"Ye Fan, where are they going?" Liang Rujing asked curiously after watching the funeral procession leave.
She had been staring at the coffin of the husky the entire time.
When they first met, she was completely captivated by the two adorable little creatures and didn't have time to think much about it.
Now, she was suddenly curious.
This coffin-shaped object must be some sort of treasure, right?
She wondered what it was used for…
"Wherever they want to go, as long as they never come back," Ye Fan replied dismissively.
In his heart, he was thinking:
"I hope they die out there!"
It would save him from a sneak attack later!
Liang Rujing didn't ask any more questions.
In her opinion, Ye Fan must have important tasks for them.
As an outsider, it wasn't appropriate for her to pry.
It was a shame that she wouldn't be able to see the two cute little guys for the next few days.
"Tell me, what do you want to eat?" Ye Fan reached out and patted Liang Rujing's head. "I'll make it for you now."
"Oh, Ye Fan, I didn't come to your place to eat today," Liang Rujing said with a smile. "Ah, no, it is about eating, but not eating here."
Liang Rujing didn't notice Ye Fan's gesture at all.
It was as if everything was as it should be, appearing perfectly natural and harmonious.
"Not eating here?" Ye Fan was taken aback. "Are you saying you want to take me out to eat?"
"My father and mother told me today that they want to invite you to my home for a visit," Liang Rujing replied. "And to have a meal with you."
"Eat at the imperial palace?" Ye Fan was even more confused.
Although he was quite familiar with Liang Rujing, he had never met the Emperor of Da Liang before.
Why would he suddenly invite him to dinner?
Then it dawned on him.
Liang Rujing came here to eat almost every day, so the Emperor must know.
Perhaps the Emperor misunderstood why his daughter was always at his place.
Maybe he thought Ye Fan was trying to pursue Liang Rujing, or vice versa.
With the dignified princess visiting a man like him every day, the Emperor was probably worried.
"It's getting late, let's go," Liang Rujing urged.
"Alright, then we'll eat at your place today," Ye Fan said with a smile and left with Liang Rujing.
Ye Fan had no objections to eating at the imperial palace.
As for feeling nervous or scared, that was even less likely.
After all, in some of his past lives, he often dined or fought with all sorts of gods and deities, let alone a mere human emperor.
The carriage carried them towards the imperial palace.
The Emperor and Empress stood inside, waiting for Ye Fan's arrival.
To be honest, the Emperor was quite nervous.
After all, in his eyes, Ye Fan was a representative of some powerful being, and he couldn't afford to make any mistakes in hosting such a person.
Moreover, he wasn't sure if the other party would be displeased by his sudden invitation.
"Your Majesty, although Ye Fan may be a representative of some powerful being," the Empress comforted him softly, "we are merely inviting him to a meal. He shouldn't be angry, should he?"
"I understand," Liang Dekuai replied, patting the Empress's hand.
In fact, besides being nervous, he was also a little displeased.
His little "Jiu" (Liang Rujing) kept going to that young man's place. Could it be that they had taken a liking to each other?
The thought of his beloved "Jiu" possibly falling for another man made Liang Dekuai unhappy.
Even though he knew it was normal for Liang Rujing to fall for another man at her age, he still felt unhappy.
This was not related to his status as Emperor.
It was a peculiar sentiment stemming from his position as a father.
Even if they did indeed hit it off, he wouldn't stop them.
After all, if she could be with Ye Fan, the representative of a powerful being, it would be "Jiu's" fortune and the fortune of the Liang family.
But he just couldn't help but feel unhappy…
In short, he was a confused mix of nervousness and displeasure…
Around noon, Liang Rujing returned with Ye Fan.
Since it was a private invitation from Emperor Liang Dekuai, there were no other irrelevant people around.
At this moment, only Liang Dekuai, his wife, their daughter, Ye Fan, and the palace maids and eunuchs busy serving dishes were in the room.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," Ye Fan said with a respectful bow.
Although Ye Fan appeared calm on the surface, his heart was in turmoil!
He had always regarded Liang Rujing as his granddaughter, even more so than his two senior sisters.
Now, upon seeing Liang Dekuai, he finally understood why!
They looked so alike!
The appearance of the Emperor of Da Liang was remarkably similar to his deceased son!
For a moment, Ye Fan even thought his son had returned!
Ye Fan was incredibly excited!
How long had it been since he last saw his son?
Four hundred thousand years?
Five hundred thousand years?
Or perhaps even longer…
Although time could heal all wounds, that familial bond was deeply etched in Ye Fan's heart, never to be erased.
Looking at Liang Dekuai before him, Ye Fan's memories flooded back…
His son's first cry upon birth.
The first time he called him "Dad."
The excited expression when he first became a cultivator.
And finally, the moment he tragically died before his eyes…
Memories of happiness and pain intertwined, and Ye Fan's eyes gradually welled up with tears…
He suddenly had an impulse.
He wanted to rush over, embrace the man tightly, and gently stroke his head.
He longed to say the words he had never uttered back then.
"Son, I'm sorry, I failed to protect you!"
"It was all my fault."
"If I could turn back time, I would give up all my cultivation and status, and live in seclusion in the mountains with you and your mother."
"To be an ordinary person who works when the sun rises and rests when it sets."
…
In the end, Ye Fan held back.
Despite his deep longing, reason told him that the person before him was merely Liang Rujing's father, the Emperor of Da Liang.
Just someone who looked like his son.
Nothing more.
If he were to act like that, it would be inappropriate…
Ye Fan blinked, suppressing the tears that threatened to fall.
All that he had thought and felt had passed in an instant.
"I heard before that little Jiu had made a new friend and I've always wanted to meet them, but I've been too busy," the Emperor said with a friendly smile. "I hope you're not angry with me for inviting you to dinner so abruptly."
"Your Majesty is too kind," Ye Fan replied politely. "It's not something everyone gets the fortune to do, to eat in the imperial palace of Da Liang."
After all, he was Liang Rujing's father, so he had to show some respect.
Moreover, given how much he resembled his son, he had to give him face.
Even though Ye Fan knew clearly that Liang Dekuai merely resembled his son, he couldn't help but see him as his son.
Even if it was fake.
Even if he was deceiving himself.
At least it would alleviate his longing.
From now on.
This son, I, Ye Fan, have recognized!