Chapter 126: Chapter 126

Qiong Hua and Emperor Yongning had different considerations, naturally leading to differing opinions.

And Qiong Hua wouldn’t foolishly voice her concerns directly.

She pondered how to respond to Emperor Yongning.

Jun Ning spoke up, "I don’t need her to accompany Yi Yi; a brother is enough company!"

Emperor Yongning thought that Jun Ning said this out of anger because he had refused to see her and was cold towards her, hence her unwillingness to accept Yao Yao as a companion.

He patiently advised, "Yi Yi, don’t be willful. Listen to Father Emperor. Let Yao Yao accompany you and become your sister, okay? It will be easier for Father Emperor to visit you both in the future."

Emperor Yongning now couldn’t bear to part with his precious daughter Jun Ning, nor could he let go of Yao Yao, the little one who had recently lost her mother and had only him.

He was stuck in a dilemma.

He genuinely wanted his two daughters to get along well so that he could have fewer worries.

"No, no." While Qiong Hua wouldn’t voice her concerns directly, Jun Ning had no hesitation, directly saying: "Father Emperor, you let my mother raise her, but you only think of your own problems. Have you considered my mother?"

"What if someday in the future Yao Yao turns against my mother because of her own mother’s death?" Jun Ning pointed out the crucial issue without reservation.

Emperor Yongning was silenced, as he hadn’t considered this.

He had only thought about his two daughters growing up happily beside him.

After Jun Ning’s remark, he indeed found it inappropriate to have Hua Pin raise Yao Yao.

He pondered further and decided to let Liu Pin raise Yao Yao. Liu Pin is good-natured, gentle, considerate, cultured and knowledgeable, a good woman. Letting her raise Yao Yao would be no problem, and Yao Yao definitely wouldn’t suffer under her care.

However, when Xiao Lizi went to inform Liu Pin of the good news, she refused.

The reason wasn’t that Liu Pin didn’t want to raise Yao Yao, but she had been feeling unwell recently, bedridden and unable to rise, let alone take care of a child.

Giving her a child now would be a punishment, not a blessing, because she couldn’t even care for herself.

Upon learning, Emperor Yongning assigned an Imperial Physician to assist Liu Pin, and postponed the decision until Liu Pin recovered.

As for Yao Yao, he couldn’t think of a suitable guardian at the moment, so Emperor Yongning decided to keep Yao Yao by his side, to be determined later.

When he announced this decision to Jun Ning and Qiong Hua, neither spoke, but their moods were visibly sullen.

Especially Jun Ning, who claimed not to care, yet facing the gradual loss of the complete paternal love she once had, could not possibly remain unaffected. Follow current novᴇls on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩

She no longer wanted to stay in the Flowers Hall to discuss the matter with Emperor Yongning, making an excuse to leave for the restroom.

She didn’t expect Emperor Yongning to follow her.

Emperor Yongning patiently said to Jun Ning, "Yi Yi, it’s a necessary decision for Father Emperor to personally raise Yao Yao. Once Liu Pin feels better, Father Emperor will hand her over to Liu Pin."

"Father Emperor’s decision is what matters."

"Father Emperor wants to say, if you don’t want Father Emperor to personally raise Yao Yao, let Father Emperor know, and he will seek other solutions."

"...No," Jun Ning responded.

After a moment of silence, Emperor Yongning intended to say more, but Xiao Lizi suddenly arrived with a report: a minister had arrived at the Imperial Study Room requesting an audience.

Before leaving, he told Jun Ning, "Yi Yi, those gifts Wei Lin is holding were all sought by Father Emperor just for you, remember to open them and take a look. Father Emperor has to leave for now."

Emperor Yongning left with Yao Yao after speaking.

In the ensuing days, Jun Ning did not see Emperor Yongning.

All news about him reached her through others.

It was said that Emperor Yongning had a new favorite recently–Princess Yao Yao; he took her everywhere, even sharing meals and dwelling with her.

The person who once accompanied him everywhere was no longer Jun Ning, but rather Yao Yao.

Whether Jun Ning was angry about this was unknown.

She continued with her lifestyle, wandering and playing here and there, leading a vibrant and fulfilling life.

Emperor Yongning didn’t seek her out, and she didn’t take the initiative to seek him.

What she didn’t realize was that Emperor Yongning was waiting every day for her to come to him, but she never came.

At this point, while Yao Yao was being bathed by a Palace Attendant, Emperor Yongning finally had the opportunity to discuss the matter with Xiao Lizi.

"Xiao Lizi, why hasn’t Yi Yi come to see me? Is she angry with me?"

Xiao Lizi sighed, "Your Majesty, would you like to hear the truth?"

"What nonsense. If I don’t want the truth, would I want to hear lies?"

He threatened, "Speak a lie and you’ll be caned to death along with it."

"I dare not." Xiao Lizi spoke honestly, "Your Majesty, you used to take the Eighteenth Princess everywhere, but now, wherever you go, it is Princess Yao Yao whom you take with you."

"The Eighteenth Princess watches each day, hears what others say, and some even compare her current situation to her past, mocking that she’s lost your favor. How could she feel unmoved?"

"The fear of public opinion is real; she’s merely a child, unable to withstand ridicule from others."

The more Xiao Lizi spoke, the darker Emperor Yongning’s face became, like a pot’s bottom.

Xiao Lizi nearly couldn’t continue.

But he had just one sentence left to say, and he had to finish it.

"She naturally got angry because she couldn’t bear it, and of course wouldn’t want to come to see Your Majesty."

Thus, to summarize, Jun Ning hadn’t come to see him because she was angry.

Emperor Yongning slammed the table, "That’s not the case. Xiao Lizi, you know better than anyone, my feelings for Yi Yi have never changed. I didn’t intentionally neglect her or make her angry recently.

In recent days, coupled with previous days, he hadn’t seen Jun Ning, even refusing her audience requests, nor frequented the Wei Yang Palace like before. Not because there was a disturbance outside, nor intentionally avoiding her. He had his reasons, feeling guilty.

Suddenly finding Yao Yao, he didn’t know why he couldn’t muster interest in this daughter, without any joy of finding his daughter.

He had not felt the same delight as seeing Jun Ning in girls’ attire for the first time.

With Yao Yao, since her mother was caned to death, he had only the responsibilities of a father towards her.

Yet, these responsibilities and Yao Yao’s presence put Jun Ning in a very awkward situation, posing as his daughter.

And it was precisely he who placed Jun Ning in such an awkward situation.

He felt guilty, somewhat afraid to face Jun Ning, worried she might suddenly say, "Father Emperor, now you have a daughter, I no longer need to pretend to be your daughter, right?"