192: Emperors are unpredictable in their moods.

The Emperor gazed at her for a long time.

Tu Nan could not read his expression.

Did he not believe her?

Did he think it unlikely that she would muster such courage for such a simple reason?

"Your Majesty, it must be hard for you to understand, because you possess everything under the heavens."

"As for me, if I do not fight, I won't even have a name worth remembering; I would only have a pathetic serial number. The only future left for me is void."

"In the past, I would wake up every day unsure if I could still be considered a 'person.' I had no family, no reason to leave any trace behind. I didn't even have the right to dream; I could only open my eyes waiting for a Male Beast to purchase me, then close them waiting to be forgotten."

"Just like a tool, once its function is exhausted, it is discarded. Is that truly living?"

"If you were in my shoes, what would you do, Your Majesty?"

Sincerity is inherently a trump card, and every Emperor who wishes to go down in history always believes they possess compassion for those at the bottom.

Tu Nan felt these words were enough to move an Emperor...

However, her plan missed the mark again.

The Emperor reached out a hand toward her, as if wanting to touch her hair... but the moment his fingertips brushed the ends of her hair, it was as if he had been stung by something, and he suddenly tightened his grip.

Tu Nan's pupils dilated in shock, and her breath caught in her chest—was he punishing her for her presumptuous words, or...

However, the next second, she collided into his embrace. The Emperor pulled his arms in, trapping her firmly, and wore a very strange expression, as if contemplating an emotion he did not understand himself.

"You already have two names, are you still not satisfied?"

"Do you want to become Pearl?"

What... was he talking about?

Her eyes widened at this sudden assault; she didn't know what kind of madness had taken hold of him. She had spoken that long, emotional speech, and the point was which name she would use?

"...No, my name is Tu Nan."

"Ahem~" Someone coughed softly.

The old doctor, James, walked out from the inner room. Holding a file folder, he reminded the two strangely positioned people not to continue.

He had originally wanted to pretend he didn't exist, but if The Emperor was truly intending to do something, it would be even more inappropriate for him to come out then.

"Discuss the research matters yourselves. If you need anything, find Yuan Zhe."

To James's relief, The Emperor showed no displeasure at being interrupted; he loosened his hand, letting the Female Beast in his arms pull away.

"I will provide all the resources you need. As for the results... do not disappoint me."

This black-hearted boss only cared about pressuring his subordinates, and after capriciously making his demands, he left directly.

After briefly agreeing with James on her future working hours at the Medical Institute, Tu Nan planned to go pick up the little one and move within the palace.

That attendant, Nan Yifei, who had previously guided her, was waiting for her silently.

"His Majesty has ordered me to temporarily act as the manager of the Autumn Courtyard." He bowed slightly. "Young Miss Huai En and Young Master Xing are already there; I am here to lead the way for you."

Tu Nan had no room to choose or refuse, so she might as well accept with a smile.

Nan Yifei handed over a slender, beautiful bracelet.

"Your bracelet."

She could finally restore contact with the outside world; this was truly exciting.

It had to be said that although this Emperor was often unfathomable, he didn't seem to slack off on serious matters.

The so-called Autumn Courtyard covered quite a large area.

Tu Nan discovered that it was a huge area with small hills and rockeries, although they were all covered in snow now. The house she lived in occupied only a tiny corner of it.

The two walked through the mountains.

Nan Yifei suddenly pointed to a spot ahead, signaling for Tu Nan to look.

"Those treehouses over there were all built by The Emperor's order for Colonel Kong."

They were a few simple, natural wooden cabins built on adjacent trees, with suspension bridges made of wooden planks and hemp ropes connecting them, as well as wooden steps winding around the trees.

"They aren't big."

Indeed, an adult would find moving around in them quite cramped; Tu Nan could almost imagine the little peacock running back and forth between these trees.

"They were built by The Emperor when he first came to the palace. During his adolescence, he would occasionally like to hide here and not let us bother him."

She asked tentatively, "Did you previously..."

"When I first entered the palace, I happened to be assigned by The Emperor to take care of Colonel Kong." Nan Yifei smiled and continued leading the way. "He also lived in the Autumn Courtyard."

Giving Tu Nan a glance, Nan Yifei added.

"But not the one you are in, and not long after, he was taken by The Emperor to be cultivated by his side."

"It was indeed very lively after that. However... lively does not mean he wasn't lonely." Nan Yifei sighed, as if casually reflecting on the topic.

"Oh, he asked me several times whether Young Miss Pearl was living comfortably in the palace."

"Oops!" He exclaimed softly, looking apologetically at Tu Nan. "He isn't prying into palace affairs, and I would never pass information to him. We are here, this is it."

This topic ended abruptly.

Tu Nan blinked, realizing that Nan Yifei was helping the peacock pass a message.

Reminding her... that there was someone watching and waiting.

Yes, for Pearl.

This name had reached the time to disappear completely, when she saw the peacock.

Nan Yifei was truly quite good to Kong Jiamu, whom he had accompanied as he grew up. But since that was the case... it would be best to tell The Emperor later that it would be more appropriate to change the manager in her house.

Although she trusted The Emperor's control and that he wouldn't let these people be loose-lipped, there was no need to challenge human nature.

After fully settling into the Autumn Courtyard, while playing with the bracelet, the first call Tu Nan made was...

"Lance, it's me, Tu Nan."

Before the excited person on the other end could react, Tu Nan immediately asked, "Is Yi Xingye there? I have something to tell you both."

"I am here." A person spoke up from the side.

Tu Nan checked the time... 2:00 PM, which was Lance's usual nap time.

Was Yi Xingye in her bedroom right now?

"Yeah, my previous bracelet can't be used recently. I am going to cooperate with the Royal Medical Institute on that important research, so I might have to live in the palace for a long time. Use this number to contact me from now on."

"Oh, oh, oh, living in the palace! That's amazing~~ So you saw the White Dragon Emperor? Is he really as handsome as he is on TV? Then..."

"Mmph~ Mmph~"

A struggle came from the other end of the communication, accompanied by the chaotic sound of things falling to the ground, and also, the muffled, suggestive panting of Lance.

"Go on, I've quieted her down." Yi Xingye's calm voice came through, unusually clear-headed.

Now the conversation could formally begin.

"The Emperor knows that I am a Foster Mother." She released this news first. "Fortunately, he is merciful and does not blame me. So I think he shouldn't blame you for hiding it either... after all, you were only pitying me."

Yi Xingye immediately replied.

"It is good that The Emperor does not blame you. Lance has always felt that she was violating the Empire's laws, but was also anxious day and night because of her friendship with you."

Tu Nan smiled; Lance wouldn't be like that.

However, she specifically had Yi Xingye present because she was afraid that Lance wouldn't pick up on her subtext and would blurt out things that people in the palace shouldn't know.

He was indeed able to understand that Tu Nan's words were just to remind them that The Emperor did not know Lance's identity as a Foster Mother, telling her not to speak carelessly.

Moreover, her indirect method also let Yi Xingye know the situation of all her communications—that they might be monitored.

With Yi Xingye by her side, it was no wonder the escaped Foster Mother, Lance, was so insensitive to danger.

Tu Nan was happy for her. After entrusting the external matters of her research to Lance, Tu Nan finally brought up a topic.

"By the way... I want to make a unique perfume to present to The Emperor."