Well, it's not straightforward to say. An exception could be part of a fictional narrative created for entertainment or it could be a real-life occurrence that stands out from the norm but is still factual.
In the Qing Dynasty, the fifth father version of the father exception referred to a line the Qing Emperor said to Fan Xian: " No one in this world is born to be good to you. Father is an exception." These words expressed the Qing Emperor's special feelings for Fan Xian and his unique treatment of him. This line resonated with many audiences in the play and was considered a touching moment.