Chapter 74 Heart-to-Heart

Chapter 74: Unveiling the Heart

A Wu was exceptionally beautiful.

The Jingxi Emperor recognized her allure from the very first moment—it was then that he truly understood the joys of intimacy.

He knew that any man who had experienced it would find it nearly impossible to let go.

It was no wonder his son seemed utterly bewitched.

In truth, not only inexperienced youths but even those well-versed in such matters would struggle to resist.

But now, the Jingxi Emperor finally realized there was another dimension to this pleasure.

He stared unblinkingly at A Wu, and his thoughts drifted to another man in this world whom he had never met—

A scholar who had studied diligently for ten years, passed the imperial exams, only to have his honors stripped away due to misfortune, forced into exile overseas.

Had he not suffered such setbacks, he would have cradled his little daughter protectively, shielding her at every turn. No amount of wealth or glory would have made him allow his daughter to submit to another this way.

And so, suddenly, he no longer wished to continue.

He took her wrist, his voice hoarse. "A Wu, if you're tired, there's no need."

But A Wu was determined.

Her watery eyes lifted pleadingly as she pushed his hand away, silently persisting.

...

For A Wu, this was indeed difficult. Yet perhaps because it was so challenging, when she finally succeeded, she let out a sigh of relief—as if completing an arduous task.

Watching the emperor, overcome with pleasure because of her, she felt a sense of accomplishment.

That majestic, powerful frame, as dignified and regal as a mountain, now trembled with tension, his back arched, his blazing eyes gazing fixedly into nothingness, shuddering uncontrollably.

A guttural moan of desire escaped his throat—rough and unrestrained, unlike his usual self.

A Wu thought the effort was worth it. Off the bed, he was the emperor, but now, he was completely at her mercy.

Gradually, the Jingxi Emperor's expression returned to normal.

His eyes half-lidded, he rested quietly, his hands leisurely combing through A Wu's damp locks.

But A Wu was mischievous, as if addicted to play, and playfully nipped at his fingers with her lips—those clean, well-shaped fingers—giving them a gentle bite, like a playful pup.

The Jingxi Emperor sighed contentedly. "You'll be the death of me."

A Wu let out a soft hum, wrapping her arms around the emperor's firm waist. "Long live Your Majesty! You must always protect A Wu!"

The Jingxi Emperor lowered his head to kiss her cheek—so sweet and fragrant, utterly irresistible.

He began to feel that such days were dangerously addictive, wishing they could remain tangled together like this eternally.

But—

It seemed Princess De Ning had arrived. He could hear the voices of the Female Palace Official speaking with her outside.

He was helpless. The interruption was quite the mood-killer—bringing De Ning along had perhaps been a miscalculation. But since she was already here, he couldn't very well dismiss her.

He could only pat her cheek lightly, saying, "Go freshen up first. Later I'll take you out on the boat, and we'll bring De Ning along."

A Wu: "Alright."

The Jingxi Emperor finished faster. After bathing and straightening his robes, making sure no traces remained, he ordered Princess De Ning to be summoned.

Upon seeing the Jingxi Emperor, Princess De Ning first paid her respects properly, then asked, "Where is Noble Consort Ning?"

Jingxi Emperor: "Change how you address her."

Princess De Ning hesitated but finally said, "Father, where is Mother?"

After uttering this address, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

Somewhere inside, she understood—this was necessary.

Perhaps one day, this young woman, nearly her own age, would become empress. Who knew?

She didn't know her father well, but she could understand him to some extent.

Hearing this, the Jingxi Emperor glanced at his daughter, thinking she was obedient enough.

She would have to change how she addressed her once more—she had to accept it.

Sensing the deeper meaning in her father’s gaze, Princess De Ning asked cautiously, "Father?"

The Jingxi Emperor smiled gently. "She's with child, so the palace maidservants are taking extra care. It might take a while. This is good timing—I have something to discuss with you. Shall we talk alone?"

Princess De Ning found her father less stern than usual today, almost too approachable, which made her feel honored.

She quickly replied, "Yes, Father."

So the father and daughter strolled along the path still damp from the rain, surrounded by lush greenery, fresh and pleasant.

The Jingxi Emperor made casual conversation, asking about Princess De Ning’s daily activities. She answered carefully, and then he inquired about her thoughts on future marriage.

Princess De Ning grew slightly uneasy, lowering her head. "I haven't really thought about it yet."

The Jingxi Emperor chuckled. "If you ever take a liking to any young man, tell me. We in the imperial family don't care about lineage—as long as he’s a good man and you like him, that’s enough."

Princess De Ning blushed, murmuring, "I understand, Father."

The Jingxi Emperor continued, "You're still young. Even if a suitable match appears, I wouldn’t want you to marry too early. You've only just come of age. I’ve spoken to your grandmother—we’ll keep you at the palace a few more years. Once married, you’d have to run a household, bear children—nothing like the freedom you have now in the palace."

Princess De Ning pursed her lips slightly and replied respectfully, "You’re right, Father."

In truth, her grandmother had mentioned this before, saying it was the emperor’s wish. But she hadn’t fully grasped it until now, realizing her father’s care for her.

She rarely had the chance to speak with him like this. Only now did she understand he had always had plans for her.

As they talked, A Wu emerged from the palace chambers.

The light rain had just ceased, the countryside's greenery freshly washed. The sun broke through, and faint clouds drifted in the distance.

Fresh from her bath, A Wu wore her hair loosely tied, wearing a grass-green dress that accentuated her graceful figure—though a slight swell of her abdomen was just visible.

She was radiantly beautiful, like fresh spring shoots, exuding both the soft allure of a married woman and the innocence of a maiden.

She noticed the father and daughter in the distance but made no move to approach. Instead, she gave a slight curtsy from a distance before turning her attention to the birds beneath the eaves.

—She likely guessed that the father and daughter were having a conversation and did not wish to intrude.

Princess De Ning looked at A Wu in the distance, her eyes filled with astonishment.

To her, this was unbelievable. She was at that awkward age, curious and amused by such soft little things, and she often envied the little brothers and sisters in her uncle’s household.

Just then, the voice of the Jingxi Emperor reached her ears: "Did your mother tell you that your father spoils Noble Consort Ning too much and neglects you?"

The words struck like a sudden clap of thunder.

Caught off guard, she turned in a fluster toward the Jingxi Emperor, only to see his stern profile, expressionless.

Clearly, he already knew—and now he spoke of it so casually.

Princess De Ning took a deep breath and lowered her head. "Indeed... there have been similar words, but... it was likely just casual remarks."

She couldn’t defend her mother—it was all too abrupt.

The Jingxi Emperor chuckled lightly at this. "She must have also said some disparaging things about Noble Consort Ning, didn’t she?"

Princess De Ning bit her lip. She dared not speak further.

Her mother was still in seclusion, repenting—she certainly couldn’t make things worse.

The Jingxi Emperor, however, did not press her to continue.

He merely smiled and said, "De Ning, when you were young, your father had no time to accompany you. Back then, I could only sleep two hours a day—buried in state affairs, ruling the realm. And as a daughter, you naturally couldn’t be as involved as your brother."

Princess De Ning had never heard her father speak of this before. Her heart ached with guilt as she replied, "I understand, Father. I do not blame you."

The Jingxi Emperor continued, "But luckily, your father’s hard work paid off. Now that the government is stable and the nation thriving, I could hold a grand coming-of-age ceremony for you. And I can confidently tell you that you can pick your own husband—unlike princesses or noble ladies before you, who were sent far away to foreign states for political marriages, or forced to use their unions to win over powerful ministers."

Princess De Ning lowered her head, fighting back tears.

The Jingxi Emperor added, "You’ve grown up now, and propriety keeps the inner and outer courts separate. If not for Noble Consort Ning, even an outing like today would have been impossible."

Princess De Ning vaguely understood what he meant.

Her father could not take her out alone—unless accompanied by an empress or consort, she could only follow under the guise of filial piety. But he disliked her mother and was distant from the empress. With no one in the inner palace he wanted by his side, she naturally had no such opportunities.

So this outing was indeed thanks to Noble Consort Ning.

From now on, only by staying close to Noble Consort Ning would she have chances to be near her father.

The Jingxi Emperor went on, "De Ning, you were born into the imperial family, the pinnacle of nobility. Your mother has always protected you, always putting you first. Though I am busy, I, too, have planned for your future—giving you the richest dowry in the world, selecting the finest husband. And if one day I pass on, you will still have your elder brother. Should you ever face injustice, you can run to the palace and weep—who would dare refuse you?"

Princess De Ning’s voice trembled with emotion. "Father, I understand."

The Jingxi Emperor then asked, "But De Ning, have you ever considered—what if Heaven does not grant long life, and both your father and brother pass early? What if one day your cousin takes the throne? What would become of you then?"

What?

Princess De Ning was startled. "H-how could that happen?"

The Jingxi Emperor slowly turned his gaze to her, his eyes cold and unyielding. "Why not? Life is full of uncertainties—why do you think it impossible?"

Princess De Ning’s lips parted and closed, but no words came out.

In her heart, her father had always seemed like a god—majestic, unshakable as a towering mountain, the eternal sky over the palace.

She had never imagined what it would feel like if her father were to pass away one day—would it feel like... the sky was falling?

Yet now, with her father speaking like this, countless thoughts flooded her mind, and she recalled the many events that had occurred over the 120 years of Great Hui's history. Such things... had happened before.

Jingxi Emperor: "Your mother may have told you that if your father has other children, he will no longer dote on you as before, that your favor will be divided. But I tell you, the child this woman carries is of the Yong bloodline—my own blood, your own younger sibling. The imperial family is sparse in numbers. Should misfortune strike, we would stand isolated and vulnerable! To ensure the stability of the realm, we must have abundant heirs. Only a flourishing lineage can secure the foundation of the state. The child Noble Consort Ning carries, though not born of the same mother as you, is still my flesh and blood."

Princess De Ning was deeply shaken, her mind cleared.

She wasn’t the crown prince—just a princess, so she had no need to contend for the throne.

Since she need not compete, the titles, gifts, and dowry due a princess would not be withheld.

Then... she needed more brothers and nephews, to ensure that the future emperor would always be her father's descendant. Even if, worst-case, any of her father's sons ascended the throne, as long as they were of his blood, her position as the eldest princess would remain secure.

Even if they were not particularly close, her rank alone would protect her from indignities. That was why her father had said she would never truly face hardship in this life.

But if the throne fell into the hands of her cousins...

Princess De Ning dared not dwell on it. Would her cousin princess outrank her? Would she have to bow to her? How could she stomach that?

She murmured, "I understand now. The child my mother carries is my younger sibling, someone I’ll stand by because we are all your children."

Jingxi Emperor: "Even if Noble Consort Ning bears children for me, how many could she bear? I don’t have dozens of children for you to squabble over. There’ll only be a few. What is there to fight for? You’ll still get what’s yours, but they will better secure your future comfort."

Princess De Ning lowered her head. "I was wrong. I was being foolish."

Jingxi Emperor glanced at his daughter indifferently. He knew that only now had she truly realized her mistake.

He continued, "As for the words your mother spoke about the Noble Consort—"

He gave a dismissive laugh. "You foolishly believed them."

An emperor was an emperor. He did not need to say much—that offhand smirk alone was enough to make Princess De Ning flush with shame and desperately reflect on her errors.

She had once thought her father was biased, but now she saw that he was right.

And her mother... She was always inciting her, making her uneasy, pushing her to do things she never wanted to do.

In truth, she had already grown afraid of her mother. Who would want to listen to such distressing words every day? She just wanted to live easy as a princess, free from rivalry and comparison. She should have been the most carefree princess in the world.

Jingxi Emperor's gaze drifted to the distance, where A Wu seemed to be teasing a sparrow, laughing as she crouched while the bird chirped.

Jingxi Emperor: "Look, she is actually close to your age, only a year older."

Princess De Ning nodded. "Yes, I know."

Jingxi Emperor: "You get to choose; she doesn’t."

Princess De Ning stiffened.

Jingxi Emperor lowered his eyelids. "She was originally a fisher girl from the eastern coast, driven out by floods. She likely suffered before encountering your elder brother and following him to the capital, hidden away in the Crown Prince's residence."

Princess De Ning dared not speak. This was far too shocking—no one in the palace dared speak of it.

Jingxi Emperor: "Later, I intervened. She was tossed about like duckweed, and through twists of fate, became entangled with me. It was I who refused to let go, forcibly bringing her into the palace."

Princess De Ning didn’t know what to say!

The Jingxi Emperor let out a quiet laugh, laced with sorrow and regret. "De Ning, do you think every single one of these matters was her choice? Could she have refused?"

Princess De Ning froze for a heartbeat before turning her gaze once more toward A Wu in the distance.

She had a sparrow alight on her fingertip, the sunlight casting her fingers so pale they were almost see-through, glowing with a soft, rosy hue.

She was heart-stoppingly gorgeous, like living jade, glowing from within.

Princess De Ning suddenly recalled they'd first met not in the palace—it was that day at her elder brother’s residence, where A Wu had knelt on his wife's doorstep.

Despite her striking beauty, the kind that made one unable to look away, she had remained there, never once lifting her face.

What thoughts had filled that girl's mind, almost her own age, in that moment?

Did she know that in others’ eyes, she was some temptress corrupting the Crown Prince?

With such rare beauty, what man could resist her? Yet with no highborn name to hide behind, who would protect her?

The truth hit her like a slap.

What woman would willingly bed the heir then his sire? Any girl with parents to shield her would never have fallen to such a fate.

How could she have done such a thing deliberately?

So—

She had been forced.

Her thoughts shattered like glass as clarity struck.

She was struck by the revelation that what she had always believed wasn’t the truth—that the world wasn't split between light and dark, that her mother's poisonous contempt and endless complaints were all wrong!

She had simply piled sins on a defenseless girl and condemned her without thought.

How could her mother do this?

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked again at A Wu, the delicate young woman, as fragile and doomed as cherry blossoms.

She thought of her brother, her father—how could they—

Princess De Ning’s fingers trembled.

Her throat tightened, her eyes reddening, tears threatening to spill.

For fifteen years, she had lived cocooned in privilege, proud of her royal status—yet she had never imagined the world wasn’t as fair as she had believed.

The Jingxi Emperor didn’t glance at his daughter, his eyes never leaving A Wu.

His voice was cold as he spoke deliberately, "It is my shame as both king and father, seizing my son’s woman, forcing her into the harem, and demanding she bear my children. This is my sin."

Princess De Ning wept, her legs buckling beneath her.

She choked out through tears, "Father, please… don’t say such things."

The Jingxi Emperor’s face might as well have been carved from stone. "If one day you ask me whom I favor more—my own flesh and blood or her—I can only say, it is her."

Had she heard this before, Princess De Ning would have burned with fury and envy. But now, she felt almost nothing.

For the first time, she truly saw her father.

Father isn't divine—he's human.

He's made mistakes, but doesn't regret them. Instead, he must take responsibility and make amends.

The Jingxi Emperor lowered his gaze. "De Ning, since we’ve had this heart-to-heart talk today, I must tell you the truth. When Noble Consort Ning gives birth to our children, I may indeed dote on them more. There’s no helping it—having children later in life, and with the woman I love, it's hard not to show some favoritism."

Princess De Ning kept her eyes downcast. "Little ones... they're always so lovable, aren’t they?"

Deep down, she understood. She'd anticipated this, and her birth mother had reminded her countless times—this was her greatest fear.

But now that her father had spoken it aloud, she felt strangely comforted. Perhaps it was his honesty, or perhaps because the worst had already been laid bare, and it didn’t seem so terrible after all.

The Jingxi Emperor turned to his daughter, his gaze warm and tender. "But De Ning, you'll never lack for what you deserve. I will not neglect you. As father and daughter in this life, I will do my best. I’ll carve out time for you before your marriage, to be there for you."

Tears traced paths down Princess De Ning’s cheeks.

The Jingxi Emperor continued, "De Ning enjoys riding and archery, doesn’t she?"

Princess De Ning nodded, her face flushed.

The Jingxi Emperor smiled. "Good. Then today, you can challenge your old man."

Princess De Ning wiped her tears and murmured softly, "How could I possibly compete with Your Majesty?"

The Jingxi Emperor chuckled lightly. "De Ning, you are my daughter, the First Princess of Great Hui. You'll soon be the eldest sister, and you must protect your younger siblings for me. Isn’t that right?"

De Ning nodded hurriedly. "I understand, Father. I will certainly—"

Her words trailed off, unsure what to say, but she faintly grasped her father’s concerns.

The Jingxi Emperor handed her a snow-white handkerchief.

She paused, surprised.

She bowed deeply in gratitude before respectfully accepting it with both hands.

The Jingxi Emperor’s voice was gentle yet firm. "No need for tears."

Princess De Ning wiped her tears, moved yet self-conscious. "Yes, Father."