Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 502 - 440: Emperor Liang’s Heart Transformed

Chapter 502: Chapter 440: Emperor Liang’s Heart Transformed

Emperor Liang stared in astonishment at the tiny tiger cub suddenly appearing outside the Imperial Study Room, utterly speechless.

That soft, childish voice, as gentle as spring raindrops, instantly extinguished all of Emperor Liang’s raging fury.

Emperor Liang’s tone abruptly softened to a squeaky pitch: "Who is your great-grandfather?"

Eunuch Yu trembled violently, nearly dropping the horsetail whisk in his hand.

Standing behind the little bundle, Lu Zhaoyan and Lu Yuan almost failed to suppress their laughter.

Especially Lu Zhaoyan, who had known Emperor Liang for so many years. Though his cunning had allowed him to evade Emperor Liang’s "strict fatherly care," never had he seen such a loving side of him.

Such gentle and tender words—his father had never spoken them to him.

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Lu Zhaoyan’s skeptical gaze questioned: Has he spoken to you like this before?

Lu Yuan replied smugly: Of course. Are you jealous?

Lu Zhaoyan didn’t believe him one bit.

After all, he had seen how his father talked to this brat—overbearingly, to the point of ridiculousness!

However, it was in the most domineering tone that Emperor Liang uttered the most indulgent words to this little rascal.

It was bad enough that his own father didn’t favor him over an adorable, cutesy toddler—but for love to be snatched by some random brat on top of that?

Oh, woe is me!

Treasure Piggy, upon hearing Emperor Liang’s question, didn’t immediately enter the Imperial Study Room but politely answered from the door, "Baby’s great-grandfather is the most awesome emperor in the world, a celestial Immortal, and the one who loves Baby the most."

She spoke animatedly, even patting her little chest with her small hands, her earnest demeanor on full display.

Now, who could possibly resist such flattery? Who wouldn’t have their heart melted?

Emperor Liang let out three hearty laughs and strode toward the door.

He, with his towering physique, looked like a colossus in the eyes of a child—his sudden approach could easily scare someone.

But Treasure Piggy wasn’t frightened.

Thanks to her rich experience of interacting with Big Axe Uncle in Wind and Water Alley, she was already accustomed to dealing with towering grown-ups.

Emperor Liang lifted the little girl up and laughed, asking, "You’re not afraid of me?"

Treasure Piggy shook her head.

"Good!"

Emperor Liang guffawed delightedly, pulling the little girl into his embrace. "What’s your name?"

Treasure Piggy tilted her head adorably, radiating cuteness: "Zhaozhao—or you can call me Baby. Are you my great-grandfather?"

Emperor Liang laughed and asked, "Do I look like it?"

Treasure Piggy scrutinized his face for a while, then shook her head seriously: "Nope."

Emperor Liang’s expression darkened: "Why not?"

Treasure Piggy spread her hands wide: "You’re too handsome. My-my-my great-grandfather is the most awesome person, but that doesn’t mean he’s the most handsome."

"Hahahahaha!"

Emperor Liang laughed so hard that he lost his bearings, nearly cackling his teeth off.

Eunuch Yu couldn’t hold back his giggling and covered his mouth to stifle it.

Lu Zhaoyan frowned and cast an accusatory glance at Lu Yuan, whispering, "Clearly a fib—did you teach her to speak like this?"

Lu Yuan replied nonchalantly, "I’ll remember this and inform Grandfather in a bit."

Lu Zhaoyan: "...You little rebel."

Emperor Liang was completely smitten with this tiny bundle of joy: "How old is Zhaozhao?"

Treasure Piggy answered confidently, "Five years old!"

Eunuch Yu quickly interjected, "Two years old."

His Majesty is pragmatic; hopefully, he wouldn’t find Miss Zhaozhao insufficiently honest...

Emperor Liang declared, "Three by Chinese reckoning—ambitious!"

Treasure Piggy mimicked Emperor Liang’s imposing tone: "Ambitious!"

"Hahaha!"

Once again, Emperor Liang was humorously entertained. Gazing at the little girl in his arms, he asked warmly, "How about I become your great-grandfather, Zhaozhao?"

Treasure Piggy rested her little head on Emperor Liang’s shoulder, confidently swaying her small feet: "Sure!"

Never before had Emperor Liang encountered such a clingy child.

Perhaps he was simply too intimidating—Imperial Family children behaved as though seeing King Yama himself when faced with him, crying hysterically.

Emperor Liang indulged in the pure joy of carrying this small infant, her soft, warm body and sweet, milky scent slowly melting his iron-hard heart.

Eunuch Yu wisely chose to avoid raising the matter of the imperial edict.

Beheading was out of the question, of course, but rewriting the edict... well, it seemed unlikely to happen today.

Besides, Emperor Liang’s attempts to confer noble titles upon Dou Clan had already been interrupted twice by inexplicable mishaps. The first time could be dismissed as a young master’s melodramatic ploy gone awry, but surely this incident couldn’t have been premeditated, right?

Who could have possibly predicted a child would vomit on the imperial edict?

Emperor Liang paced around the Imperial Study Room, cradling the little girl, unable to put her down.

Treasure Piggy had successfully cozied up to the most valiant tree in the Southwest, basking smugly in her achievement.

The sight of her acting like a sly fox under the protection of a mighty tiger thrilled Emperor Liang to no end.

So thoroughly entertained was Emperor Liang that he’d even forgotten to ask who her father was.

"Have some snacks."

Emperor Liang fetched a rose pastry from the table and handed it to the child.

Treasure Piggy wet her lips, but despite her craving, resisted with determination, saying, "Baby threw up—Baby can’t eat."

Emperor Liang’s brows furrowed: "You threw up?"

Treasure Piggy replied miserably, "Threw up... on the paper."

Emperor Liang turned toward Eunuch Yu: "What happened?"

Eunuch Yu explained, "Miss Zhaozhao overate and vomited on the imperial edict Your Majesty had just issued."

Treasure Piggy bowed her head: "Baby was wrong, Great-grandfather—don’t hate Baby. Baby won’t... throw up again."

Emperor Liang’s heart ached terribly. The child felt unwell, yet she still apologized? What fault had she committed?

This lone precious great-grandchild of his—how could she be made to suffer such a grievance?

Ever so tenderly, Emperor Liang declared, "Baby did no wrong—the fault lies with Great-grandfather’s edict!"

Eunuch Yu was utterly stunned, processing His Majesty’s words for a good while before asking cautiously, "Your Majesty, should the edict... be rewritten?"

Emperor Liang snapped, "Rewrite what? Can’t you see the child already threw up?"

Having spoken coldly, he immediately softened his tone, addressing Treasure Piggy gently, "The edict cursed Zhaozhao! Great-grandfather won’t write another one!"

Eunuch Yu stood frozen in disbelief, his expression that of someone witnessing ghosts at noon.

Emperor Liang shot him a glare: "What are you staring at? Go summon the Imperial Physician, quickly!"

"Y-yes!"

Eunuch Yu scurried off to summon the Imperial Physician.

"You two—get out..."

Emperor Liang paused mid-command, remembering that his dear grandson couldn’t be scolded outright, nor could the child overhear. He covered Treasure Piggy’s tiny ears.

"Lu Zhaoyan, you come in! And Yuan’er too."

The Crown Prince: ... Ultimately, he bore it all.

-

Having discovered that Treasure Piggy had been taken away by the Crown Prince, Liu Qingyun was both enraged and vexed—furious at Lu Zhaoyan’s sly schemes, yet frustrated with her own lapse of vigilance that led her into his trap.

But although angry, she refrained from venting at the inn. Instead, she closed her eyes and regained her composure.

Her mother had taught her that if anger could resolve the issue, she might as well vent freely.

But if anger solved nothing, it was time to figure things out.

The present situation called for brainstorming solutions.

"You—what’s your name?"

She addressed the Imperial Guard munching on candied hawthorn.

The Imperial Guard responded, "This humble servant is named Cui Hu."

"Another tiger."

Liu Qingyun thought of her son’s trusted lieutenant, Zhang Feihu. Though they had never met, it was said he was a decent and capable man.

She asked, "Where has your Crown Prince gone?"

Cui Hu answered, "To the palace."