"It's not about whether the title spreads or not, but the fact that you've been calling her that since childhood could lead her to make the wrong judgment. Even if she eventually agrees to enter the palace to accompany you, it might not truly reflect her own wishes. So, Jin Cheng, don’t interfere with her decision."
Zong Zhao spoke bluntly, piercing through the little tyrant's subtle intentions.
And indeed, it was true. If she were called "little empress" day after day, she would grow up believing her destiny was to enter the palace, unable to distinguish between familial affection and romantic love.
Jin Cheng pouted, looking as deflated as a wilted eggplant. "Fine, I won’t call her that anymore."
Zong Zhao added, "And don’t treat her differently either."
The little tyrant couldn’t hold back and exploded, "Why not? Dad, are you seriously interfering with me pursuing my little empress? Isn’t that going too far?"
Zong Zhao laid it out clearly: "You can pursue her—but only after she comes of age. Before then, she’s your sister, just like your younger brother—family. You can’t act like a suitor or influence her before she’s of age. If I catch you, I won’t let her see you again."
"Hmph!" The little tyrant was furious. Every path had been blocked by his father—how frustrating!
As Jin Cheng walked away, he turned back to glare. "Dad, becoming your son-in-law is way too hard. Are you this strict with everyone else?"
Zong Zhao replied coldly, "Unmarried women shouldn’t interact with unrelated men in the first place. At least I’m giving you the chance to be her brother."
Hearing this, Jin Cheng’s eyes lit up with delight!
That’s right!
This way, he’d be the only unrelated man she could interact with—plenty of opportunities! Once she came of age, he could pursue her, still holding the advantage of proximity!
The little tyrant instantly cheered up. Putting on an exaggeratedly obedient tone, he said, "Alright, since you put it that way, for the next fifteen years, they’ll be my beloved younger siblings. I’ll treat them equally and cherish them both!"
"Good. Go on." Zong Zhao sent him off to the imperial carriage.
Waving goodbye with an earnest, filial expression, the little tyrant thought he’d scored the biggest bargain.
It was true that Jin Cheng would be the only unrelated man his daughter would know—but years of sibling-like interaction could also mean they’d never develop romantic feelings.
So, the future remained uncertain.
Ever since Zong Zhao and Xu Wan learned they were expecting twins, they had worried about this. In the end, they decided to lay it all out for Jin Cheng, lest his single-minded obsession with making her empress cloud their daughter’s judgment.
They loved Jin Cheng, but they loved their daughter just as much.
On the way back to the palace, Jin Cheng was in high spirits.
He even lifted the carriage curtain to greet the commoners lining the streets: "Hello there!" "Good afternoon!" "Have you eaten?" "I’m very happy today!" "Are you all happy?"
The citizens had never seen anything like this.
The emperor leaving the palace was one thing, but lifting the curtain to greet them personally?
They must be dreaming!
Many pinched themselves, confirming it wasn’t a dream, before realizing the ethereal-looking boy was indeed their young sovereign—the prodigy who had ranked second in the imperial exams!
"It’s the emperor! The emperor is greeting us! Heavens! Ancestors, do you see this? I spoke to the emperor!"
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty! We’ll be heading home to eat soon! Today is the happiest day because we got to speak with you!"
"Long live the emperor! Your Majesty is adorable! Great Chu is blessed to have you!"
"Your Majesty, come eat at my house someday! We have steamed buns!" someone shouted, sending the crowd into laughter.
Everyone knew the emperor had once lived in the immensely wealthy Yangyuan Marquis Manor, where even steamed buns were beneath notice.
Before the crowd could mock the man, the little emperor shouted back, "Sure! I’ll come eat your steamed buns someday!"
"Ahhh!!! The emperor replied to me! He’s coming to my house! I—I—" The man fainted from sheer joy.
Jin Cheng was stunned.
He hadn’t realized he was this popular. Though it wasn’t as fun as riding a lion through the streets, the people were far more excited now, shouting at him nonstop.
By the time he reached the palace, Jin Cheng was exhausted from responding. He switched to smiling and waving, but the crowd only grew more enthusiastic, waving back so vigorously that one person even knocked off a guard’s helmet.
Helmet-less guard: "!!!!"
"Pfft—HAHAHA!" The little tyrant nearly died laughing.
The journey back was lively all the way. Eunuch Huang greeted him cheerfully: "Your Majesty seems in excellent spirits today! Did Lady Fusheng really give birth to a little empress? Your wish has come true!"
Jin Cheng couldn’t stop grinning. "Yes, twins—a boy and a girl. One’s my future brother-in-law, the other my little empress. Haha! Though the general forbids me from calling them that, in my heart, that’s what they are!"
Eunuch Huang chuckled. "The general is just concerned about their reputations while they’re young. If you like, you can call them that secretly in the palace. This old servant will keep your secret."
"Ahem, the general said I can’t even call them that in the palace, or he won’t let me see her. I’d better behave." The chastened little tyrant quickly changed the subject. "Hurry, help me prepare gifts for them! I was in such a rush today, I didn’t bring anything."
Eunuch Huang nodded eagerly. "Of course, this old servant will select the finest items and bring them for your approval later."
The little emperor insisted, "Only the most precious! Worthy of their status—and my affection for them!"
"Understood! This old servant will choose the very best!"
After Eunuch Huang left, Jin Cheng paced around the hall, growing more excited by the minute.
Uncle Zong had returned safely, the twins were born healthy, and the people adored him.
Everything was falling into place.
Jin Cheng thought of Luo Jingfeng’s careful advice before his departure and the reluctant hug from his uncle, which had melted his heart completely.
He thought: That wish will surely come true.
Once Uncle returns, everything will be better. They can be just an ordinary uncle and nephew.
With that in mind, he took out the sunflower seeds Su Xi had given him.
March and April were the best months to plant sunflowers. The little emperor grabbed a hoe and dug into the soil of the imperial garden, dismissing all the attendants to avoid their nagging.
After all, the entire palace was his—the gardens included.
He could plant whatever flowers he pleased.
Sunflowers might not be rare, but they were bright and full of vitality, symbolizing hope.
He would fill the palace with it.
