The room fell silent at once, and Xia Siheng gazed at Xia Wanwan, his eyes brimming with anticipation.
Daughter, look at me.
I'm your father!
Choose me as your father, and you'll be a commandery princess.
In his excitement, Xia Siheng actually murmured a prayer. "Quick, tell Uncle Emperor you want to be my father. Say it!"
Unfortunately, every eye was fixed on Xia Wanwan, so no one noticed the pitiful expression on the usually aloof Ninth Prince Xia Siheng's face.
Who could understand?
He truly adored this daughter of his. She was so precious that he wanted to take her home and kiss... her mother every day.
Even Xia Siheng startled himself when that thought popped into his head.
Then he secretly rejoiced that, thankfully, no one could hear his thoughts.
The emperor froze in surprise for a moment. "What did you say?"
"I... mmph."
The instant Xia Wanwan opened her mouth, Liu Wan swiftly clapped a hand over it.
Liu Wan broke out in a cold sweat. If anyone learned what she intended, who knew what criticism the Capital would heap upon mother and daughter?
Since ancient times, Great Xia had never had a precedent for a woman taking her children with her after an amicable divorce.
Even if the emperor helped her secure a divorce, she still had no way to take Wanwan and her two adopted sons with her.
She had to remain patient and expose the grave crimes committed by the Marquis's Residence. Only then would she have a chance to take them away.
Most importantly, she absolutely could not let the Xie family discover that Wanwan had rendered meritorious service. Otherwise, even if she obtained a divorce, they would never let her take Wanwan.
Wanwan was her very life. She had to take her