It's simply unbearable to look at.

Their bodyguards were all orphans who never had names, only code names. After going through various battles and being trained, only the most ruthless survived.

These few were personally selected by the Emperor from the Dark Guard training camp and arranged to wait in Guining Palace, where they would serve the young master upon his return.

They will only recognize one master in their lives, and they will do whatever their master tells them to do, even if it means death. They will be absolutely obedient to their master.

Leng Qingning was in a very good mood. She hadn’t expected to gain several experts so soon after entering the palace, and they were all the best among the secret guards.

This is crucial for their future survival, so let's not hesitate to give them some nice names.

"I have given you names. From now on, you are my people. You will follow me to the death. Do you understand?"

"Understood!"

"Don't worry, you won't suffer if you follow me. As long as I have a bite of meat to eat, you will have a bite of soup to drink."

"I, Leng Qingning, value loyalty the most. As long as you don't betray me, I promise to treat you well and never beat or scold you arbitrarily."

"If anyone dares to betray us, I will make you wish you were dead!"

Luckily, I've watched plenty of palace dramas. This kind of manipulation, combining kindness and coercion, is a piece of cake for me. I secretly chuckled to myself.

"Yes, young master."

"Well, Biluo stays, everyone else go back to your places."

"Your subordinate takes his leave."

After everyone left, Leng Qingning took Biluo back to her room.

"Young Master, I have something to say."

“Speak, there’s no need to be so formal in private.”

"Young Master, you should refer to yourself as 'This Prince' from now on."

"...Is that all you wanted to say?"

"This servant has spoken out of turn. Please punish me, young master."

...

"I understand. There's no need to punish me so often in the future. I know you mean well and are afraid that people will say I don't know the rules."

Biluo bowed again.

"Young Master, would you like to know about the other princesses?"

"You mean Second Sister and Fourth Sister? I've heard a little about them. I don't know much about the others. Hmm, why don't you call them Young Masters?"

Shouldn't it be the Second Young Master and the Fourth Young Master?

“Your Highness, you are born of the Emperor and are the legitimate daughter of the Empress. Only legitimate daughters and sons can be called Young Master or Young Lord. Others can only be called Princes or Princesses, and cannot be called Master.”

"I see... Then how should I address the Imperial Noble Consort and the others, my stepfather?" Leng Qingning asked earnestly.

Biluo's lips twitched, finding the young master incredibly adorable. "There's no need to call me Father. Just call me Imperial Noble Consort. Her Majesty the Empress is the ruler of the country, the Emperor is the rightful ruler, and you are the young master. Only the three of you are truly the masters."

"I see. So, apart from my three older brothers, all my other brothers and sisters have to bow to me?"

That's natural.

Hmm, interesting. The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children seems even more pronounced in this world. Even siblings must be treated differently.

She is their master.