Chapter 51: Digging a Ditch Overnight

“Of course! A prince who doesn’t want to be Tyrant Emperor is not a good prince! Mother… didn’t I give birth to you to compete for the throne and become Tyrant Emperor?”

“Ha! What if I’m not cut out to be Tyrant Emperor?”

Concubine Hui was momentarily stunned but then smiled. “What nonsense are you talking? What do you mean you’re not cut out for it?

How would you know if you don’t try?”

“So, you mean you want me to be Tyrant Emperor regardless of whether I’m suited for it or not?”

“Silly child, being Tyrant Emperor is so desirable. So many people are eager to become one. Don’t you think the Seventh Prince and the others want it?”

“I don’t care whether they want it or not. I simply don’t.”

He didn’t have the capability.

Even if he became Tyrant Emperor, he couldn’t manage a country well. Besides, as the Tenth Princess said, he would be fed to wolves before he even ascended.

He didn’t want to be fed to wolves!

Whoever wants to be Tyrant Emperor can be Tyrant Emperor. He definitely didn’t want it.

Concubine Hui was infuriated and slapped the table with her hand. “You… you are so unmotivated! You just know how to play chess all day. Can playing chess make you an Tyrant Emperor?

Or will it lead to the throne? I don’t care whether you want it or not; you must compete for the throne!”

The Third Prince was very annoyed. “Mother, if becoming Tyrant Emperor means I will die, do you still want me to become one?”

“Yes! Whether you live or die, you must become Tyrant Emperor!”

“Ha! Am I really your biological son? Are you willing to disregard your own son’s life just for the dream of being Tyrant Emperor?”

Concubine Hui was taken aback.

The Third Prince took a deep breath, stood up, and said, “Mother, I’m tired. I’m going back to the residence.”

Concubine Hui watched the Third Prince’s figure slowly disappearing, her body swayed, and she felt a painful ache in her chest.

This ungrateful child!

Had she known he would be so disobedient, she should have chosen another child back then!

…

Back at the royal residence, the Third Prince was at a loss—he couldn’t lie down or sit properly. He had never deceived the Tyrant Emperor before.

He didn’t want to die!

If the Tyrant Emperor investigated that ditch…

No, no!

The Third Prince decided to dig a ditch next to Tiansheng Residence overnight.

Carrying a hoe, he ventured out in the dead of night, feeling inexplicably scared, so he grabbed two jars of wine to muster his courage.

The streets were almost deserted in the late night.

The Third Prince chose a spot and started digging with the hoe.

While digging, he lamented about how hard life was.

As he lamented, he became anxious, and as he became anxious, his work slowed down. His mouth began to crave the wine he saw nearby.

So the Third Prince dug the ditch while sighing and sipping on the wine.

The effects of the wine had taken hold.

The Third Prince finished digging the ditch and felt groggy but somehow thought he had accomplished something monumental that night.

It was his own work.

He felt a sense of achievement.

So, the Third Prince found a small wooden sign and, using a dagger he carried with him, carved a few words into it.

Masterpiece of This Person!

He was smart enough not to write his real name.

…

Early the next morning, after the court session, the Tyrant went to Yihe Palace first.

The reason he didn’t bring Ah Bao to court that morning was that a couple of days ago, Di Zian had taken Ah Bao to the bandit’s territory.

The Tyrant was heartbroken for his precious daughter, who hadn’t eaten or slept well for two days.

Worried that his daughter was too exhausted, the Tyrant decided to give Ah Bao a day off.

Ah Bao slept soundly and beautifully.

Upon waking up, she saw the Tyrant’s charmingly handsome face.

[Good morning, Dad~]

[I slept so well this morning, so comfortable~]

Ah Bao stretched her tiny body, and the Tyrant picked her up, kissed her little face, “Little one, you’ve gained some weight and grown a bit taller. You’re looking more and more like your father. So pretty!”

[Hmph, Dad’s being vain. I clearly look like Mom.]

Ah Bao chewed on her little hand, her dark eyes filled with joy.

“Cool… Cool…”

At six months old, she could already make some simple sounds.

But with a baby’s nature, she couldn’t pronounce even the simplest syllables clearly.

Oh.

It was really frustrating not being able to speak.

Concubine De, who was making a small belly band for Ah Bao, smiled upon hearing this.

[Oh, so boring. Last time, Brother said he’d take me out of the palace, but we ended up going to the bandit’s territory and didn’t get to play, so we came back to the palace.]

[It would be great to go out of the palace and play.]

[Well, I can only think about it. It’s so annoying not being able to talk.]

The Tyrant tapped Ah Bao’s little nose. “By the way, with all the recent administrative work, I haven’t left the palace for a while. Today’s a beautiful day with clear skies, so I’ll take Ah Bao out of the palace to experience the people’s lives.”

Ah Bao’s eyes lit up like grapes at the news.

[Yay, yay, Dad, you really understand me!]

[Going out of the palace~]

Ah Bao waved her tiny hands and lunged toward the Tyrant.

“Di… Dad…”

The Tyrant was delighted. “Ah Bao is calling… Daddy?”

[Yes, yes, Daddy, Daddy]

[I’m too small, and my tongue can’t get it straight when I speak.]

“Ha ha ha, Ah Bao can say Daddy now. My good Ah Bao!” The Tyrant was so happy that he swung Ah Bao around and twirled in circles.

“Ah Bao, call Daddy again.”

“Di… di…”

[Ah! The pronunciation isn’t right, so frustrating.]

“Hey, hey, hey.” The Tyrant quickly responded, even though it wasn’t quite the right sound, Ah Bao was still calling Daddy. “When you grow a bit more, you’ll be able to speak clearly.”

He was finally at ease.

Ah Bao was no longer just calling Liang Liang; now she could also say Di Di.

Concubine De, watching the interaction between father and daughter, couldn’t help but smile along.

“Concubine De should come out of the palace with us,” the Tyrant said.

Concubine De responded, “Yes, I’ll get ready now.”

In the carriage, Ah Bao sat in the Tyrant’s lap, gazing out at the rapidly retreating scenery with great delight.

[Oh yay, finally going out of the palace, ha ha ha!]

[So happy!]

Daddy was truly a warm-hearted father. When she wanted to go out of the palace, Daddy decided to go out and experience the people’s lives. They were really in tune with each other.

“Concubine De, there’s no need to be so formal. This trip out of the palace will be like a one-day tour of the capital for our family of three.”

Concubine De lowered her eyes and replied, “Yes, I understand.”

The Tyrant and Ah Bao spent the whole morning exploring, and Ah Bao was extremely happy.

The Tyrant remarked, “The capital, under the Son of Heaven, is truly prosperous and peaceful. Quite impressive.”

[Daddy’s bragging about himself.]

[Daddy only sees the tip of the iceberg. He hasn’t seen the hardships of the common people.]

[The capital is so vast and mixed, there are surely many dark things. Daddy, don’t speak too highly of it.]

Ah Bao rested her chin on the Tyrant’s shoulder, chewing on her little hand, and looked at the bustling and vibrant street market.

Handsome men, beautiful women, and the adorable little bundle in the Tyrant’s arms attracted a lot of attention.

Ah Bao squinted her eyes and smiled happily.

Unconsciously, they had walked to the vicinity of Tiansheng Residence.

“Who is so heartless to do this?”

“Broad daylight, this shouldn’t be happening.”

“What’s going on?”

“…”

A crowd had gathered ahead.

Men and women, old and young.

They were discussing something in small groups.

[Daddy, looks like something happened.]

Ah Bao stretched her neck to see what was happening.

The Tyrant, curious as well, stood among the crowd and looked ahead.

He saw a ditch with a sign next to it…