After a full meal, Yu Hua belched contentedly, feeling satisfied.
In her mind, she reflected: “When I watched these scenes in comics or movies, I always thought they were fake. I never imagined I’d experience this firsthand.”
“Host, you really have nothing to fear. Even ten thousand assassins couldn’t penetrate Gua Gua’s defenses. In this world, no one can harm you.”
“You don’t understand! It’s my first time facing such danger. I’m only twelve! I’m still a child!”
“You’ve been overprotected by your parents; any little thing scares you.”
“First time being a second-generation official and rich kid, of course I’m afraid of losing everything.”
“By the way, won’t you let your parents in? Your brothers and parents are still outside, worried about you.”
“Poor them… I guess I should let them in. But… how do I face them? Will they mock me for being timid?”
“Don’t worry. Your father arranged Yu San as your secret guard precisely to protect you. Do you really think they’d laugh at you?”
Hearing this, Dujuan and Huamei understood that their mistress was truly safe but couldn’t reveal it—they were relieved yet helpless.
Huamei whispered, “Miss, your father and mother are worried outside. Should we let them in?”
Dujuan added, “Yes, Madam is worried; she hasn’t eaten much today.”
Yu Hua nodded, and the maids happily called: “Father, Mother, Miss Gu, two young masters—you may come in.”
The three hurried in.
Shen Chuyan immediately embraced Yu Hua, wiping tears, saying, “Yu Hua, you’re safe! Mother was so worried!”
“Mother, I’m fine. It’s just that this is the first time I’ve faced something like this, so I was scared,” Yu Hua reassured.
“Don’t worry. You’ll never face such danger again. Your father has arranged secret guards,” Shen Chuyan said.
“Yes, your father has placed the mansion’s strongest secret guards with you. You’ll be safe from now on,” Yu Qingshan added.
Yu Qingyun comforted her: “Big brother already tore those bullies apart. You’ll never need to be afraid again. Also, all of my private funds are yours—you won’t go hungry, and I won’t steal your food.”
Yu Hua smiled. “Father, Mother, big brother, little brother… I was just a little scared. It’s really not that serious.”
Seeing her smile, everyone relaxed—they knew Yu Hua wouldn’t force herself.
“Yu Hua is safe! Great, let’s go shopping and eat,” Gu Zhizhi exclaimed.
Yu Qingyun objected: “Miss Gu, my sister is just going shopping. Given what happened, is it really appropriate?”
“Don’t worry. Yu Hua and I always return safely to the mansion after shopping,” Gu Zhizhi assured him.
Yu Hua loved shopping, eating, and lying around reading comics. Hearing this, she was ecstatic.
They began their “shopping-and-eating” adventure. This time, nothing unusual happened. Gu Zhizhi bought many things Yu Hua loved but usually couldn’t bring herself to get.
That night, Yu Hua stayed up late reading comics. Only after repeated coaxing by Gua Gua did she sleep.
The next day, she arrived at court half-asleep.
The officials were delighted to see her and perked up.
Emperor An Yi noticed Yu Hua’s drowsiness: “Why does the Anshun Envoy still look sleepy? Did last night’s cats and dogs also disturb her?”
Yu Hua slumped in her chair, not hearing his question.
Yu Jinghong muttered: “What have I done to deserve this daughter?”
A minister stepped forward: “Your Majesty, she usually stays up late. She hasn’t adapted yet.”
Other officials nodded in agreement.
“Look at you all, so worried! I didn’t say anything,” the Emperor remarked.
After about half an hour, Yu Hua, having rested, began daydreaming as the ministers discussed affairs.
“Gua Gua, is there any melon for today?”
System voice chimed in: “Host, today let’s eat the Emperor’s melon!”
An Yi’s thoughts were shaken: “What melon could there possibly be for you to eat?”
The officials, overhearing, perked up, eager for royal gossip: “Is it permissible to hear the affairs of the royal family?”
“Could His Majesty really resort to killing to cover it up?”
“What’s the Emperor’s melon, then?”
“Although the Emperor seems majestic, inside he’s a mama’s boy—he obeys the Empress Dowager in everything.”
“You don’t understand. I’m filial! Filial, you hear? I govern with filial piety!” the Emperor protested.
Officials inwardly groaned, regretting attending court that day, fearing later scrutiny.
Yu Jinghong felt more nervous than when hearing about Prince Jing’s scandal, since this time the matter concerned the Emperor himself.
The system continued: “The Emperor obeys his mother in all matters of the harem. Whatever the Empress Dowager says, goes. He never dares to disobey. Even when he thinks she’s wrong, he follows her instructions.”
“Give an example,” Yu Hua prompted.
“One time, the Emperor wanted to visit the favored concubine. During the selection process, he deliberately marked her name. Naturally, the draw favored her. When the Empress Dowager heard, she rushed over. The Emperor obediently went to the palace of the concubine she designated, even though he might have preferred another,” the system explained.
“This isn’t juicy enough! Any more explosive gossip?”