The Crown Prince had been pondering a question that he couldn’t quite understand.

It was a small piece of dried meat given by Panpan that led him to the realization.

He happily went to the Imperial Study Room to find his father.

However, upon arrival, he saw his father coughing.

The coughing was incessant.

"Father..."

The Crown Prince had already mastered the art of maintaining a stoic expression, but seeing his father in such a state made him somewhat anxious inside.

"My son has arrived."

After a long while, he stopped coughing and hid the handkerchief used to cover his mouth within his sleeve.

The Crown Prince saw this scene but said nothing.

He knew that his father didn’t want him to worry.

"Father, I have thought of a solution."

He explained the matter of the military provisions.

"My son, this can indeed solve a major issue, but a bigger problem is: the cost of this item is beyond what the national treasury can sustain."

The Crown Prince... he was simply too young!

"My son, Father is sorry."

The emptiness of the treasury, the internal and external troubles, what seems peaceful on the surface is already a torrent underneath.

He knew he had little time left and didn’t want to leave a mess for his son, yet felt powerless.

He taught him what he could.

"Father..."

The Crown Prince had been plagued with illness since childhood, always residing in Kunning Palace with the Empress, while the Emperor focused on his kingdom and his Beauties, only visiting Kunning Palace on the first and fifteenth of each month.

Back then, he placed much hope on his concubines, wishing for an intelligent and healthy Prince to inherit the throne.

This son, although the legitimate heir, was weak and sickly; growing up safely was already a blessing from the ancestors.

Hence, not much hope was placed upon him.

At this moment, he regretted it even more, regretting his lack of foresight back then.

Now, the Crown Prince had already become a qualified successor.

The ancestor’s kingdom was about to be handed to him, only to find out he had no real power base, and would have to struggle openly and covertly with a pack of wolves.

Thinking of the hardships he endured over the years, the Emperor’s heart ached.

"My son, this list is what Father has left for you."

On it were the names of those deemed loyal and treacherous, those to avoid, those to rely on heavily, and those not to act against lightly.

"Father..."

Wouldn’t inaction breed future distress?

"Act only when you have the ability to confront them." The Emperor said to the Crown Prince: "Before you act, you must have strategies of countless powers. You must take one step and look ten steps ahead, oversee the larger picture. You must have the ability to manage and control the situation..."

Every word was heartfelt and each sentence was drawn from twenty-plus years of experience sitting in this position.

"My son, there is one more matter you must attend to immediately upon ascending the throne."

"Father, what is it?"

Learning that his father’s first instruction upon his ascension was to pardon Doctor Xiao’s family, he was completely shocked.

"Regarding the case of the imperial concubine years back, Doctor Xiao was wrongly accused..."

It was a matter that plagued the Emperor’s heart, yet he had never spoken of it.

Words spoken by the dying reveal their true thoughts; he no longer cared for maintaining face in front of his son.

The ministers chant "Long live the Emperor" daily, and he didn’t want to die, he wished for longevity too. Ever since that old physician diagnosed the reality of his dragon body, he understood he must face reality.

The Emperor never admits mistakes, but he acknowledged wrongfully executing Doctor Xiao.

The Emperor is renowned for his unyielding word, but after he passes, his son can amend past wrongs.

"Doctor Xiao’s family may still have talents who can ensure your health. Treat them well."

The Crown Prince nodded, realizing that his father understood many things.

Thinking Doctor Xiao was quite pitiful.

"And for that girl, Panpan, Father will decree that upon her coming of age, she will be bestowed to you as a consort."

"Father, no."

The suggestion truly shocked the Crown Prince.

"I regard Panpan as a dear sister; if genuinely wishing her well, she should not be brought into the palace."

The reason for his prolonged poor health was due to his father’s numerous concubines with their wolves’ appetites and ambitions, almost making him a casualty of their struggles.

The palace has never been a good place.

Panpan is such a good person; bringing her into the palace would not be love, it would be harm.

"I will always protect her well."

"Then shall I decree her as an adopted Princess?"

"Father..."

"Some matters are better handled by Father than by you."

He’ll be the one to take on actions that offend others!

Panpan is currently Xia Guangcheng’s daughter, and Xia Guangcheng guards the borders for him. Decreeing his daughter as an adopted Princess is a great honor, even if others envy, they can understand the reasoning, and won’t associate this with the Crown Prince.

"I thank Father on behalf of Panpan."

Panpan played in the Eastern Palace till she was tired and then fell asleep.

The maid beside the bed was filled with emotion: This is the bed of the Crown Prince, what stature must one possess to sleep on it, could it...

No it couldn’t be, for the Crown Prince was too old. However, when Panpan comes of age, the Crown Prince will be in his prime, so anything is possible.

The master this maid serves may find great fortune!

Awaking from her sleep, Panpan immediately spotted the Crown Prince.

"Big brother, Panpan waited for you to play together, but ended up falling asleep."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Very well," Panpan blinked her big eyes. "The big brother’s bed sleeps comfortably and peacefully."

The maid lowered her head very low. Perhaps only her lady could dare speak this way to the Crown Prince in this world.

"Then often come to the Eastern Palace."

"Can’t come often now." Panpan sighed: "Mother said different tables at three, Panpan coming to the Eastern Palace to sleep on big brother’s bed is already too much, Crown Prince brother is about to marry the Crown Princess Consort."

The Crown Princess Consort was chosen by him personally.

"You child..."

She truly understands everything.

Father has already said that next month, he must marry.

Subsequent to that, endless affairs of state await him, and he won’t have much time to play with this little girl.

Just watching the little girl sleep gave him an extraordinary sense of peace.

"No matter when, the palace doors will always be open for you, visit anytime, no need to restrain yourself."

"Alright." Panpan turned over, got up, and jumped off the bed: "Big brother, Panpan must return to the mansion."

"Didn’t you say you’d stay a few more days in the palace?"

"Not staying, Father went to the border, only grandmother, mother, and brother are at the mansion, Panpan must return to care for them."

Maid... Miss, do you hear yourself?

Your absence is the greatest help to them.

"Panpan has grown up!"

The Crown Prince lovingly touched her head: "In the future, if you need help from big brother in any way, just ask. Big brother will always be your big brother."

"Alright, big brother, goodbye."

Waved her hand and left, as free and unrestricted as at the General Mansion.

The maid once again marveled: This is the brilliance of her lady!

Xiao Chunyu was surprised by Panpan’s quick return.