My Daughter is the Empire’s Lucky Charm

Li Dehai had already gone ahead into the imperial study to inform Emperor Xuanwu of her arrival.

Behind her, Ting Xue stood silently, showing no intention of reminding her of the man's identity. Yun Shu rapidly ran through possibilities in her mind, trying to guess who the visitor might be. But before she could speak, the man gave a soft, helpless chuckle.

"Has the Princess forgotten this old minister? Well, that's understandable. The last time we met, Your Highness was only five years old, a tiny figure as delicate as carved jade. Now, you've already grown into a young lady."

The sense of alarm in her heart quietly faded.

Yun Shu finally pieced it together and let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"You are... Grandfather? Why are you here?"

In the vague fragments of the original Yun Shu's memory, her maternal grandfather had only ever been a minor sixth-rank official. He rarely attended court, let alone received summons to the imperial study to discuss state affairs.

"It is all thanks to Your Highness," the old man replied warmly.

Tang Yuanlin looked kindly at Yun Shu, whose features so closely resembled his long-departed youngest daughter. His voice was gentle as he spoke.

"His Majesty is currently intent on expanding the use of printing techniques. It just so happens that this year, I was promoted to Vice Minister of Works. His Majesty, out of regard for Your Highness, entrusted the matter to me."

Vice Minister of Works. A fourth-rank official!

Her grandfather had truly climbed high. In just eight years, he had steadily risen through the ranks. He was practically entering the inner circle of the Tian Sheng court.

Yun Shu was filled with complex emotions.

Unbeknownst to her, the man before her, Tang Yuanlin, was feeling something even more profound.

All these years, he had labored to rise in rank, not for wealth or glory, but for the hope that one day he could become a pillar of support for this granddaughter of his. That she might live with a little more ease and dignity within the palace walls.

But he had never expected that before he could fully establish himself, the young girl had already caught the Emperor's attention with her intelligence and boldness.

If Xin Xue, now resting beneath the earth, knew of this, she would surely be proud to have had such a daughter.

"Fifth Princess."

Not far off, Li Dehai had already emerged some time ago.

He understood that it was rare for this pair of grandfather and granddaughter to meet, and that they likely had many things to say. So he had quietly waited nearby.

Only when the conversation grew still did he step forward and gently announce, "His Majesty invites you in."

Yun Shu instinctively turned to glance at Tang Yuanlin.

"Then... I'll go in first."

Tang Yuanlin inclined his head and stepped aside.

"Please, Your Highness."

When Yun Shu entered the imperial study, Emperor Xuanwu was drinking tea.

Seeing her step in carrying a food box, he put down the cup and raised his brows knowingly.

"You've seen Tang Aiqing?"

"Yes, we talked for a while," Yun Shu replied offhandedly, placing the food box on his desk with a cheerful smile. "Father Emperor, look at this! I had someone make a new kind of pastry, it's called a 'cake' and it's really delicious!"

"It certainly looks interesting."

The Emperor glanced at the delicate pastry placed before him. A faint aroma drifted up, unfamiliar yet pleasant. He took the spoon Yun Shu offered and tried a bite. The texture was good, though the taste was a little too sweet for his liking.

It didn't quite suit his palate.

And yet, perhaps it was the way this little rascal had been thinking only of giving him, her father, a cake—clearly placing him above that old fox Tang Yuanlin—that stirred a subtle warmth in his chest.

For once, Emperor Xuanwu took a second bite.

Yes... still too sweet.

But since the cake was sweet, perhaps he could be a little generous on Tang Yuanlin's behalf. He set the spoon aside and casually reached for a memorial on the table, handing it to Yun Shu.

"Have a look."

"...Is that really alright?"

Yun Shu wasn't quite sure. From what she remembered in novels and dramas, these memorials were supposed to be confidential.

"It's fine. If I tell you to read it, then read it."

With a light laugh, he shoved the memorial into her hands.

"As it happens, your grandfather submitted this just yesterday. He wished to enter the palace to see you. And look at that, you two happened to run into each other today.

Master Tang has few children. Only one son and one daughter. Among his grandchildren, aside from one granddaughter who's already married, there's only a single grandson... and you, his only granddaughter.

I imagine he still had many things he wanted to say to you. If you're willing, I can summon him to the palace again in the coming days."

"There's no need for all that trouble."

Yun Shu skimmed through the memorial. As expected, it simply expressed his wish to visit her in the palace.

She folded the memorial with both hands, then looked up at Emperor Xuanwu, eyes sparkling.

"Father Emperor, I heard from Sixth Brother that he's been out of the palace a few times before?"

"You want to go out too?"

Emperor Xuanwu instantly caught her meaning and, without hesitation, tossed over a token.

"Take a few guards with you, and be back before the gates are locked."

"Thank you, Father Emperor!"

Yun Shu caught the token with both hands, elated at how easy it had been. The next moment, she was showering him with flattery like coins from a broken pouch.

"Father Emperor is the best! You're the greatest father (Daddy) in the world! I'll definitely bring back a gift for you!"

Daddy?

That was the first time anyone had called him that.

Something warm and unfamiliar stirred in the depths of Emperor Xuanwu's heart. He froze for a moment. His lips tugged uncontrollably into a smile, though his years of imperial restraint made him try to keep a straight face.

"Enough with the flattery. When you leave, have Li Dehai take you to my personal treasury.

It's your first time visiting your maternal family. You can't go empty-handed. People might think I've been stingy with you."

"Father Emperor is so thoughtful!"

Grinning wide, she launched another barrage of praises without the slightest shame.

By the time Yun Shu followed Eunuch Li to the Emperor's private treasury to pick out a gift, Emperor Xuanwu was still sitting in the imperial study with the corners of his lips curving higher than a crossbow bowstring.

"This way, Your Highness."

While the Emperor may not have realized it himself, Li Dehai, ever observant, had silently elevated Yun Shu's status once more in his mind.

He wasn't joking. This was the Emperor's personal treasury.

Even Noble Consort Liu, who enjoyed the greatest favor in the harem, had never been allowed to choose rewards directly from it.

This Fifth Princess... had truly soared beyond the clouds.

Thinking this, Li Dehai stole a glance at Yun Shu.

But the young princess he now regarded as cunning and sharp seemed entirely unaware of her rising star.

At the moment, she was staring intently at the Emperor's collection of treasures... and quietly swallowing her saliva.

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The Ministry of Works (工部, gōngbù) was one of the six major ministries in imperial China, responsible for managing and overseeing public works, infrastructure, construction, and government manufacturing. Its role was essential to the functioning of the empire, as it managed everything from roads and canals to government buildings and irrigation projects. The ministry also played a significant part in organizing and directing labor for these projects, maintaining quality control, and ensuring that the infrastructure of the empire supported economic growth and military logistics.

For more information about the Six Ministry you can look at the link on chapter: Heads up

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The term "Aiqing" (爱卿) is a historical Chinese honorific used by emperors to address their trusted officials and ministers.

爱 (ài) = love, cherish

卿 (qīng) = an ancient noble title, later used as a respectful form of address for court officials

When combined as 爱卿, it literally means "beloved minister" or "my cherished subject."

However, in context, it is not a term of affection in the modern romantic sense. Rather, it's an imperial form of address, conveying trust, respect, and favor from the emperor toward a subordinate.

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Yun Shu usually call the Emperor by Father Emperor" (父皇 — fù huáng). This is formal and respectful, the standard way a prince or princess refers to the emperor in court. It emphasizes his status as emperor first, then as a parent. Even if said warmly, it still carries the tone of palace etiquette. Think of it like saying "Your Majesty, my father" instead of just "Dad."

But then she switch into "Father" (爹爹 — diē die). This is much more intimate, soft, and childlike. It has warmth, playfulness, and emotional closeness. Thus I add Daddy on my translation, and maybe I will use it as as a replacement / translation for 爹爹.

The original Chinese likely shifted from:

"父皇最好啦!您就是天下最好的爹爹!"

"Father Emperor is the best! You're the greatest father in the world!"

So although she starts by calling him Father Emperor, she slides into using the more affectionate "爹爹" when she's excited and buttering him up.

"Father?" That was the first time anyone had called him that.

This line doesn't mean Yun Shu had never called him Father Emperor before. Of course she had. But it was likely the first time someone—perhaps any child of his—called him 爹爹, without the weight of his title.

To a man used to formal, distant respect, that tiny shift felt startling and deeply personal.

It wasn't just protocol anymore.

It was affection.