Chapter 887: Chapter 887: Father and Daughter’s Conversation (Part 2)
After observing the surroundings, Lian Changhe saw that seemingly no one would overhear, so he relaxed and turned to look at Lian Hua seriously. Seeing her curious face, he couldn’t help but worry more.
After brewing his emotions for a while, he pulled Lian Hua aside and whispered, “Nannan, tell dad honestly, is he… treating you well?”
Lian Hua blinked: “He? Who? Dad, are you talking about His Majesty?”
“Ah, it’s good that you know, don’t say it out loud.” Lian Changhe glanced guiltily in the direction of the Emperor, then nodded, “Yes, it’s him.”
“Oh~” Lian Hua was a bit puzzled about the secrecy, but her dad always had his reasons, so she nodded along, “He’s good to me.”
Lian Changhe was still uneasy: “How good?” His little daughter was so naive, she might be tricked just for a few pieces of candy; he had to make sure.
How to describe this, Lian Hua was a bit troubled, thinking about how to express it. She hesitated and started speaking: “His Majesty he… um, takes care of my food and drinks?”
Lian Changhe frowned deeply, just that?
“Um, also, also…” Lian Hua recalled carefully, speaking as she remembered, “A long time ago, he said my handwriting was worse than a five-year-old’s and taught me to write personally…”
Hearing this, Lian Changhe nodded in agreement. That was true. Her hand writing was indeed awful, making him shake his head. But as she’s not taking the scholar’s exam, recognizing words was enough, no need to practice so hard on writing, since she wasn’t making a living out of it.
On the topic of her handwriting, Lian Hua became excited: “Dad, you can look at my writing later, it has improved a lot, all thanks to His Majesty’s teaching. Not only does he teach me to write, but also poetry. Most of the poems I know are from books he found for me. Sadly, I often forget, I have almost forgotten what I’ve learned now, but dad, I have a moving poetry library, Xiao Linzi remembers a lot…”
“…There’s more, he also teaches me painting, but I just can’t learn it, and finally, I gave up. He painted a picture for me, and it was beautiful. I showed it to grandma and she praised it too…”
“…Every night when I can’t sleep, he tells stories and explains the teachings of sages. I don’t really understand, but listening to them makes me sleep soundly…”
Lian Hua’s face glowed with an unusual radiance, words pouring out in a continuous stream, speaking without stopping.
Lian Changhe felt more and more bewildered as he listened, why everything was related to studies? He knew his daughter well, she disliked studying, writing, and learning, yet here she was practicing writing, learning poetry, painting, and even listening to the sage’s words?
The more he listened, the more peculiar it seemed. Each thing he heard worried him more. Wouldn’t his little daughter get exhausted?
It wasn’t until he heard that Lian Hua couldn’t master almost any of it, that he felt relieved. Yes, that was exactly his little daughter’s nature—not good with academics. It’s good she couldn’t learn; it wouldn’t be so tiring for her.
As he listened, Lian Changhe mused to himself. His Majesty seemed capable of everything, he couldn’t achieve all those things. Yet, folks often praised His Majesty for his great talent and broad knowledge…
Lian Hua spoke more joyfully, already talking about chess: “…Now, my little pawn can cross the river, and He praised me for it. He said my chess skills have greatly improved, that from now on it might be difficult to stop my pawn from crossing, hehe… He praised my cleverness, saying I am his lucky star, he praises me every day…”
She spoke with animated gestures, filled with pride and excitement.
But Lian Changhe’s heart was a whirlwind of emotions, not sure what to think. It sounded like he was treating his daughter well, but His Majesty was so handsome, it was unsettling.
Lian Hua was so excited, her cheeks flushed, her whole being radiated energy.
After talking for a long while, her mouth got a bit dry. She had almost forgotten she was whispering with her dad, instinctively glancing inside the hall. Her gaze passed through the doorway and spotted some snacks and tea, she pulled her dad along, saying as she walked:
“He also promised the fish in Huaqing Pool are mine to catch, the fish big brother brought back was caught from there, dad, did you taste it? The fish from Huaqing Pool is really delicious, the best I’ve ever had. I heard from Steward Zhang each fish from Huaqing Pool is very rare, no wonder they’re so tasty…”
Arriving at the place, she glanced around, immediately realizing which seat was hers because the items placed were different for her.
Lian Hua pulled her dad to sit down, a door to the side, the Young Eunuchs of Star Palace heard the movement, and came in to serve.
Lian Hua naturally waved her hand, the people from Star Palace quietly retreated.
She poured tea for Lian Changhe, then poured herself a honey fruit drink, which was specially made for her, she recognized it.
Lian Changhe had forgotten he was quietly talking with his daughter, followed, sitting by the table, murmured a response: “Not bad, not bad…”
The fish was indeed delicious, since Lian Hua sent it, that night he was feverishly tempted to cook it himself, but the others feared he would ruin it and stopped him.
Finally, Su Ran cooked, with two fish in total, one steamed, the other braised. The meal was unforgettable, but too little, not enough to satisfy.
Each time others took a bite of fish, his heart ached a little, as it was sent by his daughter. Except for Su Ran, he didn’t want to share, not even with the little fellows.
But the fish was His Majesty’s, clearly not appropriate to boast about now, so he took a sip of tea.
Lian Hua saw him drinking, took her cup, and drank a big gulp of water, feeling refreshed and comfortable.
She continued, “Right? The fish is delicious, Dad. When Huaqing Pool thaws next year, I’ll have someone catch more, and have him send them to you.”
Lian Changhe held the cup, uncomfortably nodding, after thinking for a while, he decided to ask again, “Nannan, isn’t there anything not good?”
Everything sounded good, wasn’t there really anything bad?
Upon this, Lian Hua got spirited, looked around, didn’t see that tall figure, then secretly raised two fingers: “Of course, Dad, let me tell you, His Majesty is good in every way, except for two things!”
Lian Changhe, hearing this, perked up. Indeed so, then he wasn’t treating his daughter well, this engagement needed reconsideration.
He leaned in closer, encouraging with his eyes: “Nannan don’t be afraid, with dad here, I’ll fight to the death for you if necessary.”
Lian Hua was taken aback, feeling something off about her dad. Why was it so serious, talking about fighting to the death? With whom?