HNYWEF -Chapter 122 Before the Truth

The hall was utterly silent.

So silent that one could hear the wind outside the window, and even the beat of one’s own heart.

Li Shimin sat behind the desk, looking at the child before him.

Those eyes were fixed on him.

Not pleading, not questioning—just watching.

Waiting for him to speak.

Li Shimin remembered the first time he had met this child.

It was at the Zhou family’s iron workshop, when Zhou Xiong had just moved into Chang’an.

The boy had stood at the doorway, timid, hiding behind his father.

Later, they became familiar. He would call him “Uncle Li,” accept the New Year’s money he handed over, and stand foolishly staring at Li Zhi during lantern festivals.

Li Shimin had thought the child would always remain that way.

Grow up safely under his father’s protection, marry Li Zhi, become a royal son-in-law, and live a peaceful life.

But now—

That child stood before him, asking about something from fourteen years ago.

Li Shimin remained silent for a long time.

Zhou Yi did not rush him.

He simply stood there, waiting.

Finally, Li Shimin spoke.

His voice was lower than usual.

“Zhou Yi, do you know how many years I’ve been thinking about what you’re asking?”

Zhou Yi said nothing.

Li Shimin continued, “Ever since that day, I’ve been thinking. Thinking about how to explain it to your father and son, how to repay that debt, how…”

He paused.

“How to face your father’s eyes.”

Zhou Yi’s gaze flickered slightly.

Li Shimin looked at him.

“I’ve seen your father’s eyes twice. Once fourteen years ago, and once last month, at the palace gate.”

He stood up and walked to the window.

With his back to Zhou Yi, he looked outside.

“The first time, he carried you away. I stood there and didn’t chase after you. The second time, he spat and turned to leave. I still stood there.”

Zhou Yi stood in the center of the hall, looking at that back.

That back seemed slightly smaller than usual. He didn’t know if it was the light, or something else.

Li Shimin did not turn around.

His voice came from the window.

“You’ve come to ask me now. If I tell you, what are you going to do?”

Zhou Yi said, “I haven’t thought about it.”

Li Shimin replied, “Then think about it now.”

Zhou Yi fell silent for a moment.

“Your Majesty, I want to know the truth first.”

Li Shimin turned and looked at him.

“And after you know? Hate me? Hate Li Zhi? Or go back and hate your father for hiding it from you all these years?”

Zhou Yi froze.

Li Shimin walked back to the desk and sat down.

He looked at Zhou Yi, his gaze deeper than before.

“Your father has his reasons for not telling you. If I tell you today, you must think carefully—after you know, how will you face him?”

Zhou Yi stood there, silent.

Li Shimin waited a moment.

Zhou Yi thought for a while.

“I know my father.”

He spoke slowly.

“If he truly hated someone, he wouldn’t let that person enter his house. He wouldn’t let that person give me New Year’s money. He wouldn’t let that person sit in our hall drinking tea.”

He looked at Li Shimin.

“He’s hated you for fourteen years, but when you came to our home, he never drove you away.”

Li Shimin said nothing.

Zhou Yi continued, “That day at the palace gate, he came to see you. Later, Uncle Qin told me—you stood there, he spat, and then left.”

He paused.

“If he truly hated you to the core, he wouldn’t have just spat and walked away.”

Li Shimin’s eyes moved slightly.

Zhou Yi said, “So I think there’s more to it. It’s not as simple as my father hating you.”

Silence filled the hall again.

Li Shimin looked at the boy for a long time.

Then he suddenly let out a soft laugh.

Zhou Yi was startled.

Li Shimin said, “The fact that you can think like this means I didn’t misjudge you.”

Zhou Yi did not respond.

Li Shimin stood up.

He walked to the window again.

This time, he did not turn his back. He stood there, looking outside.

After a moment, he turned back and walked to the desk, stopping in front of Zhou Yi.

They stood very close.

Li Shimin spoke.

“Zhou Yi, whether you tell your father the truth today after you hear it, or choose not to—that is up to you.”

He looked into Zhou Yi’s eyes.

“But you must understand—some things, once known, cannot be undone.”

Zhou Yi said nothing.

Li Shimin waited a breath.

Then continued.

“Your father raised you all these years. I don’t know how he lived through it. I only know he never let you starve or freeze, never let you be bullied, and raised you into who you are now.”

He paused.

“He hid it from you not to protect me—but to protect you.”

Zhou Yi stood motionless.

The jade pendant in his palm was clenched even tighter.

Li Shimin looked at him.

He looked for three breaths.

Then he nodded slightly.

“Alright. I will tell you the truth.”

He turned and walked to the window again.

Stood there for a moment.

Then he spoke.

Outside the window, the wind swept through the trees, rustling softly.