In the palace, upon hearing the news, the Emperor flew into a rage.

“Killing someone in broad daylight, and you still can’t find the murderer?! What use do I have for you all?!”

The officials knelt in a row.

No one dared to risk provoking the Emperor’s wrath.

“Your Majesty.” Jiang Yuansheng stepped forward, breaking the tension. “Yan Song has already been captured—he’s locked up in the lowest level of the Ministry of Justice’s prison.”

The Emperor’s expression shifted.

The lowest level.

A dungeon that the late Emperor had used to imprison inhuman entities.

Jiang Yuansheng continued, “Yan Song was also the mastermind behind the Chen family case. Duke An mentioned that there was someone behind him pulling the strings. I believe Yan Song knows more.”

“Then interrogate him!” the Emperor ordered.

The Minister of Justice, Li Wenbo, looked distressed. “Your Majesty, Yan Song is skilled in sorcery. We truly do not know how to handle him.”

For someone to suddenly appear in the lowest level of the dungeon—what else could he be but a demon?

They didn’t even dare to open the doors to that level.

Who knew what other tricks that old monster had up his sleeve?

The entire court of officials remained silent—none dared to take on this task.

The Emperor grew even more furious.

Jiang Yuansheng stepped forward again. “Your Majesty, I believe there is someone capable of handling this.”

“Oh?” The Emperor was intrigued. “Who?”

“My younger sister, Yuanxi.”

“You said who?!” The Emperor thought he had misheard.

“Jiang Yuanxi.” Jiang Yuansheng repeated.

“Ridiculous!” The old ministers immediately objected.

“That kind of demonic being—how could a mere toddler possibly handle it?” They themselves didn’t even dare to try.

The Emperor lowered his gaze, his expression gradually darkening.

“Why not?” Duke Han spoke up.

If not for Yuanxi that night, his daughter would have fallen victim to Yan Song’s schemes.

There was no one in this world more capable than his granddaughter.

“That scum isn’t even worthy of carrying Yuanxi’s shoes!”

Since being pardoned, Old Master Chen had been allowed to resume his official post, but he had chosen retirement instead.

In the end, he only served as the Deputy Censor-in-Chief.

Though the position was lower, his seniority remained unmatched.

No one in the entire Censorate dared to disrespect him.

Old Master Chen pulled Duke Han aside. “This is too dangerous—Yuanxi must not do it.”

If the entire court feared taking on this task, how could a one-year-old child handle it?

Jiang Yuansheng had lost his mind—how could he push his own sister into such peril?

“Indeed,” Minister of War, Yue Tu, disapproved as well. “This is absurd.”

If even they dared not intervene, sending a baby was practically sending her to her death.

At that moment, Minister Zhou weakly raised a hand. “I actually think… Yuanxi can handle it.”

Don’t ask why.

Just know that his wife was pregnant.

The Emperor couldn’t make up his mind.

After court was dismissed, he immediately summoned Jiang Yuanxi to the palace.

The Crown Prince personally went to fetch her.

As soon as the palace was mentioned, Jiang Yuanxi’s mouth started watering.

[“Eight-treasure duck, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, crystal pork knuckle, braised venison, steamed bear paw…”]

The Crown Prince listened to her muttering the entire way.

“Uncle Emperor!” As soon as she reached the entrance of the imperial study, the little one’s sweet, soft voice rang out.

The Emperor put down his work and personally went to receive her.

“Did you miss Uncle Emperor?” He pinched her chubby little face.

Jiang Yuanxi grinned. “Yes.”

The Emperor was just about to feel pleased when he suddenly heard her true thoughts.

[“Of course I miss… roast duck, roast goose, soy-braised chicken, cured meat, pine-flower sausage…”]

Jiang Yuanxi listed dish after dish, drooling as she spoke.

The Crown Prince smirked—what a little foodie.

The Emperor’s heart ached.

So she didn’t miss him—she missed his imperial kitchen.

How could he, the ruler of a nation, lose to a kitchen?

The Emperor was frustrated.

“Yuanxi, how about I become your father?”

He even abandoned his usual formal speech and referred to himself as “I.”

Jiang Yuanxi instantly tensed up.

[“Uncle Emperor likes my mother!”]

Oh no.

“No way! My father isn’t dead!” The little girl huffed.

The Crown Prince covered his mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

The Emperor realized she had misunderstood.

Chen Xinwan and Jiang Fengyuan were known for their deep love in the capital. As the Emperor, how could he behave so dishonorably?

“Yuanxi, I mean, I can be another father to you—so you’ll have more people to protect you.”

“Not needed!”

She was the strongest—she didn’t need protection.

Trying to replace her real father? No way.

The Emperor hesitated. The little one still thought he was trying to steal her mother.

The Crown Prince, seeing the situation, picked up a freshly roasted duck leg from the kitchen.

“Yuanxi, if the Emperor is your father, you’ll have endless meat—bear paw, venison, all the delicacies you can eat.”

The little girl bit her sleeve, hesitating.

“No!”

[“I have my limits. No amount of meat will change that.”]

The Crown Prince sighed dramatically.

“What a pity. The imperial kitchen just made crystal pork knuckle. But oh well, Yuanxi won’t get to taste it.”

The little girl’s eyes widened, her mouth slightly open.

She hesitated for a long time.

“Then… then you can be my father for one day.”

Bear paw, venison, mountain and sea delicacies—none could compare to a simple pork knuckle.

The Emperor was overjoyed.

One day was enough.

Once the decree was issued, there was no taking it back.

He immediately ordered the Ministry of Rites to prepare an official edict.

Soon, the decree was finalized and personally delivered to the Jiang residence.

“By the decree of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Jiang Yuanxi of the Jiang family, intelligent and endearing, possessing extraordinary talent and virtue, shall be granted the title of Imperial Princess, with the honorary name Xihe. So decreed!”

The Jiang family stared blankly at the imperial edict.

Madam Chen’s mind went blank.

Her daughter… became a princess?!

Their servant, Chun Zhi, quickly stuffed a handful of silver notes into the eunuch’s hands.

“Just a small token, Lord Eunuch.”

The eunuch, seeing a full five hundred taels, beamed with joy.

“Her Highness is dearly favored by His Majesty. The title ceremony is tomorrow—no need for Madam to worry.”

Jiang Fengyuan remained silent, but his expression darkened.

Holding the decree, he rushed to the palace.

Outside the hall, the eunuch stopped him.

“My lord, His Majesty is resting. Please return home.”

From inside, the sound of laughter—both adult and child—echoed out.

Jiang Fengyuan turned back.

“Eunuch Cao, His Majesty is clearly awake. Let me in.”

The eunuch glanced around. “My lord, His Majesty is napping.”

Jiang Fengyuan admired the eunuch’s ability to lie with a straight face.

Taking out another decree, the eunuch handed it over.

Reading it, Jiang Fengyuan clenched his jaw.

This was premeditated!