How could someone really be ruthless to a child they raised from birth?
If it weren’t for that huge scandal at the brothel, Emperor Yongchang wouldn’t have so harshly demoted his son’s princely title to that of a duke, nor locked him inside the mansion for half a year without leaving.
Usually it wasn’t so bad, but with the New Year approaching and Princess Baorong bringing it up, his heart softened immediately.
Duke Chu’s mansion had lost Liu Jinghong and Second Master Liu in the past two months; both Duke Chu and his wife had fallen ill, and now the whole family was in decline.
He sighed and frowned: “He’s lax in his governance. I heard he’s caused trouble again recently. Maybe this will teach him a lesson!”
Princess Baorong gently shook the emperor’s arm: “Royal Father, you misunderstand. I’m not pleading for my brother. It’s just that Mingcheng hasn’t seen brother for many days and pines for him every day…”
Thinking of the young Princess Mingcheng, the emperor’s heart softened further.
With his daughter’s gentle entreaty beside him, he grunted with a stern face: “Then let him behave for a while. After the ancestral sacrifices at the temple in a few days, he can come out!”
That was considered a release before the New Year.
Princess Baorong was overjoyed, clutching the emperor’s arm, hopping and jumping happily.
He had many children, but only Little Noble Consort Liu’s children were this close to him—not treating him as the emperor, but as a father.
Emperor Yongchang’s gaze softened, and he smiled lightly shaking his head: “Such childish temper. You’re already so grown up, almost picking a husband now, yet still so childish. How will that do?”
Princess Baorong carried a bit of that unique princess pride: “As long as Royal Father lives, I’ll be his daughter that day. As long as I’m Royal Father’s daughter, who dares to bully me?”
Those without ability are forced to grow up, to struggle, to fight and compete for resources.
Those with ability remain children forever, having everything delivered to them on a silver platter.
Yongchang Emperor accompanied Princess Baorong to see the divine birds, then naturally followed her back to Little Noble Consort Liu’s palace.
Little Noble Consort Liu was taking medicine.
After hearing the news of Liu Jinghong’s death, she had fallen ill. Not long ago, when Second Master Liu and Cheng Wang caused trouble at the Wang family’s longevity banquet, she had been trying to muster strength to plead for Second Master Liu. Unexpectedly, the iron censor chased her, calling her a demon consort.
The shock and anger caused Little Noble Consort Liu to fall ill.
When Yongchang Emperor arrived, Princess Mingcheng was sobbing loudly by the bedside.
Little Noble Consort Liu turned over, facing away silently.
The palace attendants tried to comfort her, but she ignored them completely.
Princess Mingcheng soon cried so hard she had trouble breathing.
Yongchang Emperor frowned immediately: “What’s going on here?”
At the sound of his voice, Princess Mingcheng cried out even louder and stumbled towards him.
Seeing his youngest daughter in this state, Yongchang Emperor’s face suddenly grew cold: “What exactly happened?!”
A room full of palace attendants knelt trembling on the floor.
Little Noble Consort Liu threw back the blanket and sat up, forcing herself to kneel: “Your Majesty, please don’t blame them. It’s just that Mingcheng is too immature…”
Yongchang Emperor was furious: “Such a small child, what maturity can you expect?!”
Looking at the tear-blurred little girl, he snapped: “You just let her cry like this? Aren’t you afraid she’ll have an asthma attack?”
Little Noble Consort Liu bit her lip, silent.
Princess Mingcheng wrapped her arms around Yongchang Emperor’s neck: “Royal Father, don’t blame Royal Mother. It’s my fault for being childish and disobedient, insisting on going to see brother, which made Mother cry.”
Hearing it was about Qi Wang again, Yongchang Emperor sighed and pulled his daughter’s hands away: “Didn’t I tell you your brother made a mistake and can’t come to see you in the palace for now?”
Princess Mingcheng glanced at Princess Baorong standing beside him and choked back a sob: “But I dreamed of brother. I miss brother so much…”
This time, not only did Princess Mingcheng cry, but Princess Baorong and Little Noble Consort Liu silently shed tears as well.
Seeing this pitiful scene and knowing Little Noble Consort Liu had recently been unable to eat or sleep well, Yongchang Emperor was silent a moment before saying: “Alright, let him come to the palace to accompany you so you won’t miss him so much.”
Then he loudly called in Xia Gongong.
Xia Gongong immediately understood the situation and went to issue orders.
No matter how destitute Qi Wang had become, as long as the consort and two princesses were in the palace, he couldn’t be slighted.
The sleeping chamber grew quiet.
Little Noble Consort Liu anxiously pressed her lips: “Your Majesty, you ordered his confinement until after the New Year. Isn’t it improper to release him now?”
Thinking this, she couldn’t help but poke Princess Mingcheng’s forehead: “This is all your fault. I told you to be cautious and obedient, not arrogant and willful, but you never listen!”
Princess Mingcheng pouted, ready to cry again.
Yongchang Emperor looked at Little Noble Consort Liu with displeasure: “Enough! It’s no big deal. Letting him come to the palace once is not lifting the confinement. What harm could it do?”
Little Noble Consort Liu could only say no more.
Princess Baorong quietly slipped out, returning shortly with a tray: “Royal Father, taste your daughter’s cooking.”
Yongchang Emperor exclaimed when he saw the tray, immediately interested: “This is clear broth!”
Princess Baorong smiled with some pride: “Yes, Royal Mother said Royal Father loved the clear broth wontons back in Min. So she taught me for a long time. Try it and see how I did?”
The filling was finely diced shiitake mushrooms and radish, mixed with stir-fried bamboo shoots. The soup base was a big-bone broth simmered for three hours. The first bite was fresh and delicious. Emperor Yongchang’s eyes brightened: “That’s the taste!”
He sighed emotionally: “Your Royal Mother hasn’t made this in many years.”
Little Noble Consort Liu didn’t eat a bite, her voice choking: “This was Sister’s favorite. Whenever I think of her, I can’t eat.”
Talking about this brought a shadow to Yongchang Emperor’s face.
He put down the bowl, losing his appetite.
Princess Baorong whispered softly: “Royal Father, it’s my fault for not considering everything.”
How could Yongchang Emperor blame her?
If a child made something like this, it was clear she meant well.
No parent in the world would reject their child’s heart.
Yongchang Emperor was no different. He smiled: “No, I enjoy it very much. You have a kind heart.”
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