Beauties in Simulation Cross over into Reality

Time flew by in a flash.

Before anyone knew it,

another half-year had passed.

The Sovereign of Qin still had not appointed a Crown Prince.

Although the court officials relentlessly submitted memorials, the Sovereign of Qin would only give them a cursory glance.

Eventually, the Sovereign of Qin stopped looking at the memorials urging the appointment of a Crown Prince altogether.

Qin Siyao also felt it wasn't right for her father, the Emperor, to delay appointing a Crown Prince, so she had asked him, "Are there any suitable candidates for adoption?"

But Qin Shengtian simply smiled at his daughter and said, "None of them are as good as you."

Hearing her father's reply, Qin Siyao just thought he was teasing her and didn't take it to heart.

In reality, Qin Shengtian was speaking the absolute truth.

In Qin Shengtian's heart, he truly felt that the Crown Princes recommended by the court ministers were not even remotely comparable to his own daughter.

"Alright, Siyao, you need not worry about appointing a Crown Prince. I already have someone in mind," the Sovereign of Qin said to his daughter with a smile.

"Eh? Father, you have someone in mind? Who is it?" Qin Siyao asked curiously.

"I'm not telling you just yet, you little rascal." Qin Shengtian's lips curved into a smile. "You'll find out when the time comes."

"Alright..."

Her curiosity piqued, Qin Siyao felt a little disappointed but didn't press the matter. Instead, she continued to sit by her father's side, helping him review the memorials.

In the Imperial Study now, besides Qin Shengtian's own desk, he had also specially prepared one for his daughter.

Qin Shengtian looked at his daughter not far away, a wave of emotion welling up in his heart.

In the past, whenever Qin Shengtian wouldn't answer her, Qin Siyao would throw a tantrum and insist on getting a clear answer.

But now, she didn't press him anymore. Instead, she seized the time to focus on her duties.

Qin Shengtian knew this was a sign of his daughter's growing maturity.

But this maturity also made his heart ache with a hint of guilt.

The sun gradually moved west.

The setting sun had already dyed the sky red. Its gentle light crept over the windowsill, falling upon the father and daughter in the Imperial Study.

Soon, the day would be over.

"Father, it's getting late. I'll be returning to Prince Shuang's Mansion now."

After finishing the memorials in her hands, Qin Siyao looked up. Seeing that it was late, she rose to take her leave from her father.

"Off to cook for Xiao Mo again, are you?" Qin Shengtian said with a smile.

"Of course! I'm the one who cooks for Xiao Mo every night now." Qin Siyao's voice was tinged with pride. "Xiao Mo says my cooking is delicious."

"You cook for Xiao Mo every day, but I, your father, have yet to taste your cooking," Qin Shengtian lamented.

Qin Siyao couldn't help but roll her eyes at her father. "I offered to cook for you before, Father, but you kept refusing for all sorts of reasons, didn't you?"

"HAHAHA..." Qin Shengtian laughed heartily. "Wasn't it because your two older brothers were worried my body couldn't handle it? They specifically warned me not to try your cooking lightly. Now that your culinary skills have improved, I must certainly give it a try."

Qin Siyao's eyes curved into crescents. "In that case, I will cook for you tomorrow at noon, Father."

"Mm, good," Qin Shengtian nodded.

"Then, Father, I'll be leaving now. I'll make a feast for you tomorrow!" Qin Siyao curtsied, then walked over and swept all the memorials from the Sovereign of Qin's desk into her Storage Pouch before leaving the Imperial Study.

"That girl..."

Looking at his now somewhat empty desk, Qin Shengtian gave a helpless smile.

Ever since her mother, the Empress, passed away, the girl would take all his unread memorials with her every time she left the Imperial Study.

How could Qin Shengtian not know? She was worried about his health and didn't want him to overwork himself.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Only after his daughter had left did Qin Shengtian stop holding it in, and he began to cough uncontrollably.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

As the coughing fit continued, Qin Shengtian grabbed a handkerchief and covered his mouth.

When the coughing finally subsided a little, Qin Shengtian picked up the teapot beside him and poured several cups of tea.

The handkerchief, lying on the table, was stained with fresh blood.

Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Qin Shengtian began to regulate his breathing, using his Divine Sense to inspect his own body.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Qin Shengtian slowly opened his eyes. His expression held helplessness and unwillingness, but it was overshadowed by a calm acceptance of life and death.

A small smile touched Qin Shengtian's lips as he seemed to speak to himself. 'It seems my time is up... Forget it. It was already a struggle to live this long. What more could I ask for?'

Putting away the handkerchief, Qin Shengtian dispelled the isolation Array and called out to Eunuch Li, who had been waiting outside the Imperial Study, "Come in."

"Your Majesty..."

Eunuch Li hurried into the Imperial Study, bowing respectfully.

"Have Prime Minister Li, Grand Marshal Baili, and Imperial Censor Uncle Jian come here. I wish to draft an edict," Qin Shengtian said calmly.

Eunuch Li's heart lurched in shock.

'Your Majesty's body is growing weaker by the day. To summon the Three Ministers now, just to draft an edict... could it be—a posthumous edict?'

"You old fool, what are you standing there in a daze for? Hurry up and go!" Qin Shengtian pointed at Eunuch Li's nose and scolded him with a laugh.

"Yes, Your Majesty! This old servant will go at once!"

Eunuch Li wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, quickly withdrew, and hurried out of the Imperial Study.

Upon receiving the summons, Prime Minister Li and the others immediately set out for the Imperial Palace.

「The next day.」

Qin Siyao came to the Imperial Study again, helping her father review memorials as she always did.

As noon approached, Qin Siyao was in the Imperial Kitchen, personally preparing a meal for her father.

While his daughter was busy cooking, the Sovereign of Qin specially summoned Xiao Mo to the Imperial Palace.

At noon, Qin Shengtian ate the meal his daughter had made.

Although Qin Shengtian's palate told him that Siyao's cooking wasn't as good as that of the Imperial Chefs from the Imperial Kitchen...

...in his heart, he felt that his daughter's cooking surpassed all the countless delicacies in the world.

"How is it, Father? Do you find my cooking tasty?" Qin Siyao asked expectantly.

"Delicious. Truly delicious," Qin Shengtian nodded. "I never thought I'd get to eat a meal cooked by you, my girl. I can die without any regrets now."

"Father, don't say such unlucky things." Qin Siyao personally filled a bowl with rice for her father. "If you want to eat my cooking, Father, then I will cook for you every day."

"Hehehe." Qin Shengtian neither agreed nor refused.

After lunch, Qin Shengtian sent her to the Censorate to retrieve some documents.

And just as Qin Siyao left, Qin Shengtian handed a letter to Xiao Mo.

"Your Majesty, this is?" Xiao Mo asked, confused.

Qin Shengtian stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Read this letter after you get back. And remember, do not let Siyao see it."