“Father…” Remembering the ease and comfort she felt with her parents, contrasting it with her current precarious situation, she felt overwhelmed with sadness. Her eyelashes fluttered, and tears welled up in her eyes, the corners tinged with red.

This scene was witnessed by the emperor opposite her, causing him to pause slightly.

Royal families were known for their strained relationships. While he wasn’t as attentive as ordinary parents, he would often summon his children for a chat. His princes and princesses were all pampered, none as gentle and weak as this daughter, like a delicate white flower about to break.

He sighed softly, pulling her to sit beside him, gently patting her shoulder to comfort her.

“Don’t cry,” his voice was low and cold, with an undeniable firmness and distance, yet it inexplicably offered comfort. “Father is here. You won’t suffer any more injustice.”

Jiang Yingwan slowly raised her eyes, a single tear hanging from her long lashes, shining with a moist, soft light.

“Father, I’m afraid…” Her voice trembled uncontrollably.

The image of the eunuch approaching her with a white silk sash in her dreams still lingered, her neck feeling constricted by an invisible force, making it hard to breathe.

“I’m afraid…” Jiang Yingwan unconsciously grabbed his arm, her fingertips pressing so hard they turned white. “I’m afraid, Your Majesty…”

A tear fell onto the emperor’s hand. He looked into his second daughter’s tearful eyes and suddenly realized she didn’t resemble Wang at all.

Wang, when she cried, didn’t evoke the same pity.

“It’s my fault,” he didn’t know how to comfort his crying daughter. Even with the Crown Prince, whom he had raised since childhood, he rarely personally soothed him.

He was the emperor, with much to do.  The entire nation needed his care, so his attention couldn’t be solely focused on one person.

Jiang Yingwan shook her head, unable to express the myriad thoughts in her heart.

If only she were truly his daughter, she could freely act childishly, confiding her fears and anxieties.

But she wasn’t. She was a usurper, a fake princess. If the emperor knew she wasn’t his long-lost daughter, would he still protect her?

No, in her past life, he had coldly watched as Wang Zhaoyi and Yinghan questioned her, letting her be condemned and ultimately strangled to death that night, perhaps even her remains left uncollected.

Jiang Yingwan cried for a long time, until her voice was hoarse and her tears finally subsided. After crying, she felt much better, as if the pent-up emotions from her rebirth had been released.

Just as she was about to wipe away the blurry tear stains, a handkerchief was offered, the majestic golden dragon embroidered on it catching her eye.

“Thank you, Father. Your servant has been unseemly.”

She carefully accepted the handkerchief but didn’t dare look at the emperor’s expression, thinking her tear-stained face must be terrible, hoping he wouldn’t be disgusted.

Jiang Yingwan slightly turned her face, using the emperor’s handkerchief to wipe her eyes. A refreshing sandalwood scent entered her nostrils.  Whether from crying or the strong fragrance, she felt a little dizzy.

After composing herself, she turned back, clutching the damp handkerchief, apologetically saying, “Your servant has soiled Your Majesty’s handkerchief. Your servant will wash it and return it.”

“It’s just a handkerchief,” the emperor’s voice was calm. “Keep it.”

Jiang Yingwan, clutching the handkerchief, didn’t know what to say.  She realized she hadn’t behaved well.  Such a cold and serious man wouldn’t like to hear someone crying. She should have been more obedient and considerate, showing her affection for her sister.

She was indeed too clumsy, not as likable as Yinghan.

The emperor suddenly stood up, and Jiang Yingwan, thinking he was leaving, nervously stood up as well.

The emperor glanced at her, seeing her wide, anxious eyes, and a slight smile touched his lips.

“It’s late. I’ll dine at Yongning Palace tonight.”

The emperor didn’t seem angry.

Jiang Yingwan finally relaxed, smiling at him.

The emperor hadn’t dined at Yongning Palace in a long time. Upon receiving the order, Wang Zhaoyi immediately instructed the kitchen to prepare, the palace servants’ faces filled with joy.

Consort Zhaoyi was clearly regaining favor.  Which servant wouldn’t want to serve a favored mistress?

When the time came, the servants set up the tables and chairs, serving the delicious dishes one by one.

Jiang Yingwan sat beside the emperor, seeing Wang Zhaoyi’s unchanging smile and the beautifully presented dishes, suddenly finding it hard to swallow.

Even in her past life, she had never dined with Wang Zhaoyi and the emperor at the same table.

The emperor never stayed long at Yongning Palace, offering a few words of concern before leaving. Wang Zhaoyi couldn’t keep him and disliked her uselessness, rarely giving her a kind look.

As she sat in silence, a dumpling fell into her bowl, the emperor’s cold voice sounding beside her.

“Wanwan, you’ve just recovered from a serious illness and need to replenish your strength.”

Wang Zhaoyi also smiled at her. “His Majesty is right.  Mother specially instructed the kitchen to make these dishes for you. They’re all your favorites. Wanwan, try them.”

All my favorites? Jiang Yingwan glanced at the table. The dishes were all Northern cuisine, different from the Southern tastes.

She didn’t expose Wang Zhaoyi, meekly nodding. “Thank you, Mother.”

Jiang Yingwan picked up the beautifully presented dumpling. The moment she bit into it, rich juices burst forth, filling her mouth.

She blinked. It was indeed delicious, worthy of the imperial kitchen’s skill.

She almost swallowed it whole, but in front of the emperor and Wang Zhaoyi, she calmly maintained her princess-like demeanor, taking small bites.

*Like a rabbit eating grass,* the emperor thought.

“Your Majesty,” Wang Zhaoyi stood up, diligently offering him food. “Please try this.”

The emperor raised his hand to stop her. “I can serve myself.”

Wang Zhaoyi wasn’t embarrassed by the refusal, naturally sitting back and turning the conversation to Jiang Yingwan.

“Wanwan was so thin when she first returned. Her complexion is much better now.”

Jiang Yingwan almost buried her head in her bowl. When she arrived in the capital, she was penniless and dressed shabbily to avoid being targeted, appearing pale and thin.

After entering the palace, although she was anxious, her food was exquisite. If it weren’t for her illness after her rebirth, her complexion would be even healthier and rosier.

The emperor glanced at her. “Still too thin.”

Even the palace maids looked fuller than her. His princess should be pampered and well-fed.

Jiang Yingwan thought he was criticizing her for not looking like a princess and whispered, “Your servant will try to eat more.”

Although she was a fake princess, others didn’t know.  Before her identity was revealed, she had to maintain her image and prevent people from thinking the royal family was mistreating her.

“Mm, it’s good to be plump,” the emperor responded indifferently.

As a father, he hoped his children would grow up healthy and safe, especially this particularly frail second daughter.  He felt she might be blown away by the wind at any moment.

Wang Zhaoyi echoed, “His Majesty is right. Wanwan, you must eat more.”

“Thank you for your concern, Father and Mother,” Jiang Yingwan smiled stiffly.

Although neither of them were related to her by blood, she had to pretend to be a harmonious family. It was so difficult.

After dinner, the emperor stood up, and Wang Zhaoyi stood beside him, looking at him expectantly.

The emperor had intended to stay, as Wang was Wanwan’s biological mother, and he wanted to show some consideration for his daughter.  However, looking at Wang’s affectionate eyes, he felt a surge of irritation.

Wang wasn’t a good mother. If he complied, she would likely use Wanwan to curry favor, further harming her.

“I still have some official business to attend to. I’ll leave now.”

Wang Zhaoyi’s smile immediately dimmed, but she didn’t dare to press him, respectfully seeing him out.

As he left, the emperor caught sight of his second daughter’s quiet figure and stopped.

“Wanwan is your biological daughter. You’ll handle her birthday banquet.  Ask the Internal Affairs Office for anything you need. Don’t worry about Concubine De.”

Hearing this, Wang Zhaoyi’s eyes lit up. “Your servant thanks Your Majesty.”

Currently, Concubine De held the highest rank and controlled the palace affairs.  The emperor was giving her some of that power. How could she not be happy?

After giving his instructions, the emperor looked at Jiang Yingwan one last time before turning and leaving, disappearing into the night.

He disliked Wang and couldn’t force himself to favor her, but for Wanwan’s sake, giving her some other compensation was fine.  However, Wang’s background was too humble.  Giving her the rank of Consort Zhaoyi when he ascended the throne had already caused some criticism. He would consider raising her rank when Wanwan married.

After the emperor left, everyone returned to the hall.

Although Wang Zhaoyi didn’t manage to keep the emperor, she had gained some power, an unexpected bonus.

A triumphant smile on her face, she slowly glanced at Jiang Yingwan. “Wanwan did well today.”

It seemed this imposter was useful after all.  For now, the emperor seemed to value this fake princess.