. The prime minister's words were like sharp blades, completely shattering the peaceful world he had built for himself over the years. He staggered back a few steps and bumped into a roadside stall, which immediately alarmed the people in the teahouse.

Hu Bugui didn't care about many things. He had only one thought in his mind: go back to the palace, go back to the palace immediately! He had to stop the prime minister, protect the emperor, and give himself and his mother an explanation!

Wu Tao finally squeezed out of the crowd, but she couldn't see Hu Bugui. She was anxious and looked around, and suddenly heard a burst of hurried horse hooves. She looked up and saw Hu Bugui riding a tall horse, galloping towards the city gate.

"Your Highness!" Wu Tao shouted loudly, but Hu Bugui seemed not to hear her and left without looking back.

An ominous premonition arose in Wu Tao's heart. She vaguely felt that something was changing, and this change made her feel scared.

A few days later, Hu Bugui returned to Chang'an City, which he had been away from for a long time. He did not take time to rest and went straight to the palace to meet the emperor. In the imperial study, the emperor looked at his son who had lost a lot of weight, and a complicated look flashed in his eyes.

"Father, I am guilty, but I have been wronged!" Hu Bugui knelt on the ground with a firm tone.

The emperor did not speak, but just looked at him quietly, as if waiting for his explanation. Hu Bugui took a deep breath and told the prime minister how he used the secret of his life experience to sow discord and intend to rebel.

After the emperor heard this, his face turned pale and he slammed the table, "How dare the prime minister deceive the emperor like this!"

"Father, I can guarantee with my life that everything I said is true!" Hu Bugui kowtowed and said, "Please let me see clearly!"

The emperor was silent for a long time before he slowly spoke: "Do you have any evidence for what you said?"

Hu Bugui shook his head and said, "I only learned about this by chance, and I don't have any solid evidence."

"Without evidence, how can I believe you?" There was a hint of fatigue in the emperor's tone.

Hu Bugui was speechless. He knew that it would be difficult for the emperor to believe him based on his one-sided words. Moreover, the prime minister had been in the court for many years and was deeply rooted. It would be difficult to overthrow him.

At this moment, a guard hurried into the imperial study and knelt down to report: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister wants to see you!"

The emperor glanced at Hu Bugui and said in a deep voice, "Announce!"

The prime minister walked into the imperial study and saw Hu Bugui kneeling on the ground. A hint of smugness flashed in his eyes. After paying his respects to the emperor, he pretended to be heartbroken and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that Bugui...he actually returned to Chang'an. I am really..."

When the prime minister said this, he deliberately paused, as if he found it difficult to speak.

"Prime Minister, just say whatever you want to say." The emperor said calmly.

“Your Majesty, don’t give it to him… He is yours after all…” The Prime Minister glanced at Hu Bugui and said in a low voice, “If his identity were to be spread out, it would probably shake the foundation of the country!”

The emperor's expression suddenly became even uglier. He was silent for a long time before he waved his hand, signaling the prime minister to leave.

After the prime minister left, only the emperor and Hu Bugui and his son were left in the imperial study. The emperor looked at Hu Bugui with eyes full of pain and struggle.

"Go away, I don't want to see you again." The emperor's voice was full of fatigue and helplessness.

Hu Bugui knew that at this moment, any words would be pale and powerless. He kowtowed again, then stood up and left the imperial study silently.

He didn't know what fate awaited him, but he knew that he had to find evidence to prove his innocence and protect the one he loved. And the secret of his life was still like a huge rock, weighing heavily on his heart, making it difficult for him to breathe.