Inside Yongqing Palace.

"Father, Father, look! Isn't Sisi beautiful? Isn't Sisi your most beautiful and adorable little daughter?"

Helian, narcissistic and unrestrained, clutched the hem of her little skirt embroidered with gold phoenixes and spun around in front of a certain villainous tyrant.

As dusk approached, the emperor's grand procession arrived at Yongqing Palace, which was now bustling with activity.

In front of a group of people, Mou Sisi wasn't shy at all; her rosy little face...

With long, curled eyelashes and bright, sparkling eyes, she blinked vigorously at Helian Nie, practically as if the words "I can't believe it!" were written all over her little forehead.

Father Emperor, Father Emperor, quickly praise Sisi for being beautiful!

A fleeting amusement crossed Helian Nie's handsome face; look how smug this ugly thing is!

Fine, it's that ugly thing's birthday today, let him do whatever he wants. With a slight effort, he picked up Helian Mou Sisi.

Dressed up beautifully, Sisi was very happy, rubbing her little face against Helian Nie's handsome profile:

Oh, Father Emperor is wearing a brand new dragon robe today, he looks so handsome!

The little girl's sudden affectionate gesture startled Helian Nie, who was slightly taken aback by the girl's delighted expression.

A subtle smile flickered in her narrow, almond-shaped eyes; her eyebrows arched slightly, and her thin, crimson lips curved into a gentle smile.

"Not bad, it's not ugly today."

"Hmph, it's not just today! Every day, Sisi is a beautiful little princess, an adorable beauty that could topple kingdoms!"

Sisi pouted unhappily. "Little one is so arrogant! What do you mean by 'not ugly today'? I'm clearly stunning!"

Helian Nie was amused by the little girl's adorable appearance and couldn't help but chuckle softly. He reached out to ruffle her hair.

The little girl has her hair styled in a pretty bun today; if I mess it up, the ugly thing will probably be unhappy again.

His hand gestures changed; his well-defined fingers pinched the little girl's rosy cheeks, a smile playing in his peach blossom eyes, but his words were tinged with disdain.

"Okay, stop pouting. You look like a little duck, it's so ugly."

"Oh! Father, if you do this, you will lose your adorable little daughter, Sisi!"

Sisi's little face was pinched until it was a lump of soft flesh, and her speech became a little slurred and unclear.

"Um?"

Helian Nie narrowed his long, narrow eyes, clearly displeased with the girl's words. Si Bei Tao Hua wanted to take the ugly thing from him, which made him very unhappy.

"I was wrong, I was wrong, Sisi was wrong, Sisi is adorable Father Emperor, Sisi is Father Emperor's little adorable daughter!"

Helian Xiaosi is a timid little coward, but he's good at reading people. He's useless at everything except for his heart. He's weak and helpless, but he can eat a lot.

The displeasure in Helian Nie's eyes faded, and he picked up the little girl and walked towards the entrance of Yongqing Palace. The grand imperial procession followed closely behind the emperor.

Seeing Helian Nie leave, Consort Lian lifted her foot to follow, but was stopped by Helian Ci's cool hand.

"Ci'er, why are you holding your mother's hand?"

Consort Lian turned her head with displeasure and looked at Helian Ci, who was sitting in a wheelchair with a pale face. She felt a little dissatisfied with the child.

This child is becoming more and more estranged from his mother, and the older he gets, the more outrageous he becomes.

Helian Yi, who had remained silent since Helian Nie arrived, sat on a pearwood chair sipping tea, observing the interactions between the mother and son.

On his gentle, jade-like face, a pair of dark eyes, as clear as autumn water, flashed with deep thought.

Then, his gaze fell upon Consort Lian, as if he had seen through everything, and a barely perceptible mocking smile appeared on his lips.

That really is wishful thinking.