"It hurts, it hurts so much!"

Helian Si pouted and tried to squeeze out a few tears, but he couldn't, so he gave up.

The Emperor is more responsive to gentle persuasion than force; his childhood tricks of begging for hugs and affection still work.

"I will make them pay the price." Helian Nie's slender fingers stroked Helian Si's ink-black hair, a terrifying glint appearing on his handsome face.

It was his excessive mercy that emboldened these people. If it had been something ugly that was injured today, these people would have died a thousand times over without any consequence.

"Hmm? What did you say, Father?"

Helian Si didn't understand the nonsensical sentence, tilted his head slightly, and his beautiful peach blossom eyes sparkled.

Helian Nie did not answer Helian Si, but looked at Nanrong Jinghua, who was still standing, and spoke.

"Thank you very much."

Regardless of whether Nan Rong Jinghua's silver eyes and hair were related to the poison on the assassin's hidden weapon, the fact remains that she protected the ugly thing.

Chang Ying, who had been standing aside as a mere tool, looked up in shock. The Emperor was actually thanking the stunningly handsome young master! This…

I ask you, throughout the entire world, how many people can truly earn the emperor's gratitude? Why is it that now...

Suddenly, Changying found the answer. He looked at Helian Si, who was sitting next to Helian Nie and holding Helian Nie's hand, and understood.

The Emperor's love for the princess grew stronger year by year, never wavering.

Nan Rong Jinghua nodded slightly, "As Si Si's consort, it is my duty to do everything in my power to protect Si Si's safety."

Mentioning this matter only made Helian Nie's handsome face darken further. There was no need to bring it up again and again.

A sense of regret inexplicably arose in his heart. Had he been too hasty in agreeing to the position of consort to Nanrong Jinghua?

"You may stay in the palace to recuperate for now. I will take care of the rest."

Although displeased, Helian Nie still spoke up, saying that Nanrong Jinghua's appearance was too conspicuous. Keeping him in the palace would prevent him from causing trouble, since Nanrong Jinghua was still known as the ugly consort.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Nan Rongjinghua's lips curved slightly into a smile, and Helian Si's eyes also lit up when he felt his father's cold gaze.

Helian Si coughed lightly, forcibly suppressing the smile that was about to appear, and gave Helian Nie a fawning smile instead.

"Let's go back."

Helian Nie's eyelids twitched, and he rubbed his temples with his fingertips. He still had many things to deal with and didn't have time to waste on this ugly thing's antics.

"Alright... cough, then Father, Sisi and the handsome tutor will take their leave first. Father, please take care to rest."

True to his devoted fanboy principles, Helian Si patted Helian Nie's shoulder before leaving, offering a few words of comforting advice.

But the hidden joy in her words was impossible for anyone to detect. Changying sighed inwardly. The princess had grown up and was no longer clinging to the emperor.

"Jinghua, let's go. I'll take you to rest, and I'll have Sister Yue'er make you some nourishing soup to help you replenish your energy."

"good."

Helian Si walked over and took Nan Rong Jinghua's hand. After bowing to Helian Nie, the two left the Imperial Study together.

Helian Nie's expression wasn't good, but as the supreme emperor of Northern Yin, he couldn't very well antagonize a junior.

Besides, he had agreed to this marriage in the first place; it's just that the emperor's unpleasant aura had intensified.