"Uh, these are just my personal thoughts. If you think they’re not feasible, Dad, then forget I said anything. We can come up with another solution."

Seeing Yun Zheng’s expressionless face and reluctance to respond, Yun Wanye shrugged and closed his mouth, feeling a bit defeated.

He didn’t dare to continue; worried that if he spoke further, his dad’s rock-hard fist might thump down on him.

"It’s indeed a good idea, but we can’t ignore Yao’er’s wishes. Sigh, if only you were a girl, I could have you impersonate Yao’er and send you into the palace."

Yun Zheng said this gloomily, his face dark, as he stared at Yun Wanye’s stunningly beautiful face.

Indeed, this face was very similar to Yun Wanyao’s. If they were the same gender, it would certainly be even more alike.

Upon hearing this, Yun Wanye’s expression shattered in disbelief as he looked at Yun Zheng, his eyes quickly filling with anger.

"Dad, what are you talking about?"

"If I were a girl, wouldn’t I be the same as Yun Wanyao? Why are you unwilling to sacrifice her but willing to sacrifice me? How can you be so biased?"

All along, he had thought his dad was simply biased toward daughters.

But now, it seemed he was completely wrong.

His dad was biased towards Yun Wanyao herself; it had nothing to do with gender. Even if he were a girl, his dad would still favor Yun Wanyao.

They were all Yun Family children, so why did he receive no love from his dad or mom?

He was quite fragile too, wasn’t he?

Yun Wanye felt really heartbroken, looking like he wanted to cry.

However, Yun Zheng, very unfazed, seemed indifferent as he mocked Yun Wanye.

"Weren’t you the one always eager to send Yao’er into the palace? I thought you really liked the place. Why are you unwilling when it comes to sending yourself?"

"It seems you don’t like the Imperial Palace much either. If that’s the case, why are you so set on sending Yao’er in?"

Yun Wanye: "..."

How can that be the same?

He defended himself, feeling quite aggrieved.

"First, I’m not a girl, Dad can’t just make assumptions based on my gender."

"Second, I am reluctant because Dad wants to send me into the palace? What I’m really opposed to is, even if we’re both daughters, Dad still favors Yun Wanyao."

"Third, even if I were a girl, the Emperor doesn’t like me. He likes Yao’er."

"Dad, this idea of impersonation is really dangerous, it’s practically deceiving the ruler, and if discovered, the repercussions could be devastating."

"Fourth, while appearances can indeed be disguised, and personalities can be faked, even height and build can be perfectly copied, the Emperor isn’t a fool. Why would Dad think he wouldn’t recognize Yun Wanyao?"

"When looks are comparable, affections aren’t just about visual appeal but come from deep within. Isn’t Dad the most aware of this?"

Mom has a half-sister whom she resembles quite a lot, and with careful disguise, she could completely impersonate Mom.

It is said that Dad’s nemesis once collaborated with that half-sister, pushing Mom off a cliff while she was out gathering herbs, and then disguising the half-sister as Mom to approach Dad.

Back then, Dad was quietly guarding mom; they hadn’t officially gotten together, nor had they had much intimate interaction, yet Dad saw through the impostor instantly. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Dad was able to see through it not because the imitation was unlike Mom, but because the feeling was off.

Yun Zheng: "..."

He had just casually mentioned it, yet this kid listed so many well-organized points. Apparently, the kid really cared about that suggestion.

Yun Zheng waved his hand and helplessly said, "Alright, alright, I just said that casually, and you took it seriously?"

"Besides, even if you were a girl, you’d still be full of mischief, wouldn’t suffer any loss no matter where you’re put..."

"But Yao’er is gentle and kind, easily bullied. Isn’t it natural for me to favor her? Why must you compete with Yao’er?"

Full of mischief???

Ha, Yun Wanye was almost amused by anger, to the point that his liver hurt.

Sure enough, that’s how Dad always saw him. Perfect, a real biological father indeed.

He took a deep breath, working hard to calm his extremely unbalanced mood, suddenly remembering something.

"Oh, there’s something important I almost forgot to mention."

"What is it? If it’s important, why didn’t you keep it in mind properly?"

Yun Zheng frowned at him, his words dripping with disdain.

Yun Wanye pretended not to notice and continued, "It’s about my little sister..."

"Last night, I found out my little sister expends a great deal of spiritual power to enter dreams, and each time she does, she becomes weak for several days."

"That feeling of weakness, I wonder if it’s the same as being knocked out by spiritual power last time and waking up. If it is, that’s terribly uncomfortable, Dad, should we let her know about speaking directly instead?"

"That way, when she wants to share something, she won’t have to enter dreams. Otherwise, she’ll continue this way."

"I can’t bear to see my little sister suffer like that in the future. Can you, Dad?"

Oh right, almost forgot, Dad hasn’t experienced a spiritual attack before, hasn’t felt that sensation, probably can’t relate.

Upon hearing this, Yun Zheng was slightly stunned, his brows tightly furrowed.

"Does Ningning feel uncomfortable entering dreams?"

Before, he’d never heard of such a thing.

Not, no, no, previously Ningning had used spiritual power to knock Yun Wanye out once and also had a dream with Lady Yun; those two instances following spiritual power use did indeed leave her in a weary state, with her mind quite quiet.

Thinking it over, it must’ve been due to severe spiritual power exhaustion.

Yet, Ningning never mentioned being uncomfortable within her mind, so he hadn’t paid attention.

It was careless of him, too careless, truly — he never considered this aspect.

He should have known; Ningning is so young, using such formidable power, how could her body show no signs?

Yun Zheng pursed his lips, feeling deeply guilty, his complexion not looking good.

"Maybe... I’m not entirely sure either. In the dream, I heard my little sister complain once, saying she sacrificed too much for us, with severe spiritual power depletion, leading to several days of weakness..."

"She also mentioned that after making such a big sacrifice, she hoped the efforts wouldn’t be in vain. Dad, can’t we see our little sister later and find out?"

Yun Wanqing didn’t know they could hear her mind, plus, being cheerful and with a lively imagination, she enjoyed thinking about different things.

No matter what others asked, she would respond in her mind.

So, it could easily be tested out.

"Hmm."

Yun Zheng replied in a serious tone, contemplating for a moment, then said, "If entering dreams makes Ningning feel uncomfortable, we shouldn’t hide the matter of speaking hearts from her anymore. Of course, we shouldn’t tell her directly either."

"Ningning is smart; just a slight hint from us would be enough for her to understand."

Yun Wanchen and Yun Wanye, the two brothers, had no objections to this.

Wan’an Garden.

When Lady Yun got up, Yun Wanqing was still asleep. Her small body lay beside her, the blanket pulled high, hiding half of her soft little face.

Reaching out, she pulled the blanket down a bit, revealing her entire little face.

Looking at the peaceful sleeping face of the little dumpling, Lady Yun smiled gently, leaned closer to gaze carefully.

Hmm, as days passed, the little dumpling seemed to have grown a bit, her features becoming more adorable, but...

Lady Yun’s eyebrows suddenly furrowed; the little dumpling’s skin was very fair, creamy and baby soft, but today — it seemed unusually pale.

Even her lip color seemed lighter, was it just her imagination?