"Xiào'er, your father loves your mother alone in this life. It is a pity she passed away early. Your father promised her to dote on and care for you his entire life.
Even if you are foolish, you are still the apple of your father's eye. Who would have known that this affection would harm you? It is my fault. If I were to face your mother in the netherworld, how could I show my face?"
Yun Mo's voice trembled slightly as he spoke of his deep emotions. Yun Xiao stared blankly at him.
She never expected the dignified Regent Prince to have such an emotional moment.
Perhaps it was precisely because of her foolishness that he could truly express his fatherly love. In front of others, he remained the cold and wise Prince Yun.
"Xiào'er, don't be afraid. We are returning to the Prince Yun's mansion. This time, this Prince will definitely make them accountable. Otherwise, Xiào'er will not return to the imperial palace and will stay in the Prince Yun's mansion."
This last sentence was exactly what Yun Xiao wanted to hear. Her lips curled into a smile, and she couldn't help but laugh.
When she smiled, she had two deep dimples on her cheeks. Her large eyes were bright and lively, shimmering, and her skin was fair and white. She was incredibly sweet and adorable. Yun Mo looked up, gazing at his daughter, and felt a pang of sadness.
Their Xiào'er, if only she weren't foolish, how wonderful it would be! She would be worthy of the most perfect man in the world to cherish.
"Xiào'er, you look so much like your mother."
Yun Mo sighed, reaching out to stroke Yun Xiao's head, his face full of affection. Yun Xiao felt a sting in her nose, almost calling out "Father," but she quickly turned her head, lifting the curtain to gaze out of the carriage.
The streets were bustling with people, traffic flowing like water, and incredibly lively. The ancient-style buildings blended into the vibrant streetscape, like a painted scroll.
Indeed, this was the capital city under the Emperor's feet, prosperous and flourishing. The calls of the vendors and the bargaining of the pedestrians merged into a warm current. The restaurants and tea houses were filled with guests, doing booming business.
The carriage moved forward, and the crowds gradually thinned until they reached a quiet street. Half of the street was enclosed by tall walls.
One could see the vastness of the mansion. Yun Xiao looked on silently, wondering if this was the Prince Yun's mansion. What a grand estate it was! The carriage continued to the main gate.
Sunlight cast a thousand golden rays, illuminating the majestic plaque above the mansion gate. Three powerful characters, "Yun Wang Fu," were inscribed in vigorous calligraphy.
To the lower left of these large characters was a line of smaller text: Imperial Gifted Residence.
She hadn't expected such a grand mansion to be a residence bestowed by the late Emperor. It seemed the late Emperor must have placed great importance on Yun Mo.
However, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor did not seem to agree with him. She feared that in time, all of this would become a bane for the Prince Yun's mansion, Yun Xiao sighed inwardly.
In front of the imposing double gates, stone lions stood sentinel. A dense layer of people was kneeling, presumably because Yun Mo had sent word to the steward in advance.
Thus, such a grand reception was prepared. Although Yun Xiao was a fool, her status was that of an Empress. Such courtesies could not be neglected.
"Xiào'er, we are home."
Yun Mo stepped down first, turned, and led his daughter down. They stood before the assembled crowd.
A dense throng of people, thirty to forty in number, was led by a woman of opulent and noble bearing, dressed in fine brocade robes and adorned with pearls and jade. Her face was obscured, but her high status was evident.
Yun Xiao's pupils flickered. Could this be the Princess Yun? Then, what about the mother of this body? Was she merely a concubine?
Then, was she illegitimate, and also foolish? If not for Prince Yun's doting affection, she would likely have a difficult time in this Prince Yun's mansion.
As Yun Xiao was contemplating this, she suddenly caught a sharp gaze, burning into her body. Who was it?
Her sight shifted, and she saw kneeling beside the Princess Yun a graceful lady, her features as beautiful as a painting, delicate and charming. However, her beautiful eyes shot out a chilling glare, staring at her with hatred.
Who was she?
A dense crowd knelt before the Prince Yun's mansion. Yun Mo seemed not to notice, focusing only on his foolish daughter beside him and speaking affectionately.
"Xiào'er, we are home. No one will dare to bully you now."
Yun Xiao pursed her lips, her gaze dimming. In reality, no one bullied her. If anyone did, it was the foolish woman of the past. She had thought that by entering the Prince Yun's mansion, she would live more freely and happily, but now it seemed that might not be the case.
She never dreamed that she was not Prince Yun's legitimate daughter, and her deceased mother was not the Princess Yun.
Instead, she was the daughter of a concubine, a concubine whom Prince Yun deeply loved. Because he deeply loved the deceased mother, he doted on this daughter. However, this brought her jealousy and hatred, and even made her a perfect pawn.
And who was the woman who had been staring at her fiercely from beginning to end? Was she the legitimate daughter of the Prince Yun's mansion?
Because she, a fool, entered the palace to become Empress, did that woman hate her intensely? But if there was a legitimate daughter in the Prince Yun's mansion, why would Prince Yun agree to let a fool enter the palace?
Yun Xiao was bewildered. At this moment, Prince Yun's deep voice rang out.
"All rise."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The dense crowd stood up. The woman at the forefront stepped forward, her face full of smiles, her movements exceedingly dignified and graceful, dressed in splendid attire, opulent and noble.
However, a fleeting resentment flashed in her eyes. Although it was very quick, Yun Xiao still captured it.
Thinking about it, how could a woman not hate the one who stole her husband? And Yun Xiao was the crystallization of their love. Perhaps at the mere sight of her, the Princess Yun's heart would feel like a heavy stone had been added.
However, that woman was already dead. She still had to maintain appearances, otherwise, she would incur the wrath of the Prince, making future days even more difficult.
The Princess Yun smiled charmingly and reached out to pull Yun Xiao.
"Xiào'er is back. Come, Auntie has made your favorite pastries."
Although Yun Xiao sympathized with the Princess Yun, she disliked being touched by someone with hidden resentment. Therefore, she forcefully pulled her hand back and retreated to Prince Yun's side.
The Princess Yun's hand suddenly fell empty, creating an awkward scene. The servants quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look at the Princess's flushed and pale face.
Yun Mo, however, was unfazed. He reached out again, pulling Yun Xiao closer, and lowered his voice.
"Xiào'er, this is your Auntie. This is your cousin Ruo Yun."
Yun Mo pointed to another woman who was gracefully approaching, the very woman who had been staring at her fiercely before.
So she wasn't the legitimate daughter of the Prince Yun's mansion, but a cousin. Since she was a cousin, why did she hate her so much? Yun Xiao snorted inwardly. It truly felt a bit like overstepping one's bounds.
She had initially thought that she had stolen her position as Empress, but unexpectedly, she wasn't even a member of the Prince Yun's family, merely a temporary resident, yet she dared to hate her so openly. How vexing.
After introducing the Princess Yun and that cousin, Yun Mo raised his eyes and scanned the surroundings. Not seeing his son, his expression became displeased, and he slowly spoke.
"Jing Lan, where is Zhen'er? Didn't I send someone to notify you? Xiào'er is the Empress, how can you be so negligent?"