"You must remember, his last name is Gong, not Sima. Spoiling and indulging him doesn't conflict with your duties in any way.
Go now. Go to the forbidden land for three months. Don't come out until your physique has improved.
For now, let Sima Hong handle matters at the base.
Also, we have word of Chaoyang. He's fine."
Sima Yue's head shot up, only to drop again in an instant. "Yes!" he replied, his voice low and heavy.
Sima Yue slowly backed out of the room.
But a flicker of confusion crossed his eyes. 'If I had a choice, I would rather not be the future heir to the Sima Family.'
'Instead, I'd live freely like Chaoyang.'
'Live like a real person, not a puppet.'
'Even though I know Grandfather has his own reasons for doting on Chaoyang.'
'It's just like how he doted on my aunt.'
'My own father, on the other hand, was a true marionette. He died young, never knowing a single day of happiness.'
