The Whole Dynasty Spoils the Tyrant's Beloved Youngest Daughter-Chapter 455 - 451

Today, all the court ministers have arrived, even those who had previously been recuperating at home due to illness.

Unless it is something significant, such an assembly is unnecessary.

"Could it be that His Majesty is going to read the decree of succession?"

"The Crown Prince has been established for many years. Although there have been many court officials opposing and questioning it, the Crown Prince has demonstrated through actions that silenced them. Now, with such a great victory, we can hold our heads high. It must be the reading of the succession decree!"

"But now the Seventeenth Prince has returned, and he’s come back with merits. Does His Majesty really not consider the Seventeenth Prince?"

"How could His Majesty consider him? You must understand that the Seventeenth Prince is disfigured!"

"Even if there is no one left in the Eastern Chu Kingdom, we cannot let a disfigured prince ascend the throne. Otherwise, if one day the person behind the mask changes, we wouldn’t even know who has replaced him."

Amidst the various discussions of the court ministers, Xiao Lizi took out the Imperial Decree, coughed, and said, "Please remain silent, everyone."

The ministers closed their mouths, perked up their ears, straightened their backs, and concentrated with intense focus, waiting for Xiao Lizi to read the Imperial Decree.

The first decree Xiao Lizi read was Emperor Yongning’s edict of abdication.

Emperor Yongning, though lacking major political achievements during his reign, had never made any grave mistakes. He had been diligent in state affairs and never slackened in the slightest.

The historians will write it as it should be written.

Emperor Yongning himself had no objections.

The ministers also had no objections to Emperor Yongning’s edict of abdication.

For years, due to health reasons, Emperor Yongning had already ceased handling affairs. The previous state affairs were managed by Jun Ning, with him only occasionally offering advice, asking Jun Ning to pay attention to various important matters.

His abdication was only a matter of time, and the ministers had prepared themselves for it.

Therefore, at this moment, it was not difficult to accept.

The ministers kneeled, bowed to Emperor Yongning, and after shouting a few times for the Emperor’s longevity, they waited for Xiao Lizi to read the second decree.

The second decree was the edict of succession.

Xiao Lizi read it aloud.

[Under the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees that the Eighteenth Princess, whose wisdom surpasses others and is blessed by heaven, shall inherit the throne, hoping she will become a wise ruler who loves her people, so decreed.]

Jun Ning knelt, raised her hands above her head in the standard stance for receiving the decree, and said, "Your servant will not fail the Emperor’s expectations, will love the people like her children, and vows to be a wise ruler."

Emperor Yongning looked at his young daughter kneeling before him, smiled slightly, and couldn’t help but think back to when he first met the little girl.

At that time, the little girl was dressed like a boy and was mischievous, not at all resembling a little girl.

Until one day, he saw the little girl in a dress, and he realized he was wrong. The little princess he cherished was precisely how she looked in that dress.

Cute, innocent, and very endearing.

He also vividly remembered the excitement and overwhelming joy he felt upon discovering she was indeed his daughter.

At that time, he truly wished he could announce to the world that he had a daughter, not a pretender—a real daughter, he truly had a daughter.

But constrained by his status as the Emperor, he couldn’t openly display his joy. He could only rejoice wildly in his heart.

He even gained weight rapidly, putting on eight pounds in a month.

The concubines noticed his change but dared not say anything; only years later, when Qiong Hua was no longer afraid of him, did she privately tease him for being so overjoyed and foolish for having a daughter.

Also, due to Qiong Hua’s miscarriage, he had a period of conflict with the little girl, and during that time, he was unhappy every day, eating less and losing five pounds in a month. Yet he never mentioned it, nor did anyone notice.

Later, the little girl grew up.

A grown-up daughter avoids her father.

She no longer lets him hold her whenever she wants, nor holds his hand whenever she wishes. The affection between the father and daughter became limited to his occasional patting on her head and granting her lavish rewards.

It seemed as though they became much more estranged.

But Emperor Yongning knew that their hearts, as father and daughter, had always been together.

In recent years, their communication had become even less frequent, as had their companionship. The rare moments they shared were usually at the dining table.

Yet the young girl, burdened with complicated state affairs, had become weary and seldom spoke more than necessary. She handled difficulties on her own, never mentioning anything to her Emperor father or mother.

Meals seemed to become simple acts of companionship, eating with beloved family members without saying much more.

The young girl was slowly growing up and gradually distancing herself from her parents.

Emperor Yongning understood this was an inevitable part of a child’s growth, but he occasionally still felt saddened.

Even at this moment, seeing the young girl growing into the person he hoped for, someone able to stand on her own, he still felt saddened.

He hoped the little girl would never grow up, always remain the one in his arms making faces, telling him jokes, and sharing stories with him.

But time ages us, and it waits for no one.

Emperor Yongning sighed deeply, reached out to help Jun Ning up.

When Jun Ning looked up at Emperor Yongning, she saw the gleam of tears in his eyes, wanted to say something, but soon the light vanished.

"Ah Ning, your father is entrusting the kingdom to you..." After saying this, Emperor Yongning stood up with effort and patted Jun Ning on the shoulder.

He told her that the burden on her shoulders would remain heavy in the future, and it wouldn’t lighten just because she won a victory.

——

Emperor Yongning sighed deeply, reached out to help Jun Ning up.

When Jun Ning looked up at Emperor Yongning, she saw the gleam of tears in his eyes, wanted to say something, but soon the light vanished.

"Ah Ning, your father is entrusting the kingdom to you..." After saying this, Emperor Yongning stood up with effort and patted Jun Ning on the shoulder.

He told her that the burden on her shoulders would remain heavy in the future, and it wouldn’t lighten just because she won a victory.

Emperor Yongning sighed deeply, reached out to help Jun Ning up.

When Jun Ning looked up at Emperor Yongning, she saw the gleam of tears in his eyes, wanted to say something, but soon the light vanished.

"Ah Ning, your father is entrusting the kingdom to you..." After saying this, Emperor Yongning stood up with effort and patted Jun Ning on the shoulder.

He told her that the burden on her shoulders would remain heavy in the future, and it wouldn’t lighten just because she won a victory.

Emperor Yongning sighed deeply, reached out to help Jun Ning up.

When Jun Ning looked up at Emperor Yongning, she saw the gleam of tears in his eyes, wanted to say something, but soon the light vanished.

"Ah Ning, your father is entrusting the kingdom to you..." After saying this, Emperor Yongning stood up with effort and patted Jun Ning on the shoulder.

He told her that the burden on her shoulders would remain heavy in the future, and it wouldn’t lighten just because she won a victory.