Even the highly favored Crown Prince, Li Mu, didn’t dare speak up at this moment, remaining silent and aloof.

“Father…” The Fourth Princess, still young and always pampered, had never been reprimanded like this before.  She immediately started crying softly, sniffling and bowing to Jiang Yingwan, “Greetings, Second Sister.”

Jiang Yingwan had never seen the Fourth Princess so submissive.  She froze, unsure how to respond. At that moment, a gaze fell upon her. The emperor’s eyes held encouragement as he nodded slightly.

Encouraged, Jiang Yingwan took a deep breath and summoned the courage to face her shadow from her past life.

“Fourth Sister, please rise.”

“Thank you, Second Sister.” The Fourth Princess wiped her eyes, the earlier joy gone from her face.

The emperor detected the reluctance in her tone and his gaze darkened. He knew there would inevitably be estrangement between Wanwan, recently returned to the palace, and her siblings.  However, he felt guilty towards this daughter, and since Wanwan had just recovered from a serious illness and was frail, he couldn’t help but favor her somewhat.

Jiaru had been spoiled too much.  She was so impolite to her own older sister in front of him.

He sighed softly, beckoning Jiaru closer. “What did you come to see me for today?”

Take it slow. Wanwan has only recently returned, and Jiaru is still young.  Their relationship will take time to develop.

The Fourth Princess ran over and nestled into his arms, clinging to his hand with a pout. “Father, next month is my birthday, and I want a pony.”

“You’re too young to ride a horse,” he chided softly, then subconsciously glanced at Jiang Yingwan. Seeing her head bowed, seemingly quite dejected, he softened his tone.

“Wanwan’s birthday is also approaching. Is there anything you want?”

He remembered that Wanwan was born on Guyu (Grain Rain). On that day, he ascended the throne, stepping over his brother’s corpse.  He then received news that Wang had given birth to a daughter, feeling that this daughter had arrived at the right time.  However, a few days later, the child was lost in the chaos, before he even saw her.

For years, he had felt deep guilt, and Wanwan’s appearance had only partially compensated for his regret.

Wanwan was just as he had imagined his daughter to be: petite and beautiful. Although her personality was somewhat timid, this was also his fault.

Jiang Yingwan didn’t expect him to turn the conversation to her. After a moment of hesitation, she shook her head. “Your servant doesn’t want anything.”

It was a coincidence that when her parents found Yinghan, they didn’t know her birthday. Seeing that she was about the same age as her, they set her birthday on the same day as hers.  Only after entering the palace did Jiang Yingwan learn that Yinghan was actually born on the same day as her.

The emperor pondered for a moment. “For Wanwan’s first birthday back in the palace, we should have a proper celebration.”

The Fourth Princess, nestled in his arms, lowered her eyelids, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes.

Jiang Yingwan’s expression turned unpleasant. “Father… Your servant is unfamiliar with the rules and worried about embarrassing you.”

There had been such a birthday banquet in her past life, but she had made a terrible fool of herself, and the memory still haunted her. She was determined not to embarrass herself in front of everyone again.

“You are my princess,” the emperor looked at her, his gaze possessing a reassuring strength. “I am your face.”

As a royal princess, even if she caused a huge disaster, he would take care of it, allowing no one to say a word.

Before Jiang Yingwan could speak, the Crown Prince said, “Father is right. Wanwan is the most precious princess of our Li family.  Her first birthday celebration after returning to the palace cannot be handled casually.”

Li Mu’s thoughts were more far-reaching. Wanwan had only just been recognized by the royal family, and there was already much speculation outside. If the emperor didn’t show more attention to Wanwan, she would likely suffer greatly in the palace.

For the sake of the “Crown Prince Brother” title, he didn’t mind getting closer to this newly recognized sister. Besides, the emperor clearly felt pity for Wanwan, and he was happy to show his brotherly demeanor in front of the emperor.

It seemed this ordeal was unavoidable.

Jiang Yingwan dejectedly lowered her head, but then thought that she had already experienced this once in her past life.  Knowing what difficulties she would face at the banquet, she could prepare in advance to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Thinking this, she felt much more relaxed. “Yes, Father.”

Seeing that her always-doting father was now focused on her newly appeared sister, the Fourth Princess tugged at his sleeve. “Father, what about my birthday?”

Although the emperor was particularly fond of the Crown Prince, he had always treated his other children equally in terms of their allowances. He patted the Fourth Princess’s head.

“Yours will be the same as usual.”

The Fourth Princess was clearly dissatisfied with this answer, but she didn’t dare argue with her father, obediently saying, “Mm, I knew Father loves me the most.”

Then she turned to Jiang Yingwan, her eyes rolling. “Second Sister grew up in the countryside and is unfamiliar with the palace. If you need anything, be sure to come to me.”

*I’ll go to you like hell.*

Jiang Yingwan thought to herself. In her past life, she had believed the Fourth Princess’s lies and suffered much teasing and bullying. This time, she wouldn’t believe the Fourth Princess was so kind; this child looked innocent but was actually very malicious towards her.

However, in front of the emperor, she could only reply gently, “I’d be grateful for Fourth Sister’s help.”

The emperor could hear the animosity in the Fourth Princess’s words, but he couldn’t be too partial, so he gently patted the Fourth Princess’s head.

“I have some matters to attend to. You two may leave. Crown Prince, stay.”

Jiang Yingwan had wanted to leave. She felt relatively comfortable with the emperor and the Crown Prince, but she felt uneasy after the Fourth Princess arrived.

She disliked the Fourth Princess, or rather, she felt insecure around her. The Fourth Princess was a true royal princess, while she was merely an imposter.  How could she compete with the Fourth Princess for the emperor’s favor?

The emperor’s current affection for her was only pity.  His feelings for the Fourth Princess, raised at his knee, were naturally deeper. If she had a conflict with the Fourth Princess, the emperor wouldn’t side with her.

She didn’t seek to have the same status as the Fourth Princess in the emperor’s heart, only hoping to hold onto his pity and guilt, making him value her slightly, even if only as half a daughter.

“Your servant takes her leave.”

Jiang Yingwan only breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the hall, but the next moment, someone bumped hard into her abdomen.

She frowned and looked over.  The Fourth Princess’s childish face was full of malice, her dark eyes glaring at her.

“Father is mine.”

Jiang Yingwan clutched her abdomen, silently watching her leave without looking back.

Inside the hall, Liu Gonggong approached the emperor, cautiously reporting the conflict outside.

The emperor closed his eyes and dismissed him with a wave of his hand, his left hand tapping rhythmically on the table, the sound heavy and oppressive.

Li Mu said softly, “Jiaru is young and doesn’t understand. Father, don’t be angry.”

“Eight years old, not young anymore,” the emperor opened his eyes, his expression calm and unperturbed.

“I hear that Yang Jieyu has always spoiled Jiaru, giving her whatever she wants,” Li Mu said casually.

The emperor remained silent, but his eyes showed swirling thoughts.

Why Didn’t You Tell Father That You Were Bullied? …

On her way back to Yongning Palace, Jiang Yingwan’s abdomen still ached.  The Fourth Princess, though young, was quite strong, like a stubborn wild bull, repeatedly ramming into her lower abdomen.

Jiang Yingwan didn’t know why the Fourth Princess was so malicious towards her.  If it was fear that she would steal the emperor’s favor, she had only recently returned to the palace and hadn’t developed a deep father-daughter relationship with the emperor.  The Fourth Princess should be more jealous of the eldest princess, who was already married.

Jiang Yingwan only lowered the hand covering her abdomen when she reached the entrance of Yongning Palace.  Wang Zhaoyi quickly rose from her chair and walked towards her.

“Why did it take you so long?”

Jiang Yingwan heard the impatience in her tone and lowered her head, softly saying, “His Majesty summoned your servant for a while.”

Hearing this, Wang Zhaoyi’s face relaxed, and her familiar smile returned. She took her hand and sat her down.

“What did His Majesty say to you?”

Jiang Yingwan shook her head. “Your servant hadn’t spoken to His Majesty for long when the Fourth Princess arrived.”

She hesitated, looking at Wang Zhaoyi, ultimately not telling her about the conflict with the Fourth Princess at the entrance of the Xuanzheng Hall.

Wang Zhaoyi didn’t really look up to her; Jiang Yingwan knew this.  In her past life, Wang Zhaoyi often complained about her dullness and never comforted her when she was bullied, only pretending to be a caring mother in front of the emperor.

Perhaps only a sweet and lively girl like Yinghan was the princess Wang Zhaoyi truly wanted, and therefore, she abandoned her immediately after Yinghan appeared.

“Jiaru is always favored. You should be more tolerant since you’ve just returned,” Wang Zhaoyi didn’t notice her pale face.  Her gaze darkened when she heard “Fourth Princess,” but she spoke softly to her.

“Your servant understands.” Jiang Yingwan had heard this response countless times in her past life and could now remain unmoved.

In her past life, she had thought Wang Zhaoyi was her biological mother and had been disappointed when hearing her words, especially when comparing her to the gentle care of her biological mother. But now, knowing that Wang Zhaoyi was only using her, she no longer had expectations and wouldn’t feel sad or upset.

Seeing her docile appearance, Wang Zhaoyi nodded in satisfaction, but secretly looked down on her even more.  Such a timid personality was really unlikeable.  A countryside upbringing was indeed difficult to shake off.  Oh well, she had no choice.  Being timid had its advantages; she was at least easy to control.

Jiang Yingwan lowered her head, allowing her to examine her.  After a long time, she felt her gaze shift away, lightly saying, “Alright, you’ve just recovered from a serious illness. Go rest.”