As soon as they entered the room, the three children sat around the table like book boys with their hands folded on top of each other. Gu Beiyue missed the sight. A few years ago, the three children used to sit around him like this every morning in the palace and listen to him tell them stories.
Where did he get so many stories to tell? All he told was history. He treated Cloud Realm Continent's centuries of history as simple stories for the children to understand.
Rui 'er would always ask why this and that, while Yan' er only cared about this and that person. Little Shadow usually fell silent until Rui 'er and Yan' er finished asking before he added a few more questions.
Gu Beiyue knew that the three children weren't waiting for a story, but an answer from him.
Qin Min had always wanted Little Shadow to see him, but he refused. Now it was time for Little Shadow to show up. He had to personally teach him the essence of the Shadow Arts.
He never expected Rui 'er and Yan' er to come as well. Since they were here, it was impossible to hide the truth. They were all children that he had personally taught. He knew their tempers and thoughts very well. Hiding his illness from them would only make them suspicious.
As soon as Gu Beiyue sat down, the three children turned to look at him. Little Shadow could see how pale his face was under the lantern light.
"Father, are you feeling unwell?" Little Shadow's calm heart grew uneasy again.
"Mhm, father is sick," Gu Beiyue said simply.
"Grand Tutor!" Yan 'er exclaimed.
He's sick, but he doesn't want anyone to know. This …
Rui 'er didn't speak, but his brows furrowed. He knew things weren't as simple as they thought.
Little Shadow quickly took his father's hand and took his pulse. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell anything. He immediately looked towards his mother on the side.
Qin Min didn't know how to deal with these children, much less what Gu Beiyue was planning. She could only remain silent.
The little shadow looked at his father again with an inquiring gaze, but there was caution and uneasiness in his eyes.
Gu Beiyue stroked the little shadow's head and smiled. "Don't worry, it's just that the illness is a little serious and needs to rest."
"Thus, daddy has been living here for a very long time, is that right?" Little Shadow asked.
Gu Beiyue's judgment was right. He could not hide anything from this child. Back then, she had kept this child because of his talent. She had not expected him to be such a smart and introverted child. Perhaps it was innate, or perhaps it had something to do with Qin Min's teachings over the years.
Gu Beiyue admitted, "Yes, I've been living here."
"Grand Tutor, have you been recuperating for the past two years?" Yan 'er could not help but ask.
Before Gu Beiyue could answer, the little shadow's tears suddenly flowed silently from his eyes. He hurriedly wiped them away, but the tears continued to flow.
He remembered those days in Ningzhou. From then on, his father had been taking medicinal baths. Later, when he returned to the capital, his father often took medicinal baths as well. His mother always told him that it was just a matter of recuperating and not an illness. But now …
How could he be so stupid! Why didn't anything go wrong?
Not to mention other things, even with his father's medical skills, he could not cure himself after so many years. This was enough to frighten him.
Little Shadow did not want to cry, but his tears were not obedient and did not live up to his expectations. They flowed non-stop. He silently wiped them away, but it was too late.
Gu Beiyue panicked and hurriedly carried Little Shadow over. At this moment, Yan 'er wailed loudly. Rui' er immediately carried her over and covered her mouth.
"Grand Tutor, what's wrong with you? Tell me." Rui 'er's voice was choked with sobs, but he was still calm.
Gu Beiyue helped Little Shadow wipe his tears as he comforted him. "It's just that the illness is a little serious and has been for a long time. Don't worry, nothing big will happen."
As soon as he said this, Yan 'er let go of her brother's hand and cried, "Then why didn't you let everyone know? Why did you lie? Wuwu … Grand Tutor, you lied. You lied to everyone! "
Little Shadow looked up and choked with sobs. "Father, you lied."
Gu Beiyue was truly at a loss, but he remained calm. "Yan 'er, give it another half a year. The ten-year agreement between your imperial mother and your grandfather, Han Chen, will be up. It will be a tough battle of great importance. If your imperial mother loses, she will have to stay in the Poison Sect's forbidden grounds to guard the mausoleum. If she wins, the Great Qin's northern borders will be safe for decades! "
Although Han Chen had promised Long Fei Ye that he would protect the Great Qin's northern borders for twenty years, to him, Long Fei Ye, and Han Yunxi, Han Chen's protection was only a temporary measure. Their own strength was the only thing that mattered. After all, Han Chen was in closed door cultivation all year round and did not take care of the Wolf Sect's affairs at all. And the eldest miss of the Wolf Sect was no pushover!
Half a year ago, Long Fei Ye and Han Yunxi had personally made a trip to the Ice Sea and Mysterious Continent to gather some information in the south. Moreover, Gu's frequent trips over the past few years had brought him quite a bit of information as well.
The final battle in half a year's time would definitely be a tough one!
The three children quieted down at the Grand Tutor's words. They were also lost. They didn't know what this had to do with the ten-year agreement.
Gu Beiyue gently wiped away Little Shadow's tears and said seriously, "Shadow, father's illness is very serious. We still haven't found a cure. Today, father will tell you all about it. Keep it a secret for half a year, alright? "
Little Shadow's tears flowed again, even more fiercely than before. Yan 'er cried silently as well. Even the usually calm Rui' er couldn't help but sniffle.
What did it mean to be sick for so many years with no cure?
They were still young, but they all understood.
Gu Beiyue felt like a knife was stabbing his heart when he saw the children's tears.
The children were the ones who should've kept this a secret the most. If he had known that Yan 'er and Rui' er would come, he would've made a secret trip to the capital.
Suppressing his heartache, Gu Beiyue said seriously, "Her Majesty's ten-year agreement is very important. His Majesty is busy with state affairs and has to deal with a myriad of affairs every day. Just treat this as my little secret with you all, alright? After half a year, when the ten-year agreement is over, you can tell me again, alright? "
Hearing this, the children finally understood why Gu Beiyue wanted to hide it. However, Qin Min turned her head away. She really wanted to cry.
Half a year?
Gu Beiyue only had less than half a year left to live!
After the ten-year agreement, the Emperor and Her Majesty would never see Grand Tutor Gu again. There would no longer be a Gu Beiyue in this world!
They had been working hard for the past two years. However, his prophecies were like a curse to himself, coming true one after another. Even his estimation of the time was so accurate.
Gu Beiyue, you lied again! You even lied to the children!
But, I can't expose you.
What's the use of exposing you?
What's the use of His Majesty and Her Majesty knowing about this? If he couldn't save himself, who could?
Not disturbing the ten-year agreement was an excellent reason!
Gu Beiyue held Little Shadow's hand and made a pinky promise with him. "After half a year, you can tell His Majesty and Her Majesty on behalf of Daddy, alright?"
Qin Min was still able to hold on. Her eyes had not turned red for a long time. However, when she heard this sentence, her eyes turned red. Because of the word "replace" in that month!
Little Shadow didn't know the meaning of the word "replace". He didn't know that after half a year, his father would no longer be alive to expose this lie and reveal this secret. So, he used the word "replace".
Little Shadow hesitated.
"Daddy, what illness are you suffering from? Can you find a way to cure it in half a year? If you don't recover, what will … what will happen to you? "He asked timidly.
"A strange illness. Your mother has been looking for a solution. Don't worry. If you don't recover, you can only soak in the medicinal bath every day. "Gu Beiyue didn't give Little Shadow any leeway and said seriously," Promise Daddy, alright? "
"Really?" Little Shadow asked seriously.
Gu Beiyue smiled faintly. "If you don't believe me, then forget it."
Little Shadow couldn't stand Daddy's bluff and hurriedly hooked his finger. "I believe you!"
After Gu Beiyue hooked his finger with Little Shadow, he extended his hand to Rui 'er and Yan' er. "Your Highness, Princess, do you agree to the half-year agreement?"
Little Shadow had already agreed, so how could they not?
The siblings' hearts trembled at the thought of helping Grand Tutor deceive Imperial Father and Imperial Mother. They often lied about small matters, but when it came to such a big matter …
Gu Beiyue seemed to have seen through the siblings' thoughts. He said, "If His Majesty blames you after half a year, Grand Tutor will bear the brunt."
Rui 'er and Yan' er exchanged glances and extended their hands.
Seeing this, Qin Min's heart was filled with helplessness and pain. However, she couldn't help but admire Gu Beiyue's plan.
If he had said that his illness was mild or had used some other excuse, the children would definitely not have believed him. If he said that he was seriously ill and couldn't be cured, the children wouldn't even have room to doubt his illness.
"Rui 'er, you're here to practice martial arts, right?" Gu Beiyue asked seriously.
"A few more days," Rui 'er answered truthfully.
"Shadow has to stay and practice with me. Yan 'er, you …"
Before Gu Beiyue could finish, Yan 'er interrupted, "I can't stay. If I stay, Imperial Father's Shadow Guard will come looking for me. I … I'll go to Clearbreeze Mountain with Big Brother. "
If it was any other time, Rui 'er would definitely reject her. Not only was this girl noisy, but her martial arts talent was also average. There was a time when she followed him to Heavenly Mountain to learn swordsmanship, which almost annoyed him and the elders to death. Not only could she not learn, but she also spouted all kinds of nonsense.
Given the current situation, Rui 'er agreed without hesitation. "Alright, you come with me!"
Just like that, Qin Min made some snacks for the children.
Little Shadow stayed. Rui 'er was afraid that the Shadow Guard wouldn't be able to find them at dawn, so he took Yan' er back to Medical City that night.
Before they left, Yan 'er thought of Lil Thing. After searching for a while, she realized that Lil Thing was actually on the roof, watching them.
"Lil Thing, are you leaving?" Yan 'er shouted.
Lil Thing understood her and shook its head, not wanting to leave.
"Then you should stay with Grand Tutor too." Yan 'er was about to leave when she turned back to remind it, "Grand Tutor is sick, don't disturb him!"
Lil Thing didn't understand, but it nodded whenever its masters said something it didn't understand.
After sending Yan 'er and Rui' er off, Gu Beiyue accompanied Qin Min and Little Shadow to sleep on the same bed. Qin Min slept on the inside, Little Shadow slept in the middle, and Gu Beiyue slept on his side at the outermost edge.
Little Shadow was very sensible. Even though he had a lot to say to his parents, he was afraid that his father would be too tired, so he didn't dare to say it. He lay on his back, holding his parents' hands, and unknowingly fell asleep.
After Little Shadow fell asleep, Gu Beiyue got up, and Lil Thing, who had been guarding at the side, immediately jumped onto his shoulder.
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