Chu Wang's question went unanswered by Chu Jiangnan.
There were no "what ifs." The missed opportunities of the past were truly missed.
What was the point of discussing hypotheticals now?
Chu Wang understood him, grasping his imperial brother's thoughts with a single glance.
"Imperial Brother, actually, isn't it very good that Little Li'er is by your side now?"
He looked at Chu Jiangnan cautiously, closely observing the changes in his expression.
As expected, the moment Little Li'er was mentioned, his imperial brother's face immediately softened, and his mood visibly brightened.
However, Chu Jiangnan harbored some doubts. "She is not, ultimately."
Royal bloodlines could not be confused.
He could cherish Chu Qianli as his own daughter, but if she wasn't of royal blood, she wasn't.
How could he deceive the world forever?
Doing so would not only be a disservice to the Nanming empire and its people but also to the ancestors of their royal lineage.
He would become a sinner for all eternity in Nanming.
"If she is not the true princess, then this empire cannot be handed over to her."
Chu Wang understood this perfectly. It was equivalent to handing over the empire to outsiders.
In ordinary commoner families, blood ties might not be so crucial.
But in the imperial family, not an iota of falsehood could exist.
Otherwise, it would be a grave mistake of deceiving the emperor and annihilating the clan!
"So, Imperial Brother, you truly have no intention of replenishing the harem?" Without a harem and concubines, there would never be one's own true children.
"Little Princess... Imperial Brother, I'm not trying to discourage you, but I genuinely feel that it's highly unlikely... we'll ever find her."
After searching for so many years, Chu Wang had long since despaired. He had simply never mentioned it to his imperial brother, not wanting him to fall into despair alongside him.
But even if he didn't say it, wouldn't his imperial brother feel it too?
Perhaps his imperial brother had despaired even earlier than he had.
Now, looking at his imperial brother, it seemed he wasn't suffering as much as before.
Was it because Little Li'er was by his side?
"This empire belongs to all the people of Nanming. While it belongs to the Chu imperial family, the Chu imperial family is not solely represented by my lineage."
"Imperial Brother means you've long since considered handing over the empire?" Chu Wang looked utterly shocked.
The throne! Could his imperial brother truly cast it aside so readily?
But upon further reflection, his imperial brother had already made dire plans many years ago.
It seemed nothing was impossible.
"Then, does Imperial Brother have anyone in mind?"
"For now, it's not clear. They are all still young, or..." Chu Jiangnan looked at Chu Wang.
Chu Wang almost jumped out of his skin: "Imperial Brother, I am not suitable! Don't have any ideas about me!"
If his imperial brother truly still had such thoughts, then... no, no, no! Imperial Brother, please don't force him to run away from home!
It was too tiring!
"If Little Li'er were truly the Little Princess, how wonderful that would be? Don't you think, Imperial Brother, that Little Li'er is the most suitable candidate right now?"
Her demeanor and presence in the imperial court today, in what way was she not a complete empress?
With her there, the entire situation could be completely controlled by her!
Chu Wang even felt that Little Li'er was more suited to be a ruler than his imperial brother!
It was such a pity that she wasn't his imperial brother's biological daughter, not of Chu imperial blood!
Recalling Chu Qianli's performance in the imperial court that day, Chu Jiangnan couldn't help but let out a faint, pleased smile.
He hadn't felt this happy in a very long time.
This little girl truly gave him a sense of peace.
For some reason, Chu Jiangnan's hand suddenly fell to his chest, and his expression instantly turned pained.