Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Beautiful and Strong Miserable Dad 13
No one expected Zhuozhuo to ask such a question. Emperor Zhengping looked at Zhuozhuo and said with an unfathomable expression, "Yes, what do you want to ask of me?"
Zhuozhuo wrinkled his nose. "I'm not asking you to do anything. I just want to know why you can bully my father."
"Little brat," Emperor Zhengping commented, his expression unclear, and then asked, "Do you understand now?"
"Yeah." Zhuozhuo nodded, sighing like a little adult, "Power is really a good thing."
If anyone else had said this, Emperor Zhengping would have been wary and would have tried to get rid of them. But Zhuozhuo's childish talk amused him. He asked, "Do you want power?"
"I think so," Zhuozhuo said without hesitation, then asked anxiously, "Is power too much? Will I be able to handle it?"
Emperor Zhengping was stunned. Everyone chased power, but few considered whether they could bear the weight of it. His expression softened slightly, and he waved at Zhuozhuo, saying, "Come here."
Zhuozhuo was still seriously worried. Hearing this, she hesitated for a moment whether to approach this bad guy who bullied her father, but finally walked over.
She walked around the table, stood beside Emperor Zhengping's legs, raised her head and asked awkwardly, "Grandpa Huang, do I have to grow as tall as you before I can take power?" That would take a long, long time.
Emperor Zhengping laughed heartily, "You can't grow as tall as me."
"Hmph, I don't believe you. I will be as tall as daddy," Zhuozhuo corrected her childishly, "I want to grow taller than daddy. I want to protect daddy!" Zhuozhuo really felt that Feng Pansheng needed protection. She felt that many people had ill intentions towards Feng Pansheng. He was so pitiful.
Emperor Zhengping was stunned by Zhuozhuo's words. A young child seemed to appear before his eyes. He proudly brandished a wooden sword and said with a firm expression, "I will protect my father." He was relieved and proud at the time, wanting to give this child the best things in the world. But then, the child died.
He was killed by his own hands.
Emperor Zhengping looked at Zhuozhuo's eyes and eyebrows, which were similar to his, and unconsciously raised his hand to touch him.
Zhuozhuo dodged backwards and shouted, "Hey, Grandpa Huang, are you going to hit me?"
Emperor Zhengping: “…”
Eunuch Wang: “…”
Originally, Eunuch Wang was still marveling at how Zhuo Zhuo had so effortlessly flattered Emperor Zhengping and made him so happy. It turned out that the most powerful form of flattery is sincerity. But now he felt that she was an expert at ruining the atmosphere, and what she said always made people angry and amused.
Emperor Zhengping tapped his burning forehead twice in the air and said helplessly, "You. I won't hit you."
"Then why did you call me here?" Zhuozhuo hadn't forgotten why he was here. "If you have something to say, tell me quickly. I have to go back to find my father and tell him what the difference is between the palace during the day and the palace at night."
Emperor Zhengping experienced the feeling of being despised. He was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, and unconsciously gave up the temptation and roundabout way that was engraved in his bones. He said directly: "I want to ask if you are hungry and whether you want to have dinner." This is Feng Pansheng's only child, and he never thought of treating her harshly.
"I've eaten."
"What kind of dinner are those cakes and fruits?" Emperor Zhengping glanced at Eunuch Wang, who immediately clapped his hands. A row of palace maids carrying trays came in from outside the palace gate, and they silently and quickly filled the long table with food.
"Woo." The aroma of the food hooked her burning eyes and nose. She looked at it eagerly, her saliva almost flowing.
"Do you want to eat?" Emperor Zhengping asked again.
"Eat." Zhuozhuo said happily, "Grandpa Huang, can I eat now?"
Emperor Zhengping thought Zhuozhuo would have the nerve to refuse, "...eat it."
Zhuozhuo cheered and ran to the long table. He struggled to climb onto a stool and sat down. Then he looked at Emperor Zhengping and greeted him warmly, "Grandpa Huang, you're coming to eat too."
"I have already had dinner."
9972 explained to Zhuozhuo in his mind, "It means I've had my meal."
"You can eat again after you've eaten." Seeing that Emperor Zhengping had no intention of moving, Zhuozhuo said pitifully, "If you don't eat, I won't eat either."
This was because Zhuozhuo had recently learned a little bit about etiquette. When visiting someone's home, if the host didn't come to the table to eat, the guest couldn't eat either. However, Emperor Zhengping misunderstood Zhuozhuo's meaning. He smiled silently and said with a fierce face: "If you don't eat, do you think I'm afraid of you?"
"So are you going to eat it or not?" Zhuozhuo didn't follow the routine at all.
Emperor Zhengping was silent for a moment. Under Zhuozhuo's aggrieved yet expectant gaze, he stood up and walked to the main seat at the long table and sat down. Eunuch Wang stood beside him, preparing to serve him the food. At this moment, Zhuozhuo stood on a stool, one hand on the table, and pointed at a dish with the other, "Grandpa Huang, I want to eat this!"
Eunuch Wang was stunned for a moment, then quickly handed the dish to Zhuo Zhuo and placed it in a small bowl. "My little princess, you have good taste. This dish is called Cherry Meat. It was just brought into the palace from the common people. It's sweet and salty, and it's both beautiful and delicious. Would you like to try it?"
However, Zhuozhuo had no intention of taking the chopsticks or spoon, but looked at Emperor Zhengping.
Emperor Zhengping finally confirmed that Zhuozhuo wanted him to feed her. This experience was so novel that Emperor Zhengping didn't feel unhappy. Instead, he slowly said, "Does Prince Li also pamper you like this?"
9972 thought to himself, "That's right! Feng Pansheng, this ruthless villain with blood on his hands, is even more doting on the child than Qin Jin. These days, Zhuozhuo hasn't eaten on his own; Feng Pansheng feeds him! And when Zhuozhuo and Feng Pansheng are together, he rarely gets out to walk on his own; he's always held by Feng Pansheng."
9972 often worried that Zhuozhuo’s legs would be crippled, and at the same time was curious if Feng Pansheng’s arms wouldn’t be sore.
When asked this question, Zhuozhuo's little brain was unable to react. She was stunned for a moment and said softly, "My daddy holds me while I eat."
Because children are active and easily distracted by external things, Feng Pansheng likes to hold Zhuozhuo in his arms when feeding her. Firstly, this posture is very convenient. Secondly, he can easily regain Zhuozhuo's attention through some small movements. Thirdly, it restricts her from running around or being picky about food and throwing tantrums.
Emperor Zhengping seemed to have heard some incredible horror story. He wanted to ask more questions, but Zhuozhuo couldn't wait any longer and directly grabbed the meat and stuffed it into his mouth, "Wow, delicious."
This rude and unrestrained action was a crime of impropriety before the emperor. However, Emperor Zhengping had no choice but to let Eunuch Wang wipe Zhuozhuo's hands clean and then serve her meal, feeding her.
Appetite is contagious. Seeing Zhuozhuo eating so happily, Emperor Zhengping couldn't help but pick up his chopsticks and taste the dishes she ate the most. They were indeed delicious. Could it be that the imperial kitchen performed exceptionally well tonight? Emperor Zhengping was in a good mood. "Reward."
Someone immediately passed on the emperor's oral instructions.
Zhuozhuo was truly hungry, but she couldn't eat much. After she had eaten her fill, she instructed Eunuch Wang to place the vegetables in her small bowl, and even tried to reach for the bowl of fish soup. Emperor Zhengping teased her with a smile, "Little greedy cat, no need to hide. If you want to eat more, there will be new ones tomorrow."
"I want to take it back for Daddy to eat."
Emperor Zhengping's smile faded, and he looked a little melancholy. After a moment, he regained his composure and asked Zhuozhuo, "Have you noticed any difference between the palace during the day and at night?"
Zhuozhuo, who had been diligently collecting food, paused, wrinkling her nose in embarrassment, and looked around to talk about something else. "Grandpa Huang, no matter where you are, it's different during the day and at night. The palace must have something special. Hmm..." She hesitated, and suddenly an idea flashed in her mind, "The people here change too!"
Zhuozhuo suddenly remembered the story he had heard and tried to scare people in a childish voice, "The people in the palace will reveal their true colors at night."
Emperor Zhengping was surprised. Although Zhuozhuo's words were accidental, it was clear that the child was talented. If he was nurtured well... Emperor Zhengping thought of his troubled children and felt a headache. Just then, the eunuch came in and reported, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Prince Chun and His Royal Highness Prince Chu request an audience."
Just as he remembered, the annoying kids arrived. Emperor Zhengping knew why they came and had no intention of meeting them, but a glimpse of Zhuozhuo in his peripheral vision changed his mind and asked with a smile, "Little guy, do you think I should meet them?"
9972 secretly cursed the Zhengping Emperor for his viciousness and insidiousness. Prince Chun and Prince Chu, knowing Feng Pansheng was imprisoned, must have come to investigate the Emperor's true attitude and take advantage of his misfortune. If Zhuozhuo said she wouldn't see him, that would be perfect. But if she did, wouldn't that be setting Feng Pansheng up for dead?
And according to 9972's understanding of Zhuozhuo, there is a 90% chance that she will say yes.
Sure enough, Zhuozhuo had no idea of Emperor Zhengping’s sinister intentions. She said childishly and naively, “They came to see you so late, they must have missed you.” Since you are not asleep, just meet them.
Zhuozhuo didn't even have time to finish the last sentence before Emperor Zhengping snorted coldly, "Miss me? Haha. Wang Linfu, let them in!"
Eunuch Wang went to invite the two princes into the hall, feeling deeply moved. The little princess was simply a great assist to His Highness Prince Li, and every word she said was just right.
Prince Chun is the second prince, now thirty-five years old. He is tall and thin, with a mustache and shrewd eyes, as if he is thinking about how to scheme against people all day long.
The Prince of Chu was the Sixth Prince, twenty-five this year, just three months younger than Feng Pansheng. He had a twin brother, the Fifth Prince, Prince Jing. Prince Jing, crippled in both legs by a fall from a horse in childhood, devoted himself to music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, and tea, and did not participate in his brothers' power struggles.
The King of Chu was a man of great stature, with the air of a fierce bandit. He walked like a crab on the street, with a fierce look in his eyes. When he looked at children, anyone he saw would cry.
The two princes saluted Emperor Zhengping. The King of Chu glanced at Zhuozhuo and said casually, "Is this Fourth Brother's child from the common people? She's just a little girl. I heard Fourth Brother dotes on her a lot. Well, he only has this one child, so he can't be picky. He can dote on her as much as he wants."
Zhuozhuo sometimes couldn't understand the complexities of good and bad conversation, but she could sense the kindness and ill will of others. She glared at the King of Chu angrily, but Feng Pansheng was not there. She was a little afraid of this man who was as strong as a bear, so she didn't say anything to retort, but hid herself behind Emperor Zhengping.
Emperor Zhengping glanced at the King of Chu without saying anything, but the atmosphere in the hall changed subtly.
At this moment, Prince Chun said gently, "I heard that this child's name is Zhuozhuo? Feng Zhuozhuo, that sounds nice. My dear child, you have suffered a lot these years. Do you miss your parents?"
9972 screamed inwardly, "You are so cunning and deceitful, Prince Chun, are you trying to sow discord?"
Zhuozhuo, who had been peeking out, quickly hid her head. This smiling figure was even scarier. She clenched her fists to encourage herself, her voice soft and adorable, like a small animal in danger trying to scare off its predator. "Who are you? I don't want to talk to you."
Prince Chun and Prince Chu had never heard such straightforward words and for a moment they forgot how to respond.
Emperor Zhengping held Zhuozhuo in his arms lovingly, pointed at the two of them and said, "This is your imperial uncle, and this is your imperial uncle." He did not say second imperial uncle and sixth imperial uncle, firstly because he felt it was unnecessary, and secondly because he thought children could not remember boring numerical rankings.
The familiar feeling of being held in an adult's arms made Zhuozhuo feel a little safer. She followed suit and called out "Uncle Huang" and then noticed some details. She asked curiously, "You all have the surname Huang. Are you a family?"
Everyone: “…”
Although they are a family, there is no father and son in heaven, and children always say some strange and hurtful things.
However, just when everyone was about to laugh it off, Emperor Zhengping suddenly realized something and asked Zhuozhuo seriously, "What did you call me?"
"Grandpa Huang."
"Call him?" Emperor Zhengping pointed at Eunuch Wang.
Zhuozhuo said without hesitation, "Grandpa Wang."
Emperor Zhengping laughed in anger, "You little thing, I thought you were sweet-talking, but you don't even know I'm your grandfather?"
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