Emperor Chongle wiped his face.

What's the difference between this and bathing your own cat or dog and ending up splashing water all over yourself?

He noticed that the little dragon cub was becoming more and more like a puppy.

The cub was making such a fuss, and Emperor Chongle didn't have many arms after all. He washed the cub for quite a while, and finally, looking at the half-new cub and then at his own disheveled state, he decided to call over all the cub's acquaintances from this period.

In other words, his civil and military officials, his right and left arms.

They were all summoned to act as nannies and wet nurses for the cubs.

Ning Guanyan and the others were hastily summoned. Looking at the cubs happily playing in the pool, and then at His Majesty, they could only sigh:

"Your Majesty, you've worked hard."

Then these privileged individuals, those who held the highest positions in the court, all took off their outer garments and meticulously brushed the scales off the cub.

The cub also enjoyed the high-end treatment befitting a true dragon.

However, the little guy wouldn't let Ning Guanyan and the others work for nothing. He looked at the scales on his body and wanted to pluck a few off for them, but he was still a newborn dragon cub and hadn't reached the molting period yet, so he could only owe them for now. He picked out a thank-you gift from among the toy friends he insisted on bringing along to bathe with.

Hmm... I'll give Changxiu a small wooden cart and Ning Guanyan a duck. But no, the mother duck can't be separated from her ducklings. Sigh, the whole family of ducks will have to move to the Ning family's house.

Then, I gave the shadow guard a delicious hawthorn cake.

The little guy was a bit reluctant to leave, and said to them very seriously:

"You must take good care of them. The toy cars and ducks need to come out and play, and they also need to eat and sleep. The duck family needs to stay together, don't forget."

"Hmm... hawthorn cake, brother, remember to take good care of it in my belly."

At first, Changxiu and the others did not understand what this meant, until Emperor Chongle looked up at the bewildered ministers and said in a calm tone, "These are gifts from the young prince. Take them."

It's definitely not something precious.

But... it was indeed a reward they had never received.

Anyone with eyes can see that these are the little prince's favorite toys and snacks.

The young prince, however, still so vividly and reluctantly decided to send his good friends away.

For a moment, everyone couldn't help but show expressions of immense relief and emotion, like parents watching their children learn to share and be grateful.

I'm sure the little ducks, and even the prize-winning hawthorn cake, will be properly cared for.

Ning Guanyan looked at the rough duck toy in his hand and felt a surge of excitement:

To be honest, the young prince is much gentler than His Majesty!

If he can be properly taught, he will surely become a wise and virtuous ruler in the future!

Ning Guanyan even had a feeling that the hard times were almost over.

Changxiu and the others didn't think that much about it. Changxiu just felt that the young prince was a rare person who cared about him. He didn't treat him as a lackey or an object, but as a friend. Such a gentle young prince would do anything for him.

Emperor Chongle, however, took in everyone's expressions. As he wiped the little creature's scales, he said:

"You're more suited to this position than I am."

The fact that he can inspire others to fight for him without firing a single shot is a unique talent of the little guy.

But in reality, these are all things that the cubs exchanged with sincerity, a fair exchange.

The cub is young and doesn't have any grand ambitions yet. He just wants to eat his fill, sleep well, and stay with his family and friends forever.

Although the cub did not understand the deeper meaning behind Emperor Chongle's words, the way he nestled obediently in his father's arms, sleeping soundly with his belly flat, made Emperor Chongle change his mind.

"Fine, being the emperor isn't a good job either. You've become a lonely figure, that's for sure. Just be a good little prince and let me take care of you, okay?"

The cub's eyes, which had just closed, opened again.

In fact, he didn't hear what his father was muttering at all.

But his father's question made the little boy instinctively pry open his heavy eyelids and pretend he wasn't asleep with a serious expression.

But when the cub met its father's gaze, it didn't know how to respond.

So the little guy rested his head on Emperor Chong Le's shoulder, intending to get away with his adorable charm.

Although the kid only knows one move, that move is always accurate in defeating the enemy.

"Little one, little one loves Daddy."

"I love it so much, I love it so much, I love it as much as I love it from here to the moon."

The little dragon even managed to wink without any instruction.

The clingy, insecure father, who now seems to have been burned by his child's love, turned his face away.

Only now does the little guy understand how rare it is to have someone who will always and steadfastly love him.

He was fortunate to have met so many people who loved him and taught him how to love, which is why the little guy now has the confidence to love his family.

That's why it's so easy for them to express their love.

Expressing one's feelings repeatedly and directly is not shameful; it is a unique romantic talent of the monster family, which has been perfectly learned by the sincere little one.

So the cub will say:

"Dad, don't be afraid, you are a dad with your children's love now."

Emperor Chongle had only ever heard others express their love for each other.

What about phrases like "one life, one love" and "I only wish for one heart, to stay together until old age"? But those pretentious and vulgar sentences, those flirtatious hints, are not as good as a child's heart sincerely offered to him, or a clean and straightforward "I love Daddy".

It's not that family affection is more sincere than romantic love, but rather that the child doesn't offer any ingratiating or false affection.

It has nothing to do with sweet words, it only matters whether you care or not.

Yes, he is now someone who is cared for and loved.

Emperor Chongle still didn't turn his face back, but his knuckles were white as he held the cub tightly, as if he was using a lot of force, yet he didn't harm the cub in the slightest.

He was just like everyone else swallowed up by this era and this deep palace, grabbing onto that piece of driftwood that belonged to him.

His family, the people who truly loved him.

"Daddy cried?!"

Emperor Chongle turned around, his eyes slightly red. He poked the little dragon's head and said, "Don't talk nonsense. I won't cry."

But the cub clearly felt that its head was wet.

So when they returned to their bedchamber, the cub kept thinking about what else he could say to comfort his father. He finally concluded that he wasn't quite familiar with speaking yet and needed to ask other uncles or older brothers for help.

So the cub struggled a couple of times from its father's arms, raised its head with difficulty, and said to the crowd behind Emperor Chongle:

"I made Daddy cry just now. Brothers, can you help me comfort him?"

Ning Guanyan, Changxiu: ...

Shadow Guard: ...

They wished they could cut off their ears right then and there.

Why do people have such obvious ears?! Now look what's happened—I've heard things I shouldn't have heard!