Chapter 16: Heartbroken

Hua Qiyue's voice turned a little nasally, as though she was about to burst into tears. Lvxin and the others assumed that she was just too overwhelmed with pity for the child due to her kind nature. "Quick, call her ‘Mother,’" Youshui said gently as she patted Tianci's shoulder. However, the child was so terrified, he reacted like a surprised rabbit. He shot a terrified glance at Hua Qiyue, and then hid behind Youshui. Hua Qiyue's heart sank. Youshui heaved a soft sigh and said, "After all the suffering this child has been through, he has naturally developed a fear of strangers. You must be patient." Hua Qiyue nodded and slowly approached the child. Each step she took felt extremely heavy, as though she bore the weight of the heavens on her shoulders and in her heart. She approached him and took Tianci's hand in hers. Frightened, the child struggled with all his might but she refused to let go of his hand. "From now on, you shall be known as Hua Tianci. Don't be afraid… your mother will protect you henceforth. No one will be able to hurt you again! If anyone dares to hurt you, I will tear them into pieces!" Hua Qiyue said solemnly. The child looked at her with his large eyes. "Son…" Tears rimmed Hua Qiyue's eyes and her nose felt stuffy. In her past life, she’d doted on him and protected him carefully at all times. She’d dedicated her life to making Tianci’s better. And now Tianci had been tortured by the man who’d raised him and his cruel mistress. As Tianci’s mother, she felt that she had failed in her responsibilities and had been too ignorant! Tianci looked at her red-rimmed eyes and relaxed when he did not see any malicious intent there. He cocked his head to the side. Hua Qiyue's gaze fell on his small hands. The hands that had been as fair and tender as a lotus were now covered with scars. She couldn't bear to think of how much pain he had been through! Hua Qiyue picked Tianci up, and he was so frightened that he curled up in her arms and did not dare to move. Hua Qiyue brought Tianci into his new room and placed him on the bed. "Lvxin, tell the kitchen to prepare lunch and send it over…" She sounded like she was about to burst into tears and Lvxin and Youshui exchanged a worried glance. Since Hua Qiyue had returned, she was like a completely different person. She was extremely clever and scheming, so much so that Second Concubine and Hua Mengshi suffered for no reason. However, there was always a sorrowful look in her eyes. Her gaze when she looked at Tianci was so filled with grief and regret, like she was seeing her long-lost son. This was not the time to speak, so they quietly left the room to give mother and son some time alone. "Tianci, I'm sorry… you've suffered so much… I'll never, never let you go through such hardship again!" Tears finally formed in Hua Qiyue's eyes and the teardrops grew until they were as large as crystal pearls when they fell. Tianci stared dumbly this strange woman in front of him. His mother had just passed away and everyone at home treated him harshly. Especially that vicious Princess Huizhen, who would use her sharp nails to dig into his skin, and even feed him poison that caused him to be mute. It had only been for a few short days, but Tianci felt as though he had fallen from the mortal realm into hell, for everywhere around him was filled with filth and darkness. Pain was his constant companion. He was surprised that this woman he was now meant to call "mother" had actually shed tears for him. Tianci blinked and stretched out a small, trembling hand to wipe the tears from Hua Qiyue's face. Hua Xiyue shuddered, then hugged Tianci tight and cried soundlessly. Tianci seemed to have grown more comfortable with her and patted her shoulder in a reassuring way. She didn't know how long she had been crying for, but after she stopped, she dropped a soft kiss on Tianci's forehead. "Tianci, from today on… you shall call me "mother," do you understand?" Tianci looked at her pitifully and Hua Qiyue suddenly remembered that he could no longer speak. Hua Qiyue's eyes took on a savage glint at the thought of how much he had suffered despite his young age. "Don’t worry, Tianci,” Hua Qiyue thought to herself, “I will seek vengeance on your behalf. Everyone who made you suffer shall pay the price!" Despite what he’d been through, she wanted Tianci to retain what innocence he could, and not burden him with thoughts of revenge.