The Eastern Palace Study.

Xiao Chengjing's face was so dark it could drip water. The secret report just presented by the guards detailed the words and actions of the Empress and the eunuch at the Shen residence.

"What a 'safe haven'! What a 'ruining the child's future'!" Xiao Chengjing's voice was as cold as ice. He slammed the teacup on the table, making a crisp sound. "What is she trying to do? Force Yuewei to submit? Or does she want An'an to not recognize who her father is?"

Standing to the side, Eunuch Zhao dared not utter a sound.

"Where is Chengyu?" Xiao Chengjing asked.

"Your Highness, the Third Prince is in the side hall checking the grain and fodder list for the northern border garrison rotation with the Vice Minister of War. It's almost finished," Eunuch Zhao quickly replied.

"Call him over!" Xiao Chengjing ordered.

A moment later, Xiao Chengyu strode in, his face still showing the focus of having finished his official duties: "Your Majesty, you wanted to see me?"

Xiao Chengjing pushed a more complex audit booklet of the Ministry of Revenue's finances in front of him, his eyes sharp: "I'll give you two days to do this. Not only do you need to verify the figures, but you also need to find out any potential malpractices and areas for improvement. In two days, I want to hear your insights, the more detailed the better."

Xiao Chengyu felt a slight chill run down his spine as he looked at the thick stack of books, but seeing his brother's unwavering gaze, he immediately straightened his back: "Yes! Your subject will do his utmost!"

Watching Xiao Chengyu hurriedly leave with the booklet in his arms, the coldness in Xiao Chengjing's eyes remained. He had to push Chengyu up faster, faster... to leave this cage and go to where his heart longed for.

The Imperial Study.

After finishing processing a batch of memorials, the Emperor rubbed his temples and looked at the Crown Prince standing beside him: "Jing'er, is there any new news from Jiangnan? An'an, that child, is she almost two years old? Can she talk yet? Who does she look like?"

Xiao Chengjing toned down his coldness in the Eastern Palace and respectfully replied, "Father, I just received a letter from Jiangnan the day before yesterday. An'an... is very healthy and can already call 'Mother.' It is said that she is very intelligent and quick-witted. As for her appearance," he paused, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes, "the letter said that her eyebrows and eyes resemble Yuewei's, but that cleverness of hers is..." He didn't finish his sentence, but the emperor already understood.

"Haha, just like you when you were little!" The emperor laughed heartily, his eyes filled with genuine affection and longing. "Good, good! My little granddaughter... I really want to see her with my own eyes. Jiangnan is far away, and the child is still young; a long journey would be difficult. When she's older, when she's older..." The emperor's tone was full of regret and anticipation.

“Your Majesty’s kindness is understood by your son,” Xiao Chengjing said, lowering his eyes. “Once An’an is a little older and stronger, and things are settled more properly in Jiangnan… your son will try to make arrangements.” He did not make a specific promise, but his words gave the emperor hope. He knew that his father’s affection for An’an was a natural familial love, not yet mixed with too many other factors, which was something he needed to carefully maintain and utilize.

Xiao Chengjing showed his father, the Emperor, the portrait of An'an, the little group leader, that he had secretly commissioned to be drawn. The portrait contained:

A little girl, just a year and a half old, was pink and tender, like a tiny glutinous rice ball. Her hair was fine and soft, a little messy, covering her forehead. The most striking feature was her eyes, big and bright, like black grapes, looking at everything with a sense of freshness and curiosity, watery and so clear that they could reflect one's image.

The yard was quiet that day, and the flowers were in bloom. The little one, for some reason, took a liking to one of them—perhaps its vibrant color, or perhaps its alluring fragrance. She didn't openly pick it; instead, like a kitten about to steal a dried fish, she hunched her neck, tiptoed on her chubby little toes, and stealthily moved towards the flowerbed. She looked both nervous and excited, her little brows probably slightly furrowed, as if afraid of being discovered.

After finally getting close to the flower, she stretched out her chubby little hand, like a lotus root, and carefully touched the petals with her fingertips. Then she quickly glanced around—no one was there! Her courage immediately grew, and with a swift and precise movement, she plucked the flower she had her eye on!

As soon as she got the flower, she quickly pulled her hand back, perhaps clutching it tightly in her little fist and hiding it behind her back, or swiftly stuffing it into her pocket (if she had one). Then, her little face couldn't contain itself! The corners of her mouth turned up little by little, and she pursed her lips, secretly grinning, a sly smile carrying a hint of "I succeeded!" But if you looked closely at her big eyes, wow, they were absolutely bright! Like stars had fallen into them, sparkling with pure, unadulterated joy and the surprise of discovering a treasure, dazzlingly bright. That cleverness, that vibrant life force, shone through those eyes, impossible to hide.

She stood there, so small, the shadows of the flowers perhaps still lingering on her hair and cheeks. Looking at her, you couldn't help but think: This isn't her stealing flowers; it's as if God has poured the purest, most vibrant spirit into this little one, letting it sneak out and make its appearance through the act of picking flowers! She standing with the flowers is a living picture of childlike innocence and spirituality, both naive and brimming with an indescribable cleverness.

Upon seeing this, the Emperor laughed heartily and exclaimed, "Truly worthy of being my royal grandson!"