"Then my Divine Father and I saw Fifth Highness staring at Sister Lucia without blinking, taking out his handkerchief—he probably wanted to help her wipe away her tears."
She spoke with quick wit and innocent candor, painting the scene vividly: "But he stretched his hand out two or three times and still didn’t dare to give it! In the end, that Sigil Sect cutie saw what was happening, took the handkerchief, and handed it to Divine Lady Lucia instead."
Lucia Lu recalled that moment, her lips curving ever so slightly.
"You little rascal!" Ryan Lu tapped her forehead. "Handing someone a handkerchief—how does that turn into talk of marriage?"
Mia Quinn said, "My Divine Father went home and chatted with my mom, saying Fifth Highness likes Sister Lucia, and that the two of them are a perfect match!"
Mia shamelessly sold out her parents’ pillow talk without a care.
Lucia Lu eyed Mia Quinn, deeply convinced that it’s best not to let kids out unsupervised until they’re grown.
"Hehe! Honestly, I think Senior Sister and Little Five are a perfect match!" Adrian Drake grinned. "If you two get married, your kids would be gorgeous!"
Lucia Lu shot him a look. "Shut up, you!"
...
When His Majesty the Celestial Emperor returned to the palace, he found Little Five curled up alone in a corner, not even turning on the lights.
"Little Five? Why aren’t you turning on the lights?" The Celestial Emperor waved his hand, and the room lit up.
Then he saw Sean Shaw’s crimson eyes.
"Little Five!" The Celestial Emperor frowned and went over to put his arm around Sean’s shoulders. "What’s wrong? Did they bully you again?"
Sean Shaw shoved his father’s hand away, furious.
"I’m sorry... I shouldn’t have brought you there..." The Celestial Emperor looked deeply apologetic. "I just thought, your elder brothers haven’t come home in a hundred years, so we could all gather as a family..."
Sean glared at him. "Celestial Emperor, I’m not part of your ‘family’! I never should’ve existed! I ruined your family’s happiness and harmony! I’m an outsider! I’m your disgrace! Why did you let me be born?!"
"I’m sorry... I’m sorry... It’s all my fault." The Celestial Emperor was heartbroken. "Little Five, it’s all my fault."
Sean turned to look out the window, his eyes rimmed red.
"Don’t be sad! Don’t cry." The Celestial Emperor tried to hug him again, but Sean pushed him away.
The Celestial Emperor fell silent for a while, then said, "Little Five... Your mother and I were married by arrangement. Even after having your older brothers and sisters, honestly, I didn’t know what love was until I met your mother."
Sean ignored him, refusing to look his way.
"It was only after meeting your mother that I understood what it meant—‘One brief meeting of golden wind and jade dew surpasses countless earthly encounters.’ The days she stayed at Celestial Palace, carrying you, were the happiest of my life, truly..."
Sean still didn’t respond.
"Little Five, your existence isn’t a mistake. To me, you’re a miracle, a dream, the crystallization of love." The Celestial Emperor said. "But I wronged the Empress... I feel guilty toward her, so I’ve let her have her way in everything."
Sensing Sean’s resistance softening, the Celestial Emperor took his hand and said, "Little Five... You’re a young man now, maybe you have a girl you like. Could you try to understand your father a little? Stop being so angry, okay?"
Sean glanced sideways at him, sniffling.
"Oh? You’re willing to look at me now? Calmed down?" The Celestial Emperor teased. "Don’t tell me—you really do have a girl you like?"
Sean immediately yanked his hand back.
"Oh my, are you actually shy now?" The Celestial Emperor laughed. "Let me tell you, if you like someone, go after her bravely! As long as she likes you too, I’ll help you marry her!"
Sean looked at his father, a spark of light in his eyes.