Chapter 22: Uncle is So Incredibly Handsome!

At this moment, Ah Bao was incredibly anxious.

She desperately wanted to open her mouth and tell the tyrant not to take back the military power.

Surrendering the military command and returning to a peaceful civilian life would make them commoners, and it would open the door for the male and female leads to exploit the situation.

But as much as she waved her little hands and tried to babble, she couldn’t say a single word!

After all, she was still just a baby of a little over two months old.

If she could speak now, they’d probably think she was a demon and burn her at the stake.

[Wuwuwu, I’m so worried! Scumbag dad, don’t be so foolish!]

Suddenly, the tyrant stood up. “Outrageous!”

Madam Xiao trembled and quickly knelt as well.

She was still shaken by the tragic events Ah Bao had mentioned and hadn’t yet regained her composure.

Concubine De’s heart pounded wildly.

So, it wasn’t the emperor who killed her parents, but someone called the “male and female leads”?

While Concubine De, Madam Xiao, and General Su waited for the tyrant to continue his outburst, the emperor spoke coldly: “Years ago, when the Tiansheng Empire faced trouble at its northern border, my father-in-law requested to lead the troops and stayed at the frontier for ten long years.

Now that the war has ended, and the nation is at peace, my father-in-law actually wants to return the military power?

When I granted you that power, I didn’t give you permission to return it without my approval!”

General Su: ?

Uh.

Wait.

Doesn’t the emperor want to reclaim the military power?

Historically, ministers whose achievements outshone their rulers often met with suspicion and terrible fates at the hands of their kings.

He knew this well. If he waited until the emperor decided to take back the military command, the entire Su family would surely face disaster.

Sensing General Su’s concerns, the tyrant softened his tone and sighed, “Father-in-law, to be honest, I did consider reclaiming the military power before.

But now, I realize that was a mistake.

An emperor must never treat loyal ministers as disposable tools.

Moreover, I trust you, Father-in-law. If I, as emperor, cannot trust the general who fought by my side through thick and thin, then how can I claim to rule a country?

You have not only served the Tiansheng Empire with distinction but also endured great hardships. If I were to do something like that, it would surely break the hearts of my loyal ministers.

I acknowledge my mistake and will correct it, for one wrong step can lead to many more.”

“You must keep hold of the military power. Although the Tiansheng Empire appears peaceful on the surface, in reality, it is plagued with internal strife and external threats. In case of any future upheaval, we will still need to rely on you, Father-in-law.”

Old General Su’s eyes widened in shock as he looked at the tyrant, feeling overwhelmed with emotion.

Tears streamed down his weathered face. “Your Majesty, you are indeed a wise ruler! As long as this old man lives, I will guard the Tiansheng Empire and protect Your Majesty.

As for the matter of military power, whenever Your Majesty wishes to reclaim it, I will gladly offer it back with both hands!

Even if I no longer hold military authority, I will still remain loyal to the Tiansheng Empire and to Your Majesty, dedicating my life and efforts.”

[Scumbag dad is really starting to look like a wise ruler now.]

[Grandfather made the right choice. An enlightened ruler and a loyal minister—this is truly a blessing for the Tiansheng Empire.]

I love hearing that!

Daughter, keep praising me.

The tyrant stole a glance at Ah Bao, sighing internally. Ah Bao truly was his little lucky star.

At that moment, Old General Su was so astonished that he could hardly think straight.

His little granddaughter had shown the potential to govern the empire from a very young age. Her future was limitless.

Madam Xiao and Concubine De, being women, had always refrained from interfering in political matters.

But now, they couldn’t help but keep their eyes on Ah Bao, occasionally touching her.

Poor Ah Bao, completely unaware that her entire family could hear her inner thoughts.

“Master, Madam, something terrible has happened!” The old nanny rushed in from outside.

General Su frowned. “Nanny, why are you so flustered? Don’t you know the emperor is here?”

The old nanny immediately knelt and saluted the tyrant, then whispered softly, “Master, it’s the young master…”

“What happened to Jinye?”

The nanny sighed. “Master, you’d better come and see for yourself.”

General Su and Madam Xiao hurriedly rushed to the west wing.

When Concubine De heard that her brother was in trouble, she couldn’t sit still either and carried Ah Bao with her to follow.

As they approached the west wing, before stepping into the room, Ah Bao could hear the sound of someone sobbing from inside.

It sounded like a young woman crying.

When the door opened, what Madam Xiao and Concubine De saw left them completely stunned.

Madam Xiao quickly pushed General Su outside.

The tyrant, sensing that something was amiss, stayed outside the door, curious but not entering.

However, Concubine De carried Ah Bao into the room.

On the bed, a young girl, her clothes disheveled, sat curled up in a corner, trembling.

It was her soft sobs they had heard earlier.

The girl had a delicate, charming face, and with her tear-filled eyes, she looked like a wounded little rabbit.

“Oh, Yue’er, don’t be like this. Please, speak to your mother,” Aunt Liu sobbed, hugging Shen Congyue tightly.

For a moment, the room was filled with cries.

“Aunt Liu, what… what happened here?” Madam Xiao asked, utterly confused.

Aunt Liu, with tears and snot running down her face, clutched Shen Congyue and looked at Madam Xiao. “What else could have happened? Ask your son Su Jinye what he did to my daughter last night!”

Madam Xiao frowned.

She tugged at the sleeve of Su Jinye, who stood nearby like a silent god. “Jinye, explain. What happened? How did Miss Shen end up in your room, on your bed?”

Su Jinye had always been the coldest of the Su children.

Now, he furrowed his brow deeply.

He had no memory of what had transpired last night with Shen Congyue.

Ah Bao, nestled in Concubine De’s arms, sucked on her tiny fingers, her big eyes blinking curiously.

From the moment she entered, Ah Bao had noticed Su Jinye.

He was dressed in a deep purple robe, with sharp, handsome features and a cold expression. His brows and facial structure bore a slight resemblance to her mother, and Ah Bao instantly recognized him.

[Is that Uncle?]

[Wow, this uncle is so handsome! His looks totally hit me right in the heart, almost as good as scumbag dad!]

Ah Bao was utterly mesmerized by Su Jinye’s appearance.

Su Jinye suddenly froze, his body stiffening. The sound of crying still filled the room, but those babbling thoughts seemed to pierce straight into his soul.

Without showing any emotion, he glanced toward Concubine De.

There was only one child in the room.

And that was his little niece.

The legendary Princess Ah Bao.

Since her birth, he hadn’t had the chance to meet her yet.

But could those earlier thoughts have come from… little Ah Bao?

[Ah! Uncle is looking at me! Hello, Uncle, I’m right here!]

Ah Bao was so excited when her handsome uncle looked her way that she completely forgot to suck on her fingers.

Su Jinye confirmed that the voice he had heard came from Ah Bao.

But—

The Tenth Princess was only a little over two months old and couldn’t speak yet.

So what he heard were Ah Bao’s inner thoughts??

[Handsome Uncle, this Shen Congyue must be the second Miss Shen, the illegitimate daughter of the Shen family in the capital, right? Her mother, Aunt Liu, was the courtesan queen of Tianxiang Tower. She seduced Lord Shen with her charm and climbed her way into becoming the second wife of the marquis’ household.]

[Just one look at Shen Congyue’s ‘green tea’ face, and I knew I wasn’t wrong! Handsome Uncle, you’re so unlucky to have encountered this manipulative Shen Congyue.]

Su Jinye: ??

Green tea?

Does that mean a bad woman?

Concubine De and Madam Xiao were already numb from what they were hearing.

Was Shen Congyue trying to harm Jinye?

How dare she!