The rebel had been captured, and Yuan Ruan had gained the identity of a little princess.

That night, Yuan Ruan had a deeply satisfying sleep.

By the time the sun was high in the sky, she yawned and let out a few soft coos.

A pair of gentle hands lifted her up. Yuan Ruan opened her blurry eyes to see a beautiful palace maid holding her. Not only did the maid pick her up, but she also began to undress her.

Peeking further, Yuan Ruan noticed two steaming buckets of water inside the tent and several small pieces of clothing neatly laid out on a side table.

Yuan Ruan couldn’t help but sigh to the system:

【Wahhh, I’ve made it. My days of having everything done for me are finally here!】

System: 【Cheers! Yuan Ruan’s hardships are finally over! Wait a second… could this be some kind of trap?】

【Doesn’t matter. Let’s focus on getting the maid to choose a dress I like. I don’t want to wear split pants.】

【Host, you really know how to prioritize! Truly carefree!】

Yuan Ruan grinned, baring her little teeth.

She understood the system’s suspicions had some merit, but as a baby, there wasn’t much she could do about conspiracies. Instead, she chose to relax and enjoy life.

Squinting her eyes, Yuan Ruan basked in the maid’s care as she bathed and massaged her. By the time the maid was changing the water for the second round, Wu Yi’s voice came from outside.

“I had some clothes bought,” Wu Yi called from outside the tent after a brief pause. “Let her pick them herself.”

With that, the tent flap lifted.

Six maids entered in a line, each holding a beautiful baby dress.

The maids were puzzled—what logic was there in letting a baby pick her clothes? The general clearly had no experience with children. But they dared not object and carefully presented the dresses to Yuan Ruan one by one.

Fortunately, the baby was very cooperative, her bright eyes fixed on the pretty outfits, and she reached out to touch them enthusiastically.

Relieved, the maids left the dress Yuan Ruan chose behind.

【Wow! Male Mommy has great taste—all these dresses are exactly my style! I can’t get enough of them. Amazing!】

【Host, your skin is too delicate for such coarse fabric. You’ve never worn anything like this before.】

【It’s fine. This is a military camp in the middle of nowhere. Having any clothes at all is already a blessing. It’s not like I’m planning to wear a spacesuit and fly. This will do.】

Outside the tent, Wu Yi heard everything: …

Turning to the maids, he ordered, “Find the softest fabric you can—silk if possible—and have it made into baby clothes immediately!”

The lead maid hesitated. “General, only the emperor’s inner garments are made of silk.”

Wu Yi froze. Just then, a calm and steady voice came from behind.

“Do as the general says.”

The maids quickly obeyed and left.

Wu Yi bowed respectfully.

The emperor, hands clasped behind his back, glanced at him. “I heard you sent your guards to buy baby clothes from a village. What’s wrong? Couldn’t you find good material? Is she uncomfortable?”

“Your Majesty, you are perceptive,” Wu Yi said, bowing again. “The princess is very understanding and didn’t complain, but the system spoke up for her…”

With that, Wu Yi briefly recounted the conversation he overheard.

When the emperor heard about “clothes that can fly,” his eyes lit up.

“A spacesuit? Such a divine garment exists?”

Wu Yi nodded. “I was startled when I heard it. I even wondered if the little princess might have brought one with her…”

“It doesn’t matter,” the emperor interrupted softly. “The fact that she came into my life is blessing enough. As for the rest, if it exists, it exists. If not, there’s no need to force it.”

Wu Yi took a deep breath and bowed again. “Your Majesty is absolutely right. It was my greed that got the better of me.”

Just then, they heard a faint voice in their minds:

【Wow! Big brother and Male Mommy are both here. So handsome! Such eye candy!】

Both men turned their heads simultaneously and saw Yuan Ruan being carried out by a maid. Her soft little hands waved, and her bright, round eyes gleamed as she looked at them.

【Even just looking at them makes me so happy!】

The emperor and Wu Yi exchanged amused glances, both smiling at Yuan Ruan’s endearing contentment.

The emperor was the first to approach, lifting Yuan Ruan high into the air.

【Brother kisses!】

【Male Mommy hugs!】

The emperor glanced at Wu Yi with a playful smirk. Wu Yi coughed lightly and looked away.

After playing with Yuan Ruan for a while, the emperor handed her over to Wu Yi. “Since she likes you, go ahead and hold her.”

Wu Yi initially felt awkward, but who could resist such an adorable little one gazing at them with pure affection? Especially one who constantly showered compliments in her thoughts.

Wu Yi’s gaze softened visibly as he held Yuan Ruan, his movements so stiff that he nearly walked with mismatched steps.

The emperor and Wu Yi happily cared for Yuan Ruan together.

Others were left dumbfounded.

The tyrant feared across four nations, personally tending to a baby?

The “Butcher General” cherished her as a treasure?

What kind of charm did this infant possess?!

The assassination attempt on the Emperor meant his travel plans had been leaked to the traitors.

Typically, such an incident would require an immediate return to the capital for safety.

However, the western frontier bordering the Xiongnu was crucial and couldn’t be destabilized. This journey had dual purposes: to assert dominance and to potentially ally with the Xiongnu. The mission was too significant to cancel.

After careful consideration, the emperor decided to feign injury.

Leading 20,000 troops, he began a slow return to the capital while secretly summoning the crown prince to continue the western expedition.

Seven days later.

The emperor was instructing an attendant to make Yuan Ruan’s rice porridge smoother when Wu Yi strode in, covered in dust, and saluted. “Your Majesty, news from Commander Song.”

The emperor instinctively glanced at Yuan Ruan, who lay on the bed playing with her hands.

He stepped outside, walking several paces before saying, “Show me.”

Wu Yi handed over the sealed report.

The first scroll detailed that Yuan Ruan had appeared with an elderly woman in a village half a month ago. The woman claimed they were fleeing war to seek relatives. They were taken in by a solitary hunter.

However, upon investigation, the hunter had long been dead, replaced by a rebel who had stolen his identity.

Further inquiries revealed that a blue-eyed infant had once been seen in a small courtyard in the capital. The courtyard had been a gift from Consort Hu to a palace maid who had married and left the palace.

The emperor crushed the first scroll in his hands, expressionless.

After a moment, he opened the second scroll.

It stated that there was no evidence of Consort Hu having contact with outside men.

She hadn’t left the palace in the past two years and spent most of her time praying in a small shrine within her residence.

Line after line of “no evidence” and “never happened” eased the emperor’s mind slightly but also raised new doubts.

No contact with men.

No leaving the palace.

It couldn’t possibly be a divine conception.

Shaking his head to dismiss the absurd thought, a new idea occurred to him.

Patting Wu Yi on the shoulder, he said, “Tell Commander Song to expand the search. Investigate the rear courtyards of my brothers’ and uncles’ residences.”

Wu Yi froze, then understood. “Your Majesty’s wisdom is unmatched. The system only said she’s a sister. She could very well be a cousin or a half-sister.”

The emperor nodded slightly and waved Wu Yi off.

But no sooner had Wu Yi left than he returned, lifting the tent flap.

“Why are you back…?” The emperor’s words trailed off, his expression softening into a smile. “So, you’re here.”

At that moment, Yuan Ruan, rubbing her sleepy eyes, woke up.

For the first time, she heard the emperor speak in such a tender tone to someone other than herself.

Curious, she peeked over her pillow.

The newcomer removed his bright white cloak, revealing a flowing pale blue robe. His handsome features and ethereal demeanor made him appear otherworldly.

“Greetings, Father,” the young man said, bowing.

【Wow! This… this is the emperor’s son? He’s so handsome! Wait… how is the emperor this old?!】

Crown Prince: ???

Who said that?

Who dared to call the emperor old?!

The prince’s sharp eyes scanned the area as his hand rested on his sword hilt. His ethereal demeanor instantly transformed into that of a drawn blade, poised to strike.

【Wow! Someone should show certain actors what it means to change vibes without eyeliner. Look at this—truly a transformation! Amazing.】

System: 【Ding—Host, this seems to be the glass hearted crown prince. Want some gossip?】

The crown prince stiffened and barked, “Who’s there?!”

But before he could act, Wu Yi clamped a hand over his mouth.

Startled, the prince struggled, but then he saw his usually serious father signaling him repeatedly to stay quiet.

Crown Prince: ???

Father and the general… sneaky?

Wait… was he hallucinating? Hearing voices? And now seeing things?!