Chapter 515: Motherly Love (2)
Chapter 515: Chapter 515: Motherly Love (2)
"I can tell... you are not doing this just because of duty as an envoy. There must be something more..."
Li Feng was slightly stunned by the question.
He remained silent for a moment, thinking about how to answer.
Finally, he spoke honestly, his voice low and sincere.
"At first... Fen Ziyan was just someone I wanted to catch up to... and someone I thought I could use for my own goals."
He smiled faintly, a trace of self-mockery in his eyes.
"But as we spent more time together... I slowly learned that under that haughty and arrogant demeanor, she was actually a very sincere and... quite innocent girl."
Li Feng’s eyes seemed filled with nostalgia, and a hint of longing for that haughty and fiery senior of his, as he smiled slightly and continued.
"She just wanted to improve herself, to become stronger so she could live up to her family’s expectations."
Li Feng’s gaze softened.
"She carried a lot of pressure on her shoulders, yet she never complained. She was always trying her best... even when she was scared or in pain."
"And through many things and experiences, we have grown close, so... I can’t ignore her disappearance."
Concubine Zi listened quietly, her crimson eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Then a gentle, bittersweet smile appeared on her pale lips.
"...That sounds just like my Ziyan."
"Thank you for seeing her true self. Many people only saw her as the proud daughter of the imperial family... but she has always been a good child who works hard in silence."
Li Feng nodded.
"That’s why I will definitely bring her back. No matter what it takes."
Concubine Zi looked at him for a long moment, before murmuring softly.
"...I believe you."
The room fell into a warm, gentle silence as the two of them sat together.
But then Concubine Zi suddenly looked away and murmured.
"You know, Envoy Li... I might be a very bad mother."
Li Feng was slightly stunned at those sudden words and wanted to comfort her, but she continued speaking in a soft, self-blaming voice.
"Because of me... Fen Ziyan was born with extreme talent and... has been chained by it with her destiny. From the moment she was a child, she has always been trying so hard to live up to everyone’s expectations."
Concubine Zi’s eyes turned slightly red as she continued.
"Because of her talent... the imperial family, the court, even her own father... they all placed so much pressure on her shoulders because of her talent even though she was just a small child."
She smiled bitterly.
"She was so young and always remained my precious baby in my eyes. Yet she constantly pushed herself to her limits... training until she collapsed, studying late into the night... all because she didn’t want to disappoint anyone, especially me."
A single tear slowly slid down her pale cheek.
"If I had been stronger... if I had been a better mother... maybe she wouldn’t have to carry so much burden alone."
Li Feng let out a gentle sigh at the sight of such motherly love... a warmth he had never experienced himself.
Even so, he believed in her... just as he had always believed that his own mother must have had a reason for leaving him.
His voice was soft but unwavering as he looked at Concubine Zi.
"You are not a bad mother. Fen Ziyan loves you very much and I could tell. That’s why she works so hard... because she wants you to be proud of her so she will not think her hard work will be in vain or that she will regret it."
Concubine Zi closed her eyes.
"...Thank you, Envoy Li."
After some small talk, Li Feng looked at Concubine Zi with concern and gently suggested.
"Your condition seems quite serious. If you don’t mind, I can check on you. I have some knowledge in medicine and... techniques that might help stabilize your body."
Concubine Zi smiled weakly and shook her head.
"Thank you, Envoy Li... but there’s no need."
Her voice was soft but carried a trace of stubbornness.
"I’ve already troubled you enough. The imperial physicians are taking care of me, and I don’t want to burden you any further."
She looked at him with gentle gratitude.
"Besides... after talking with you today, I already feel a lot better. Just knowing that someone is truly looking for my daughter gives me strength."
Li Feng wanted to insist, but seeing the determined look in her crimson eyes, he could only sigh softly and nod.
"Alright. But if you feel any worse, please send someone to find me immediately. Don’t push yourself."
Concubine Zi smiled faintly and nodded.
"I will."
The two continued talking for a while longer.
Concubine Zi’s complexion seemed to improve slightly, and her voice became a little steadier as they spoke about lighter topics... memories of Fen Ziyan as a child, the beauty of the palace gardens, and even small stories from Li Feng’s journey about how he had met Fen Ziyan in the sect.
Of course, he removed any inappropriate details...
By the time Li Feng stood up to leave, Concubine Zi looked noticeably more at peace.
Before stepping out, Li Feng took out a small jade bottle and placed it gently on the table beside her bed.
"These are some powerful flawless-grade recovery pills I refined myself," he said softly. "They contain pure spiritual energy and can help nourish your foundation and stabilize your condition. Take one every day if your condition seems to worsen."
Concubine Zi looked at the jade bottle with surprise and gratitude.
Her crimson eyes softened as she nodded.
"...Thank you, Envoy Li. I will use them well."
Li Feng gave her a gentle smile.
"Rest well. I’ll come visit again soon."
"Thank you again, Envoy Li," she said softly as he reached the door. "Please be careful out there."
Li Feng turned back and gave her a reassuring smile.
"You too."
With that, he turned and left the chamber.
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After Li Feng’s footsteps faded away, the room fell into silence once more.
Concubine Zi, now left alone, stared at the small jade bottle on the table for a long moment.
Her slender fingers gently picked it up, holding it close to her chest.
She then slowly turned her head toward the window, gazing at the distant sky where the sun was beginning to set.
A soft, bittersweet smile appeared on her pale lips as she murmured quietly to herself.
"So that’s why... Ziyan didn’t return... So she already found someone... someone who truly cares about her."
Concubine Zi couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions swirling inside her heart.
Judging by Li Feng’s words and the way he spoke about her daughter, she knew their relationship was probably not just that of a senior and junior...
"You really have grown... my baby," she whispered, a gentle tear sliding down her cheek. "To think I even have a son-in-law without knowing anything."
She let out a soft, emotional chuckle, though it quickly turned into a weak cough.
"Cough! Cough!"
Her crimson eyes gazed into the distance with both worry and a hint of expectation.
"Soon... I hope you two will be united quickly..."