Chapter 348 Beautiful Spider Spirit VS Cold and Ascetic Monk 52
Xuan Ji sat aside, wearing a plain brocade robe, with a calm and detached temperament, but there was a hint of worry between his brows.

He straightened his clothes and said calmly, "Father, this is a long story and involves some worldly events. Although I have been in Buddhism for many years, things in the world are unpredictable. Due to fate, I unexpectedly had these two children."

When Emperor Xuanwu heard that the two children were his, he instantly became alert. He put down the red brush in his hand, stared at him curiously, and asked, "What's going on? Tell me about it."

Because his son was a Buddhist, he did not return to secular life even after returning to the royal family. He was always worried that the Wei Wang Mansion would have no descendants.

I was still thinking about how to persuade him to return to secular life.

I didn't expect that she already had children, two at that.

Xuan Ji looked a little unnatural, he sorted out his thoughts a little and said calmly:

"My father, a few years ago, a scorpion demon was causing chaos in Zhoujiazhuang and endangering the people. I was invited by the people to go to Zhoujiazhuang to eliminate the demon. During the fight, I was accidentally poisoned by the scorpion demon. Although I tried my best to kill the scorpion demon, the poison in my body was not eliminated. By chance, I had physical contact with a commoner girl, and these two children were born to that commoner girl."

He did not mention Yu Yao's identity, but simply used the term "common woman" instead.

Firstly, he didn't want to cause trouble for her. Secondly, Yao'er's identity as a spider spirit was not suitable to be exposed.

Everyone in the world is afraid of monsters. If the emperor knew that the two children were born by monsters, he would definitely be afraid and disgusted, and might even execute them in secret.

"So that's how it is. The world is so unpredictable. You are compassionate and protect all living beings, and you can also take on the responsibility of being a father. I am very pleased."

Emperor Xuanwu did not ask who the commoner woman who gave birth to two children was or where she was. Since Xuanji did not mention it, it was assumed that she was either dead or that there was no result between her and Xuanji.

Whatever the reason, he didn't care.

"Since they are your children, they are of royal blood. You should give them the proper status and protection."

Emperor Xuanwu put the memorial in his hand aside and spoke again.

Xuan Ji bowed slightly and said respectfully: "Thank you for your grace, father. I will do my best to raise them and live up to your high expectations."

"Well, I'm at ease with your work."

Emperor Xuanwu nodded slightly, then changed the subject, "Since you already have a child, why don't you just return to secular life? If you have Buddha in your heart, you can practice anywhere. Why bother with formalities?"

Xuan Ji felt mixed emotions and a hint of pain flashed in his eyes.

He had indeed originally planned to return to secular life, but since Yao'er didn't want him anymore, what was the point in returning to secular life?

His only thought now is his two children. When they grow up, he will return to Wanfo Temple to live out the rest of his life with the ancient Buddhas and the green lamps.

Xuan Ji suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart and looked at Emperor Xuanwu with a calm expression.

"Father, although I have children and have broken my vows, my heart towards Buddhism has not changed. Now I only wish to raise my two children. As for returning to secular life, I have no plans to do so for now."

Emperor Xuanwu frowned slightly, as if displeased, and wanted to speak a few more words of advice, but looking at his son's determined eyes, he knew that it was useless to say more.

He did not try to persuade him, thinking that the Prince of Wei's palace already had an heir, so he let him do as he pleased.

There is no need to cause unhappiness between father and son over such a small matter.

"Well, since you have made up your mind, I will not force you. But you must remember that as a member of the royal family, you should fulfill your duties to the royal family and plan for the future of your two children. Don't be too indifferent to worldly affairs."

Xuan Ji bowed again, "Your Highness understands and will definitely live up to your father's trust."

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of Emperor Xuanwu flipping through memorials and the faint sound of his comments.

Xuan Ji's mind was filled with thoughts. Thinking about the appearance of his two children and his past with Yu Yao, he unknowingly fell into memories.

Although it was short, it was beautiful enough and worth him savoring for his whole life.

Emperor Xuanwu glanced up and saw that he looked dazed, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, and he was obviously very happy.

This son has always been pure and expressionless, and rarely shows emotions. It was unexpected that he could laugh.

Emperor Xuanwu did not ask him what he was thinking, but waved his hand and said, "You can go back for now. When you have time, bring the two children into the palace for me to see."

"Yes, I obey your orders."

Xuan Ji stood up, bowed and responded, then turned and left the imperial study, returning to Prince Wei's mansion with a complicated expression.

The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the bluestone path, lengthening his lonely figure. Although his steps were steady, his heart was in turmoil and difficult to calm down.

He went straight to the side hall to see if the two children were safe.

As soon as I stepped in, a warm laughter came towards me.

Yu Yao was kneeling on the mat, An An and You You surrounded her, giggling, patting her with their little hands from time to time, and shouting, "Mom, let's play together!"

The picture is warm and beautiful. She exudes the radiance of motherhood and her face is filled with a warm and intoxicating smile, which is the warmth that Xuan Ji has long missed.

As he watched, his nose suddenly felt sore, his heart felt bitter, his eyes turned red and slightly moist, and two lines of tears quietly slid down from the corners of his eyes.

To avoid being seen by her, Xuan Ji quickly turned around and wiped it with the corner of his clothes, his face calm again. Noticing the movement at the door, Yu Yao turned around and saw Xuan Ji standing at the door.

The smile on her face froze for a moment, then returned to normal.

She did not get up, but continued to kneel on the mat and play with the two children, and whispered, "I'll come and see the children."

In fact, she would come here quietly every day, but she would basically choose to come when Xuan Ji was not around. I didn't expect to meet her today.

It's a bit embarrassing.

Xuan Ji nodded, walked into the side hall, and squatted beside the mat.

His eyes wandered between her and the two children, and finally landed on her beautiful face, with a complicated look in his eyes, "The two children miss you very much, and they even cried for their mother to hug them at night."

Yu Yao felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by him like this, and she felt bad when she heard his words.

She lowered her eyes, avoiding Xuan Ji's gaze, "I will come to see them often in the future, you don't have to tell me this."

Xuan Ji was slightly startled, a sense of loss surged in his heart, and his eyes gradually dimmed.

The corners of his mouth trembled slightly. He wanted to say something but didn't know where to start.

He stood up slowly, looked at her and the two children, and said in a hoarse voice, "As long as you can come and spend more time with them, I will be satisfied."

She didn't respond and just focused on playing with the two children.

Xuan Ji stood quietly by and watched. Looking at the warm and beautiful scene in front of him, he felt extremely sad.

"Yao'er, have you really decided?"

He spoke with difficulty, and every word seemed to be squeezed out of his throat.

Yu Yao avoided his gaze and gently stroked her hair. "Xuan Ji, I know you love me, but I also cannot ignore Dugu Ye's deep affection. I can only choose one between the two of you. I also gave both of you a fair chance. It was you who hesitated."

Xuan Ji's eyes were filled with bitterness and he was so heartbroken that he could hardly breathe. He tried hard not to show his emotions and tried to make his voice sound calm.

"Yes, I hesitated, and then I lost to Dugu Ye, so I lost you. I don't blame you, I only blame myself for not loving you enough, and not being as resolute as Dugu Ye."

Although Xuan Ji appeared to be very calm, she could still feel the intense emotions surging in his heart.

Just about to say something.

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps hurried into the side hall.

It was a servant from the Prince of Wei's mansion. "Your Highness, Eunuch Fu'an came with the imperial edict, saying that it was for the two young masters."

Xuan Ji was not surprised. He nodded slightly, turned around and said to Yu Yao, "Wait here for a while. I will take the child out to receive the order."

After saying this, he carried An An and You You out.

She didn't want to follow him out, but she was curious about the content of the decree, so she hid her figure and followed quietly behind.

Following all the way to the garden, we saw a fat eunuch holding the Huangling Imperial Edict, followed by many palace guards and eunuchs.

The fat eunuch was Fu'an, the chief eunuch beside Emperor Xuanwu.

Xuan Ji held An An and You You and knelt down to greet them. All the servants in the Prince Wei's mansion knelt on the ground.

Fu An glanced at Xuan Ji and the two children in his arms, then slowly unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud:
"My beloved son, Prince of Wei Duguji, has made great contributions to the country and benefited the people. Now he has two sons, Dugu Rui and Dugu Min, who were born according to the will of heaven. It is a blessing for our royal family. I hereby appoint Dugu Rui as the Crown Prince of the Prince of Wei and Dugu Min as the Princess of Changle, to carry on the legacy of our ancestors. I decree this."

After the reading, Xuan Ji handed An An and You You to the nanny behind him, stood up, took the imperial edict, and bowed deeply to show his gratitude for the emperor's grace.

Yu Yao watched this scene in secret, feeling happy yet complicated.

Suddenly I felt that it would be a good idea to give the child to Xuan Ji.

If the children followed her to the Eastern Palace, even if Dugu Ye treated them well and would not mistreat them, their status would still be awkward.

If he stayed with Xuan Ji, there wouldn't be these problems, and he could also inherit everything in the Prince Wei's Mansion naturally.

And Youyou is also the noble Princess Changle. She is loved by her father, and she comes to visit her often. As long as she doesn't marry the wrong person in the future, she will live a happy and worry-free life.

Seeing that the two children were safe, she felt relieved.

He left quietly without saying goodbye to Xuan Ji.

Xuan Ji saw off Fu'an and his entourage who were there to announce the imperial edict, put the imperial edict away, and when he returned to the side hall, he found that Yao'er had already left.

There was a flash of disappointment in his eyes.

He slowly walked to the mat, squatted down, and gently touched the place where she had just kneeled with his fingers, as if he could feel her remaining warmth and the laughter she and the children left behind.

However, this warmth was fleeting, leaving him alone in his memories, eyes full of worry and loneliness.