VHBF – Chapter 30 Emperor Daddy (Part 7)

The moment that milky-soft little voice sounded, Wei Jue, sitting on the dragon bed, didn’t bother with the little dumpling and simply said, “Go rest.”

The illiterate dumpling didn’t understand. She didn’t dare ask Daddy, afraid of embarrassing herself, so she turned to the system: “Uncle System, what does ‘rest’ mean?”

The system’s voice was weak and tired: “…Sleep. It means sleep. Your daddy is telling you to go to bed!”

The little dumpling reached out to tug on her daddy’s sleeve. Tilting up her small face, she spoke with righteous insistence, pointing to her cheeks and forehead: “Daddy has to give me a kiss before I can sleep!”

Wei Jue was frowning, already thinking that tomorrow he would have Lin Yi send this annoying little thing out of the palace to be raised elsewhere. He must have been out of his mind for a moment to bring her into the palace at all. She was such a bother.

But the dumpling was quick-witted. Seeing her daddy distracted, she seized the chance and pounced. Before he could stop her, she planted a loud smack of a kiss right on his face.

Like a little mouse that had just stolen oil, she squinted her eyes in satisfaction, her tiny voice full of delight: “That’s a goodnight kiss—it means I like you! Yinyin likes Daddy!”

Thrilled, she bent her pinky finger one by one, wriggling as she explained: “I heard that people who get a goodnight kiss before bed will be very happy!”

The little dumpling knew what happiness meant—it meant living well. She wanted Daddy to live well. Daddy was always frowning, his face dark and scary, and everyone feared him. But Yinyin thought her long-haired daddy looked a little pitiful, just like… just like that big lonely dog she had once seen.

That dog had been a huge black shepherd, the unchallenged king of the little urban village neighborhood. All the other cats and dogs feared it. Yinyin thought it pitiful—no playmates, no companions—just like her.

Sometimes, after she picked up bottles, she would grit her teeth and share some of the food she bought with it, even giving it a name: Da Wang (Big King).

At first, Da Wang didn’t want to pay her any attention, even barked fiercely at her. But later, it grew willing to interact, even following her whenever she went out.

When Yinyin was picking bottles and got mocked by other kids coming home from school, Da Wang would fiercely stand in front of her, barking at those bullies. The tall, fearsome Da Wang instantly became the most terrifying “Demon King” of the neighborhood kids.

Thinking of this, Yinyin’s lips curved up slightly, her little face glowing warm and soft under the dim palace lanterns. Wei Jue reached out and tugged her cheek lightly: “Go to sleep.”

The night deepened, silence returning to the hall. The man lay back on the bed, his lips twitching slightly as he murmured, “Happiness?”

Born in the imperial family, he was doomed to a life of loveless solitude. Even in his youth, he had never thought about such a word.

Truly, only a three-year-old child could be so carefree. Fine—let her stay for two more days.

Eunuch Xiao Yuzi lifted the bed curtains and fetched the Emperor’s dragon robe. Last night’s fright had nearly killed him. The little princess had sneaked into the Emperor’s bedchamber instead of sleeping.

It wasn’t until His Majesty called someone in to carry her back that they realized. By then, the little princess was already fast asleep, breathing softly. The maidservants had carried her out carefully, not daring to breathe too loudly.

She had slipped past their very eyes. Thankfully, nothing worse happened. If she had gotten out of the palace, that would have been disastrous. She had already been caught once by Consort Duan and suffered for it—if more trouble came, this newly appointed deputy chief eunuch would lose his post in no time.

The sky was still hazy before dawn. The Emperor usually ate breakfast after morning court. He rinsed his mouth, drank a simple cup of tea to clear his head, and prepared to leave.

Outside the hall, a palace maid carried the little dumpling, trembling with nervousness.

The little one was still half-asleep, eyelids drooping. When she spotted him, she forced her eyes open, stretching out her arms with a drowsy, nasal voice: “Daddy!”

As usual, all the ministers had arrived early at court, standing neatly in order. The Emperor could not tolerate sloppiness or disorder, and the officials understood this well—everyone stood in silence. After a while, a eunuch sang out loudly, “His Majesty arrives!”

“Morning court—begin!”

After saluting, the ministers raised their heads—only to see the Emperor seated on the dragon throne, with a pink little bundle in his arms. Their eyes widened in disbelief.

The dumpling, having gone to bed late and then waking early just to block Daddy’s path, finally felt safe in his arms and quickly drifted back to sleep.

But the thunderous chorus of “Long live the Emperor!” startled her. She wrinkled her brows, little claws clutching Daddy’s robe tightly. Her nose twitched as if sniffing for reassurance, and she soon slipped back into deep slumber.

Standing behind His Majesty, Xiao Yuzi saw it all clearly—and also saw the ministers’ faces, as if the sky had fallen. He quietly pressed his chest; Heaven knew he himself had nearly been scared to death by the Emperor.

The little princess was only three, too young to understand anything, and was, after all, someone the Emperor had personally brought from outside the palace. No wonder she clung so tightly to him. But the Emperor actually indulged her—even bringing her into morning court.

Gazing at the tall, upright back of the sovereign, Xiao Yuzi kept silent. In the end… the rules or not, was it not for the ruler of the world to decide? For those serving him, all they could do was obey.

The palace staff had been shaken enough these past two days, but at least they had adjusted somewhat. The ministers, however, were not so resilient.

The dumpling had only been brought into the palace yesterday, and word had not spread. At most, only vague rumors circulated. So when the ministers suddenly saw His Majesty holding a child during court, they were utterly dumbfounded.

Grand Chancellor Zuo stepped forward, his white beard trembling, his voice shaking: “Y-Your Majesty… the one in your arms is…?”

Before the Emperor could reply, the sharp-witted Xiao Yuzi spoke: “Chancellor, esteemed ministers, this is the little princess His Majesty has recognized. She is three years old this year. Since it is her first time in the palace, she clings tightly to His Majesty.”

At this, he produced a decree—the one His Majesty had written last night—and read it aloud. It conferred the title of Princess Chaoyang upon the little dumpling, inscribed her into the royal genealogy under the name Wei Yinyin.

After finishing, Eunuch Xiao Yuzi tucked away the decree with satisfaction, smirking faintly at the ministers’ gaping faces before retreating behind His Majesty.

The ministers were full of questions. Where had this princess come from? Was she of imperial blood, or merely adopted? What did it mean for the Emperor to bring her into the Golden Throne Hall?

But the Emperor clearly had no intention of explaining. The eunuch simply called out: “State your business, or court is dismissed!”

The officials: “……”

Since the decree had already been issued, no one dared question His Majesty further. Imperial words were law—unchangeable.

Suppressing their confusion, the ministers dutifully reported state affairs. Court adjourned, and they watched as His Majesty departed with the still-sleeping princess in his arms. Unable to restrain themselves, they craned their necks to sneak a look. All they saw was a fluffy little head buried against the Emperor’s chest—nothing more.

Walking out, the officials clustered in small groups, whispering.

“Minister of Personnel, do you know what this is about?”

The sly old minister raised an eyebrow: “If even the Chancellor does not know, how could I?”

At the mention of the Chancellor, several turned toward him. The silver-haired Grand Chancellor stood with his hands behind his back, ignoring them all, lost in thought.

“Chancellor, what do you think?”

He had been the first to ask His Majesty earlier, and all he received was the decree in response.

The old Chancellor kept his face expressionless and said calmly, “I do not know.”

Then, pointing out a path: “If you wish to know, perhaps you can ask Lord Lin. He accompanied His Majesty on his private outing yesterday.”

The crowd understood at once. “As expected of the Chancellor—so wise.”

Lin Yi had skipped morning court today, which was not unusual for him. In his role, he often ran errands for the Emperor.

So when he appeared at the palace gates, the ministers blocked him immediately.

Several carriages still waited outside—their owners unwilling to leave without answers.

Since the Emperor’s ascension, he had never favored women, always cold and unfeeling. None of the consorts were close to him, and he had no heirs. Suddenly, a little princess appeared—and clearly, His Majesty doted on her. Naturally, the ministers were bursting with curiosity.

Who could have imagined the Emperor holding a child, let alone bringing her into morning court?

Surrounded, Lin Yi asked, baffled, why they hadn’t gone home yet.

They replied they were waiting for him. “Lord Lin, tell us carefully—what’s the story with the princess? How did a Princess Chaoyang suddenly appear?”

Lin Yi was startled. So His Majesty had moved so quickly, already issuing a decree?

“That’s not all,” one minister added. “This morning, His Majesty even carried her into court. She slept the whole time in his arms. We didn’t get a proper look.”

Lin Yi’s eyes widened in shock. “A-Are you certain?”

He could swear that few men in court knew His Majesty better than he did. Having served him since childhood, from a palace guard to commander of the Imperial Guards, he had weathered countless storms with him. How could he not know his temperament?

“Are you joking? His Majesty—bringing a princess into court?”

But when their replies remained firm, Lin Yi was left dazed. Surrounded by more questions about the princess’s origins, he dared not speak without His Majesty’s word. Laughing awkwardly, he brushed it off as the Emperor recognizing a child at first sight, then quickly fled.

Still unsatisfied, the officials continued probing. Soon, Lin Yi found himself constantly invited to banquets. At one, two, three cups too many, he accidentally let slip a few words—and the princess’s origins spread.

Soon, the whole capital knew: His Majesty had conferred a princess, only three years old, brought from among the common people. Rumor even said she had been a beggar, thin and small, but after a wash, strikingly pretty and adorable. His Majesty had taken a liking to her and brought her into the palace.

Some doubted it—His Majesty was not known for kindness or idle compassion. Why would he adopt a child?

But the drunken Commander Lin, slurring heavily, answered: “The little princess was all raggedy, like a stray kitten. She clung to His Majesty’s leg and wouldn’t let go, like a little shadow. So His Majesty carried her back.”

From then on, word spread that the Emperor liked people clinging to his leg and flattering him. A few bold souls tried to imitate it—only to be beaten and thrown out of the palace…

The ministers: “……”

So it turned out—such treatment was reserved for the little princess alone. His Majesty didn’t care for anyone else clinging to his leg!