Chapter 28: Intercepting the Female Lead

Concubine De held Ah Bao and smiled gently, but only affectionately tapped her little nose. “Ah Bao, it’s getting late. Let’s go to sleep.”

Clearly, she didn’t want to talk about that matter.

[Ah, scumbag father must have done something to hurt mother’s feelings, which is why mother is so cold towards him.]

[This couple… there are still unresolved issues between them.]

[Mother must really like scumbag father in her heart, right?]

If she didn’t like him, why would she willingly spend her life in this prison for him?

—

The next morning.

Ah Bao, half-asleep, was drinking milk when she heard the Emperor’s voice.

“Little Ah Bao, come, I’m taking you to the court.”

To the court?

Ah Bao struggled to open her eyes, yawned, and found herself already in the Emperor’s arms.

[Why does scumbag father want to take me to court today?]

The Emperor chuckled lightly, and behind him came Concubine De’s voice, “Your Majesty, isn’t it improper to bring Ah Bao to court?”

In every dynasty, no emperor had ever taken a little princess to court.

The Emperor’s brows furrowed, “I am the rule. I like Ah Bao, so I want to take her wherever I go. Ah Bao, my precious daughter, let’s go.”

Concubine De opened her mouth, but the words turned into a sigh.

Zhilan came in with water, “Your Highness, I can see that His Majesty truly loves the little princess.”

Concubine De was worried, “It’s a good thing that the Emperor likes Ah Bao, but this kind of favor is too conspicuous and may bring danger to her.”

“I think you’re overthinking it, Your Highness. The Emperor’s actions are also a way to protect the princess. Everyone knows the Tenth Princess is His Majesty’s treasure. Anyone who dares to harm her would surely fear the Emperor’s wrath.”

Zhilan was happy.

Their little princess was indeed charming.

—

After the court session began, the officials looked at the Tenth Princess in the Emperor’s arms, all stunned.

This was the first time in history an emperor had brought a princess to court.

Ah Bao seemed still half-asleep, feeling drowsy, nestled in the Emperor’s arms, sound asleep.

The Emperor looked down and couldn’t help but smile.

His precious daughter was so cute!

Even when she was asleep, she was adorable.

The officials stared wide-eyed at the Emperor’s smile, as if they had never seen such a thing.

“Your Majesty, I have something to report,” General Su stepped forward.

The Emperor composed himself, “What is it?”

“Your Majesty, there have been bandit attacks on Taibai Mountain over the past two months. Merchants have been robbed and harmed, causing unease among the people in the capital. Many citizens are afraid to leave the city.” Taibai Mountain was close to the capital.

Ah Bao, half-asleep, heard the words ‘Taibai Mountain’ and ‘bandits’ and immediately became alert.

[Scumbag father, I know about this.]

The Emperor raised his eyebrows subtly, wondering if Ah Bao was about to reveal something.

General Su also heard Ah Bao’s thoughts.

He silently lowered his head.

His granddaughter was truly remarkable.

[The bandits of Taibai Mountain will later become one of the female lead’s allies. After the female lead tames the bandits, their base becomes part of her power, laying the foundation for her to overthrow the Tiansheng Dynasty.]

[The more allies, the faster the female lead grows. At a young age, she unites with the male lead and efficiently overthrows the Tiansheng Dynasty.]

Female lead?

A sense of alertness suddenly rose in the Emperor’s heart.

It seemed the bandits of Taibai Mountain were a key point.

General Su was already dizzy.

If he weren’t trying to maintain his composure in court, he would have fainted.

“Bandits appearing under the Son of Heaven’s rule truly disregard the royal authority,” the Emperor said angrily. “The plague in Lingnan is still unresolved, the national treasury has long been empty.

The floods in Yangtze River, the drought in Pingchang, everywhere needs silver.

These bandits came at just the right time. Eliminating them can help alleviate the treasury’s shortage.”

Bandits usually have a lot of gold and jewels.

The Emperor was worried about finding money, and the appearance of these bandits was like running into his gunpoint.

General Su said, “Your Majesty speaks wisely.”

Other officials nodded in agreement.

Eliminate the bandits, eliminate the bandits!

General Su asked, “Your Majesty, who should be sent to eliminate the bandits?”

The Emperor pondered for a moment, “The Crown Prince is in Lingnan dealing with the plague, the Second Prince is busy patrolling outside, and the Third and Fourth Princes also have other tasks. Let the Seventh Prince handle it.”

The officials were shocked.

The Seventh Prince… rarely stayed in the palace and was known for his behavior outside.

Send a young prince to eliminate bandits?

Could he manage?

“What do the ministers think?”

The Tutor spoke, “Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince is still young and inexperienced in such matters. Eliminating bandits is extremely dangerous; he may find it hard to handle.”

“When I was the same age as the Seventh Prince, I was already leading troops in battle. At seventeen, he should experience it. Let Su Jinye assist him,” the Emperor said with a solemn face.

[Scumbag father is impressive! Seventh brother is going to eliminate bandits, intercepting the female lead! Haha.]

Ah Bao waved her little hands in his arms, smiling happily.

“Your Majesty is wise!”

The ministers thought the Emperor’s decision was very wise.

Su Jinye was a standout among the younger generation.

With Su Jinye’s support, the chances of the Seventh Prince successfully eliminating the bandits were greatly increased.

At this moment, outside the palace, Di Zian stumbled and nearly fell in front of the palace gate.

“Why do I feel like something’s off today?” Di Zian muttered to himself.

He had no idea he had been given a mission.

—

Recently, the Emperor had been behaving as if he had gone mad, taking Ah Bao with him to court every day.

Ah Bao was constantly drowsy.

She was tired~

Several times, while the Emperor was dealing with state affairs, she was either sound asleep in his arms or napping on the dragon throne.

The ministers were angry but dared not speak out.

Everyone knew that recently, the Emperor had taken a liking to a precious little darling and took her everywhere with him.

That night, Ah Bao was sound asleep.

A shadow silently swept in through the window of the Yihe Palace.

The intruder stealthily entered Ah Bao’s chamber.

Feng Zhuo leapt down from the beam and delivered a punch directly to the intruder’s face.

Feng Zhuo was always straightforward in his actions. Even when beating someone, he was mindful of the nearby room where Concubine De resided, deliberately keeping the noise to a minimum.

“Thud.”

The intruder was slammed against the wall.

Feng Zhuo was about to lift the person up and throw them out when he grabbed the intruder’s collar—

“Cough… cough, it’s me, don’t throw me out…”

Feng Zhuo’s eyes narrowed, “Seventh Prince?”

“Shh.” Di Zian quickly made a silencing gesture.

Feng Zhuo promptly released him and took a step back. “Seventh Prince, what are you doing sneaking into the little princess’s room at this hour?”

Di Zian winced in pain and chuckled, “If I said I came to see my sister, would you believe it?”

Feng Zhuo: “… No.”

Di Zian pouted; that’s just as well.

Even he didn’t believe that himself.

Who would sneak in through a window to visit their sister in the middle of the night?

Ahem.

Di Zian smiled, “I really did come to see my sister.”

He then walked over to Ah Bao.

Ah Bao was sleeping soundly in a large golden basin.

Moonlight streamed through the window and reflected off the basin, casting a faint glow on the ancient words etched into the basin’s walls, giving off a mysterious and ancient aura.

Di Zian sighed deeply.

When did his sister start having such a formidable little eunuch around?

Other eunuchs were always stationed at the door.

When he came in, he had checked to make sure no one was around before sneaking in.

Who knew the little eunuch was hiding on the beams?

What kind of cheerful eunuch was this?

Di Zian’s eyes were pained, no, his whole body hurt.

But as he looked at his clever and lovely sister, he thought about the purpose of his visit.

He glanced sneakily at Feng Zhuo. While Ah Bao was sound asleep, he quickly picked her up and leaped out the window.

The speed—

It was indeed faster than a nighttime rat!

Feng Zhuo didn’t chase after them but instead resignedly twitched his mouth.

From the moment the Seventh Prince appeared, he knew exactly what was happening.

Kidnapping the princess!

After all, they were siblings. If it were anyone else, Feng Zhuo would never have allowed them near Ah Bao, but Di Zian was different.

After a moment’s hesitation, Feng Zhuo decided to follow.

Despite Di Zian’s quick departure, Feng Zhuo soon caught up with the pair.

He didn’t rush to catch up but silently followed them until they had left the palace.

Ah Bao only felt herself swaying, which was quite comfortable.

It was just a bit cold, as she felt the wind.

When she tentatively opened her eyes and saw the rapidly retreating scenery, Ah Bao panicked.

[Brother?]

[Are you taking me flying across the rooftops?]

[Ha! The scent of freedom! Brother, you’ve snuck me out, this is great!]

Hearing Ah Bao’s thoughts, Di Zian looked down at her and said, “Sister, I’ve brought you out to play, haha.”

It was supposed to be Ah Bao who was having fun, but Di Zian was even happier than she was.

Hmm.

He had finally managed to sneak his sister out!

It wasn’t easy for him.

Di Zian brought Ah Bao to a guesthouse, quickly entered a room, and shut the door with impressive speed.

The dim light illuminated the room, and Ah Bao could finally see Di Zian clearly.

[Wow, are you really my poor, unlucky brother?]

Di Zian pouted, “Sister, take a good look. I’m your brother, your real brother!”

[Wait, what happened to your eyes? Why are they black and blue, and your hair is a mess? Did you get beaten up at a brothel or something?]

Di Zian sighed, “Sister, let me tell you a secret. I’ve had a really bad night.”

[When have you ever had a lucky time coming in and out of the palace?]

[If you’re not unlucky, it wouldn’t be you.]

“I got these injuries from a little eunuch. A eunuch!

Sigh, I’m so unlucky now that even a eunuch can beat me up.”

It’s one thing to be overpowered by guards, but a eunuch?

He couldn’t even beat a eunuch!

If he hadn’t acted quickly, that little eunuch would have slit his throat.

So terrifying!

[Hahaha, so it was the little crazy eunuch who beat you up.]

[You must have disturbed him when sneaking into the Yihe Palace at night.]

[Father sent me off! Don’t underestimate the eunuch; they’re quite formidable.]

Di Zian secretly wiped his sweat. He thought, no wonder that person was so strong; it was because Father had sent someone exceptionally talented for his sister.

[Brother, even though I’m happy you snuck me out, Mom will be worried.]

Di Zian patted Ah Bao’s little face, “Sister, do you think Mom will be worried since I snuck you out?”

Ah Bao nodded repeatedly.

[Yes, she’ll be very worried.]

“But fortunately, I’m smart enough to leave a letter in the room for Mom, just to ease her worries, haha.”

[Good job, Brother. You’re not entirely brainless.]

Di Zian: “……”

Of course!

It was rare for Ah Bao to praise him, and Di Zian felt instantly refreshed.

[Hmm, Brother, what’s that on your head?]

On my head?

Di Zian panicked!

His body and face still hurt, and now something was wrong with his head?