Chapter 886: Chapter 886: Father and Daughter’s Conversation (Part 1)
Lian Changhe straightened up, his expression slightly more at ease, seeing now that the Son of Heaven was reasonable.
He politely thanked him and then looked at Lian Hua with eyes full of urgency.
The Emperor noticed all this, his heart involuntarily feeling cold. What would his Little Concubine think if her father disapproved of them?
The atmosphere was somewhat strange at that moment. Lian Hua looked at the Emperor, then at her father, after glancing around, she quietly scratched the Emperor’s palm with her hand, nodded seriously at him, and then let go.
A warm current rushed into the Emperor’s heart, dispelling the chill. He watched as Lian Changhe carefully protected Lian Hua, pulling her to the side of the front hall behind the curtain, sneakily like a thief, inexplicably bringing a sense of humor that was hard to suppress.
But the Emperor at this moment had countless thoughts swirling in his mind, feeling very complicated, weighing how to gain Lian Changhe’s approval and entrust his Little Concubine to him with peace of mind.
“Could His Majesty spare a moment to speak?”
A voice came to his ear, and the Emperor looked up to see Su Ran with a slight apology saying this to him.
The Emperor’s heart moved slightly, gesturing for her to proceed, and the two walked to the other side of the hall.
Su Ran turned and looked at the two faint figures behind the curtain: “I’m afraid His Majesty must be amused. Since Nannan was born, my husband has loved her dearly, always fearing she’d suffer or be wronged, worried that he couldn’t give her the best. It’s funny to say, but when Nannan was little, just the thought of her leaving home one day was like cutting his flesh, his reluctance went to extremes…”
Su Ran spoke gently of all the stories since Lian Changhe protected Lian Hua as a child, whenever Lian Hua made mistakes, he would step up to shield her, whenever there was something good, the first thought was always his little girl, indulging Lian Hua’s playful and bold nature.
Hearing this, the Emperor couldn’t help but laugh, gradually understanding the internal struggles and acceptance of Lian Changhe.
Once Su Ran finished telling of the past love Lian Changhe has for his daughter, she said with some sorrow: “Having been separated from Nannan for many years, my husband showed no visible signs, yet feels guilt and worry deeply in his heart, even speaking nonsensical things and calling her name in his sleep. Heaven has blessed us; our family is still well, reunited with Nannan. But when we met Nannan again, seven years had passed, the little girl had grown up in the blink of an eye. We’ve missed seven years of her life, not being there when she needed us most, and it’s truly heartbreaking…”
At this point, Su Ran was choked up.
The Emperor comforted: “Mother-in-law, rest assured, none of this was your fault. Nannan knows you have faced troubles and she understands, she doesn’t blame you.”
Su Ran waved her hand indicating it was nothing, then continued: “My husband feels the same guilt over Nannan as I do, and yet, before we had a chance to make up for it, suddenly learned Nannan already has someone she loves, becoming His Majesty’s wife, it was really… too sudden for him, and he hasn’t adjusted his mindset yet, causing this inappropriate behavior, I hope His Majesty won’t mind.”
The Emperor turned his gaze toward the charming figure behind the curtain, his lips curling, eyes gentle as water: “Father-in-law’s heartfelt fatherly love is admirable.”
This is the true essence of fatherhood.
He turned back, serious: “I didn’t formally marry Nannan with a ceremonial betrothal, but rest assured, Mother-in-law, I will never let Nannan suffer grievances.”
Su Ran smiled graciously; after saying so much, it was all to gain assurance from his esteemed lips.
Meanwhile, Lian Bingcheng and others remained where they were, not knowing how to react appropriately.
Lian Bingcheng paced back and forth a few steps with his hands behind his back, occasionally glancing at the curtain, muttering to himself: “What on earth is Brother Changhe planning with Xiao Hua…”
What couldn’t be said together, looking at the sneaky behavior, could there be some secret? Puzzling indeed.
Saying so, he glanced towards Su Ran’s direction, then continued: “What does sister-in-law want to say to His Majesty?” Surely it’s something significant, right?
He looked here, then there, waiting anxiously.
Lin Yuejuan hesitated: “Brother Changhe may want to say some private matters to Xiao Hua, while sister-in-law… I don’t quite understand. Hopefully, they don’t offend His Majesty. The atmosphere seemed odd before, hopefully nothing goes wrong, I’m timid, scared.”
Lian Wanzhen couldn’t understand either, why his father wanted to say something privately to his younger sister, he wanted to hear it too, and why his mother talked to His Majesty alone. Having meetings on both sides made him very eager.
In his view, this brother-in-law looks quite good, such a dignified Emperor without any airs, much better than those small officials who put on grim faces, importantly, he’s good to his sister, he saw it very clearly, everywhere his sister goes, His Majesty protects her, more attentive than them.
He nudged Lian Bao: “Xiao Bao, what do you think they’re all saying?”
Lian Bao chuckled softly: “Second brother, calm down, there’s nothing to worry about.” It’s all related to his sister.
From Lih Qingshu’s side, Cao De had already come sticking like glue, grinning foolishly asking: “Sister, are you tired? I just saw that Yuchi… His Majesty had prepared quite a lot to entertain you all, since they’re busy talking, shall we go first?”
Pointing towards the direction behind the curtain where Lian Hua was, there was a door leading to the Eastern Pavilion where the Emperor often dined, usually handling official affairs in the front hall and dining in the Eastern Pavilion.
He had figured it all out, Yuchi Zhao was really focusing this time, various precious pastries and teas had been set up, making him crave them.
It’s just that the Little Beauty, upon seeing them, began chirping incessantly, completely different from her attitude when she saw him, and the Emperor didn’t manage to give seats to everyone, making his sister suffer too, not having a sip of hot tea yet.
As for that Little Beauty choosing the corridor leading to the Eastern Pavilion for a private talk, luckily there was a side door available.
Lih Qingshu shook her head slightly: “It’s nothing, I’m not tired, just happy.” Seeing her little apprentice doing well was enough for her.
Cao De persuaded a few more times, seeing that Lih Qingshu couldn’t be convinced, could only give up, turning his gaze towards those having private talks, just hoping they’d finish soon.
Meanwhile, on Lian Changhe’s side, he carefully pulled Lian Hua to a spot behind the curtain at the side, his expression extremely serious, leaving Lian Hua puzzled, not knowing why.
“Nannan!” He called out first, looking at Lian Hua with utmost seriousness.
“Ah? Daddy?” Lian Hua replied, puzzled.
Lian Changhe then glanced nervously at the Emperor’s side, also looking around vigilantly.
Causing Lian Hua to become nervous as well, helping her father look around, naively saying: “Daddy, are we guarding against His Majesty?”
Lian Changhe felt a tightness inside, raising a finger to his lips, hastily looking around: “Shh, shh, Nannan, don’t say it out loud…”
His little daughter is still so innocent; such words shouldn’t be spoken directly!