Reincarnated as the daughter of my mortal enemy, all I want is to ascend the throne.

Bringing a child to court is unprecedented, both in ancient and modern times.

Some ministers disagreed, but Li Yan quickly refuted them with a few words.

The women in the harem were even more shocked when they heard about this.

Consort Ling stirred her handkerchief. "Just who is that child? His Majesty keeps him by his side every day and doesn't even go into the inner palace anymore."

They hadn't seen the emperor for months, and naturally they were all extremely anxious. What do women in the harem rely on to survive? Isn't it the emperor's favor?

"What can we do about the person His Majesty wants to protect?" Consort Jing remained calm. She had a son and a daughter, but the daughter was just a princess. What good was the Emperor's favor? She could never inherit the throne.

This matter could be considered a big deal, but because it involved a princess, it became a small matter, and over time, everyone stopped caring.

Three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Li Qingyan went from holding a baby in her arms to running around like a child.

"Little ancestor, slow down, slow down!" Laifu, holding his waist, had been running behind Li Qingyan for a long time and was covered in sweat.

The palace maids were all skilled warriors, so their physical strength was naturally good. They could keep up with Li Qingyan, but they didn't dare to really surround her, worried that they wouldn't have enough strength and might hurt her. So they were hesitant and timid.

"Hehe." Li Qingyan hid behind a pillar.

He had just lifted his foot when he was startled by a roar.

"What are you doing, little brat?"

He was immediately lifted up and made to look into Li Yan's eyes.

"Li Yan, put me down." He thrashed about like a turtle.

Lai Fu watched from behind with his heart pounding, fearing that Li Qingyan would get hurt, since he had watched her grow up.

But when he met Li Yan's gaze, he could only lower his head.

Li Yan glanced around. "How many times have I told you? We can't spoil her. You indulge the princess's every whim, but if she wants the moon, do you expect you to pluck it down for her too?"

The group of people lowered their heads and watched obediently as Li Yan carried the person inside.

Laifu was stamping his feet outside, afraid that Li Yan would take action.

Inside the room, the father and daughter stood with their hands on their hips on the dragon throne, while the other stood to the side with a cold expression.

"How many times have I told this little brat not to run around?"

Li Qingyan frowned at the address. "Li Yan, why are you being so fierce? All I did was go out to play! You won't let me go to school, so what am I supposed to do?"

Li Qingyan spoke fluently from the age of three, especially when she argued with Li Yan.

Last year's imperial concubine selection brought in many more women to the harem, and this year several concubines are pregnant, so Li Qingyan is somewhat fearful.

With more children, how long can she enjoy this pampering? She needs to cultivate herself and her own power as soon as possible.

What if Li Yan goes mad and kills her one day?

She needs to stand up to Li Yan.

Li Yan frowned and said, "You are still too young, only three years old. If you want to start your education, I can teach you."

She climbed directly from the dragon throne onto the table, plopped down on it, and flipped through the book next to the memorials.

These are all primers like the Three Character Classic. The five books are lined up in a row. "You teach me every day, but I've read and studied all of these myself. I can even write the characters in them."

She pulled out another stack of papers from the side. Although the handwriting was somewhat ugly, Li Yan's handwriting could still be vaguely discerned.

You can tell who the teacher is at a glance.

It's already quite impressive that a three-year-old can write such good characters.

Recently, due to the turmoil on the border, Li Yan has been quite busy and hasn't had time to take care of her. He never expected that the child would learn so much in just a few days.

Li Yan felt somewhat gratified; his child was indeed worthy of being his, much smarter than other children, having learned everything.

"I'll teach you after this busy period is over." Li Qingyan gave him many surprises today, and he spoke much more gently.

"Busy? Busy with what? Li Yan, you've said that so many times, you big liar." Li Qingyan struggled to climb from the table onto the dragon throne, even slipping on her foot halfway. Li Yan had to adjust her position so she could get down smoothly.

Li Qingyan rolled her eyes at him, snorted coldly, and ran out.

Li Yan was so angry that his forehead throbbed. Ever since this little brat learned to talk, he would never call him "father" unless he needed something.

"Little brat."

Lai Fu only brought over tea after seeing Li Qingyan run out safely. "Your Majesty, please calm down. It's inevitable that a clever child like the little princess will be a little mischievous."

Li Yan snorted coldly, her appearance was exactly the same as Li Qingyan's. "They're all spoiled. They should be hit with a ruler a few more times."

"Your Majesty, the princess is only three years old; she's too young to withstand a beating," Lai Fu immediately changed the subject. "The memorial has already arrived, and the Minister of Rites just got outside. Would Your Majesty like to summon him?"

When Li Qingyan ran out, she saw Liu Li, the Minister of Rites. She tilted her head and looked at him, saying, "Minister Liu."

Liu Li was surprised that Li Qingyan knew him. There were so many people in the court, and Li Qingyan was only three years old, yet she could call him by his surname and official title. It was truly astonishing.

"Your Highness, this humble subject greets you."

Li Qingyan nodded. He was a loyal minister, but his daughter was not content with her lot and always wanted to enter the palace.

She had no choice but to be sent to the palace by Liu Li. Last year, she was selected as a concubine. Liu Li, a man who was so respectful of etiquette, gave birth to a wretched daughter.

However, Consort Liu was fortunate enough to have a child, who is now six months old.

However, Li Qingyan had never seen her before, since she spent most of her time in the Qin Zheng Hall and hadn't seen many of the other women in the harem.

The two didn't have much to talk about, and Liu Li was called inside shortly afterward.

There hadn't been any major matters requiring the Ministry of Rites recently, so she walked down a few steps and, as she approached the main hall—the place where court was usually held—she encountered the patrolling officials.

She ran towards Yan Xu with her short legs, calling out in a childish voice, "Yan Xu, Yan Xu," which made the patrolling guards stop.

Yan Xu was somewhat shocked to see Li Qingyan. Li Yan usually kept a close watch on her and would not let her leave the Qin Zheng Hall easily. How did she end up here today?

"Greetings, Your Highness."

The banquet proceeded with respectful greetings.

Li Qingyan asked him to pick her up and go on patrol with them.

Now that it's winter, Yan Xu's armor is cold and damp.

But Li Qingyan didn't care about any of that, she just wanted him to hold her.

It was just a routine palace patrol, and Yan Xu carried the person along with them. The palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, but there wasn't a single red decoration in the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Li Qingyan frowned deeply. "What's going on? Is someone getting married?"

Some princes or princesses were granted the privilege of having their wedding ceremony held within the palace.

Prince Ke? He was all killed by Li Yan.

As for princesses, there is only one eldest princess left, but she got married last year.

"His Majesty is getting married." Yan Xu only said four words, without any expression of joy or anger. The only connection between them was the little princess in his arms; there was nothing else, and nothing else could be.

From the day he confessed, Li Yan treated him as usual, but there was still something between them.

"Li Yan is getting married? He's going to marry me a stepmother?" Li Qingyan's eyes widened. This kind of marriage is only for princesses and princes, or even empresses.

Yan Xu instinctively covered her mouth, "Princess, be careful what you say. You must not address His Majesty by his name."

Li Qingyan crossed her arms, kicked her feet, and climbed down from Yan Xu's embrace. "I want to go back to the Hall of Diligent Governance. I'll go back by myself."

She specifically emphasized that she went back because she didn't want to cause trouble and involve others.

Her mind was racing. Once Li Yan got married and had an empress, it would mean he would have legitimate sons and daughters. Even if she was Li Yan's own child, without the protection of her maternal family, she would be at the mercy of others.

No...this is absolutely not allowed.

"Flying Fork, how about I just kill that queen?"

[Host, this is against the rules.]

"Once a favored bastard child is seen as a thorn in the Empress's side, there are countless ways she'll try to kill me. Am I really going to be killed too?"

Over the years, Li Qingyan may have seemed indifferent to life and death, but in reality, her fear of death had reached its peak. Yes, she had to admit that she was afraid, very afraid of dying.