Chapter 1
Chapter 1
The master from Huguo Temple arrived quickly.
He performed a series of grand, sweeping gestures before leaning in to whisper a few words to Father Emperor with a solemn expression.
I pouted my little lips and widened my eyes, straining my ears to listen.
But I couldn’t hear a thing.
It was driving me crazy.
I’m just a newborn baby; why are you all being so guarded around me?
Sigh!
The wet nurses praised, “Look, Your Majesty, see how the little princess pouts? How beautiful. She’s bound to be a great beauty in the future.”
Thanks for the compliment.
I still can’t control this new body very well.
Am I pouting?
I have no idea!
Empress Mother was very happy. She had the nurse carry me over and gently stroked my cheek with her finger.
That touch was undoubtedly a mother’s love.
[My poor dear mother, you should stop having children. Don’t give birth anymore, lest I end up a motherless child living like a stray weed.]
[My Father Emperor is no good man. He made you give birth to seven children. Seven! My God, even an old sow in a village wouldn’t be forced to breed like that.]
[Is this how a human acts? He’s a beast!]
Father Emperor walked over, his face darkened, staring at me with an unfriendly gaze.
Me: [?]
What’s your problem?
Why are you glaring at me?
Empress Mother’s expression dimmed.
“It is this concubine’s fault for giving birth to a daughter. In the future…”
“Ningxian, no. I was just thinking that we won’t have any more children. I was wrong in the past, always thinking that more children meant more blessings. I thought that with the imperial physicians watching over you, you would always give birth safely. I never considered that having so many children would cause such great damage to your body. Compared to a house full of children and grandchildren, I would rather grow old together with you. We already have two sons, and now we have a daughter. We have both sons and a daughter now; that is enough.”
Me: [?]
Is the sun rising from the west?
How did he suddenly start acting like a decent human being!
I’m not used to this.
I searched my mind for information regarding this Emperor for the Ages.
[I wasted my emotions for nothing. Even if my mom can’t give birth, aren’t there other concubines?]
[My Father Emperor eventually ends up with fourteen sons. Not a huge amount, but not a small number either!]
[He works so hard ’tilling the soil’ in the harem; Mother, what are you so moved for?]
[If he were truly good, he should go drink a bowl of sterility soup himself.]
*Thump!*
Father Emperor slapped the bed heavily.
It rattled my newborn little head.
[What! What for? If you don’t like me, just say it.]
[It’s not like I’m desperate to stay in your family. If you don’t like me, I’ll leave.]
[I’ll hold my breath until I die. Let’s see if my mother doesn’t scold you to death.]
[I lived a pathetic life in my past world. I finally got into a 985 university and thought I’d reached the peak of my life, only to become a corporate slave upon graduation and die from 996 overwork at my desk.]
[I didn’t come to this life to suffer. At worst, I’ll go back to being an assistant to Yama. Once I’ve saved up enough merit, I’ll just reincarnate into a better life. Hmph!]
The wet nurses panicked.
“Why is the little princess’s face turning purple?”
“The princess isn’t breathing!”
Empress Mother was horrified. “Quickly, summon the imperial physicians!”
Even the physicians were useless; I was determined to hold my breath until I died.
They tickled the soles of my feet, patted my back, and even pinched my philtrum, but I refused to take a breath.
Empress Mother was frantic, weeping as she said, “I know Your Majesty does not like daughters. If that is the case, I beg to take my daughter into the Cold Palace. I only ask that Your Majesty appease your anger and spare her life.”
Father Emperor was both angry and anxious. “Ningxian, that’s not what I meant. I… she clearly did it herself… Sigh, all of you move aside, let me…”
He stepped forward, took me from the nurse’s arms, and showed a hint of a fawning smile.
“It was Father Emperor’s fault. Father Emperor wasn’t being mean to you.”
“Father Emperor just thought of a good name and couldn’t help but slap the bed.”
“You are my eldest daughter, the little treasure I have long hoped for. How could I dare be mean to you?”
“Father Emperor promises that I will never let you suffer in this life.”
“Even if you want the stars in the sky, Father Emperor will pluck them down for you!”
I let out a breath.
[Now that’s more like a daughter-doting father. Keep it up.]
[I have a personal connection with Yama. If you’re lying, you’d better think carefully about the consequences.]
Everyone was overjoyed.
“The little princess is fine! Your Majesty, the princess is breathing.”
“It seems the little princess is closest to His Majesty. She’s born to listen to His Majesty. In the future, she will surely be His Majesty’s precious little girl.”