The Emperor Father Heard My Thoughts After I Transmigrated into a Book - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Ever since my last bout of “heatstroke,” my relationship with Royal Father had eased considerably.

Not only did he not punish me, he even sent a great many rewards to my Changle Palace.

Empress Mother felt that Royal Father had suddenly started acting like a human being, and even the smiles she gave him carried a few more traces of sincerity.

Royal Father began spending more and more time with us.

The summer heat was stifling, so I often brought sweet soup to Royal Father.

In the Diligent Governance Hall, I looked at Sang Luoluo standing beside Royal Father and put on a fake smile.

“Well, Sister Luoluo came to deliver sweet soup too?”

“Qing’er, come here.”

Royal Father beckoned to me, and I walked over with my chin held high.

When I saw the exquisite bowl of sweet soup on the table, I silently hid my food box behind my back.

[If I’d known, I wouldn’t have made it myself today. Wuwuwu, how am I supposed to show mine now?]

“Royal Father, since you already have a bowl, then this one of mine can just…”

I took a guilty step backward, but Royal Father suddenly smiled and moved the bowl of sweet soup on the table aside.

“No matter. You brought it here under the blazing sun. Naturally, I should have some.”

“Fourth Princess, this servant will help you.”

Eunuch Laixi, who served at Royal Father’s side, smiled as he took my food box.

When a bowl of pitch-black mung bean soup was placed on the table, all three of us fell silent.

Sang Luoluo covered her mouth and cried out in surprise.

“Fourth Sister, this is…”

I lowered my head, wishing I could sink into the floor.

“Your Majesty.”

Eunuch Laixi wanted to take it away, but Royal Father waved him off.

Under everyone’s astonished gazes, he steeled himself and took a sip. Then he gave his verdict: “Mm. Not bad.”

“Really?”

My eyes lit up faintly. He nodded.

“It could be considered… uniquely flavored.”

[Wuwuwu, Royal Father, you really… I’m crying to death.]

After drinking the sweet soup, Royal Father had to continue reviewing memorials.

He signaled for Laifu to escort us out, but I clung to the corner of his desk and refused to leave.

“Royal Father, in a few days, it will be my birthday.”

He lifted his head from the memorial and met my eyes. I grinned, showing my teeth.

“Can Royal Father come to Fengyi Palace? I want Royal Father and Empress Mother to celebrate my birthday with me.”

“Mm. I understand.”

I withdrew in high spirits.

Before leaving, I did not forget to throw Sang Luoluo a provocative look, making her stamp her foot in anger.

On the day of my birthday, Empress Mother and I waited for a very long time, but Royal Father never appeared.

The dishes on the table went cold, were reheated, then went cold again.

Until the sun slanted westward and night fell.

The smile at the corners of Empress Mother’s lips gradually faded. She stroked my cheek with pity.

“Qing’er, I imagine your Royal Father must be busy with many affairs today.”

Yes, Royal Father was indeed quite busy.

I had heard it just now when the palace servants came to report.

He was still at Listening Bamboo Palace. Most likely, he had long forgotten that he had personally promised to attend his daughter’s birthday banquet.

Perhaps the disappointment in my eyes pierced Empress Mother’s heart, because she suddenly stood and said, “Empress Mother will go take a look. Wait a little longer. If you’re hungry, have Qiaochun bring you some fruit.”

She was planning to go to Listening Bamboo Palace and snatch him away.

How could Empress Mother possibly deal with that vixen? She mustn’t suffer a loss.

“Empress Mother.” I caught hold of her. “Let’s not wait for Royal Father. Let’s eat first. Qing’er is hungry.”

I wheedled at her, and Empress Mother slowly sat back down.

Just as the two of us had picked up our chopsticks, the palace servants’ greetings rang out from afar, drawing nearer layer by layer.

Royal Father had arrived.

His gaze swept over the untouched dinner on the table, and his expression softened.

“This was my fault.”

Empress Mother lowered her eyes and served him a bowl of soup.

“Your Majesty is occupied with state affairs. You must take care of your health.”

Royal Father’s face filled with awkward embarrassment. I pursed my lips and secretly laughed.

[Empress Mother’s skill at being passive-aggressive has improved again.]

“Qing’er, Royal Father arrived late because I went to choose a birthday gift for you.”

Faced with Royal Father’s clumsy attempt at covering things up, I tugged at the corner of my mouth.

“Since Royal Father chose it with such care, it must be excellent.”

After dinner, Royal Father took me to Taiji Palace.

He did not allow any other palace servants to follow. In that vast hall, only the two of us remained.

I looked at him with considerable confusion. Royal Father stood calmly in the center of the hall, perfectly composed.

“Come out.”

Whoosh, whoosh. Two figures flipped down from the beams.

I jumped in fright and instinctively clenched the corner of Royal Father’s robe.

A man and a woman knelt on one knee before us. Both were dressed in fitted black outfits and wore masks.

One wore an ox-horn mask, the other a rabbit mask.

“Choutu.”

“Maoyue.”

“Greetings, Fourth Princess.”

“This, this is…”

I froze in place. Royal Father pointed at them and said, “They are members of the Shadow Guard, assigned exclusively to the imperial family. From today onward, you are their master.”

I looked at the two members of the Shadow Guard and silently recalled all the birthday gifts I had received today.

[Empress Mother gave me a set of ruby head ornaments, Eldest Sister gave me a box of eastern pearls, Third Brother gave me coral, Consort Xian gave me a gold hairpin, Consort Chen gave me a jade bracelet…]

Royal Father suddenly coughed. Bewildered, I turned my gaze to him.

“These Shadow Guard members are worth more than ten thousand taels of gold.”

[Royal Father is so stingy.]

“The matter of the Shadow Guard must be concealed from others. Later, I will reward you with some gold, silver, and jewels, plus a hot spring estate in the suburbs.”

“!”

[My real father!]

[As expected of my Royal Father. The moment he makes a move, he’s generous and extravagantly bold!]

[I knew it. With Royal Father governing so diligently, the national treasury must be overflowing!]

Royal Father waved his hand somewhat helplessly.

“All right, go back and rest early. I’ll have the Imperial Household Department deliver everything to you first thing tomorrow morning.”

I suppressed the excitement in my heart and gave him a grand bow.

“Thank you for your reward, Royal Father!”