Chapter 119: I won't care for you anymore

「Thank you, General, for lending a hand. 」 Mu Yuanzhi readily thanked him.

After all, today he really helped a lot.

Qi Shihuai didn't know whether he was satisfied or not; his pair of cunning, suspicious eyes roved over Mu Yuanzhi, and his smile gave people an uncomfortable feeling.

「If there's nothing else, I'll go first. 」 Mu Yuanzhi nodded politely.

Qi Shihuai slightly nodded his head as a gesture of acknowledgment, and he watched Mu Yuanzhi leave.

Mu Yuanzhi also noticed that lingering gaze behind her, and unconsciously walked faster.

Even though she knew this person was in league with Gu Rongjin, and even though he had helped her several times, she still felt she should keep her distance from him—perhaps it was an instinctive reaction? She didn't understand why.

In Xuanshi Hall, the Emperor's gaze was dark and unfathomable as he looked down at the solemnly standing Pei Yunxi.

The same hall, the same people, only the mood differed.

He still remembered how overjoyed he was when he first saw this daughter, to the point of being almost tearful with joy.

This was his daughter, the well-behaved daughter he had longed for, his blood-related daughter!

Unlike Yuanzhi, this was his biological daughter, connected to him by blood!

No matter how he looked at her, she seemed perfect in every way—others paled in comparison, even the adopted daughter he had painstakingly taught; after all, she was his biological daughter, destined to be the finest woman in the world in every respect.

But now, it seems not to be the case.

「Father Emperor... 」

The Emperor remained silent for a long time, and Pei Yunxi's anxiety deepened; she hardly dared to breathe loudly, fearing she would provoke the Emperor's anger.

Before, she never needed to be so cautious; whenever her mood showed the slightest negativity, Father Emperor would ask after her with concern, afraid she might be unhappy.

The Emperor let out a deep sigh and slowly descended from the high jade steps.

With each step he took, Pei Yunxi's heart sank a little; when he reached her, her heart leapt up to her throat.

「Pei'er, tell me honestly what's been going on lately? 」 the Emperor said, gazing into her eyes with sharp, all-seeing insight.

Pei Yunxi instantly couldn't conjure any lies; she knew full well that saying anything would be useless and only make Father Emperor angrier, yet she didn't dare to confess.

「Pei'er, Pei'er doesn't know either... 」

「Pei'er. 」 the Emperor's call was clearly laced with disappointment; his eyes flickered, and he sighed again: 「If you don't speak, I will no longer care for you. 」

Pei Yunxi's pupils trembled; she plunged to her knees with a thud, tears and voice pouring out: 「Father Emperor, I know I was wrong; please give me a chance to mend my ways! 」

What did Father Emperor mean by not caring for her? Would he no longer protect her from now on? Or hand her over to the Imperial Court of Justice for interrogation? Or perhaps drive her away?

「Please, Father Emperor, don't drive me away! I only wish to stay by your side, by my older brothers' side, even if I must toil as an ox or horse! I am Pei'er, torn between gain and loss, afraid my older sister will snatch away my father and brothers, which made me act foolishly! 」 Pei Yunxi wept heartbroken.

She was indeed frightened; her sobs were genuine, even hiccuping, making her look pitiable.

「So the Qilin's poison was your doing? 」 the Emperor's expression confirmed it.

「Yes, but Pei'er didn't mean to harm anyone; Pei'er only wanted her older sister to promise not to compete with her for the great-grandmother's... 」 Pei Yunxi sobbed, choking: 「As for the Ministry of Works incident, Pei'er only wanted to scare her older sister, so she used a tiny amount of explosives—she had tested it, the harm was minimal... 」

She tried to downplay the matter and justify herself.

The Emperor listened, then asked: 「Was your initial injury from a hidden weapon also self-inflicted? 」

「Yes... 」 Pei Yunxi nodded, 「Pei'er also got injured then and nearly lost her life... 」

Of course, the near-fatal incident was also feigned; she had bribed a physician about to retire and return home, making it now impossible to verify.

The Emperor drew a deep breath and continued: 「Anything else? 」

「Nothing more! Really nothing more! Father Emperor, please forgive me! I truly know my mistake; I will never dare again! 」 Pei Yunxi said, knocking her head hard against the ground.

Naturally she wouldn't admit to something without evidence—who would be that foolish?

Pei Yunxi knocked her head with force, the sound of her bones striking the ground unusually crisp.

The Emperor immediately helped her up, angrily demanding: 「Who told you to kowtow? What if you ruin your appearance?! 」

As soon as those words were spoken, Pei Yunxi knew there was room for maneuver; her tense nerves relaxed somewhat, and her cold sweat lessened.

「Father Emperor, I truly know my mistake! Please forgive me! Don't drive me away, okay? 」 Pei Yunxi's swollen, tear-filled eyes brimmed with fear and hope as she looked up at the Emperor; her bruised forehead from knocking turned black instantly, she reached out to clutch his arm, clinging desperately like a helpless stray cat.

The Emperor, not knowing how many sighs he had let out, reached to wipe the tears from Pei Yunxi's face; his expression remained utterly stern, and he sternly asked: 「Are you truly aware of your fault? 」

「Pei'er swears to heaven! 」 Pei Yunxi raised three fingers: 「If I offend again, let heaven strike me with thunder! 」

The Emperor frowned: 「Enough! What need is there for such a poisonous oath! 」

Pei Yunxi wiped her own tears: 「Does Father Emperor believe me now? 」

「To know one's fault and amend it is the greatest good; I believe you are fundamentally kind. 」 the Emperor said solemnly to Pei Yunxi: 「You are my beloved daughter; I will always cherish you most. You need not compare yourself to Yuanzhi, nor resort to scheming against her. 」

「Mm, Pei'er understands and will faithfully follow Father Emperor's teachings. 」 Pei Yunxi's attitude of admitting fault was very sincere.

The Emperor lifted his smile again: 「All right, you're tired too—go rest. 」

「What about the Qilin matter... and Brother Ling, what should be done with him? 」 Pei Yunxi asked cautiously.

「I will have someone release him tomorrow; as for the Qilin, I will grant him a third-rank official post, which is not unfair to him. 」 the Emperor said.

After all, a third-rank official post is something even a top scholar might not attain; one should be grateful.

Upon hearing she wouldn't be held responsible, Pei Yunxi felt completely relieved.

After she left, the Emperor had someone summon Mu Yuanzhi.

Soon, he saw his adopted daughter, who had undergone a complete transformation.

Her every move bore an air of detachment; her words and deeds revealed no flaw, neither humble nor arrogant—a perfect lady, yet not the daughter he knew.

「I, your subject, pay my respects, Father Emperor. 」

Even the greetings and inquiries were so formal and plain; she stood far away, gazing levelly.

「Yuanzhi, come to the Father Emperor's side. 」 the Emperor beckoned.

Mu Yuanzhi then walked a few steps forward, then stopped.

The Emperor's brows furrowed; he was immediately displeased, but quickly restrained himself, saying that from the start it had been his misunderstanding that she meant to harm Pei'er, which had caused their father‑daughter estrangement; now that the misunderstanding was cleared, they ought to return to how things were before.