Yu Wan'er was afraid of Yu Jingchen, just as she was in the previous life. The sight of him made her tremble, and she didn't dare to get close.
"Come here," Yu Jingchen said, naturally addressing Yu Wan'er.
Yu Wan'er dared not approach, but also dared not resist. She could only take small steps forward. Yu Jingchen remained silent, watching her walk before him. Nan Zhiyun, seeing Yu Jingchen's demeanor, also dared not speak, as she couldn't fathom his intentions towards this second princess.
"Father, Father Emperor," Yu Wan'er stammered.
"Do you still wish to stay by your mother's side? Choose for yourself. If you say you wish to, then I will no longer concern myself with how she treats you. If you do not wish to, then from this day forward, she and you will have nothing to do with each other." Yu Jingchen placed the choice in Yu Wan'er's hands.
"Your, Your Highness..." Yu Wan'er looked at Zhao Zhaorong, her heart filled with fear.
"I do not have much patience. I ask you one last time: stay or leave," Yu Jingchen inquired.
"Your Majesty, you cannot do this! Wan'er is this concubine's child!" Zhao Zhaorong cried out.
"You know he is your child? How is it I have never noticed?" Yu Jingchen replied dismissively.
"Your Highness, Your Highness does not wish to go back. I do not wish to," Yu Wan'er knelt before Yu Jingchen.
"Yu Wan'er!" Zhao Zhaorong shouted at Yu Wan'er, startling her so much that she trembled violently and tears streamed down her face.
"Will you live alone, or how?" Yu Jingchen asked again, ignoring Zhao Zhaorong's unwillingness.
"Your Highness..." Yu Wan'er was at a loss. It was too early for someone like Yu Wan'er to live alone.
"Father Emperor..." Yu Wan'er couldn't articulate her thoughts. She didn't know how to choose. In the past, she had longed for her mother's affection. After realizing her mother didn't like her, she stopped hoping, yet a part of her still yearned.
Yu Jingchen, seeing Yu Wan'er's hesitation, made up his mind. "Consort?" he asked her.
"Isn't Consort very busy?" Nan Zhiyun asked with some confusion.
"What do you think, Yun'er?" Yu Jingchen asked. "Besides the Consort, do you have any other suitable candidates? Or do you yourself have any intentions?" he asked.
Nan Zhiyun froze. "That wouldn't be right... I don't know how to raise a child." Nan Zhiyun felt a strong aversion in her heart. The thought that this was the child of Yu Jingchen and another woman made her feel extremely awkward and uncomfortable.
"Yun'er will have her own baby in the future, our little baby," Yu Jingchen thought. He had never expected to develop such genuine feelings for a girl, so he had never paid attention before.
These children were all conceived in the Eastern Palace, and he had permitted them to be kept. Those who had borne children were primarily from families with weaker influences.
Nan Zhiyun looked at Yu Wan'er kneeling on the ground, her emotions complex. The girl looked truly pitiable, yet Nan Zhiyun... couldn't bring herself to like her.
"Your Majesty, this subject is unwilling," Nan Zhiyun stated, not wanting to raise another's child.
"Since you are unwilling, then forget it. Yun'er, there is no need to force yourself. The second princess will be raised by the Consort," Yu Jingchen said. But as soon as he finished speaking, Yu Wan'er grabbed Nan Zhiyun's robe. "Consort Shu... Wan'er will be good... Wan'er will be obedient. Wan'er will not disturb Consort Shu, and can also take care of herself..."