The little boy’s eyes were filled with seriousness.
That was true. Her son had always been different. He was more mature than children his age, and many of his thoughts and actions were even more thorough than those of adults.
He was no ordinary child.
So when he asked this, Zhao Wu was startled at first, then grew nervous.
She didn’t know how to explain it to him. Perhaps after the Divorce, she wouldn’t be able to take him away from the Gu Family—or, more precisely, from Gu Yunxiao.
After all, Gu Yunxiao’s status was different now. She had no powerful family backing or influence. If he truly fought her for custody of their son, she wouldn’t stand a chance against him.
Besides, if their son stayed with her, he would surely have to endure hardship in the future. She didn’t want her child to suffer alongside her.
If he stayed with Gu Yunxiao, whose status had changed so drastically, he would naturally want for nothing.
Most importantly, Gu Yunxiao could help secure their son’s future.
Teacher Chen had told her several times about her son’s talent for reading. Each time, he urged her to make sure the boy took the Imperial Examination. If she lacked Silver, she could ask him for some; she mustn’t waste the exceptional talent Heaven had given the child.
Thinking about it this way, it would actually be best for her son to stay by Gu Yunxiao’s side.
He could provide their son with better opportunities, unlike her.
At that thought, Zhao Wu suddenly felt powerless.
It was true that she couldn’t bear to part with her son, but it was also true that she didn’t want to hold back his future.
“Mother, you don’t have to worry about anything else. Just tell me: do you want a Divorce or not? I want to know what you truly think.” Zhao Xun watched his mother’s expression change, then reached out and pinched her sleeve, speaking softly but earnestly.
Faced with her son’s serious, stubborn gaze, Zhao Wu’s expression darkened for an instant, but she still voiced her thoughts.
“Mother wants a Divorce.”
Zhao Wu’s voice was firm and resolute.
Gu Yunxiao had already proposed a Divorce. She wasn’t shameless; since their feelings were gone, then they should Divorce and go their separate ways, each finding their own happiness.
Her pride wouldn’t allow her to beg him to stay or cling to him shamelessly.
But… “Son, Mother does want a Divorce, but after your father and I Divorce, he probably won’t let you go. I can’t bear to part with you, and besides…”
She told him everything she had just been thinking, speaking from the heart.
“…So Mother doesn’t know what to do.”
Hearing this, Zhao Xun reached out and took his mother’s rough, slender hand.
He looked her over.
His mother was only twenty-four, the age when a woman was at her most radiant and beautiful. She was independent and capable, no less than any man in the world. A Divorce was for the best; Gu Yunxiao simply wasn’t worthy of such a wonderful mother.
His mother deserved to find a man who cherished her, loved her, and treated her as his whole world.
He understood his mother’s concerns and knew all the things she was worried about.
Even so, she had never considered giving herself up and deciding on his behalf that he should stay with Gu Yunxiao.
“Mother, then get a Divorce. Gu Yunxiao isn’t worthy of you.”
As soon as Zhao Xun finished speaking, Zhao Wu hurriedly said, “But Mother can’t bear to part with you. I can’t live without you. I…” As she spoke, her voice gradually faded, and her expression grew gloomier.
What right did she have to say such things?
She had neither power nor influence, nor the ability to give her son a better life. She couldn’t help his future at all.
Saying this would only put her son in a difficult position.
There was no need.
At the thought, Zhao Wu’s throat tightened, and her eyes reddened.
Seeing this, Zhao Xun knew what she was thinking. His heart ached, and he said helplessly, “Mother, I haven’t even said anything yet.”
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Wu looked at her son with tender eyes, though her voice trembled. “Son, staying with Gu Yunxiao is the best choice for you. I…”
Before she could finish, Zhao Xun cut her off.
“Mother, there is no such thing as the best choice. I understand your concerns, but now you need to hear what I think, all right?”
Zhao Wu was still unsettled, but when she saw her son’s solemn little face, she nodded.
“Mother, all these years, we’ve depended on each other. You’ve made me your whole world, but do you know that you’re the person in this world I could never bear to lose? I understand your concerns, but this has never been what I wanted. Mother, get a Divorce. I’ll stay with you. Wherever you go, I’ll go. I won’t part from you in this life, because you’re my mother.”
When Zhao Xun had first arrived in this unfamiliar world, he had been trapped in a sickly body and was only a baby who needed others to care for him. Honestly, at first, he really hadn’t wanted to live.
Perhaps because of his Reincarnation, he remembered everything that had happened since he was born with perfect clarity.
The helplessness of being an infant was still etched in his mind, as was the bitter Chinese medicine he had to drink every day, which had felt like pure torture.
It was his mother’s patience and love that gradually made him abandon the idea of ending his life and slowly try to accept this unfamiliar dynasty.
To him, she was the most important person in the world.
Without his mother, he wouldn’t be who he was now.
Hearing those words, Zhao Wu was already weeping uncontrollably. She wrapped her arms around her son’s small body.
“Son…”
This was the son she had devoted everything to raising. How could Zhao Wu bear to let him go?
She simply couldn’t bear to part with him.
It took a while for Zhao Wu to calm her overwhelming emotions.
She looked seriously at her son. “Son, you’re still young. You may not understand the power and advantages that come with Gu Yunxiao’s current status. Listen carefully to what Mother has to say. I won’t interfere with your choice. If you still choose to stay with me after hearing everything, then no matter what, I’ll make sure you can stay with me. All right?”
Although she couldn’t bear to part with her son, she didn’t want to deceive him while he was still young and didn’t understand many things, only for him to regret his choice when he grew up.
Zhao Xun wanted to tell her that there was no need to say anything more, but knowing his mother’s nature, he nodded.
She stroked her son’s soft hair and said, “Unless something unexpected happens, your father’s official rank should be at least Fourth Rank, the same as the Prefect of Zhanghe Prefecture. Do you understand what that means? If you stay with Gu Yunxiao, you can want for nothing. You’ll have servants to wait on you, and if you want to study, you’ll have better Teachers. Your path through the Imperial Examination will be much smoother. When you go out, people won’t look down on you so easily. You’ll be a Young Master held in high regard at Gu Manor.
“But if you stay with me, I won’t let you go hungry or cold, but for now, I can’t give you any of those other things. Do you understand?”
After Zhao Wu finished speaking, she watched her son intently, both nervous and eager to hear his answer.
She had already explained the pros and cons to him. Though he was still young, Zhao Wu believed he could understand what she had said.
And although she and Gu Yunxiao had no affection for each other, the child belonged to both of them. That was a fact.
Based on what she knew of Gu Yunxiao, he wouldn’t neglect their son. He would provide all the material comforts the boy was entitled to.
Actually, objectively speaking, staying with…
Zhao Xun understood, of course. That was precisely why he understood his mother’s selfless intentions all the better.
She was afraid he would regret it.
But Zhao Xun was already in his early thirties when his past and present lives were added together. He had never regretted a choice he had made. Once he decided, he accepted the good and the bad. He wasn’t the sort to hesitate.
Along with his gratitude for his mother’s thoughtfulness, Zhao Xun felt heartache.
“Mother, I understand everything you’ve said, but I won’t change my decision. I want to stay with you. I’m willing to live with you, whatever our life is like. As for what you said about my studies in the future, don’t worry. As long as I’m willing to work hard, I can study anywhere. I think Teacher Chen is a very good teacher.
“As for everything else, Mother, don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it myself. Don’t get into a conflict with them. There’s no need, and they’re not worth it.”
With Gu Yunxiao’s current status, he certainly did have access to better educational resources than they did, and Zhao Xun would indeed be able to enjoy the life of a Young Master if he returned. But none of that could compare to his mother.
“…All right. All right.”
Zhao Wu was stunned that her son still chose her even after learning of his biological father’s status. She was deeply moved and relieved. Overcome with emotion, she instinctively hugged his little body tightly, tears streaming down her face as if they cost nothing.
“Don’t cry, Mother. Someone might see you in a little while.”
“Right, right! This old lady can’t show weakness in front of that bastard Gu Yunxiao. If you have no heart for me, then I’ll leave you!
“Son, since you’ve chosen to stay with Mother, all you have to do from now on is cooperate with whatever I do.” Zhao Wu’s eyes blazed with fire.
Zhao Xun saw it clearly: that was the sign that her fighting spirit had flared up.
As expected, he hadn’t been wrong. His mother was someone who could let go when the time came.
She was also a strong person at heart.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
“All right. I’ll do whatever you say, Mother.”
“Come on, let’s go face Gu Yunxiao!” Zhao Wu had shed her earlier dejection and was full of energy again.
Since she was going to Divorce, they would have to settle the accounts from all these years properly.
She, Zhao Wu, was not someone who would quietly swallow a loss!