CHAPTER 1406: CHAPTER 1405: WORTHY, PROTECTING WITH LIFE

"No." Chu Qianli’s response was unequivocal.

"Then..."

"But Father indeed needs a good aide right now."

Whether it is Prince He or Prince Xuan, if they want to claim the throne in Beiming, they both hope to receive support from the Emperor of Nanming.

Conversely, the Emperor of Nanming, wishing to temporarily secure his own Jiangshan’s stability, also requires external assistance.

Assistance is mutually beneficial.

"For the time being, it hasn’t come to the point of selling my daughter." Chu Jiangnan smiled and said, "Since you don’t like it, then let’s not consider it."

"Not necessarily."

Chu Qianli coughed a few more times, her blood flow still somewhat sluggish.

"Little Lili, you are just... this Jiangshan and its foundation don’t require any sacrifice on your part."

He wanted to say she was just a fake princess, but those three words ’fake princess’ he couldn’t bring himself to say out loud.

As long as he didn’t say it, at least she was still real.

Once exposed, he wouldn’t even have a daughter.

Chu Qianli wasn’t oblivious to his meaning.

For someone else, they might think it was the Emperor expressing discontent over her lack of true identity.

But she understood him.

She understood her father.

In these chaotic times, being a princess of Nanming might not be a good thing.

Assassination attempts were bound to be frequent, and what’s more, a princess is not a prince; wanting a princess to inherit the throne means a very long journey lies ahead.

And along this journey, safety cannot be guaranteed.

"If I were to say that I definitely want to stabilize this Jiangshan in Father’s hands, would Father be willing to believe me?"

Chu Qianli’s words stirred a wave of indescribable warmth in Chu Jiangnan’s heart.

He turned his head to look at her.

All of a sudden, it was as if he saw that figure in her.

So familiar, so nostalgic.

"Yueyue..."

"Father, I am Lili." Chu Qianli smiled gently.

He thought of Mother.

As long as he always missed Mother in his heart, these years of separation, regardless of the initial reason, were worth forgiving.

The only Emperor in Nanming’s history without a harem.

That was because, in his heart, there was only Mingyue.

Chu Qianli hesitated for a moment, and finally couldn’t resist, grasping his big hand.

"As long as you wish, you will always be my father, my only father. In this life, I will do everything in my power to protect you."

Chu Jiangnan’s eyes filled with a bittersweet feeling.

She was just a little girl!

But the strength with which she held him, though not great, was so firm, so reassuring.

What a remarkable little girl this was! Her physique was weak, yet her spirit was so powerful that even he, a grown man, could feel reassured just by her presence.

"Little Lili, did you get it the wrong way around?"

Chu Jiangnan gently returned her grip: "Father should be the one to protect you well."

Chu Qianli said nothing; the look she gave him said it all.

Love and passion aren’t important to her anymore.

In this life, having lost Mother, she must not lose Father too.

Father, she will surely protect him, guard him with her life!

"Father, there is something we need to address properly."

She drew something from the Universe Chain and held it out to him.

"Be ready for the court meeting."

...The next morning, in the court hall, all the officials were gathered.

Only this time, unlike any before, there was an additional seat on the right side of the Emperor.

On that chair, cool and transparent with its rich texture, sat a young girl.

Their princess, Chu Qianli.