"No wonder the male lead eventually wipes out Beixuan; if I were him, I wouldn't forgive them either."
The Emperor felt a sudden jolt in his heart, as if he had been struck by a thought of murder. His gaze involuntarily landed on Su Mianmian. What was this all about?
Su Mianmian was lost in her own memories.
"Lu Jingyi's mother gave her life to protect this country, yet the Emperor of Western Chu never favored her. Consequently, Lu Jingyi was neglected as well. Before the Princess died, she told Lu Jingyi that once he returned to Beixuan State, his relatives would protect him. Who would have thought that everything would be completely different here? The Emperor was busy with wars, the harem was in chaos, and the court was unstable. Who would bother caring about a mere hostage like him? As time went on, the princes and officials realized he had no one to back him up, so they insulted and trampled upon him in every way imaginable. The country his mother gave her life to protect treated him this way—no matter who you are, wouldn't you turn dark and vengeful?"
Su Mianmian felt a surge of indignation at the thought.
"What's even more infuriating is that those bastards would degrade his mother right in front of Lu Jingyi. They claimed the Princess's fate was always meant to be a political marriage, and that her volunteering for it was sheer hypocrisy! If they're so capable, why didn't they go? Damn it, a bunch of idiots. When I grow up, I'll definitely give every one of them a good slap."
Utterly shameless!
The Emperor was incensed, his fists clenched tightly. These people didn't know a damn thing! It was absolute nonsense. Only after a long silence did the Emperor finally ask, "Lu Jingyi, who told you to kneel there?"
Lu Jingyi cupped his hands and replied directly, "It was the Second Prince's companions."
The Emperor's temples throbbed with anger. "Wang Defa."
Wang Defa stepped forward. "I am here, Your Majesty."
"Drag those people out and beat them to death!"
Wang Defa was startled, but he quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"And another thing—tell the Second Prince to write the four characters 'Gratitude and Virtue' a thousand times and present them to me."
Wang Defa hurriedly acknowledged the order.
Lu Jingyi's icy, indifferent expression shifted slightly. He looked up, peering at the dignified and handsome Emperor with bewilderment. He could not understand why the Emperor would do this.
The Emperor walked ahead carrying Su Mianmian, gesturing for Lu Jingyi to follow. The boy said nothing more and obediently trailed behind.
As the Emperor walked, his mind raced. Killing Lu Jingyi would certainly be the safest path, but he was no tyrant. Nor was he an incompetent ruler. He could not bring himself to harm the son of a princess who had sacrificed herself for a marriage alliance. Su Mianmian had said that Lu Jingyi’s turn toward rebellion stemmed from the humiliation he suffered and the slurs cast upon his mother by petty men. If he prevented all of that from happening, wouldn't Lu Jingyi be spared from becoming a traitor?
When they arrived at the Imperial Study, the bright light of the room only served to highlight Lu Jingyi's wretched state. His clothes were ragged, and his appearance was haggard. The Emperor ordered him to be taken away to bathe and change into clean clothes before bringing him back.
Lu Jingyi had been anxious at first—few in this world dared to keep the Emperor waiting. But the eunuchs leading him constantly reassured him, saying it was the Emperor's express command and that there was no need for haste. When he emerged from the warm spring waters, Lu Jingyi still felt somewhat dazed.
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
As they were brought into the Imperial Study, Lu Jingyi was about to kneel, but the Emperor interrupted him. "Grant him a seat."
The Emperor scrutinized Lu Jingyi. In the boy’s face, he seemed to see the bold, fearless, and radiant young girl from years ago. She was gone, yet he had failed to protect her child. A pang of sorrow pierced the Emperor's heart, and he said something that stunned everyone present.
"It was I who neglected you."
"When you were first sent here, I was out on a campaign, busy handling wars. In recent years, I have been focused on stabilizing the court and the harem, and somehow, I allowed you to be bullied right under my own nose."
Lu Jingyi's expression stiffened as he looked up at him. "Your Majesty is being too kind."
The Emperor’s tone was moved. "The Princess served our country and its people, yet I allowed her child to suffer such indignities within his own nation. It is my failure."
"I have already issued an order: your mother is to be posthumously honored as Princess Dingguo, enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and shall enjoy the offerings of the people of Beixuan for all eternity!"
"I want the world to remember the Princess's grace toward our Beixuan State!"
If the Emperor had offered Lu Jingyi material rewards, the boy would surely have refused, perhaps even with disdain. But the Emperor was honoring his mother—the woman who had always shielded him, the mother who placed the welfare of the nation above all else.
Lu Jingyi’s body trembled uncontrollably. He suddenly stood up and dropped hard to both knees. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
So, the Emperor still remembered his mother's sacrifice. This country was not, as he had imagined, filled only with cold and callous people.
The Emperor stepped forward and personally helped Lu Jingyi to his feet.
"Lu Jingyi, you are an intelligent boy. From this day forward, you will stay by my side, and I will teach you myself. I will let you see with your own eyes the country your mother protected become prosperous and peaceful."
The Emperor had his own calculations: with Lu Jingyi’s intelligence, he would surely have a place in this world in the future. Since that was the case, it was better to nurture him himself.
Lu Jingyi pressed his lips together, concealing his inner shock. He suddenly understood why his mother had been willing to sacrifice herself for this country. If this was the kind of monarch they had, it was indeed worth it.
"Wow, my scumbag dad is so cool!"
"Look at the male lead's expression—he hasn't been charmed by my dad, has he?"
"No, wait, he's supposed to rebel! If things go like this, won't the plot be completely ruined?"
Su Mianmian was surprised, with a hint of delight. *My god.* Did that mean she wouldn't have to face the destruction of her country? She could keep playing the role of this Princess until the end!
She waved her tiny fists, letting out a delighted giggle. Her scumbag dad actually had some substance after all. Even with the dragon vein being stolen and the court and harem filled with treacherous people, he still maintained such a clear head.
The Emperor glanced at his own daughter and proudly raised his chin, showing off his most charming profile. *Your dad is naturally the coolest, bar none! You should feel lucky to have me as a father.*
After laughing for a while, Su Mianmian’s expression faded. She had just investigated: the one absorbing the dragon vein of Beixuan was not the male lead. The answer, without a doubt, was the female lead. The thought of the female lead’s later, complicated romantic history gave Su Mianmian a headache.
*Forget it.* Since her scumbag dad was being so useful, she couldn't just sit back and watch his empire be devoured. She had to take action when necessary!
She would check the progress of her recent cultivation while she was at it. The country's dragon energy being absorbed meant the dragon vein was damaged. What Su Mianmian had to do now was act like a tailor, bit by bit patching up the nation's dragon vein.
Don't ask her why she didn't just kill the female lead. The woman was the protagonist, the child of destiny in this world; if she killed her, the small world would collapse. Not only could she not kill the female lead, but she also couldn't easily dispose of the male lead, the second male lead, or other important male characters. She had to wait until the "luck" they carried weakened before she could strike.
Su Mianmian felt frustrated; it was so stifling. *Scumbag dad, you should be happy you have me as a daughter!*
In the dead of night, Su Mianmian's soul slipped out of her body, and a faint white light flew toward Qishan Mountain.
On the slopes of Qishan, a chubby five or six-year-old was struggling to wave her arms. "Heave-ho, heave-ho~"
She made noises as she moved. This little fatty was, of course, Su Mianmian. She had to repair the dragon vein, but she couldn't do it as an infant—she could barely move her own bottom, let alone do any repairs. She had to use a bit of spiritual energy to make herself look a little bigger.
Behind her, an orange-yellow figure suddenly popped its head out. A pair of eyes stared fixedly at the little milk-bun, and then, without warning, it opened a massive mouth toward her.