The Double

Yin Zhili had no choice but to follow.

Yin Zhan led Yin Zhili into his private courtyard, and they proceeded into the study. He even ordered all the young servants at the entrance of the study to stand guard at the courtyard gate, leaving the entire vast courtyard occupied by only Yin Zhili and himself.

The servants, accustomed to Yin Zhan’s decisive nature, didn’t even entertain curiosity and dutifully took up their posts at the gate. Yin Zhili, on the other hand, was puzzled, wondering just how crucial the upcoming conversation had to be for Yin Zhan to make such comprehensive arrangements.

Upon entering, Yin Zhili asked, "Father, what has happened?"

Yin Zhan just looked at him, saying nothing. Yin Zhili had never seen such a complex expression in Yin Zhan’s eyes before. Usually, Yin Zhan was forthright—if he wished to speak, he would be explicit; if not, he would remain silent, never beating around the bush. But today, his gaze upon Yin Zhili resembled that of a man desperately struggling in water, which was terrifying to behold.

Feeling inexplicably uneasy, Yin Zhili asked again, "Father?"

After what seemed like an eternity, Yin Zhan finally said, "Zhili, there is something I must tell you. Your birth mother is still alive."

Yin Zhili’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he stammered, "How, how can that be? Mother isn’t she..." She had died giving birth to him, or so everyone had told him.

"She is not your birth mother," Yin Zhan said gravely, "Your birth mother is the current Empress Dowager."

Yin Zhili took a step back, his face instantly turning pale as he said, "Father... you..."

"You are my son with the Empress Dowager, Zhili," Yin Zhan said.